Mystical World Wide Web

Arthurian A2Z
E

All documents, in part, in section or whole, are copyrighted and the sole property of Mystical World Wide Web. The work may not be duplicated in any form for private or public use including all electronic forms without the prior permission of the Producer (copyrighted).
Mystical World Wide Web - http://www.mystical-www.co.uk

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z




















Ector of the Forest Sauvage

aka 'Sir Ector', 'Ector de Sauvage'. In Arthurian romance, according to the writer 'Malory' (See Malory), Ector was the man that 'Merlin' (See Merlin) brought 'Arthur' to for him to take care of as a foster-father instead of 'Uther' (See Uther Pendragon) and 'Ygraine' (See Ygraine). Ector, in Arthurian legend is described as 'Sir Ector', who was instructed by Merlin not to talk to Arthur of the identity of his true parents when he was still a child, but to raise him as his own son. Ector agreed to this and raised Arthur together with his own true born son known as 'Cei' (See Kay).

On his fifteenth-birthday Arthur was to become 'High King of Britain', the 'dux bellorum' (See Arthur4). This occurrence is told in many different ways in the various legends. Some of the most well-known include when it is told that Arthur was out looking for a sword for Kay that the famous pulling of 'the sword from the stone' took place. Many stories imply that Arthur was taken to the stone, others say he found the sword in the stone when he was out on his own. What is certain is that in Arthurian legend when Arthur pulled the sword from the stone Merlin told him about his true family connections, that his father was High King of Britain. The sword from the stone marks Arthur as having the right to be King in legend. The sword that marks the beginning of Arthur's life as a leader and ends his life with Ector is, in the story of 'The Sword in the Stone' by 'T.H. White' (See T.H. White), not 'Excalibur', although it is sometimes confused with it. This sword was to come later (See Excalibur).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Ector de Maris

In Arthurian legend he is a Knight of the Round Table. There is some dispute over whether he is brother or half-brother of 'Lancelot' (See Lancelot) and son of 'King Ban' (See Ban).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Efnissien


aka Efnisien 'The Unpeaceful'. Son of 'Llyr' (See Llyr), brother of 'Nissien', 'Branwen' (See Branwen), and 'Bran' (See Bran the Blessed).

He caused many problems between the British and Irish over the marriage of his sister to the King of Ireland, because as it was told, he was not consulted. He is known to have thrown 'Gwern' (See Gwern) onto the fire at his coronation feast causing a battle to commence. The sacred cauldron offered by Bran as a peace offering to Gwern the soon to be King was broken during the battle which ensued. Efnissien threw himself into the cauldron knowing that to do so he would die but he would be breaking the power of the cauldron to heal the dead, therefore ensuring that such a powerful vessel would not fall into the wrong hands. It has been suggested that this legend is an allegory of the fight between the Irish and British and Efnissien's desire to maintain the Sovereignty of Britain by avoiding a deal with the Irish. Branwen was a symbol herself of defender of Sovereignty (See Sovereignty).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Efrddf

Believed to be the twin sister of 'King Urien of Rheged' (See Urien).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Egil

Brother of 'Wayland' (See Wayland).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elaine

aka 'Helen of Gomeret'. 'Pallam's' daughter. Wife of 'King Ban' (See Ban). Mother of 'Lancelot' (See Lancelot).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elaine de Astolat

aka 'Lily Maid of Astolat', 'Lady of Shallot' (See Lady of Shallot). Sister of 'Lavaine', daughter of 'Bernard of Astolat'.

According to legend Elaine loved 'Lancelot' (See Lancelot) dearly but her love him was not returned. On realising this to be her situation Elaine is said to have ordered that her body be placed in a boat and taken down river to Arthur's court at Camelot, and that on her dead body there was to be a letter telling of her love for him.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elaine de Corbenic

aka 'Elaine ferch Pelles'. According to Arthurian legend Elaine de Corbenic was the daughter of 'King Pelles, The Grail King', sister to 'Eliazar' her brother.

