Guide Note:
The Lady of the Lake is an archetypal figure in Arthurian legend.
Fast Facts:
- Divided into several characters over time
- Also known as Viviane, Nimue, Niniane and sometimes Morgan le Fay
- Gifted the sword Excalibur to King Arthur
- Both lover and rival of Merlin
- Has roots in both Greek and Celtic Myths
Brief Background
The Lady of the Lake is a fictional character from Arthurian myth. She appears under various names and is credited with giving the sword Excalibur to King Arthur. She is also written to have raised Lancelot.
Many have drawn parallels between The Lady of the Lake and the goddess Thetis from Greek mythology. Thetis was married to Peleus and their son was Achilles, the greatest warrior in Greece. Thetis strove to make Achilles invulnerable to harm. Similarly, the Lady of the Lake raised Lancelot, one of the greatest Arthurian warriors, and gave him a ring that would protect him from magic.
The Lady of the Lake is also credited with bewitching the wizard Merlin.
Guide Note:
The Lady of the Lake is an archetypal figure in Arthurian legend.
Fast Facts:
Divided into several characters over time
Also known as Viviane, Nimue, Niniane and sometimes Morgan le Fay
Gifted the sword Excalibur to King Arthur
Both lover and rival of Merlin
Brief Background
</small> The Lady of the Lake is a fictional character from Arthurian myth. She appears under various names and is credited with giving the sword Excalibur to King Arthur. She is also written to have raised Lancelot.
Many have drawn parallels between The Lady of the Lake and the goddess Thetis from Greek mythology. Thetis was married to Peleus and their son was Achilles, the greatest warrior in Greece. Thetis strove to make Achilles invulnerable to harm. Similarly, the Lady of the Lake raised Lancelot, one of the greatest Arthurian warriors, and gave him a ring that would protect him from magic.
The Lady of the Lake is also credited with bewitching the wizard Merlin.
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Notable The Lady of the Lake Films and Musicals
Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.
1912: The Lady of the Lake
1981: Excalibur
1998: Merlin
2001: The Mists of Avalon
2004-Present: Monty Python's Spamalot
2006: Merlin's Apprentice
