Linet

Also known as: Dame Linet / Damosel Sabage / Damosel Savage / Savage / damosel Linet / the damosel Linet / the maiden Linet · Role: damosel · First appears: Book VII, Chapter XIII

In Book VII, Chapter XIII, Linet is identified as the sister of Dame Lionesse. By Chapter XIV she is travelling with Sir Beaumains, after Sir Persant escorts them for part of the way; she urges Sir Beaumains to courage when her sister weeps, and does likewise to the Red Knight. In Chapter XX she says she has rebuked Sir Gareth harshly, though he always answers her meekly, before the dwarf reveals to Linet and Dame Lionesse that he is Sir Gareth of Orkney, son of a king’s sister and brother to Sir Gawaine.

In Chapter XXII, Linet restores a severed knight by anointing and rejoining his head, and Sir Gareth recognizes her as the companion who rode with him through the perilous passages. She later reassembles the pieces of Sir Gareth’s severed head and staunches his bleeding, then heals him with ointment and salve at the Isle of Avilion. She and Sir Gareth also “troth-plight each other to love,” while King Arthur grants him food for a year, Linet’s adventure, and knighthood by Sir Launcelot.

By Chapter XXXIII, Linet reveals the identities of Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth, ending their battle as Sir Gawaine yields and seeks his brother’s mercy. She staunches both their wounds, summons King Arthur, and heals them during their eight-day stay; she then brings Dame Lionesse and Sir Gringamore with forty knights to the gathering. At King Arthur’s command, she is married to Sir Gaheris.