Sir Lancelot Du Lac (Launcelot)

Real Name: Lancelot du Lac

Identity/Class: Normal human

Occupation: Knight

Affiliations: Knights of the Round Table

Enemies: Modred

Known Relatives: Galahad (son)

Aliases: The Knight of the Cart

Base of Operations:

First Appearance: The Knight of the Cart (Arthurian Romance by Chretien de Troyes, 12th century)

Powers/Abilities: Lancelot was one of the greatest knights of the Round Table, surpassed only by his own son, Galahad.

History: Lancelot was the First Knight of the Round Table, and he never failed in gentleness, courtesy, or courage. Launcelot was also a knight who was very willing to serve others.

It has been said that Lancelot was the greatest fighter and swordsman of all the knights of the Round Table. Legend tells us that as a child, Lancelot was left by the shore of the lake, where he was found by Vivien, the Lady of the Lake. She fostered and raised him, and in time Lancelot became one of history's greatest knights.

Legend also says that Lancelot was the father of Galahad by Elaine. It was another Elaine, Elaine of Astolat, who died of a broken heart because Launcelot did not return her love and affection.

Many sources tell us of the love shared toward each other of Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. There may be some truth to this since Lancelot was a favorite of the Queen's, and he rescued her from the stake on two different occasions. It was at one of these rescues that Lancelot mistakenly killed Sir Gareth, which led to the disbandment of the Round Table. After the Queen repented to an abbey as a nun, Lancelot lived the rest of his life as a hermit in penitence.

Comments: Lancelot was apparently only added to the Arthurian legends by Mallory, who wished to have a French hero in the saga, and he was not present in the earliest renditions of the tales.

Further details on the Knights of the Round Table can be found here.

Thanks to Joel Kohler for correcting me as to when and where Lancelot first appeared.

CLARIFICATIONS:

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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