Elaine of Astolat
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A figure in Arthurian legend, Elaine was the figure of unrequited love later solemnized in Alfred Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott".
Also referred to varyingly as Elaine the White and Elaine the Fair, she is the daughter of Bernard of Astolat.
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[edit] Legend
As with most legends, there are subtle differences as told by different authors in different generations. What follows is the general story, although details may vary in other tellings.
Her story begins in Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, when her father Bernard of Astolat organizes a jousting tournament, attended by King Arthur and his knights. While Lancelot was not originally planning to attend, he was convinced otherwise and ended up visiting Bernard and his two sons prior to the tournament.
While Lancelot was in her family's household, Elaine becomes enamoured with him and begged him to wear her token at the coming tournament. Explaining that Guinevere would be at the tournament, he conceded to wear the token but that he would have to fight in disguise so as not to be recognised. He then asks Bernard if he can leave his recognizable shield with him, and borrow a more anonymous looking one. Bernard agrees and lends him the plain-white shield of Torre, Elaine's brother.
Lancelot goes on to win the jousting tournament, still in disguise, fighting against King Arthur's party and beating forty of them in the tournament. He did however receive an injury to his side from Bors's lance, and had to be carried off the field by Lavaine to the hermit Sir Baudwin's (an ex-Round Table knight) cave. Elaine then urges her father to let her bring the wounded Lancelot to her chambers, where she nurses him. When Lancelot is well, he makes ready to leave, and offers to pay Elaine for her services; insulted, Elaine brings him down his shield she had been guarding, and a wary Lancelot leaves the castle, never to return, aware of her feelings for him.
Ten days later, Elaine dies of heartbreak. As per her instructions, her body is placed in a small boat, clutching a lily in one hand, and her final letter in the other. She then floats down the Thames to Camelot where she is discovered by King Arthur's court. They summon Lancelot and read to him the contents of the letter, after which he explains what had happened. Lancelot proceeds to pay for her funeral richly and her mass-penny, at her request.
[edit] Astolat
In Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, Astolat is identified with Guildford in Surrey.
[edit] Elaine in art
Elaine has captured the minds of many artists, becoming one of the most recognizable tertiary characters from the Arthurian legends. A brief list of those who have captured her in art would include:
[edit] Gallery
 1911, by Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale |
 1898, by George Wooliscroft & Louis Rhead |
 by Arthur A. Dixon |
 by Arthur A. Dixon |
 1915, by John W. Waterhouse |
 1919, by Lancelot Speed |
 2006, by the Dutch artist Anja Cazemier |
