العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
EspañolELAINE OF ASTOLAT
'Elaine of Astolat' is a figure in Arthurian legend who dies of her unrequited love for Lancelot. Also referred to as 'Elaine the White' and 'Elaine the Fair', she is the daughter of Bernard of Astolat. Versions of her story appear in Thomas Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur'' and Alfred Tennyson's ''Idylls of the King''. Elaine's story was also the inspiration for Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott".
As with most legends, there are subtle differences in the versions told by different authors in different generations. What follows is the general outline, although details may vary in other tellings.
In Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur'', Elaine's story begins when her father Bernard of Astolat organizes a jousting tournament, attended by King Arthur and his knights. While Lancelot was not originally planning to attend, he is convinced otherwise and visits Bernard and his two sons before the tournament.
While Lancelot is in her family's household, Elaine becomes enamoured of him and begs him to wear her token at the coming tournament. Explaining that Guinevere would be at the tournament, he consents to wear the token but says that he will have to fight in disguise so as not to be recognised. He then asks Bernard if he can leave his recognizable shield with him and borrow another. Bernard agrees and lends him the plain-white shield of Torre, Elaine's brother.
Lancelot goes on to win the jousting tournament, still in disguise, fighting against King Arthur's party and beating forty of them in the tournament. He does, however, receive an injury to his side from Bors's lance, and is carried off the field by Lavaine to the hermit Sir Baudwin's (an ex-Round Table knight) cave. Elaine then urges her father to let her bring the wounded Lancelot to her chambers, where she nurses him. When Lancelot is well, he makes ready to leave, and offers to pay Elaine for her services; insulted, Elaine brings him his shield, which she had been guarding, and a wary Lancelot leaves the castle, never to return but now aware of her feelings for him.
Ten days later, Elaine dies of heartbreak. Per her instructions, her body is placed in a small boat, clutching a lily in one hand, and her final letter in the other. She then floats down the Thames to Camelot, where she is discovered by King Arthur's court. Lancelot is summoned and hears the contents of the letter, after which he explains what had happened. Lancelot proceeds to pay for a rich funeral and Elaine's mass-penny, at her request.
In Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur'', Astolat is identified with Guildford in Surrey.
Elaine has captured the minds of many artists, becoming one of the most recognizable tertiary characters from the Arthurian legends. A brief list of those who have depicted her story in art would include:
★ Dante Gabriel Rossetti
★ William Holman Hunt
★ John William Waterhouse
★ Howard Pyle
★ Elizabeth Siddal
★ Summary of Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur, Book 18
★ 'Photoillustration The Lady of Shalott (2006) by the Dutch artist Anja Lucy Cazemier'
| Contents |
| Legend |
| Astolat |
| Elaine in art |
| Gallery |
| External links |
Legend
''Elaine arrives at Camelot.
As with most legends, there are subtle differences in the versions told by different authors in different generations. What follows is the general outline, although details may vary in other tellings.
In Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur'', Elaine's story begins when her father Bernard of Astolat organizes a jousting tournament, attended by King Arthur and his knights. While Lancelot was not originally planning to attend, he is convinced otherwise and visits Bernard and his two sons before the tournament.
While Lancelot is in her family's household, Elaine becomes enamoured of him and begs him to wear her token at the coming tournament. Explaining that Guinevere would be at the tournament, he consents to wear the token but says that he will have to fight in disguise so as not to be recognised. He then asks Bernard if he can leave his recognizable shield with him and borrow another. Bernard agrees and lends him the plain-white shield of Torre, Elaine's brother.
Lancelot goes on to win the jousting tournament, still in disguise, fighting against King Arthur's party and beating forty of them in the tournament. He does, however, receive an injury to his side from Bors's lance, and is carried off the field by Lavaine to the hermit Sir Baudwin's (an ex-Round Table knight) cave. Elaine then urges her father to let her bring the wounded Lancelot to her chambers, where she nurses him. When Lancelot is well, he makes ready to leave, and offers to pay Elaine for her services; insulted, Elaine brings him his shield, which she had been guarding, and a wary Lancelot leaves the castle, never to return but now aware of her feelings for him.
Ten days later, Elaine dies of heartbreak. Per her instructions, her body is placed in a small boat, clutching a lily in one hand, and her final letter in the other. She then floats down the Thames to Camelot, where she is discovered by King Arthur's court. Lancelot is summoned and hears the contents of the letter, after which he explains what had happened. Lancelot proceeds to pay for a rich funeral and Elaine's mass-penny, at her request.
Astolat
In Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur'', Astolat is identified with Guildford in Surrey.
Elaine in art
Elaine has captured the minds of many artists, becoming one of the most recognizable tertiary characters from the Arthurian legends. A brief list of those who have depicted her story in art would include:
★ Dante Gabriel Rossetti
★ William Holman Hunt
★ John William Waterhouse
★ Howard Pyle
★ Elizabeth Siddal
Gallery
External links
★ Summary of Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur, Book 18
★ 'Photoillustration The Lady of Shalott (2006) by the Dutch artist Anja Lucy Cazemier'
This article provided by Wikipedia. To edit the contents of this article, click here for original source.
psst.. try this: add to faves
