Characters
Guigemar
Guigemar (geeg-MAHR), a dashing Breton knight renowned for his bravery yet indifferent to romantic pursuits, embarks on a transformative journey. During a hunting expedition, an unusual incident involving a white doe with stag’s horns leaves him wounded by his own arrow. The doe foretells that only through the trials of love can his wound be healed. This prophecy manifests as Guigemar is taken by a ghostly ship to a distant land, where he falls in love with a married lady. Even after she escapes her jealous husband, Guigemar confronts new challenges, including a battle with the baron Meriaduc, who wishes to keep her for himself.
Lanval
Lanval (lahn-VAHL), a Breton knight in King Arthur's service, finds himself alienated and overlooked during a distribution of royal gifts. His isolation is compounded by the jealousy of fellow knights, envious of his physical beauty and chivalric reputation. In his despair, Lanval is comforted by the magical appearance of a wealthy and enchanting maiden who becomes his secret lover. Her love grants him the luxury and validation he craves. When Arthur’s queen accuses him of rejecting her advances due to alleged homosexuality, Lanval’s fate hangs in the balance. The maiden's dramatic arrival at court saves him from unjust judgment, and she whisks him away to the idyllic island of Avalon, ensuring their eternal happiness together.
Le Fresne
Le Fresne (leh FREHZ-neh), whose name translates to "the ash tree," is the twin sister of La Codre and the legitimate daughter of a wealthy Breton knight. Left abandoned at birth by her mother at an abbey's doorstep, Le Fresne is raised by the compassionate abbess. She later becomes the beloved mistress of the noble Gurun and remains devoted to him, even assisting with the preparations for his marriage to another woman. However, destiny intervenes when the bride's mother recognizes Le Fresne as her long-lost daughter and repents her past deception. The marriage is annulled, and Le Fresne joyously weds her true love, Gurun.
Milun
Milun (mee-LO[N]), an esteemed knight from South Wales, shares a forbidden love with a noble damsel, resulting in an illegitimate child. To protect her honor, the child is sent secretly to the mother's sister in northern England. Despite her marriage to another nobleman, Milun and his beloved maintain communication through messages carried by a swan for two decades. Eventually, Milun hears of a young Welsh knight whose burgeoning fame threatens his own. He challenges this rival, only to discover during their duel that the young knight is his son, identified by a familiar signet ring. Reunited, father and son return triumphantly to Wales, where Milun finds his beloved has become a widow, allowing them to marry with their son's blessing.
Eliduc
Eliduc (eh-lee-DEWK), a virtuous knight wronged by false accusations and exiled by his king, ventures to England in search of fortune as a mercenary. He earns renown and the affection of his employer’s daughter, Guilliadun, whose love he cannot resist. When Guilliadun accompanies him back to his homeland, the revelation of Eliduc's marriage devastates her, leading to her death aboard ship. Stricken with grief, Eliduc places her body in a chapel. His wife, Guildeluec, learns of this and uses a magical red flower to revive Guilliadun. Guildeluec selflessly steps aside to join a convent, prompting Eliduc to eventually marry Guilliadun. After years of charitable work, Guilliadun follows Guildeluec into religious life.
Equitan
Equitan (eh-kee-TAHEN), the king of Brittany, is admired by his subjects but falls into a reckless affair with his loyal seneschal’s wife. Consumed by passion and ambition, the lady conspires to murder her husband to become queen. Equitan,...
(This entire section contains 1098 words.)
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swayed by her influence, agrees to the plot, but their scheme backfires disastrously, leading to their own demise.
Bisclavret
Bisclavret (bihs-klah-VRAY), a noble Breton baron, harbors a secret: he transforms into a werewolf three days each week. Betrayed by his wife, who extracts the truth of his transformations and deprives him of his human guise, Bisclavret remains trapped in lycanthropy. During a royal hunt, he earns the king's favor and becomes his companion. Bisclavret exploits his proximity to avenge himself, mauling the scheming neighbor and later disfiguring his unfaithful wife. Her confession and the return of his clothes restore Bisclavret’s humanity.
Yonec
Yonec (yoh-NEHK), born of the illicit union between Muldumarec and a lady wed to an elderly Breton nobleman, finds his destiny entwined with vengeance. Muldumarec, fatally impaled by iron spikes set by the suspicious husband, prophesies that his unborn son will avenge his death. That prophecy is realized when Yonec, now a knight, wields his father's sword to seek justice, fulfilling his father’s dying words.
Tristan
Tristan (tree-STAHN), King Marc of Cornwall's estranged nephew, is embroiled in a forbidden love affair with Queen Iseult. The king, though deeply affectionate towards both, cannot overlook their betrayal and exiles Tristan to Wales. Despite their separation, Tristan and Iseult manage a fleeting reunion through a prearranged signal, sustaining their tragic romance.
La Codre
La Codre (kohdr), initially married to Gurun, finds her life altered when her twin sister, Le Fresne, is revealed. After Le Fresne is identified and takes her place as Gurun’s wife, La Codre is subsequently married to a wealthy nobleman, securing her own future.
Gurun
Gurun (gew-RO[N]), a distinguished nobleman from Dol in Brittany, cherishes Le Fresne as his mistress and later as his wife. His relationship with Le Fresne endures complications, culminating in their eventual marriage after the truth of her lineage emerges.
Muldumarec
Muldumarec (mewl-dew-MAH-rehk), a shape-shifting lover transformed into a bird, becomes a tragic figure when a jealous husband discovers his secret visits to his beloved. Impaled upon spikes set in the window, Muldumarec’s death is avenged by his son, Yonec, who fulfills the prophecy of retribution.
King Marc
King Marc, the Cornish sovereign, is caught in familial strife due to the illicit love between his nephew Tristan and his queen, Iseult. Though heartfelt in his love for both, he cannot condone their betrayal and banishes Tristan, setting the stage for eventual reconciliation and peace.
Guildeluec
Guildeluec (geel-deh-LEWEHK), Eliduc’s devoted wife, demonstrates profound compassion and selflessness. Discovering her husband’s deceased mistress, she revives her with a miraculous flower and relinquishes her marital role to pursue a life of religious devotion.
Guilliadun
Guilliadun (geel-yah-DO[N]), the English noblewoman enamored with Eliduc, is devastated to learn of his prior marriage during their voyage. Overcome by grief, she dies, only to be miraculously revived by Guildeluec. Guilliadun later marries Eliduc and, after years of charitable endeavors, chooses a spiritual path, becoming a nun.