Guinevere and Marriage (2024)

Guinevere, according to legend, was the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. She was the daughter of King Leodegrance of Cameliard.

Older versions of the Arthurian legend mention Guinevere as only one of Arthur's wives. Sometimes Arthur marries three women, all named Guinevere. In other versions, King Leodegrance tricks Arthur into first marrying an identical half-sister of Guinevere's. Learn more about her history hereandhereand here.

Arthur was staying with King Leodegrance of a nearby kingdom. Arthur met his daughter Guinevere, and fell instantly in love. Merlin tried to persuade Arthur against marrying her, telling him that she would lead to his and his country's ruin. Arthur loved her too much, and married her anyway.

As a wedding present, legend has it that Guinevere's father gave Arthur a large, round table. This became the famed Round Table that seated all of Arthur's knights with equal precedence.

Find more detail about their marriage hereand here

Sir Melvas kidnapped several members of King Arthur's household. He then proudly declared his actions to the king, stating that he didn't believe that any of Arthur's knights were strong enough to beat him and steal them back. He asked for a champion to bring Queen Guinevere into the woods, where he would be waiting, and there he and the champion would fight for her and all of the others.

Sir Kay, the king's foster brother, immediately volunteered. The king reluctantly agreed. The king's instincts were correct, however, as Sir Melvas defeated Sir Kay and carried the queen away.

Of course, King Arthur was incredibly distressed when he heard the news. He and Sir Gawain gathered their weapons and took for for Sir Melvas's castle. On the way, they were passed by a knight in disguise. The king remarked that he was driving his horse too hard, and would soon kill it. Later, they saw the dead horse by the side of the road.

When Arthur and Gawain reached Sir Melvas's castle, they were surprised to find Sir Melvas dead and all of the prisoners safe and free. They told of a disguised knight who appeared riding a wooden cart, who visciously attacked and killed Sir Melvas in hand-to-hand combat, then disappeared as soon as the hostages were free.

Guinevere, however, knew the truth: the disguised knight was Lancelot. His devotion to her drove him to rescue her, but his sense of honor and chivalry forced him to keep his identity a secret. Arthur, however, was suspicious.

When Lancelot arrived in Camelot, he and Guinevere fell in love. They began a secret love affair, which was treason since the person they were both betraying was the king.

Once they were discovered, Arthur turned his back on them both. In

, Guienevere was set to be burned at the stake for her adultery, but was rescued by Lancelot at the last minute. In

, she retreated to a convent to live out the rest of her days and repent of her sins.


After Arthur's 'death' at the Battle of Camlann, Guinevere spent the rest of her days in a convent, and Lancelot retreated to a monastery. When he heard that Guinevere had died, he transported her body to Glastonbury to be laid to rest next to Arthur's tomb.