She is also the mother of 'Galahad' (See Galahad) by 'Lancelot' (See Lancelot). It is thought that 'Brisen' (See Brisen) was responsible for this union.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elaine ferch Pellinor

Daughter of 'Pellinore' (See Pellinore). This character is said to have given up hope of living without her love 'Sir Miles', and so killed herself on hearing of his death.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elaine of Garlot

aka 'Blasine', 'Elaine of Tintagel'. Wife of 'Nentres of Garlot', mother of 'Galachin, the Duke of Clarance'.

Daughter of 'Igerna' (See Igraine) and 'Gorlois' (See Gerlois), sister of 'Morgause' (See Morgause) and 'Morgan le Fay' (See Morgan le Fay), half-sister of 'Arthur' (See Arthur).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elaine the White

aka 'Elaine le Blanke', wife of 'Ban' (See Ban), mother of 'Lancelot' (See Lancelot).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elcmar

Husband of 'Boann' (See Boann).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elen Llydaw

Little information exists on this character except that she was a Knight and counsellor.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eliazar

Reputed to be the son of 'Pelles' (See Pelles), brother of 'Elaine de Corbenic' (See Elaine de Corbenic) and the uncle of 'Galahad' (See Galahad).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elidure

aka 'Elidor'. A mythical king of Britain. Brother of 'Artegal' (See Artegal). Elidure believed his brother to be dead but on the return of his brother from exile, Artegal was crowned king. The story of the two brothers has been likened to the legends of 'Arthur' (See Arthur), who is known as 'the once and future king', and therefore to return from Avalon/exile to regain the throne and raise Britain again as one nation under his leadership.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elivir

One of 'Arthur's' (See Arthur) many aids, said to have been his groom.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eliwlod

In some of the earliest legends he is described as being the nephew of 'Arthur' (See Arthur). Perhaps this is the same nephew later known as 'Gwalchmei' (See Gwalchmei). Both are associated with birds of prey, the eagle and the latter the hawk.

It has been suggested that this character portrait may have been a forerunner to 'Lancelot' (See Lancelot), and that his main character traits were later used to form the Queen's lover.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elizabel

Believed to be the cousin of 'Guinevere' (See Guinevere) who found herself in prison accused by 'Claudas' of espionage and spying.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elphin

Son of 'Gwyddno' (See Gwyddno), son of the 'King of Gwynedd'.

Elphin was said to have had the right to fish at the salmon weir each year according to ancient Welsh legend. Finder of the son of 'Ceridwen' (See Ceridwen) and 'Gwion' (See Gwion) in a leather bag on the May eve, whom he names 'Taliesin', meaning Radiant Brow (See Taliesin). Elphin believed that finding the young boy had brought him luck and so set about boasting of all that he owned including how beautiful his wife was. 'King Maelgwn' grew tired of his boasts and imprisoned him, but Taliesin, who later in Arthurian legend, became a bard of 'Arthur's' (See Arthur) court at 'Caerleon' (See Camelot) aided Elphin's release and subsequent rise in fortune by helping Elphin find a cauldron of gold.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Elsa

Believed to have been the wife of 'Lohegrin' (See Lohegrin). One condition of their relationship was that she never asked his name or he would leave her. Unfortunately they went their separate ways by her posing the question.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Emer

'CuChulainn' (See CuChulainn) desired Emer, and intended her to be his from when she was very young. She was the daughter of 'Forgall', but as she grew older she grew into a very jealous woman, which perhaps can be understood when it is remembered that CuChulainn was a womaniser. Her main jealousy was directed towards one woman named 'Fand'. A potion was prepared by the Druids to solve the bickering, and CuChulainn remained faithful and Emer was no longer jealous. She is said to have died of grief at his graveside as he was being buried.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Emmeline

Little is known of this girl who, known as blind, was said to have had her sight restored by 'Merlin' (See Merlin). Believed to be the daughter of 'Duke Conon of Cornwall' who it is said was abducted by the Saxon 'King Oswald of Kent'.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Emrys

Another pseudonym for 'Merlin' (See Merlin).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Endellion

