The Immortal Knight: Lancelot

The most famous of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table, Lancelot Du Lac has been immortalized in film, play, poem, and legend. The story goes that Lancelot was born to King Ban and Queen Elaine of Benwick. While Lancelot was still an infant his father the king was driven out of his own kingdom. Some say by his subjects and others say it was his known enemy Claudas de la Deserte, but either way the tragedy broke the king’s heart. While his mother tried to care for his despairing father, Lancelot was taken from his parents by Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake. She raised him in her magical kingdom of ten thousand maidens where no man but him was allowed. Vivienne taught him the meaning of honor, courage, and purity and it was here that Lancelot took his surname du lac, or of the lake.

When Vivienne believed him to be ready, she sent Lancelot to become a knight in King Arthur’s court. He soon became a close friend to King Arthur and the champion of Queen Guinevere. Lancelot also gained a reputation for being a skilled swordsman and great fighter as well as a gracious and gentle knight.

Soon after Lancelot was tricked into an affair with Elaine of Astolat and as a result became the father of her son, Galahad. Elaine was deeply in love with Lancelot but when he did not return her affection she died of a broken heart. When Galahad had grown, Lancelot joined both him and the Knight Perceval on the quest for the Holy Grail, but ultimately it was Galahad and not Lancelot who found it.

In all of the stories of Lancelot, his complicated relationship with Arthur and Guinevere is central. Although both Lancelot and Guinevere loathed betraying Arthur, they shared a deep love for each other. When their relationship was discovered, Queen Guinevere was condemned to be burned at the stake for adultery. Lancelot came to her rescue and she lived out the rest of her days in a nunnery to repent for her sins, as did Lancelot who lived as a hermit for the remainder of his life.

The story of Camelot, the quest for the Holy Grail, and the lives of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot have fascinated both writers and audiences for ages. The legends have been retold by Chretien de Troye, Sir Thomas Malory, and even a poetic version was penned by Tennyson. Recent movies such as Merlin (1998), The Mists of Avalon (2001), and King Arthur (2004) carry on the Arthurian legend, a story that continues to fascinate audiences of the present day with its tales of love, tragedy and a conquering hero.

By: Rose Greenwood

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Please visit www.theheartscenter.org for more spiritual teachings on the science of sound and the spoken word. The Hearts Center offers an opportunity for seekers to receive up-to-date inspiration from the ascended masters and other spiritual beings. To purchase books, audiotapes and art, please visit store.heartscenter.org. Learn about the ascension, karma and reincarnation, the benefits of meditation, the use of the violet laser light and much more.