Detail of God Speed, by Edmund Leighton (1900)
The women of King Arthur’s Court did not go on grand quests like the men did, but for their comparatively fewer numbers, they were big big drivers of the plots. In the most familiar version of the Camelot story, Guinevere cheats on Arthur with Sir Lancelot, creating a major conflict; likewise, Morgan le Fay, Arthur’s half-sister, has a one-night stand with him, birthing his illegitimate, incestuous son, Mordred, who becomes Arthur’s downfall. Vivien (sometimes known as Nimue or Ninianne) was a beautiful sorceress who was generous enough to give Arthur a sword, but later became the downfall of Merlin when the old wizard’s sexual pursuit began to annoy her. Other characters are Igraine, who was Arthur’s mother, and Morgause and Elaine, his sisters.
Like the knights, many ladies in chivalric romance were referred to by sobriquets. Vivien was known as The Lady of the Lake, and Elaine, The Lily Maid of Astolat and The Lady of the Pale Hands. The latter sounds odd and horrific to us today, but in Medieval times, having pale hands meant a woman did not have to work at rough labor in the field, which meant she was a highbred lady of quality.
Other ladies might be compared to flowers or jewels. Some were referred to by a certain item of dress, like C. S. Lewis’ character pastiche The Lady of the Green Kirtle in The Silver Chair, or even by what they lacked (The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy.)
The world can always use more Medieval ladies, so here’s a list.
Ladies of Arthur’s Court
| Angrova of the Languid Neck
Lady Bleona Lady Ulrynne Lady Pelleviene of the Virgin Lips Lady Ouidna The Lonely Maid of Plumford Queen Sigthra Anvienne the Pure Eldenore of the Golden Tower Amadabella, the Lady without a Heart The Dark Lady of Withywood Lady Claudana Maid of the White Arms The Maiden of the Golden Slippers The Maiden of the Iron Hood Beldisoma Long-Hair The Pallid Maid Of Pursewood Lady Sigraine Lady Damvra Lady Glestrice Queen Urna The Prideful Queen Murriana Saint Agnelyn of the Burnt Bosom Yglieve of the Winter Hair Saint Salgriana of the Gentle Panther Brandwynn, The Lioness of Graffich Henriana of the Dark Ruby Luthsona, The Faithful Rose Lyonriana, The Maiden Without Guile Lady Blandnes Hetwynd the Pale |