Of the early Celtic Church, daughter of 'Brychan, King of Powys' (See Mystical-WWW Mystical Time : Dates, 6 April for more information on Brychan), believed to have been god-daughter of Arthur, and known to have been associated with Tintagel (See Mystical-WWW : Dates, 29 April for more information on Endellion).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eneuavc

In some legends this lady is said to have been the daughter of 'Bedivere' (See Bedivere).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Enid

aka 'Enid the Fair', 'Enid the Good'. Daughter of 'Yniol', wife of 'Gereint, King of Devon' (See Gereint). Widowed when it is said that Gereint died in battle at Llongborth (believed to be Langport, Somerset).

The Welsh story of 'Gereint ap Erbin' was much popularised by 'Chrétien de Troyes' (See Chrétien de Troyes) in his work 'Érec et Énide' (AD1170), and later again 'Geraint and Enid' underwent another transformation in the Victorian period due to the work entitled 'Idylls of the King' by the poet 'Tennyson' (See Tennyson).

Gereint/Érec is a hero who defends the honour of his lady against many other Knights, all seeking to win a tournament with the same purpose, defending their beloved as one who is the most beautiful of all woman. Gereint is devoted to Enid and their marriage affects him so deeply that he cannot think of nothing else but his wife. His emotions were said to have affected his duties as a Knight and little-by-little this begins to affect the relationship.

Their relationship was eventually a happy one despite Gereint's fears that his wife may have been unfaithful and Enid feeling that she is the cause of his changed ways. He suspects his wife's fidelity as Enid was often to be found crying, but the reason was misunderstood. She was said to regret her devoted husband's preference to be at home in retirement rather than out travelling as a Knight with a busy life.

She had been given the head of the 'White Hart' (See White Hart) by 'Gwenhwyfar' (See Gunievere) according to Welsh legend which had been caught by Arthur's hunting party. Seen as a pretty 'fair maiden' she was then married, hence perhaps why Enid was known by a number of names relating to her goodness and purity.

Tennyson focuses on their relationship in 'The Marriage of Geraint' and 'Geraint and Enid'. These two parts were originally entitled 'Geraint and Enid I', 'Geraint and Enid II', both idylls being a symbol of married love.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eochlaid Airem

Husband of 'Etain', 'King of Ireland' who was beaten at fidchell when 'Midir' (See Midir) successfully attempted to regain his wife (Etain). Eochlaid was angered by Midir's success and soon gained Etain back at court, but he had in the interim made many enemies amongst the 'Sidhe' (See Aes Sidhe).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eochu Muigmedon

'King of Tara', father of four legitimate sons by 'Mongfind' (See Mongfind) his wife, and the illegitimate 'Niall' (See Niall) by 'Cairenn' described as his concubine. Niall was to inherit his kingdom following his success in a series of tests requested by Mongfind and overseen by 'Sithchean' (See Sithchean). A legend of Irish origin.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eoghan

According to Irish legend Eoghan murdered 'Deirdriu's' (See Deirdriu) beloved 'Naoisi' (See Naoisi) at the request of 'Conchobar' (See Conchobar) her master. She had loved Naoisi who temporarily managed to secure her release from Conchobar's court. After being the wife of Conchobar she was given to Eoghan. As she was taken away she is said to have killed herself by jumping from Eoghan's chariot.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Erbin

Father of 'Gerient' (See Gerient).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eriu

Of Irish origin, believed name of a Goddess, one of three Sovereignty Goddesses, the others being 'Banba'(See Banba) and 'Fodla'. Her name is contained within the name of Ireland itself, this being 'Erin'. (See Sovereignty).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Ermid

Thought to be the brother of 'Gerient' (See Gerient).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Escanor

A solar knight who abducted Arthur's cupbearer, and reputed to be the amour of 'Esclarimonde' (See Esclarimonde).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Esclados

aka 'Perclad' (See Perclad), 'Black Knight' (See Black Knight). A name given to a character who is depicted as a 'Defender of the Wonderous Fountain', married to 'Laudine' (See Laudine), in later legends defeated by 'Owain' (See Owain).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Esclarimonde

