Dindrane

In Arthurian Legend, Dindrane (Welsh: Danbrann; also named Dindraine, Heliabel, Amide, or Agrestizia, depending on the sources) is the sister (sometimes the half-sister) of Percival. Though she is frequently not given a name, Percival's sister is a major character in many of the Holy Grail stories and is sometimes claimed as the "Grail heroine".

Dindrane first meets her brother after his return to his mother's castle, where Dindrane explains to him about his mother's death after his departure. In some sources he leaves Dindrane in the care of their hermit uncle; in others he leaves her behind in the Castle of Maidens. She later meets up with Galahad, Bors, and Percival, telling them who she is (she does not mention her name prior to that). She proceeded to inform them about the Sword of the Strange Belt, the magical ship, and the Tree of Life and other aspects of her destiny.

The travellers boarded the ship, intent to complete the task of finding the Holy Grail. After leaving the ship, they encounter a castle with a leprous mistress. Dindrane decides to give her own blood to the lady in order to heal the lady's leprosy, and dies in doing so. She left directions that her body was to be set adrift in a boat (without a crew) to float to the holy city of Sarras. Lancelot finds the ship that carried her corpse and Dindrane is buried in Palais Esperitel. Galahad, along with Bors, later find the vessel containing her body when they land on the port of Sarras (after which they proceed to find the Grail).[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Newell, William Wells. The Legend of the Holy Grail. IV. The Journal of American Folklore. 1898