Who is she - baby Moses?

How does everyone know that the queen is involved with Sir Launcelot, yet King Arthur remains unaware? Perhaps he does have an inkling of his wife’s relationship with his loyal knight – is he simply choosing to trust his lady and not accuse her of unfaithfulness, as we learned from The Saga of the Mantle? That would explain why he is unmoved by Sir Launcelot’s seemingly fatal wound at the tournament. Even so, I still wonder how everyone else knows and what each must think of his or her great King Arthur for it. Again, as we learned from The Saga of the Mantle, blame is more rightfully given to the women and the other man than it is given to the husband. Why, then, would Sir Bors support the queen’s adulterous behavior and everyone adore Sir Launcelot? Are the people’s fantasies entertained by such real-life courtly love in their castle? I think I’d much rather feed off the drama in my Lord’s castle than create drama in my own life.

Of course, I cannot forget to mention our Fair Maid of Astolat. Thank Jesu it is acknowledged that this poor maid loved too much. I don’t blame her for her heart; it’s not hard to romanticize the idea of being with the first real man one lays eyes upon when ones entire life has been spent alone with unrealistic stories of great love. Besides, her love was truly real for her, which we know from the immense care she gave Sir Launcelot in his time of need. In the end, she only died because she was naïve. It's not Sir Launcelot's fault at all. On page 470, Sir Launcelot says, "I am sorry. Your daughter is beautiful, tender, and gracious, and yet I did not ask for her love, or encourage it." Well said! Kudos to Sir Launcelot for being a smart, classy, and humble heartbreaker.

Still, Elaine is awfully weird for wishing her body and letter-in-dead-hand to float down a river to Arthur’s court. What is the significance of that? Who is she – baby Moses? Kimberly Perry from The Band Perry? I don’t think so.

This tale includes factors no different than any other we have read: adulterous fantasy, a woman sick and dying from love, biblical inspiration, and a knight’s characteristics. If it has anything special to introduce, it would be Elaine's death as a virgin. The story makes it clear that she was a virgin as early as the title, "The Fair Maid of Astolat" - "maid" implying her virginity. Virginity is a rare thing in Arthurian legends, but death as a virgin is just as intriguing to me now as it must have been to the original audience. In fact, any death of an innocent soul is somewhat beautiful and saddening at the same time. Why do you think that is?

Until next time,

Lady of the Lake

Sir Thomas Malory, "The Fair Maid of Astolat" in "Le Morte D'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table," Pg. 457-472