Guinevere

Also known as: Queen / Queen Guinevere / my Queen / the Queen / the great Queen / the sinful Queen · Family: Cameliard · Role: daughter of Leodogran · First appears: The Coming of Arthur 1

Guinevere was the only child of Leodogran, King of Cameliard, who took delight in her beauty. After Arthur asked for her hand, Lancelot brought her from Cameliard, and in May Dubric conducted her marriage to Arthur; she and the King declared their love for one another. At Caerleon, she welcomed Enid as Geraint’s bride, honoured her, and dressed her for the bridal ceremony.

Guinevere loved Lancelot, who worshipped her above any unmarried woman. She once told him, “I am yours, Not Arthur’s, as ye know, save by the bond,” urged him to disguise himself for the jousts, and later rejected his diamond gift before apologizing for her jealousy. Vivien claimed that Lancelot and Guinevere had secretly embraced at Caerleon, while Elaine regarded Guinevere as a rival; Guinevere nonetheless gave Vivien temporary shelter among her maidens.

After fleeing the court, Guinevere sought sanctuary at Almesbury, where she remained unnamed among the nuns. She and Lancelot parted forever, and she swore never to see him again. Arthur left her to her shame but ordered loyal men to guard her until his death, then forgave her and entrusted her to the nuns’ lifelong care. Guinevere entered the nunnery, lived a penitential life, was chosen Abbess for her good deeds and pure life, and died after three years in that office.