The WOMEN of Arthurian Legend

THE WOMEN OF

ARTHURIAN LEGEND

By: Emily E. Stap

GUINEVERE*Wife and consort of King Arthur*loves & has affair with Sir Lancelot—which appears 1st in The Knight of the Cart*affair is what brings about the fall of Camelot* In Welsh Triads there is Gwenhwyfar (sometimes 3) who were married to King Arthur

*Mentioned in The History of the Kings of Britain*Later stories: is daughter of King Leodegrance*Childless

*After death of Arthur meets Lancelot one last time & spends rest of life in a nunnery

MORGAN LE FAY

*Powerful sorcerous*1/2 sister to Arthur*in later stories antagonistic toward Arthur & Camelot*associated with the Isle of Avalon

*Brings Arthur there on ship to heal him of his mortal wound*Married to King Urian—sometimes Ywain is her son

VIVIEN/ NIMUE *Sometimes one of the Ladies of the Lake-or a apprentice of Morgan le Fay

• Seduces Merlin & learns all his magic

• Traps him in a invisible castle/tree/ cave

• Either goes on to assist and help Arthur

• Or is a vivacious villain

ELAINE

*Several Elaines in the Arthurian legend*Elaine of Astolot –dies of unrequited love for Sir Lancelot*Another Elaine (or same one) has a son Sir Galahad w/ Sir Lancelot

MORGAUSE

*1/2 sister to Arthur, wife of King Lot, & mother to Gawain, Gaheris, Argavaine, Gareth, & Mordred*In later legend, known for her incestuous liaison with Arthur-which results in Mordred*killed by her son(s) when found in bed with Sir Lamorak

THE LADY OF THE LAKE

*ruler of realm under the lake/land of fays/ or Avalon*Involved in many knights’ adventures*Gives King Arthur Excalibur and takes it back w/ her into the lake when Arthur dies*Takes & raises Sir Lancelot

*In various versions with various names--& in some stories there are two Ladies of the Lake*In some stories she marries Sir Pellas

DAMSEL IN DISTRESS?

SEDUCTIVE WITCH?