Maledisant

Also known as: Beauvivante / damosel Maledisant · Family: Arthurian · Role: damosel · First appears: Book IX, Chapter III

In Book IX, Chapter III, Maledisant rebuked La Cote Male Taile harshly, asking, “What dost thou here in my fellowship?” She nevertheless traveled in fellowship with Sir Mordred, who defended La Cote Male Taile in Chapter IV, saying he was a good knight. At Castle Orgulous, she learned that La Cote Male Taile had slain twelve knights and escaped; she also went secretly to watch him fight. After Breuse Saunce Pité took her shield, Sir Tristram rescued it and returned it to her, while she rebuked Sir Launcelot.

In Chapter VII, Maledisant apologized for her conduct and explained that she had rebuked La Cote Male Taile not from hatred but “for great love that I had to him.” She said she had long sought Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram, and agreed to ride with Sir Launcelot if she stopped rebuking La Cote Male Taile. Sir Launcelot renamed her the Damosel Bienpensant. After La Cote Male Taile recovered his horse, armor, and Maledisant at the Castle of Pendragon, they learned that their companion had been Sir Launcelot; at Pentecost next following, La Cote Male Taile wedded Maledisant, who thereafter was called Beauvivante.

Relationship record

Life events

• Maledisant learns that La Cote Male Taile slew twelve knights and escaped.(Book IX, Chapter IV · 📍 Castle Orgulous)
  • With: La Cote Male Taile
  • “With this answer the courier departed and came to Maledisant his lady, and told her all how Sir La Cote Male Taile had sped at the Castle Orgulous.”
• La Cote Male Taile recovers his horse, armor, and Maledisant.(Book IX, Chapter VI · 📍 Castle of Pendragon)
  • With: La Cote Male Taile
  • “And anon as La Cote Male Taile was delivered he gat his horse, and his harness, and his damosel Maledisant.”
• La Cote Male Taile and Maledisant learn that their companion was Sir Launcelot.(Book IX, Chapter VI · 📍 Castle of Pendragon)
  • With: Sir Launcelot La Cote Male Taile
  • “And when the damosel and La Cote Male Taile understood that it was Sir Launcelot du Lake that had ridden with them in fellowship”
• Male disant apologizes for her conduct, and Sir Launcelot agrees to ride with her if she stops rebuking Sir La Cote Male Taile.(Book IX, Chapter VII)
  • With: Sir Launcelot
  • “the damosel cried Sir Launcelot mercy of her evil deed”
• Sir Launcelot renames Male disant the Damosel Bienpensant.(Book IX, Chapter VII)
  • With: Sir Launcelot
  • “where ye are called the Damosel Maledisant I will call you the Damosel Bienpensant.”
• Sir La Cote Male Taile married Maledisant, who thereafter was called Beauvivante.(Book IX, Chapter IX)
  • With: La Cote Male Taile
  • “and there Breunor le Noire wedded that damosel Maledisant. And after she was called Beauvivante”