In Arthurian legend, Kay is King Arthur's foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. In later literature he is known for his acid tongue and bullying, boorish behaviour, but in earlier accounts he was one of Arthur's premier warriors. Along with Bedivere, with whom he is frequently associated, Kay is one of the earliest characters associated with Arthur. Kay's father is called Ector in later literature, but the Welsh accounts name him as Cynyr Ceinfarfog.
"Keux's" attributed arms
Culhwch and his companions at Ysbadadden's court in Ernest Wallcousins illustration for Celtic Myth & Legend (1920)
"Sir Kay breaketh his sword at ye Tournament" from The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle (1903)
Kay and Lancelot in a Siedlęcin Tower fresco (early 14th century)
King Arthur, according to legends, was a king of Britain. He is a folk hero and a central figure in the medieval literary tradition known as the Matter of Britain.
Tapestry showing Arthur as one of the Nine Worthies, wearing a coat of arms often attributed to him, c. 1385
King Arthur returning from the Battle of Mons Badonis (or Mount Badon). First reference to Arthur, found in early Welsh literature. Stained glass in Llandaf Cathedral, Cardiff.
Supposed former gravesite of Arthur at Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset
A page of Y Gododdin, one of the most famous early Welsh texts featuring Arthur (c. 1275)