The White Enchantress

I am Guinevere, Queen of Camelot, and the daughter of the King Leodegrance of Cameliard. My father served Uther Pendragon, who was Arthur's father, and was the only one entrusted with the Round Table. Once Pendragon died, my father was entrusted with the Round Table.

One day, Merlin, a local wizard, came to my father and told him that Arthur would have me as his wife. My father was thrilled that such a worthy king of prowess and noblesse wanted to wed his daughter. My father went on to tell Merlin that he would gift Arthur with the Round Table, along with one hundred knights, since his father had given it to my father. So my father instructed Merlin to bring me to Arthur in London. Arthur was absolutely overjoyed to hear that I was coming and that he was being given the Round Table. 

My name originates from the welsh language translating to "the white enchantress", which undoubtedly suits my personality. Lancelot, one of Arthur's most trusted and noble knights, had stolen my heart. I was absolutely smitten with him the moment I laid eyes on him. The evening before Arthur and I were to be married, Lancelot and I engaged in a secretive, satisfying, yet inappropriate act. I had cheated on my soon to be husband with one of his knights of the Round Table. 

Two sons of King Lot exposed our affair to Arthur, and as you would expect, Arthur was furious. Lancelot fled for his life while Arthur sentenced me to be burned at the stake. Arthur knew Lancelot and his family would try to save me, so Arthur sent his knights to defend the pit in which I was to be executed. Gawain, a knight of the Round Table and one of Arthur's nephews, refused to participate. Lancelot finally arrives to rescue me, but in the process of the rescue, Gawain's brothers were killed, which sent Gawain into a fit of rage. This rage led him to pressure Arthur into a direct confrontation with Lancelot.

Arthur leaves to fight Lancelot in France, and leaves me and the fate of Britain in the care of Mordred, another one of Arthur's nephews. While Arthur was in France, Mordred seized Arthur's kingdom, as Lancelot's men were no longer there to protect it. Mordred then tried taking me for his own, but to prevent him from marrying me, I had gathered some of the most loyal men I knew who hid me inside the walls of the Tower of London, until Arthur could return. Upon his return, Arthur sought to kill Mordred for his treachery, but by this time I had already fled to abbey at Caerleon, where I took a vow to become a nun.
I know this makes me sound like a terrible person, but I'm actually quite noble and friendly. My hopes as I continue pouring my thoughts out onto this blog that you will actually see me for who I am, a kind, gentle, queen.

Sources:
Wikipedia page & RA

Prithee, Acquaint Thyself with The Lady of the Lake

Nimue interpreted in HubPages

On this morrow, my good sirs and ladies, I am ever pleased to meeteth thou. I am Niviane, sometimes referred to as Nimue or Vivien, and I am the daughter of the king of Northumberland. Residing with great, mystical powers and wisdom beneath my murky waters, I am The Lady of the Lake, the titular ruler of Avalon.

Vivien and Merlin by Gustave Dorè

I met King Arthur’s druidic advisor, Merlin, when I was young. Over the years, we were friends and often travelled together, but he grew heavy with a lust for me that was nauseating and disgusting. Motivated by a fear that he would use his spells to take advantage of me and get what he wanted, I used my shrewdness to formulate a plan: I told Merlin that I would reciprocate his desires once he taught me all of his mystical powers. Thus, I served as a scribe of his prophecies and pupil of his knowledge for many a year until I was powerful enough to use his magic against him by trapping him and causing his death. At that point, Merlin was had been my nemesis. Merlin’s removal ultimately led to the downfall of King Arthur and his court, but this conquest of mine against Merlin serves to show that I am not like most ladies of my time. I work for the forces of good, but I will not sacrifice my own honor by shrinking in the shadows and succumbing to males who think I should. Instead, I fight back in my own, clever way.

In addition to my history with Merlin, one of my earliest roles was of foster-mother to a boy named Lancelot who later served as a courageous knight in King Arthur’s court. When his mother died, I saved him from chaos and brought him to my lake to raise him as my own son. Perchance I am merely a mother at heart, but I value compassion and help for those who are too weak or unable to help themselves.

I further exercised these values when King Arthur came to my lake. Seeking my help, he showed me great manners and respect. I enchanted a sword called Excalibur and bestowed it upon him so that he could be victorious in battle. By serving as a benefactor for King Arthur and his court, I aimed to be nothing but a force of good. King Arthur and his knights were my allies, and I was theirs for I believed in their cause. When King Arthur died in battle, Excalibur was returned to my misty waters, and I was one of three Queens to escort his body to the island of Avalon.

