He is typically depicted as King Arthur 's close companion and one of the greatest Knights of the Round Table, as well as a secret lover of Arthur's wife, Guinevere. In his most prominent and complete depiction, Lancelot is a beautiful orphaned son of King Ban of the lost kingdom of Benoïc.
In Arthurian legend Lancelot is known for being the father of the pure knight Sir Galahad, whose mother is Elaine, daughter of King Pelleas, the keeper of the Holy Grail. Lancelot is also the lover of King Arthur ’s queen, Guinevere.
Lancelot | King Arthur’s Knight, Quest for the Grail, Knight of the ...
Lancelot, also known as Sir Lancelot and Lancelot du Lac (“Lancelot of the Lake”) is the greatest knight of King Arthur 's court and lover of Arthur's wife, Queen Guinevere, best known from Sir Thomas Malory 's Le Morte D'Arthur (1469 CE).
Lancelot was the First Knight of the Round Table, and he never failed in gentleness, courtesy, or courage. In addition to his courage and prowess on the battlefield, Lancelot was also a knight who was consistently serving others, thus giving him a good name and favor among most circles.
In summary: Sir Lancelot is regarded as the first and greatest of King Arthur’s legendary knights. Son of King Ban of Benoic (anglicized as Benwick) and Queen Elaine, he is known as Lancelot of the Lake (or Lancelot du Lac) because he was raised by Vivien, the Lady of the Lake.
Created by Chretien de Troyes, Lancelot's tale spans his heroic deeds, his complex relationships with Arthur and Gawain, and his tragic failure in the Quest for the Holy Grail due to his adulterous love.