In sharp contrast with Gwenhwyfar's infamy in the Welsh tradition, she was a virtual non-entity in the warrior legends that constituted Arthurian legend until Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote History of the Kings of Britain.
Shortly after the year 800, Nennius assembled his book, the "Historia Brittonum," or, "History of the Britons." It mentions Arthur briefly, as the "leader of battles" with "the kings of the Britons." Modern readers would not rec ognize this Arthur if the he did not share the great king's name: there is no Round Table, no Quest, and no Guinevere. She appears (and disappears) 300 years later, when Caradoc wrote the 'life' of Gildas, introducing the "persistent motif [of] the abdu ction of Guinevere" (Lacy 26). At this point, however, she is more of a sceptre or crown than woman; she signifies the power of the man who claims her, yet holds none for herself.
Geoffrey of Monmouth introduces Guinevere, "the loveliest woman in all the island" with her marriage to Arthur. He proudly states that she "descended from a noble family of Romans and reared in the household of Duke Cador" implyi ng a fair match (Wilhelm 72). Monmouth's interests lie primarily in the legitimizing effect of Guinevere's Roman blood.
Yet her ancestry earns no forgiveness when Guinevere breaks "the oath of her prior nuptials" by becoming queen to the usurping Modred (91). Earlier accounts, in accordance with the attitudes of the early Latin texts discussed abov e, assumed that Guinevere accompanied the throne as Queen, as spoils to the victor. Monmouth, however, attributes her newfound allegiance not to her situation but to "unconscionable lust" (91). Rather than see Guinevere as a "mere pawn of political eve nts," Monmouth paints her as Modred's accomplice (Spivak 82).
Even before Chreitien introduced Lancelot, Guinevere's reputation caught up with her. Just as she finally became a noteworthy character, Guinevere shouldered some of the blame for the fall of Camelot through her betrayal of Arthur , continuing the Welsh tradition of her traitorous nature.
Go to the Next Page (Guinevere in the Early Chivalric Period)
Go back to the Main Guinevere Page
Return to The Quest