Lady of the Lake interpreted in ComicVine

• "Merlin" from Wikipedia
• "Lady of the Lake" from Wikipedia
• "Lady of the Lake" from Britannia's Arthurian Biographies
• "Nimue" from HubPages

I am Bertilak

   

Greetings to all who follow the exploits of good King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. I am the owner of a great castle several days ride from King Arthur's fort. If you seek me, I will lower the drawbridge and offer you my hospitality. I am a renowned hunter and I will share all that I gain with you. But beware if you come with a character that is not virtuous, for I am a stern judge.
     My real name is Bertilak De Hautdesert, and I dwell with my beautiful consort who sometimes helps me in my holy quest to test the worthiness of the Knights of the Round Table. My lady is my partner, my ally, and my treasure. I could not perform my duties without her. How do I test the nights? I do it with the help of another great lady who resides on my manor. Her name is Morgan Le Fay. I call her great because she is a mistress of magic. Many years ago, she was in love with Merlin the wizard. Their relationship yielded not only happiness for both but also magical powers for Morgan Le Fay. Thanks to Morgan Le Fay, I have the perfect disguise for testing the knights--I become The Green Knight.

Holly means that I come not to wage war. The battle-ax is your penance. 

      I will let you in on a secret. Morgan Le Fay is King Arthur's half-sister. She is also the daughter of Duchess Tintagel. But Arthur has a different father--Uther Pendragon. The devotion of Morgan Le Fay to her half-brother is her reason for finding a way to make sure that his knights are truly the best citizens in his kingdom. She is a loyal Briton and a loving companion for my duchess,  and I am devoted to Morgan Le Fay.  God is my ultimate sovereign, but I will support all Britons who love God and obey his laws. Therefore, I will only allow those who are virtuous, chaste, honest, and courageous to lead and protect us, to be members of the Knights of the Round Table. Although I am both terrifying and mysterious to the Knights of the Round Table, I am actually a friend in disguise. However, do not be fooled by my friendliness and my hospitality. My judgements are harsh but necessary. I am brutal but honest.
My sources are: Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, Wikipedia, and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." 

In Which Sir Gawain Announces Himself to the University of Hoode

A merry morrow, good sirs and ladies. I am Sir Gawain, the Knight of the Surcoat, son of Morguese, and nephew of his most prestigious majesty, King Arthur. Of all the bold knights benched at Arthur's Round Table, I am surely the weakest and least wise. It was, after all, my foolishness that lost the challenge of the Green Knight. I eternally wear the green sash he had given me as a symbol of my humility. It goes over my helmet and hooded cloak I usually wear, which is inlaid with ermine and fitted with tassels of gold. My shield is embedded with a gold pentacle painted red, with a picture of the Holy Virgin on the inside. All this I take on my horse, Gringalet, who is always dressed in armor and chain-mail as I am.

This pentacle is to remind me of the five groups of five ideas which I must never forget: The five senses, five fingers, the five wounds of Christ, the five joys, and five virtues: bounty, brotherhood, courtesy, purity, and compassion. By the mercy of our Lord Christ, many people continue to have faith in my humble works, as many common people have stated of me “there is hardly he equal anywhere on earth”. I kindly accept these remarks, but surely at the least Sir Lancelot could best me in tournament if the challenge were ever presented!

I was originally born in Tintigal, the son of King Lot of Cornwall and his wife, Lady Morguese, the sister of Arthur's mother. But this close relation to Arthur was kept secret from me. When I had reached maturity, I traveled to Rome and entered the service of his Holiness, Pope Sulpicious. For many years, I served missions from the Holy Father to protect Jerusalem, that Holy city, from attacks by the Ishmaelites. After proving myself as a knight, I returned to Britain to defend it from Saxon invaders. But here I encountered Arthur and Sir Kay, his brother, who challenged me in combat. After defeating both of them, I learned my true heritage as nephew of the High King. From that time forward, I became a Knight of the Round Table, where Sir Kay and Bishop Baldwin became my closest friends.

With these people I have gone on many merry quests, helping each other to remain safe from danger, which involves not only protection of our lives and Arthur's, but also protection of our chastity from fair maidens that sought us with their wiles. In one instance, however, I was compelled by my duty to protect the king to marry the ugliest hag of the realm, named Ragnelle. It was by doing so that Arthur could obtain the knowledge of what women desire most, in order to complete the riddle that wagered his life.

However, I learned from this maid that she was actually under a curse, so that she will be ugly only until someone loves her. Now that we were married, she would be either beautiful by day or by night, and ugly otherwise, the choice being mine. However, I instead gave the choice to her, saying that I would take whatever her decision was. This action, of giving a woman free choice, was in fact what women desire most, and so the breaking of this ancient riddle simultaneously broke the curse as well. She thus remained the most beautiful lady of the realm, save only for Lady Guinevere, both by day and night.  

In due time, she brought forth my only son, Gingilain. Gingilain is also known as the “Fair Unknown” in Camelot, as his true lineage I have kept secret until he should meet the same trials that I endured to discover myself. Ragnelle herself, however, perished at a young age while Gingilain was still in the crib. Many winters later, however, I was united in matrimony a second time, this time to a lady named Carla who I rescued from the dolorous Castle of Carlisle.