A female character said to possess mystical powers, sometimes referred to as a faery, believed to be the lover of 'Brian des Illes' (See Brian des Illes) and 'Escanor le Beau' (See Escanor le Beau).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Escorducarla

aka 'Lady of Vallone' who desired a union with 'Merlin' (See Merlin) but ultimately only imprisoned by him.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Esmeree

Rescued by 'Guinglan' (See Gingalin) with the help of her hand maiden 'Helie' (See Helie) when she was a victim of an enchantment, transformed into a snake until Guinglain rescued her.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Espinogee

A knight murdered by 'Goon Desert' (See Goon Desert).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Esras

Known for his wisdom, he lived in 'Gorias' which is one of the four cities associated with 'The Hallows' (See Hallows) from which the Tuatha de Danaan (See Tuatha de Danaan) had come from in Greece.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Estrildis

Concubine to 'Locrinis' (See Locrinis), and later wife to the King. Mother of 'Sabrina' (See Sabrina).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Etain

Wife of 'Midir' (See Midir) and later also of 'Eochlaid Airem' (See Eochlaid Airem).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Ethniu

Father of 'Lugh' (See Lugh), husband of 'Cian'.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Ettare

aka 'Etard', 'Ettard'.

According to the writing of 'Malory' (See Malory) Ettare was severely punished by 'Nimue' (See Lady of the Lake) for teasing and scorning 'Pelleas' (See Pelleas).

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Eugenius

A character described as an ally of 'Mordred' (See Mordred) who was a captor of 'Guinevere' (See Guinevere) in some Arthurian legends.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z








































Excalibur

Meaning 'Cut Steel'. Aka 'Excalibor', 'Caledfwlch', 'Caledvwlch', 'Caliburnus', 'Caliburn'.

'Geoffrey of Monmouth' (See Geoffrey of Monmouth) was the first to name Arthur's sword 'Caliburn' (See Arthur).

Excalibur is often wrongly described as being 'the sword in the stone', the sword which Arthur is said to have pulled from an anvil in London. The sword from the stone was Arthur's first sword, reputed to have been broken in a battle, a sword that indicated Arthur had the right to be king, whereas Excalibur in legend is known to have been his second sword. Excalibur was believed to possess the power to protect Arthur from wounding so long as he wore it together with its silver scabbard. When Arthur received Excalibur, he is told according to legend that the two must never be parted. 'Morgan le Fay' (See Morgan le Fay) stole the sword and gave it to her lover 'Accolon of Gaul' (See Accolon of Gaul), and threw the scabbard into the lake. The sword was recovered but the scabbard remained lost, leaving Arthur vulnerable in battle against mortal and immortal.

The first sword was reputed to have been broken in a battle.

'And onward Arthur paced, with hand
On Caliburn's resistless brand.'

In the writer 'Malory's' (See Malory) story this sword is given to 'Arthur', and is known to be his second sword, given to him by the 'Lady of the Lake'

It has been suggested that the idea for providing Arthur of legend with a magical sword may have been influenced by the ancient Irish 'Caladbolg' sword which was described in legend as being to consume all that lay in its path.

This sword was reputed to have been made by 'Wayland' (See Wayland).

Excalibur is also thought to be very similar to the 'Sword of Rhydderch the Generous' named 'Dyrnwyn' as spoken of in the ancient Welsh Triads and the Mabinogion. This was known to be one of the 'Thirteen Treasures of Britain' (See Hallows of Britain). This sword was revered for being of the Otherworld, and for being able to completely burst into flames, but it was said that it could only be used by someone of noble birth.

BACK 2 ARTHURIAN A2 Z

All documents, in part, in section or whole, are copyrighted and the sole property of Mystical World Wide Web. The work may not be duplicated in any form for private or public use including all electronic forms without the prior permission of the Producer (copyrighted).
Mystical World Wide Web - http://www.mystical-www.co.uk
Producer mellpaul@mystical-www.co.uk