Lancelot

Lancelot du Lac
Biographical information
Real name	Lancelot du Lac
Aliases	Forsworn Knight Lance Lancelot of the Lake
Status	Deceased (impaled by Brandish)
Species	Human (Fable)
Gender	Male
Occupation	Knight of New Camelot Advisor to Flycatcher Knight of the Round Table (formerly)
Homeland	Camelot
Appearances
First issue	Fables #1 — "Chapter One: Old Tales Revisited"
Last issue	Fables #149 — "Generations: Chapter Nine of Happily Ever After"
Original source	Lancelot from Arthurian legend

“	This is your quest, true. It's your sacred mission to fulfill. But my redemption's also on the line! It's my one shot in untold centuires and it's entirely in your hands now!	„
	~ Lancelot to Flycatcher, Fables #67 — "The Good Prince, Chapter Seven: Haven"

Sir Lancelot du Lac is a human Fable who first appears in Fables #1 — "Chapter One: Old Tales Revisited." Once among the Knights of the Round Table, he hanged himself and became the Forsworn Knight, the mysterious armored figure who hangs from Fabletown's Business Office tree, occasionally uttering strange prophecies.

After being freed from the armor, Lancelot becomes an aide to Flycatcher, the king of Haven, and is given new flesh and blood. He eventually becomes one of the knights of New Camelot and enters into a romantic relationship with Rose Red, but his life is cut short when he is killed in a duel with Prince Brandish.

History

Camelot

Lancelot was Camelot's most gifted champion, and was blessed by Frau Totenkinder, who told him that he would be unbeatable in battle as long as he remained pure and honorable. He was unbeatable, until he lost his honor by having a love affair with King Arthur'wife, Guinevere. Lancelot's betrayal, and the "unforgivable acts" that he perpetrated afterward, split the Round Table and led to the downfall of Camelot. Even though Arthur eventually forgave him, Lancelot couldn't forgive himself. He hanged himself, and became the mysterious Forsworn Knight.

The Forsworn Knight

A human figure in full medieval armor, the Forsworn Knight hangs from a noose tied to the tree in the Fabletown Business Office. All that is known about him is that he had apparently killed himself sometime in the 13th century and that, when plied with alcohol, he's prone to singing and uttering prophecies; it is mentioned that things got decidedly messy the last time that this happened.

Resurrection

After Bufkin accidentally frees him from his armor, Lancelot becomes the advisor to Flycatcher and guides him on his heroic journey to become the Once and Future King. Their journey takes them to Flycatcher's Kingdom of Haven, where Lancelot is given new flesh and blood.

Lancelot is killed by Brandish

New Camelot

Lancelot is later selected to become one of the knights of Rose Red's New Camelot. In a twist of irony, Lancelot becomes involved in a romantic relationship with Rose, the Queen of New Camelot, making him the Guinevere of her Camelot, but this time without the betrayal and infidelity.

Second death

When Prince Brandish demands a trial by combat after the murder of Weyland Smith, Lancelot accepts. The two duel, with Lancelot continuously laying mortal blows. But since Brandish doesn't have his heart, he doesn't die. Eventually, Lancelot starts becoming tired from the endless duel and Brandish lays the killing blow.

Appearances

Fables Fables #1 (first appearance) Fables #6 Fables #7 Fables #8 (mentioned) Fables #10 Fables #31 Fables #44 Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall (flashback) Fables #56 Fables #60 Fables #61 Fables #62 Fables #63 Fables #65 Fables #66 Fables #67 Fables #68 Fables #69 Fables #132 Fables #135 Fables #136 Fables #137 Fables #142 Fables #145 Fables #147 Fables #148 Fables #149 Fairest Fairest #27 Fairest: In All the Land

Original source

In Arthurian legend, Lancelot was renowned as one of the greatest knights. He was the illicit lover of King Arthur's wife Guinevere and the biological father of Sir Galahad.

The name Lancelot was introduced to the Arthurian legends in Chrétien de Troyes' romance, Erec, in the 12th century. Later, the same author made him the protagonist of Lancelot; ou, le chevalier de la charrette, a retelling of the legend of Guinevere's kidnapping, making Lancelot her savior and secret lover. The text also included the tale of Lancelot's childhood, raised by a fairy who lived in a lake. This story was further expanded upon in the German poem Lanzelet. These two concepts were expanded upon in the renowned 13th-century Vulgate cycle, also known as the "Prose Lancelot." As stated in the text, Lancelot was taken away by enchantress Vivien, also known as the Lady of the Lake, after his father, King Ban of Benoic, passed away. Eventually, he was sent to Arthur's court by her. Her diligent teachings and Lancelot's deep love for Guinevere, produced a knight who became the epitome of chivalry.

As the cycle progressed, there emerged a contrast between worldly chivalry and chivalry rooted in spiritual love. Lancelot's son, Sir Galahad, who was born to him by Elaine of Astolat, daughter of Grail keeper King Pelleas, took over as the ideal knight and pushed Lancelot aside. Lancelot's illicit love for the queen also resulted in his failure to obtain the Holy Grail, and set into motion a series of events that ultimately led to the tragic downfall of the Round Table and its fellowship of knights.

In the world of medieval English romance, Lancelot held a prominent position in Thomas Malory's 15th-century prose work Le Morte d'Arthur. The story delved into Elaine of Astolat's all-consuming love for Lancelot and the tragic end of his love for Guinevere. Torn between his love for Guinevere and his duty to his king, Lancelot's emotional conflict ultimately led to Arthur's tragic end and departure from the mortal world.

Etymology

"Lancelot du Lac," a name from Arthurian legend, is French for "Lancelot of the Lake." Note that Fables #137 — "An Early Winter: Part Six of Camelot" misspells his last name as "Dulac."