It was after this adventure that I encountered the Green Knight, who challenged me to smote off his head if I could endure the same blow. So I smote off his head, but as sorcery would have it, he remained unharmed from this and summoned me the next year to his Chapel where I would receive my fate. But when I had journeyed to the Castle near the Green Chapel, the maid there summoned me to her chamber where she produced the enchanted green sash, the source of the Green Knight's power. Anyone who wore the sash would not be taken out by any blow. So I eagerly took this sash and beat the Green Knight at his own game, but was horrified to discover that this was a test of my courage and courtesy the entire time. In shame, I continue to wear the sash as a symbol of my humility.

I also have led many armies in the name of Arthur, most importantly in the war against the Romans when they were ruled by the tyrant Lucius. I commanded the first invasion of Aquitaine that encountered Lucius' army, and if not for a sudden fall of morale, we would have taken the Emperor right then and there. I myself fought a prolonged single combat with Lucius until my fellow Cornishmen fell back into retreat. I saved them in their flight, however, and returned to Arthur's bosom where we could engage the Romans again another day.  

Thus is surmised the wondrous deeds of Sir Gawain, the Knight of the Surcoat. As for many other acts of this noble knight, which took place with the quests described here, they can be found in the History of the Kings of Britain (Book 9), the Rise of Sir Gawain, the Wedding of Sir Gawain, the Tale of Sir Gawain and Carl of Carlisle, and the Tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Igerna

I am called Igerna (Igraine, Ygerne).

I hail from Tintagel, a great land with many loyal people for my Gorlois to rely on.  I am widowed by Gorlois the Duke of Cornwall. I met Uther during a feast and he sent me gifts of food and wine. My husband died in a siege against Uther. Gorlois and I were in separate castle in our own land. Uther’s forces were waiting at the one where Gorlois waited to fight Uther’s forces.  Entranced by my beauty Uther, Merlin, and Ulfin disguised a plan. During which I was tricked into spending a night with Uther as he was disguised as my husband. Uther was outraged at the fact that my husband and I left without permission after he found out that Uther was forcing attempts upon me.
This night was the night my son, Arthur, was conceived (and possibly my daughter Anna as well).  I loved my husband dearly before he died. He died because he heard of the attempts Uther was forcing on me and we left without permission. Weeks later Uther’s advisors and mine had talks and peace was reached. So was the deal that I would be forever his and be his wife. I still had no knowledge that it was he that came into my chambers the night Gorlois died, disguised as him, and spent the night with me.

I am a virtuous, wise, beautiful woman. I am loyal and truthful.  I despise the way the  our King lusted after with his gifts and words sent to me. Even so I am loyal to Uther after he became my husband and I do as he wishes, for he is my husband and my king. I work for the happiness and good of my husband, whether that be Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall, or Uther, the King.

Family is important to me. I was greatly saddened when I heard the news about my son. The most important people that were given to me were my daughters from Gorlois: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgan the Fay. The children that Uther blessed me with as well are the most important people to me. My virtue is an important part of my personality and one that I take great pride in.


The sources I used are are the major stories that Igerna were in. These inculde "Geoffrey of Monmouth" Book 8, most of chapter 19 through chapter 20. "Prose Merlin: Uther Pendragon's desire for Ygerne" and "The Birth of Arthur."

Tristan/Tristram

Hello, my name is Tristan.  I am sometimes referred to as Tristram.  I am a knight of the round table.  Morgan assures me that this magic box I am sitting in front of will preserve the tales of my honor and prowess in battle so that it will be known by all in the future.  She calls it a blog.  I have had to pick a sort of sigil to bear my likeness when I transcribe my thoughts on this "blog."  I've chosen an image of myself and my lady love, Iseult.

I was born in the beautiful kingdom of Lyoness, to Queen Elizabeth and King Melyodas.  My mother died in childbirth and my father was greatly grieved by it.  It took him a long time to remarry.  My stepmother tried to poison me so that her children could advance to the throne.  My father wanted her burned, but I begged him to let her live.  We all get along quite well now.

Pictured:  myself, my father and my (evil?) step-mother

Image From

 
I have fought many brave battles.  One of which was when I bested the great knight Marhaus in battle and saved the land of Cornwall from the rule of Ireland.  During the battle I was poisoned and had to be sent to Ireland to obtain the cure.  It was here that I met Iseult, King Angwyshaunce's daughter, who healed my wounds.  I wooed her with my skilled harp playing and we fell in love.  Sir Palomides was also in love with her, I hate that guy.  He remains my bitterest enemy.

Pictured:  Me besting Sir Palomides in a joust.  Image From

When I returned home I spoke very highly about my love, Iseult.  So highly in fact that my Uncle, King Mark decided he had to have her for his bride.  In hindsight, maybe I should have downplayed how wonderful she is.  I had to go and fetch her for him, and now they are married.  That does not stop our love though, we just find ways to keep it secret.  We're not very good at it, I'm pretty sure most everyone at court knows about us.

Despite my adulterous relationship with my uncle's wife, I am a great and valiant knight.  Stories of my triumphs in battle and my just and forgiving temperament abound.  It was no surprise when I joined King Arthur and became a knight of his round table. 

While doing my research on Tristan I consulted Le Morte D'Arthur mostly.  I also looked at the character's wikipedia page.  Links for the pictures have been provided in the captions.  I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment.