Gurgurant

Gurguran

A heathen, cannibal king in Perlesvaus who possessed the sword that had beheaded St. John the Baptist.

His son was kidnapped by a giant, which made Gurguran forsake his pagan religion. Gawain came to Gurguran’s kingdom in Scotland seeking the sword, and he accepted the challenge of rescuing Gurguran’s son. Gawain killed the giant, but was unable to save the prince’s life. Gurguran nevertheless gave Gawain the sword as a reward. Gurgurant cooked his son’s body and fed it to his followers. Gurguran then had himself baptized, taking the Christian name Archier.

Three priests named Gregory later gave Gurguran a holy bell to take to the Grail Castle where he became a hermit.