Variously portrayed in literature, she is called the daughter of King Leodegrance (Lleudd-Ogrfan) of Cameliard by Malory, the daughter of King Ogrfan Gawr (the Giant) of Castell y Cnwclas (Knucklas Castle) by Welsh Tradition, the daughter of King Garlin of Galore by Germanic tradition, the daughter of a Roman noble by Geoffrey of Monmouth and wife of King Arthur by everyone.

In all cases, she is surpassingly beautiful and desirable. She is either forced into or conceives and engineers an extra-marital relationship with Lancelot and is condemned, according to law. She either was a willing accomplice to Mordred's treachery against Arthur, as suggested in Wace and Layamon, or was forced into it against her will as stated in John Hardyng's "Chronicle" (1457). Early mentions of Guinevere, in the Triads of the Island of Britain, give tantalising glimpses of her original relationship with Mordred: he is shown forcing his way into Arthur's Court, dragging the Queen from her throne and striking her, but the reasons why are unknown. The incident may have been related to quarrels between Guinevere and her sister, Mordred's wife, Gwenhwyfach, which are said to have been the eventual cause of the Battle of Camlan.

Giraldus Cambrensis says the cross claimed Guinevere as Arthur's "second wife". This appears to echo the story of the False Guinevere of French Romance: an identical half-sister of the Queen fathered on the same night who persuaded Arthur that she was his true wife. For two and a half years, the King was separated from the real Guinevere until the deception was uncovered. There is also an ancient Triad of the Island of Britain which records Arthur's "Three Chief Queens": Gwenhwyfar daughter of Cywryd, Gwenhwyfar daughter of Gwythyr ap Greidiol and Gwenhwyfar daughter of Ogrfan Gawr. This may further indicate the confusion over the lady's parentage as already alluded to. Alternatively, the three Guineveres could show a common Triple-Goddess motif at the root of many later Celtic characters. Whatever Guinevere was or was not, she has been a useful tool in the hands of the romancers throughout the centuries and has greatly enhanced the legends of King Arthur.

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Guinivere: Warrior Legend

Guinivere, a Celtic Priestess, due to inherit most of Briton upon her marriage. She was the daughter of King Orrge of the Douglas River. He father had been defeated by King Urien of Gorre. Guinevere’s father wanted her to be well trained to defend her large estates so he sent her to the Roman training camp at Caerlaverock on the east bank of the Nith. She received full training to become a commander in an army. While she attended the training, she met Arthur.

Legend speaks of Guinevere’s beauty. She was very handsome in her strange ways. Imagine a stout built woman of average height with long dark golden hair and dark blue eyes that is a trait of her Scandinavian blood. A fair skinned warrior that was one of the richest women of all times. Many men pined for her.

Guinevere did something UN-heard of in her time, she chose to marry Arthur. This broke the earlier arrangement made by her father to King Urien. Guinevere took with her to Sterlingshire, The Round Table. This was along with all the lands of Briton she possessed.

Urien was extremely angry at Guinevere’s decision. He chose revenge on Guinevere and Arthur. Urien began by waging war on Arthur. They fought four battles. Arthur was the victor in all four. Urien did not give up. He was more determined than ever before to take what was promised to him. Urien changed his strategy to concentrate on Guinevere.

Urien abducted Guinevere on two separate occasions. Guinevere was held captive for a year on the first kidnapping. Lancelot and Sir Gawain came to Guinevere’s rescue. Lancelot faced Meleagent, the son of Urien in a battle. Lancelot won but let Meleagent live. Meleagent wounded Lancelot as Lancelot turned to leave with Guinevere. Lancelot promised to finish it by arranging a meeting one year from that day with Meleagent.

Guinevere holds to her strange ways by keeping heads of her enemies in jars. These jars went with her every place she went. Guinevere’s Coat of Arms bore 3 doves. These doves represented her religious beliefs of St. Julien. Through out the next 15 years or so, Guinevere is held as a ruthless Queen, she feared nothing or no one. Many people of ancient Briton compare her to Queen Bodicca. She never gave Arthur any children but she did have a son Lohot before she married Arthur. The father of Lohot is not mentioned.

King Arthur made Modred co-regent of Briton with Guinevere. Guinevere married Modred in an ancient Celtic ceremony. This was not understood by many. The purpose of the marriage was for religious reasons. Modred was the High Priest of the Celtic realm. Guninvere was a High Priestess, therefore the union was excepted. Guinevere was older than Modred but by the amount of years is not known.

The second abduction of Guinevere has been refereed to a ‘Sleeping Beauty’ scenario. King Urien has kidnapped Guinvere again. This time Guinevere gave in to the demands of the King. His demands were for all her properties she owned. Once she had agreed to his demands, Urien threw her in a snake pit. Guinevere is bitten on the finger by a viper.

Lohot rushes to defend his mother. He tries to save her but only to arrive and find her already dead. This is when Lohot is killed. His head is entered into the tomb of his mother’s along with her body.

This happened before Arthur went to the Continent to search for the Holy Grail. Guinevere was buried at Avalon. Modred was left as regent of Briton. Before Arthur left, he did remarry another Guinevere.

Guinevere, the first wife of Arthur was buried in her home, Avalon.

Photos of Keira Knightley as Guinivere

Lancelot
The greatest of knights. The purist of hearts. And, ultimately, the downfall of Camelot ... (more)