Elaine of Astalot

Elaine of Astalot

Elaine of Astalot, or demoiselle d'Escalot or the Fair Maid of Astolat, is the woman who falls in love with Lancelot. He does not reciprocate and she dies of grief. A barge bears her body to Camelot, along with a letter that attributes her death to Lancelot's rejection of her.

It is Sir Thomas Malory who names her Elaine and gives her home as Astolat. Tennyson and other modern writers give the form Lady of Shalott.

❧

References

Sources

  • Lacy, Norris J., ed. (1996). The New Arthurian Encyclopedia. New York: Garland.
  • Vulgate Mort Artu.