The Lady of the Lake is a character deeply embedded in the Arthurian stories. She is usually taken to be a leader or ruler of Avalon, though exactly where she fits into the legends varies depending on which version you read. One recurring thread is Excalibur, King Arthur’s sword, and its magical qualities. Was she the figure who kidnapped Sir Lancelot as a child? The magical Vivien who fell in love with Merlin and trapped him under her spell? Or the one who protected the King from the powers of Morgan Le Fay?
That ambiguity is part of what makes her so mysterious. She sits somewhere between good and evil, and is often described using others’ love of her to win control. According to the Lancelot-Grail Cycle, Merlin falls in love with her while teaching her his magical skills. Viviane learns them, then uses them against him, locking him in a tree to keep him forever.
One thing is clear from famous artwork such as James Archer’s Le Morte D’Arthur, which depicts the King’s death: the presence of four regal women. As the King lay dying, he ordered Excalibur thrown into the lake. Just after Bedivere does so, a hand appears clasping the sword, followed by a ship carrying the four queens who accompany the King’s body away to Avalon.
In these photographs I’ve pictured the Lady of the Lake as an ethereal figure, both haunting and commanding. It was one of my creative studio projects, and you’ll find more of that work in my portfolios.
You can watch the behind the scenes video on YouTube.
Bibliography:
Lady of the Lake – King Arthur’s Knights (kingarthursknights.com)
