King Leodegrance

In the Arthurian legend, King Leodegrance /ˈliːoʊdɪɡræns/ (for variant spellings, see below) of Cameliard is the father of Queen Guinevere. He also figures as the safekeeper of the Round Table prior to Guinevere's marriage to King Arthur.

Name and origins

Medieval spellings of his name include Leodagan (Léodagan), Leodaganes, Leodagans, Leodagant, Leodegain, Leodegam, Leodegan, Leodeganes, Leodegannes, Leodegans, Leodegant and Leodegon. Exclusive to Le Morte d'Arthur (the source of the popular form Leodegrance) in its various editions are Leodegraunce, Ladegreans, Leodegraunce, Leodegreaunce, Lodegean, Lodegrean, Lodegreans, Lodegreance and Lodegryaunce. There are some also some additional modern spellings (for example, Leodogran, Leodegran, Leodogran, Leodogrance, Leodegranz).

His kingdom of Cameliard (varied forms and spellings) may have been inspired by Camelford in Cornwall. In Welsh mythology, the father of Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere) is instead a giant named Ogyruan/Ogyrvan, or Gogyrfan, mentioned in Middle Welsh texts. Some Celtic studies, such as Myrdhinn by de la Villemarque, present Leodegrance as a king of 'Scotland'.

Legend

Leodegrance had served Uther Pendragon, Arthur's biological father and regnal predecessor, and was entrusted with the keeping of the Round Table at Uther's death. When his daughter, Princess Guinevere, marries Arthur, Leodegrance gives the young king the table in dowry.

Leodegrance is one of the few kings who instantly accept Arthur as the high king. When his land is invaded by King Rience, Arthur comes to his rescue and expels the enemy. Arthur meets Guinevere for the first time during this excursion, and they develop a love that eventually results in their fateful marriage.

According to the Lancelot-Grail prose cycle, Leodegrance fathered a second daughter out of wedlock; he also names this child Guinevere. The "False Guinevere" later treacherously convinces Arthur's court that she is his real wife and her sister is an impostor, forcing the real queen and her lover Lancelot into hiding with their friend Galehaut. The "real" Guinevere eventually returns and reclaims her throne.

Modern culture

References

  1. ↑ Bromwich, Rachel (ed.). Trioedd Ynys Prydein. Cardiff, revised ed. 1991.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Howey, Ann F.; Reimer, Stephen Ray (2006). A Bibliography of Modern Arthuriana (1500-2000). Boydell & Brewer. ISBN 978-1-84384-068-8.