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Variously portrayed in literature, she is called the daughter of King Leodegrance
(Lleudd-Ogrfan) of Cameliard by Malory, the daughter of King Ogrfan Gawr
(the Giant) of Castell y Cnwclas (Knucklas Castle) by Welsh Tradition, the
daughter of King Garlin
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| Queen Guinevere |
of Galore by Germanic tradition, the daughter of a
Roman noble by Geoffrey of Monmouth and wife of King Arthur by everyone.
In all cases, she is surpassingly beautiful and desirable. She is either
forced into or conceives and engineers an extra-marital relationship with
Lancelot and is condemned, according to law. She either was a willing
accomplice to Mordred's treachery against Arthur, as suggested in Wace
and Layamon, or was forced into it against her will as stated in John
Hardyng's "Chronicle" (1457). Early mentions of Guinevere, in
the Triads of the Island of Britain, give tantalising glimpses
of her original relationship with Mordred: he is shown forcing his way
into Arthur's Court, dragging the Queen from her throne and striking her,
but the reasons why are unknown. The incident may have been related to
quarrels between Guinevere and her sister, Mordred's wife, Gwenhwyfach,
which are said to have been the eventual cause of the Battle of Camlan.
Giraldus Cambrensis says the cross claimed Guinevere as Arthur's "second
wife". This appears to echo the story of the False Guinevere of French
Romance: an identical half-sister of the Queen fathered on the same night
who persuaded Arthur that she was his true wife. For two and a half years,
the King was separated from the real Guinevere until the deception was
uncovered. There is also an ancient Triad of the Island of Britain
which records Arthur's "Three Chief Queens": Gwenhwyfar
daughter of Cywryd, Gwenhwyfar daughter of Gwythyr ap Greidiol and Gwenhwyfar
daughter of Ogrfan Gawr. This may further indicate the confusion over
the lady's parentage as already alluded to. Alternatively, the three Guineveres
could show a common Triple-Goddess motif at the root of many later Celtic
characters. Whatever Guinevere was or was not, she has been a useful tool
in the hands of the romancers throughout the centuries and has greatly
enhanced the legends of King Arthur.
© 1995, 1996, 1997 Britannia Internet Magazine, LLC
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