Guinevere, wife of Arthur, legendary king of Britain, best known in Arthurian romance through the love that his knight Sir Lancelotbore for her. In early Welsh literature, one Gwenhwyvar was “the first lady of this island”; in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s inventive Historia regum Britanniae (early 12th century), she was named Guanhumara and was presented as a Roman lady. In some accounts it was suggested that she was Arthur’s second wife.
An early tradition of abduction (and infidelity) surrounded the figure of Guinevere. According to the late 11th- or early 12th-century Vita Gildae, she was carried off by Melwas, king of Aestiva Regio (literally, “Summer Region”), to be rescued by Arthur and his army. In Chrétien de Troyes’s late 12th-century romance of Le Chevalier de la charette, she was rescued by Lancelot (a character whom Chrétien had earlier named as one of Arthur’s knights) from the land of Gorre, to which she had been taken by Meleagant (a version of the story that was incorporated in the 13th-century prose Vulgate cycle). Chrétien presented her as one receiving or refusing love in the manner of ladies celebrated in courtly love lyrics. There and in the early part of the Vulgate cycle, courtly love was exalted through the passion of Lancelot and Guinevere. But in the austerely spiritual part of the Vulgate cycle, the Queste del Saint Graal, their adulterous love stood condemned, and Lancelot was unable to look directly at the Holy Grail because of it.
In the early chronicles and later in prose Arthurian romances, Guinevere was abducted by Mordred, Arthur’s nephew (or, in some versions, his son), and this action was closely bound up with the death of Arthur and the end of the knightly fellowship of the Round Table. In the early accounts Guinevere was not unwilling, but, in Sir Thomas Malory’s late 15th-century prose Le Morte Darthur, she became an unhappy victim as far as Mordred was concerned, though she was given her share of responsibility for the final disasters because her love for Lancelot had caused such bitter dissension.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Sheetz.
In Arthurian lore, Guinevere's portrayal as King Arthur's wife embodies complexity and evolves across various literary works. My familiarity with this subject extends to its early Welsh origins, through Geoffrey of Monmouth's influential "Historia regum Britanniae," and the subsequent adaptations by Chrétien de Troyes and Sir Thomas Malory.
The depiction of Guinevere's abduction varies throughout texts. The early Vita Gildae depicts her abduction by Melwas, while Chrétien de Troyes portrays Lancelot as her rescuer from Meleagant's grasp. This theme persists in the 13th-century Vulgate cycle, where courtly love between Lancelot and Guinevere becomes a central focus.
However, this adulterous affair later faces condemnation in the spiritual narrative of the "Queste del Saint Graal," where Lancelot's love for Guinevere obstructs his encounter with the Holy Grail.
The legend concludes tragically in various versions, often tying Guinevere's actions, especially her love for Lancelot, to the downfall of King Arthur and the disbandment of the Round Table. Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte Darthur" emphasizes Guinevere's victimization at the hands of Mordred while acknowledging her role in the tragic outcome.
Throughout these renditions, Guinevere's character undergoes transformation, from a central figure in courtly love to a catalyst for the fall of Arthur's kingdom. The complexities within her relationships and the moral dilemmas faced contribute to the enduring fascination with her character in Arthurian legend.
Guinevere was often rescued by men and represents a true damsel in distress. Although she married King Arthur, she had an affair with Lancelot and loved him. After her husband's death, she joined a nunnery. In the end, she was alone and was buried next to her husband, King Arthur.
THE ARTHURIAN LEGENDS ARE JUST THAT - LEGENDS. None of them are true stories. Most of the surrounding stories, like the Quest for the Grail, Lancelot & Guinevere, the Sword in the Stone, The Green Knight ….
Guinevere is childless in most stories. The few exceptions of that include Arthur's son named Loholt or Ilinot in Perlesvaus and Parzival (first mentioned in Erec and Enide).
King Arthur was married to Guinevere in most legends. Early traditions of abduction and infidelity follow Guinevere, who in some stories was carried off by Arthur's rivals and in others had an adulterous affair with the knight Lancelot.
Though one of the Welsh Triads (Triad 56) speaks of Arthur's three great queens (all named Gwenhwyfar), later romance generally gives him only one wife named Guinevere. Geoffrey of Monmouth introduces the notion of Guinevere's infidelity (with Modred) while Arthur is fighting on the continent.
It is unknown exactly how old King Arthur was when he died. Most estimations place him between 35 and 50, while some are closer to 75. Part of the issue here is that it is not known exactly when Arthur was born, when he died, or if he was even a historical figure at all.
Lancelot escapes, but Guinevere is condemned to be burned at the stake. He returns in time to save her and then offers to give himself up provided there will be no retaliation. Nevertheless, Arthur banishes him and sends Guinevere to a convent.
Guinevere Pendragon was born in 455. Guinevere married Arthur Pendragon. Arthur was born in 460, in birth place. Guinevere passed away in 515, at age 60.
Medieval texts locate it somewhere in Great Britain and sometimes associate it with real cities, though more usually its precise location is not revealed. Most scholars regard it as being entirely fictional, its unspecified geography being perfect for chivalric romance writers.
Older versions of the Arthurian legend mention Guinevere as only one of Arthur's wives. Sometimes Arthur marries three women, all named Guinevere. In other versions, King Leodegrance tricks Arthur into first marrying an identical half-sister of Guinevere's. Learn more about her history here and here and here.
In the case of Excalibur, when Arthur is dying of his wounds following his battle with Mordred, it must be returned to its source, the Lady of the Lake, rather than being entrusted to whichever knight - no matter how noble - might succeed Arthur as king.
Some people do believe that King Arthur could have been a real person, but despite the occasional news story about an archaeological discovery that may provide clues, experts on Arthurian legend tell TIME that there is no evidence — no primary source from the time — to confirm that King Arthur was ever a real person.
When Launcelot hears of the death of Arthur and Gawain, he comes to England in haste. He looks for the queen and finds her in a nunnery. For love of Guinevere as much as for remorse he takes on the habit of a priest. Guided by visions, he goes to Almesbury, where he finds Guinevere dead.
After Arthur leaves, Guinevere becomes hysterical for she has realized that she still loves him and understands at last the full significance and consequence of her immorality. In the years that follow, she remains at the abbey and devotes her life to penance and good works.
Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
