One of the most complex characters found in the Arthurian legends, Lancelot, was the father of Galahad, the knight whom completed the greatest of all quests, achieving the Holy Grail, whereas Lancelot failed due to his flawed character. 

An orphan raised by the Fairy Queen and Lady of the Lake, Lancelot was trained in the arts and writing, combat, and other skills to become the greatest knight of Arthur’s Court. He won many battles and tournaments, but ultimately betrayed King Arthur by sleeping with Queen Guinevere. This treacherous act led to a civil war that was exploited by Mordred and eventually led to Arthur’s death. 

Lancelot was haunted by bouts of intense madness during his life and was tricked into sleeping with the Grail Maiden by the Fisher King. On discovering the treachery, he desired to slay the Maiden, only to be told that she was with child. It was the child born from this union who became that which his father could not, a knight worthy of achieving the Grail.

Artwork: Lancelot at the Chapel from the Book of Romance.