Sir Lancelot

The Lady in the Lake raised and educated Lancelot and presented him to King Arthur’s court. He became Arthur’s most loyal and trusted Knight and his close confidant, but he was ultimately to betray Arthur and become his enemy. 

 

When Lancelot was knighted, he became Queen Guinevere’s champion. Over time a closeness developed between them and they became lovers. Lancelot rescued Guinevere from the clutches of Sir Meliagrance, who himself would later accuse Lancelot and Guinevere of having an adulterous affair, which ultimately lost him his life. 

 

Lancelot was Arthur’s bravest Knight and he undertook many campaigns, including the quest for the Holy Grail, but he was always eager to return to Guinevere’s side as his love for her knew no bounds. 

When Arthur discovered the affair, he was distraught; even though he loved Guinevere he condemned her to be burned at the stake. Lancelot rescued her from this fate and travelled with her to his castle. 

 

Arthur pursued them and laid siege to the castle demanding that Lancelot return Guinevere which he eventually agreed to; Lancelot was then exiled to France. 

 

Arthur pursued Lancelot yet again to France, leaving his nephew Mordred in charge of his kingdom, but he had to return when Mordred tried to take the kingdom from him and fighting Mordred he was mortally wounded. 

 

Guinevere believed that her and Lancelot’s love affair was the cause of Arthur’s death and the destruction of the Round Table. When Lancelot returned to her side, she refused to kiss him and vowed never to see him again. 

 

Guinevere took a vow of penitence and became a nun. Lancelot declared that if Guinevere was to take a life of penitence, then so shall he, and he lived out the rest of his life as a hermit monk.