NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Gales the Bald

Gales the Bold
Gales Lithauz, Gales li Caus, Gales li Chans, Gales li Chaus, Gales li Gaiz, Giles li Chaufs, Wales li Caus

An Arthurian knight first mentioned in Chrétien’s Erec.

He has little significance until the Fourth Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval, in which the author names him as the father of Perceval by the lady Philosofine (Philosophine), replacing Alain from Robert de Boron’s cycle and Pellinore from the Vulgate Cycle.

According to the Vulgate Merlin, he goes with Arthur and his allies to succour King Leodegan (Leodegrance) in the battles against King Rions. He is also one of the knights who undertake the first and second quest of Lancelot.

In Heinrich von dem Türlin’s Diu Crône, his beloved, Filleduch, fails a chastity test. In Claris et Laris, Gales avenges a knight’s murder by slaying his killer.

The Everyman’s edition of 1987 definitely gives his name as “the Bald” which certainly means “Bold”.


Sources
Erec | Chrétien de Troyes, late 12th century
First Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval | Attributed to Wauchier of Denain, c. 1200
Erec | Hartmann von Aue, late 12th century
Diu Crône | Heinrich von dem Türlin, c. 1230
Lancelot do Lac | 1215-1220
Vulgate Lancelot | 1215-1230
Vulgate Merlin | 1220-1235
Fourth Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval | Gerbert de Montreuil, c. 1230
Claris et Laris | 1268