Sir Helake

Sir Helake is a knight who, with his brother Sir Helius, murders King Hermance by treachery. Their crime brings Sir Palamides to the Red City seeking vengeance. In the fight against both brothers, Helake is the first to fall, but his brother’s attack leaves Palamides in grave danger before the avenger prevails.

Identity and Background

Sir Helake appears as one of two brothers, the other being Sir Helius. The brothers are described as knights of considerable prowess, though the narrative also calls them false and treacherous, and says they were born poor. Their status as skilled fighters is thus set against the dishonour of their actions.

Crime and Challenge

The brothers have killed their lord, King Hermance, through treachery. Sir Palamides comes to avenge Hermance’s death, and the people of the Red City welcome the prospect of justice: they have heard of Palamides’s prowess and welcome him as their champion. When the brothers learn that he will fight them both, they ask whether he is related to Sir Launcelot, whose kin they refuse to fight. Told that Palamides is not of that blood and remains unchristened, they accept the encounter and threaten that he will not leave it to be baptized.

The Fight and Death

At the lists, Palamides directly accuses Sir Helake and Sir Helius of killing their king by felony and treason. Both acknowledge that they are the men he has come to challenge. The encounter is fought by Palamides against the two brothers together. In the first charge, Palamides strikes Helake through his shield and kills him. Helake’s death immediately changes the balance of the fight, but it does not end the danger: Helius then unseats Palamides and continues the combat alone.

Narrative Role

Sir Helake’s brief appearance joins treacherous rule to the demand for vengeance. His death is the first decisive turn in Palamides’s contest, yet the duel’s course makes clear that defeating one brother does not secure victory over the other. The episode presents Palamides’s fight as an act on behalf of the murdered king and the city threatened by his killers.