Summary Of 'Lily Maid Of Astolat'

Elaine of Astolat Elaine was the beautiful daughter of Sir Bernard of Astolat. She was also known as “Elaine the White,” Elaine the Fair,” “Lily Maid of Astolat,” and Lady of Shalott. Her two brothers, Sir Lavaine and Sir Torre, called her “Elaine the Lovable,” and it was the name she liked best of all (“Elaine of Astolat/Lady of Shalott”). Elaine received the name of “Lily Maid of Astolat” from the people who lived around the area because they would see her walk pass their windows in her white frock. They said, “She is tall, graceful, and pure as white lilies” (Driver, “The Maid of Astolat: Elayne Le Blanke”). Elaine and the youngest brother, Lavaine, would chase butterflies, pick wild flowers, and discuss about King Arthur’s knights. They
praised the noble knights and their good deeds (Alfred, “Lancelot and Elaine”).
King Arthur would host tournaments and he would reward a piece of a large diamond to the knight that fought fearlessly at the tournament (Driver, “The Maid of Astolat: Elayne Le Blanke”). The tournament was held in Camelot that year, so Elaine and Lavaine were hopeful to see knights pass through Astolat (“Elaine of Astolat/Lady of Shalott”). The majority of the knights believed that there was no reason to fight in the tournament because Sir Lancelot was the best knight in Arthur’s court. Queen Guinevere overheard the knights, and she suggested that Sir Lancelot wear a disguise (“Sir Lancelot and Elaine”). When the time of the tournament came, Sir Lancelot rode to Camelot, but he lost his way. He, then, stumbled across old castle grounds in Astolat. Sir Bernard welcomed Lancelot into the castle (“Sir
Lancelot and Elaine”). Lancelot stayed at Astolat until the evening, and he retold many tales of King Arthur’s court. Elaine began to fall in love with the noble knight. In the evening, Sir Lancelot told Sir Bernard about how he was trying to fight in the tournament in a disguise. He asked if he could borrow another shield and leave his shield in the castle until he came back for it (Alfred, “Lancelot and Elaine”). Sir Bernard gave Lancelot a shield that belonged to Sir Torre because he was wounded in the first battle and cannot finish the tournament. Elaine gladly took his shield under her care. She took the shield up to her room and then she decided she was going to sew a cover for it (Driver, “The Maid of Astolat: Elayne Le Blanke”). As she was coming downstairs, Sir Lancelot was getting ready to leave with Lavaine as his squire. She asked him to wear her favour at the tournament. He confessed that he had never worn a lady’s favour, so he cannot wear hers (“Sir Lancelot and Elaine”). She urged him and said it would complete his disguise. Sir Lancelot then agreed and tied the red sleeve embroided with pearls onto his helmet. After they left, Elaine started to sew a beautiful cover for his shield (Driver, “The Maid of Astolat: Elayne Le Blanke”). Lancelot and Lavaine rode towards Camelot and came across a place where a hermit lived. They rested there for the night and continued on their journey in the morning (Alfred, “Lancelot and Elaine”). Sir Lancelot fought so bravely and while King Arthur was watching, he thought it was Lancelot until he saw the lady’s favour. At the end of the tournament, King Arthur announced the winner, but since Lancelot was injured, he left early (“Sir Lancelot and Elaine”). King Arthur called for Sir Gawaine to go searching for the wounded warrior. Gawaine hesitated because he did not want to miss the big feast; however, he went due to the King’s orders (Alfred, “Lancelot and Elaine”). Lancelot was injured during the last battle, and there was a head of a spear stuck in his side. Lavaine pulled it out and carried Lancelot back to the shelter they found that one night (“Sir Lancelot and Elaine”). Sir Gawaine overlooked the place as he was riding through the woods, and came across Astolat. Gawaine saw how fair Elaine was and hoped to win her love by telling courtly stories of lords and ladies. Elaine showed him the shield she was taking care of, and Gawaine realized it belonged to Sir Lancelot. He gave Elaine the diamond so she could give it to Lancelot when he came back to retrieve his shield (Driver, “The Maid of Astolat: Elayne Le Blanke”). Gawaine returned to the court and told people about the fair maid who loved Lancelot and how he wore her favour.
Guinevere became angry and filled with jealousy (“Sir Lancelot and Elaine”). Elaine and Sit Torre set off to look for the injured knight and she saw Lavaine near the hermitage. Elaine cared for Lancelot, many days and night, and one morning, he regained his strength (“Sir Lancelot and Elaine”). Lancelot longed to be back at the court, and he wanted to reward Elaine for all she has done. Elaine confessed her love for him, but he did not love her back because he was already secretly devoted to Queen Guinevere. He left to go back to the court, and Elaine grew sadder each day that passed (Alfred, “Lancelot and Elaine”). She refused to eat, and Sir Torre sobbed because he loved his dear sister. Elaine’s dying wish was that she would be clothed in her finest dress, carried down to the river, lie in a barge, and be taken to the palace. She also requested to have a letter in her hands. Elaine passed away and her father fulfilled her wish (Driver, “The Maid of Astolat: Elayne Le Blanke”). When her body reached the palace, King Arthur, his wife, knights, and ladies came to discover what had happened. King Arthur read the letter out loud and people wept. Then, Sir Lancelot buried her sadly. Elaine the Fair died of unrequited love for Lancelot (“Sir
Lancelot and Elaine”).

Works Cited
Alfred, Tennyson. “Lancelot and Elaine.” Cliff Notes. Houghton Mifflan Harcourt; 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
Driver, Martha. “The Maid of Astolat: Elayne Le Blanke.” Arthurian Legends. n.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. “Elaine of Astolat/Lady of Shalott.” The Camelot Project. University of Rochester, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U, 2008. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. “Sir Lancelot and Elaine.” n.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.