Elaine

Also known as: Dame Elaine / Fair Maid of Astolat / Fair Maiden of Astolat / Lady Elaine / fair Elaine / fair maiden / maiden Elaine / the Fair Maiden of Astolat · Family: unknown · Role: queen · First appears: Book I, Chapter II

In Book I, Elaine married King Nentres of Garlot. In Book IV, she was the wife of King Ban, whose war with King Claudas caused her great sorrow; Merlin told her that her child Sir Launcelot, first named Galahad, would one day avenge her. She asked whether she would live to see him become such a man of prowess.

In Book XI, King Pelles and Dame Brisen arranged for Elaine to meet Sir Launcelot at the Castle of Case, where he believed she was Queen Guenever. Elaine later revealed her identity and that she carried his child, and Sir Launcelot forgave her. She gave birth to Galahad, whom she identified to Sir Bors as Sir Launcelot’s son and the knight destined to achieve the Sangreal. When Sir Bromel la Pleche sought to marry her, she refused him, saying, “it is Sir Launcelot du Lake that I love and none other.” At Camelot, Elaine was acclaimed as the fairest lady in the court, but Sir Launcelot would not speak to her; through Dame Brisen’s deception, he was brought to Elaine’s bed while believing her to be Queen Guenever. Queen Guenever then commanded Elaine to leave, and King Arthur escorted her from the court.

In Book XII, Elaine was at Corbin with Galahad, and she recognized the sleeping Sir Launcelot and wept. She confirmed with him that Galahad had been begotten on that night, then told him of King Pelles’s plan concerning them. King Pelles later granted Sir Launcelot residence at the Castle of Bliant with Elaine and a noble household.

In Book XVIII, at Astolat, Elaine loved the unknown knight who wore the red sleeve; Sir Gawaine recognized Sir Launcelot by his shield and revealed his identity. Elaine prepared to seek the wounded Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine, then attended Launcelot day and night at Winchester. She asked him to be her husband or paramour, but he refused both. After ten days without eating, drinking, or sleeping, Elaine died; Sir Bernard and Sir Tirre placed her corpse in a black-covered barge on the Thames.