The boat with the dead Maid of Astolat before the palace at Westminster

The stories of King Arthur have been popular in the West since the twelfth century as they began with courtly romances in the British court. Since then, they have remained popular stories with children and adults alike. The most popular account of Arthurian legends come from Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte d'Arthur published in 1469. This edition from 1907 features illustrations for many of the classic stories by Arthur Rackham.

This image comes from the story of Lady Elaine of Astolat and Sir Lancelot. This famous romance notes the pure love that Elaine has for Lancelot and his devotion to Guinevere and the court. Lancelot comes to Astolat to partake in a jousting tournament and encounters the Lord of Astolat’s daughter Elaine who becomes enamored with him. Elaine begs him to wear her token in the tournament, which he agrees to as long as he is able to remain anonymous because Guinevere would be present. When Lancelot is injured in the tournament, Elaine nurses him back to health and he becomes aware of her feelings for him. Lancelot returns to health and leaves Astolat never to return and makes his way back to Camelot. His departure breaks Elaine’s heart and she dies ten days later from sadness. Her final wish is to be placed in a boat with a lily and a letter in hand and let float down to Camelot.  

This illustration is of the late Lady Elaine floating into Camelot and being viewed by King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. In this edition of the romances of King Arthur, this image comes at the beginning of the story. In this way, the introduction to Lady Elaine for the reader is immediately associated with her death. This element of foreshadowing offers a unique twist to the classic story of Lady Elaine and Lancelot. Placing this illustration before the end of the story does not spoil the ending of the story due to the historic popularity of Arthurian Legends, the fate of Elaine would have been well known at the time. It does however offer a glimpse at the tragedy that follows many Arthurian romances.

Dobrotă, Corina. “Legend and History about King Arthur: A Myth and Its Metamorphoses.” Intertext, no. 3/4, Dec. 2016, pp. 161–66.