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Guinevere
Guinevere was the wife of King Arthur, the legendary ruler of Britain. She was a
beautiful and noble queen, but her life took a tragic turn when she fell in love with
Lancelot, one of Arthur’s bravest and most loyal knights. The relationship between
the queen and Lancelot eventually destroyed the special fellowship of the Knights of
the Round Table.
Guinevere was the daughter of King Leodegrance of Scotland. Arthur admired the king's
lovely daughter and married her in spite of a warning from his adviser Merlin that
Guinevere would be unfaithful to him.
Above: Artists depiction of
King Arthur's Queen.
Above: Artists depiction of
Guinevere.
After the marriage, Guinevere became acquainted with Lancelot, who performed various deeds to honour and rescue her. At first, Arthur took no notice of the growing attachment between the queen and Lancelot. Later, however, the king was forced to accuse his wife of adultery and to fight her lover. Several violent battles between Arthur and Lancelot followed, with groups of knights joining in on each side. Eventually, Guinevere returned to Arthur.
Following the death of Arthur, Guinevere entered a convent, where she spent the rest of her life praying and helping the poor. Filled with remorse for the trouble she and her lover had caused, she vowed never to see Lancelot again. When Guinevere died, she was buried beside King Arthur.