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Sir Kay was the son of Ector (Ectorious) and the foster brother
of
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| Sir Kay breaks his
sword in a tournament. |
King Arthur. History records Kay (Cai in Welsh)
as being a very tall man, as shown by his epithet, the Tall.
He appears in the Mabinogion tale of "Culhwch and Olwen"
as the foremost warrior at the Court of the King Arthur, and apparently
had mystical powers and was called one of the "Three Enchanter Knights
of Britain" for:
"nine nights and nine days his breath lasted under
water, nine nights and nine days would he be without sleep. A wound
from Cai's sword no physician might heal. When it pleased him, he
would be as tall as the tallest tree in the forest. When the rain
was heaviest, whatever he held in his hand would be dry for a handbreadth
before and behind, because of the greatness of his heat, and, when
his companions were coldest, he would be as fuel for them to light
a fire".
Sir Kay at times had a volatile and cruel nature, but he was Arthur's
senechal and one of his most faithful companions. Kay married Andrivete,
daughter of King Cador of Northumberland, and he is credited with
sons called Garanwyn and Gronosis and a daughter called Kelemon. Some
sources say that Kay was a Saxon, but was unlike the heathen Saxons
because he was a Christian.
There are different accounts of his death: throughout Welsh literature
it is claimed that he was killed by Gwyddawg who was, in turn, killed
by Arthur; but he is also said to have been killed by the Romans or
in the war against Mordred.
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