Escanor

1. Escanor
   Escanor the Handsome

   King of the White Mountain and nephew of Escanor le Grand and cousin of Escaduor.

   He appears in the obscure romance Escanor. Gawaine defeated him in combat after Escanor tried to abduct Sir Girflet. Consequent of this defeat, Gawaine obtained Escanor’s horse, Gringolet, which had been given to Escanor by his lover, the fairy queen Esclarimonde.

   Later, Escanor wrongly accused Gawaine of his cousin’s murder. Gawaine at first refused to fight him, so Sir Galantivet, Gawaine’s squire, ambushed and defeated Escanor. When Escanor and Gawaine finally met in combat, Gawaine had the upper hand and would have killed his opponent, but a fairy named Felinete, who had once helped Gawaine, interceded and convinced Gawaine to spare Escanor’s life. The two knights reconciled and became friends. Escanor retired to a hermitage after his wife died.

   
   

2. Escanor le Grand
   Escanor the Large

   Son of a giant and a witch, brother of Alienor, and uncle of Escanor the Handsome, with whom Escanor the Large is sometimes confused.

   Escanor the Large was born at the same time as Gawaine, and he shared Gawaine’s power by which his strength waxed and waned with the sun. He held an enduring hatred for Gawaine, who had once defeated him.

   Appearing in L'Atre Perileux, he kidnapped Arthur’s female cupbearer while she was under Gawaine’s protection. Gawaine tracked him down and killed him in combat, rescuing the maiden. He also appears in Escanor, and held Griflet prisoner.

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   See also
   Witches | The Crypt