Did a Hungarian King inspire the legend of Sir Lancelot?

Could the tales of a Hungarian king have inspired one of the world’s most famous knights? The legend of Saint Ladislaus has lived on for centuries, and some researchers suggest his heroic legacy may have even influenced the Knights of the Round Table.

The Hungarian king who captivated Westerners’ imagination

Saint Ladislaus ruled at the end of the 11th century and became a legend in his own time. His heroic feats—defeating a marauding Cuman warrior, engaging in duels, defending the faith, and protecting the kingdom’s borders—became a core part of Hungarian national identity for generations to come.

These stories may have had influence far beyond Hungary. In an interview with Telex, historian Stephen Pow explained that several historical clues suggest it might not be mere coincidence that motifs in Saint Ladislaus’s legends closely resemble the tales of one of the world’s greatest knightly figures: Sir Lancelot.

The ties between the Hungarian and French courts

Knightly culture flourished across Europe in the 12th century. King Béla III of Hungary married a French princess, bringing his court into close contact with French aristocracy. It was during this vibrant cultural exchange that the legendary Knights of the Round Table tales began to be written—most notably by Chrétien de Troyes, who chronicled Lancelot’s adventures. According to Pow’s research, the growing ties between the courts likely exposed French writers to Hungarian legends—especially those celebrating the protection of women and the defense of Christianity—which may have served as inspiration for French literary tradition.

Ladislaus and Lancelot

Historian Stephen Pow believes that even the very name Lancelot could be etymologically derived from Ladislaus (László). But the connections run deeper than nomenclature: both heroes feature prominently in duels beneath trees, fighting to rescue women. Core themes in both legends include bravery, sacrifice, and the defense of women and the innocent—traits not yet common in knightly storytelling at that time.

In the legends of Ladislaus, the king defeats enemies with near-superhuman strength, much like how Lancelot serves King Arthur with extraordinary courage and loyalty. Ladislaus is often depicted riding a white horse—an image that appears frequently in Lancelot’s stories, where the white horse symbolizes purity, justice, and loyalty to the king. Some analyses even suggest the ceremonial oaths of knighthood in both traditions share striking similarities.

Depictions of Saint Ladislaus—particularly scenes showing his duel with the Cuman warrior—were common in medieval church frescoes and could easily have made their way to Western monastic collections. Pow points out that Ladislaus was canonized in 1192, exactly when Chrétien de Troyes began writing the Lancelot epics, during a period of strong dynastic links between Hungary and France.

Authors of medieval chivalric romances, who traveled through courts and monasteries across Europe, could have drawn from these visual and oral traditions to mold the character of Lancelot—a legendary hero and fierce defender of women. While many heroic tales circulated in French literary circles, the parallels between these stories and Hungarian legend remain striking.

The legacy of Saint Ladislaus

Most historians approach this theory with caution. There is no direct evidence that King Ladislaus inspired the legend of Lancelot. However, the parallels uncovered by Pow make it plausible that Hungarian stories reached France and helped shape the evolution of knightly tales. The theory continues to spark debate: how were heroes shaped, and how did legends migrate across kingdoms?

Regardless, Saint Ladislaus remains a powerful figure in Hungary’s cultural memory—and perhaps, unknowingly, his influence extended into the epic tales of Western chivalry.

Featured image source: Pixabay

More fascinating stories about Hungarian kings:

• Did historians just find the tomb of Dracula?
• Sex and society during the Hungarian conquest: a glimpse into the intimate lives of the early Magyars
• Did a premature Hungarian heir survive inside freshly slaughtered pigs in the Middle Ages?

To read or share this article in Hungarian, click here: Helló Magyar