Lady of the Lake

Also known as: damosel · Role: lady of the lake · First appears: Book I, Chapter XXV

Life events

Arthur accepts the Lady of the Lake's condition and takes Excalibur and its scabbard.(Book I, Chapter XXV)
- With: King Arthur Merlin
- “By my faith, said Arthur, I will give you what gift ye will ask. Well! said the damosel, go ye into yonder barge, and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you”
The Lady of the Lake reveals that Arthur’s sword is named Excalibur.(Book II, Chapter III)
- With: King Arthur
- “The name of it, said the lady, is Excalibur, that is as much to say as Cut-steel.”
The Lady of the Lake demands Balin’s or the maiden’s head, but Arthur refuses.(Book II, Chapter III)
- With: King Arthur
- “Truly, said King Arthur, I may not grant neither of their heads with my worship, therefore ask what ye will else, and I shall fulfil your desire.”
Balin kills the Lady of the Lake by striking off her head.(Book II, Chapter III)
- With: Balin
- “and with his sword lightly he smote off her head before King Arthur.”
King Arthur buries the Lady of the Lake richly.(Book II, Chapter III)
- With: King Arthur
- “Then King Arthur and all the court made great dole and had shame of the death of the Lady of the Lake. Then the king buried her richly.”
The Lady of the Lake confirms Sir Launcelot du Lake by that name.(Book XI, Chapter III)
- With: Sir Launcelot
- “and after that the Lady of the Lake confirmed him Sir Launcelot du Lake.”

with King Arthur (The Lady of the Lake owns the sword and offers it to Arthur in exchange for a future gift.) “Sir Arthur, king, said the damosel, that sword is mine, and if ye will give me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it.”
with King Arthur (She offers Arthur the sword in exchange for a future gift) “Sir Arthur, king, said the damosel, that sword is mine, and if ye will give me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it.”

enemies with Balin (The Lady of the Lake had caused Balin's mother's death and demanded Balin's head; Balin killed her.) “When Balin was ready to depart, he saw the Lady of the Lake, that by her means had slain Balin’s mother, and he had sought her three years; and when it was told him that she asked his head of King Arthur, he went to her straight and said, Evil be you found; ye would have my head, and therefore ye shall lose yours, and with his sword lightly he smote off her head before King Arthur.”

with Balin (Balin caused the Lady of the Lake's death.) “Anon the knight Balin told his brother of his adventure of the sword, and of the death of the Lady of the Lake, and how King Arthur was displeased with him.”

with Merlin (The Lady of the Lake imprisoned Merlin beneath the stone.) “the rock whereas the Lady of the Lake had put Merlin under the stone”

with Sir Launcelot (The Lady of the Lake confirms Launcelot's name or title.) “and after that the Lady of the Lake confirmed him Sir Launcelot du Lake.”
knighted: Sir Launcelot (The Lady of the Lake confirmed Sir Launcelot as a knight.) “and after that the Lady of the Lake confirmed him Sir Launcelot du Lake.”

Extracted from the original text of Le Morte d'Arthur. Made with Rho MD.