Lancelot Du Lac, the Most Famous Knight

Famous in legend, play, poem and film, Sir Lancelot is the most famous of the Knights of King Arthur's Round Table. Lancelot was born to King Ban of Benwick and Queen Elaine. While still an infant, his father the king was driven from his kingdom - some say by his subjects and others say by his enemy, Claudas de la Deserte. After the king and queen fled and while the queen was tending to her husband, who died of a broken heart, their infant son was carried off by Vivien, the Lady of the Lake. Lancelot was raised in her magical kingdom of ten thousand maidens where no man was allowed. It was here he learned the meaning of honor and purity and where he took on the surname, du lac, or of the lake.

At the appropriate age, The Lady of the Lake sent Lancelot to the court of King Arthur, where he became known as a most gallant and gentle knight, a great fighter and skilled swordsman. He became a beloved friend to Arthur and the champion of his Queen Guinevere. Lancelot played an important role in the battles engaged in by the knights, and later in the quest for the Holy Grail.

Lancelot was tricked into a liaison with Elaine of Astolat and became father to her son, Galahad. Elaine also died of a broken heart because Lancelot never returned her love and affection. Although Lancelot joined Galahad and Perceval in the search for the Grail, it was his son Galahad who ultimately found it.

Whether it be legend, story or folktale, all accounts of Lancelot and his relationships with Arthur and Guinevere are fraught with intrigue and mystery compounded by jealousy and evil intent. Modred and Morgana La Fay were enemies of King Arthur and sought to destroy the bonds between the King, the Queen and Lancelot, as well as the other Knights of the Round Table. Their quest for power ended in the death of King Arthur and many of the knights.

Queen Guinevere was condemned to be burned alive at the stake for adultery, supposedly due to an illicit relationship with Lancelot. Just before the sentence was carried out, Lancelot and his compatriots came to her rescue, and facing death in the process. Guinevere subsequently retired to a nunnery to live out her days. Lancelot also became a renunciate of the Church, retiring to a hermitage.

Literature is rich with tales of the days of Camelot, the search for the Grail and the lives of Lancelot, Arthur and Guinevere. Stories are told by Chretien de Troye, Sir Thomas Malory, and a poetic version was penned by Tennyson. The romantic legends of the Arthurian time period continue to survive unto the present day because of their drama, the dreams of a utopian kingdom and the tales of love, tragedy and a conquering hero.

Please visit http://www.theheartscenter.org for spiritual teachings about historical figures and the saints of all religions. The Hearts Center offers an opportunity for seekers to receive up-to-date inspiration from the ascended masters and other spiritual beings. To purchase books, audiotapes and art, please visit http://store.heartscenter.org. Learn about the ascension, karma and reincarnation, the benefits of meditation, the use of the violet laser light and much more.