The Tragedy of Lancelot and Guinevere
Our new bard strummed the last chords, a tear in his eyes. We clapped, though none of us knew what for. Sergei made a performance of wiping away imaginary sadness, "How moving," he fake-croaked, clapping, "Poor Guinevere, more so." The bard solemnly nodded and propped his lute on my back. I only half-registered any of that evening, "Who's Guinevere again?" The bard choked, pegged by some invisible arrow.
Summary
The theory started off simply, even based off some contemporary opinions. Sir Lancelot was seen often with King Arthur, but it was natural for a knight to be seen with their patron. What was less explainable was his regular appearances with Queen Guinevere. These interactions were friendly, some at the time said "too familiar", spawning a rumour that they were seeing each other behind the King's back.
After the Battle of Camlann, both Guinevere and Lancelot disappeared from the public eye. Some say, even now, that they stole away together to be wed after Arthur's death. Though some disputed that even if there were feelings between them, Lancelot wouldn't dare betray his former friend, especially so soon after being buried. Their absence made the crowd fonder of their theories of courtly love.
Over the years, the full story took shape. Sir Lancelot, a gallant knight, is smitten by the beautiful yet detached Queen Guinevere. Unable to voice their feelings for one another, else risk mutual ruin, they keep their pining secret. One day in 536, it all comes to a head. Morgan le Fay, jealous that Lancelot is paying Guinevere more attention, lock him in a room and refuses to let him out unless he says he loves her more.
Lancelot was doomed from the start. It was a cunning trick by Morgan le Fay who trapped him there to pry the details of his salacious dealings with Guinevere and topple them both. After all, if she couldn't have her knight, no one would. In a heartbroken stupor, Lancelot draws on the walls, giving shape to his desires.
Smiling in sadistic glee, the witch can't keep her victory over the strongest knight in Camelot to herself and calls her son, Mordred, to gaze upon the mural. With the excuse to seize the throne in his sight, her devilish son turns heel to tell Arthur of the news.
Thus starts a daring escape, where Lancelot must escape from his former comrades, killing many in the process. The safety of Guinevere is forefront on his mind, gallant and true as he is. He flees Camelot with his true love, unknowing of his former friend's death at the hands of his nephew.
Historical Basis
Romance tales were common, but none more true than the tragedy of Sir Tristan. Unable to save his love from a despotic mage, he was impaled on the head of his own uncle's spear.
Though Lancelot knew both his Queen and King well, he was unprofessional with neither. Whilst Tristan's memory has been lost to the commoner, Lancelot's name endured with his deeds. Minstrels could see no better candidate for a tragic ballad - a knight, pure-hearted but ensnared in the chaos of Camelot. Such ripe pickings called for romantic tragedy, and contemporary reports of his handsome appearance didn't help his legacy.
His wife and son's memory are too downgraded, casting the former as a diversion from true love and the latter as pure happenstance.
Spread
Its spread was fast, even with the increased additions to the tale. House wives warn young men of courting the wrong woman with this tale, eager to use more recent versions for added tragedy.
Any attempts to quash the rumours aren't helped by Morgan herself, who oddly confirms them true. Some wizards speculate she does this to get on the better side of the Witch Redemption Programme, able to claim she's changed from how she acted before. Merlin, though knowing these stories untrue, can't say anything about them. Similar rumours have painted him "dead" in the common consciousness.
Variations & Mutation
Newer versions of the story justify their theory as new facts surface about Lancelot, particularly around other love interests in his life, his contemporary flippancy around such issues and - more importantly - the fact he died in a rural monastery.
The updated story says the Guinevere was kidnapped by Mordred and taken back to Castle Camelot. After the Battle of Camlann, Guinevere is so weighed down by her sins that she swears to become a nun at a convent. Lancelot rides to see her after so long, only to be turned away. Heartbroken, he takes her advice to become a monk and dies alone in a monastery.
Cultural Reception
Other cultures find it unnerving how much mythology has developed around the Knights of the Round Table, particularly Lancelot. Vandrere don't care, those from Oksal make a point of calling it "flagrant idolatry" whenever it's brought up.
The Order of the Grail felt a need to speak on the issue, since Sir Galahad was one of their most respected cohorts.
Upon his death, speculation about Sir Lancelot's love life revived, leading to civil unrest in a heated confrontation between relatives and the general public. The Steward of the Grail and his knights were asked to help disperse the crowds. In a speech, the Steward declared the rumours "harmful to the Du Lac legacy" which surprised no one. He was known to make similar statements against idolising a ruined kingdom and imitating customs no longer understood.
In Art
Artists have attempted to recreate Lancelot's Mural as a sign of their artistic prowess. For the Kamelot Art Academy, this has become a tradition, with a finished interpretation of the fictional masterpiece necessary for a student's graduation.
Date of First Recording
681
Date of Setting
537
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