Lady of the Lake facts for kids

The Lady of the Lake and Sir Bedivere

The Lady of the Lake is a mysterious and powerful character from the famous Arthurian legends. These are old stories about King Arthur and his knights. Different writers have given her many different names over the centuries.

Her important roles in the legends include giving King Arthur his magical sword, Excalibur. She also takes Arthur to a special place after his last battle. She even helped raise Lancelot, one of Arthur's bravest knights, when he was young. In some stories, she is also known for enchanting the powerful wizard Merlin.

Who is the Lady of the Lake?

The Lady of the Lake is a magical figure in the tales of King Arthur. She is often linked to lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water. She is known for her wisdom and her strong magical abilities.

Her Many Names

Over time, different storytellers have called the Lady of the Lake by various names. Some of her most common names include:

• Nimue
• Viviane
• Elaine
• Niniane
• Nyneve
• Nimueh

These different names show how popular and important she was in many versions of the Arthurian stories.

Her Important Roles

The Lady of the Lake plays several key parts in the legends of King Arthur:

• Giving Excalibur: She is most famous for giving King Arthur his legendary sword, Excalibur. This sword was a symbol of his power and his right to rule.
• Taking Arthur to Avalon: After King Arthur's final battle, she is said to have taken him to the mystical island of Avalon. This is where he would heal from his wounds.
• Raising Lancelot: She also raised Lancelot from a young age after his father passed away. Lancelot grew up to become one of the greatest knights of the Round Table.
• Enchanting Merlin: In some tales, she uses her magic to enchant or trap the wizard Merlin. This shows her great power, even over a wise sorcerer.

Her actions often shape the events in King Arthur's life and the adventures of his knights.

Images for kids

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  Nimue in Howard Pyle's illustration for The Story of King Arthur and His Knights (1903)

• 

  Viviane with Merlin in Witches' Tree by Edward Burne-Jones (1905)

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  The gift of the sword Excalibur in an illustration for George Melville Baker's Ballads of Bravery (1877)

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  "'Look!', said the Lady Nimue, 'Ye ought to be sore ashamed to be the death of such a knight!'" William Henry Margetson's illustration for Janet MacDonald Clark's Legends of King Arthur and His Knights (1914)

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  The Passing of Arthur in Andrew Lang's Stories of King Arthur and His Knights (1904)

• 

  Llyn Ogwen as seen from the slopes of Pen yr Ole Wen in 2008

See also

In Spanish: Dama del Lago para niños