The WOMEN of Arthurian Legend

1. The WOMEN of Arthurian Legend By: Emily E. Stap

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Damsel in distress?

9. Seductive Witch?