Arthurian legend may be chock-full of inspiring tales of heroism, from fighting dragons and demons to embarking on a noble quest to obtain the Holy Grail, but did you know it was packed to the brim with romance, too?
In fact, medieval love stories were so popular that they originated a widespread and influential genre—Arthurian romance. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, let’s explore some of the most passionate couples in Arthurian legend.
Spoiler alert: While their love may mirror Romeo & Juliet, their endings do, too...
Isn’t It Romantic?
The Arthurian romance genre developed in the Middle Ages, usually comprising a tale of adventure featuring a love interest, often associated with the courtly love tradition of that time. Different from the traditional ‘romance’ genre, these aren’t love stories, but stories of noble heroes with the focus being on honour and bravery, with love as a secondary plot.
Tales that included the quests of knights-errant can often be categorised as Arthurian romances, as they seek justice in return for the favour of the lady of their desires.
Cutest Couples
There are plenty of examples of romantic pairings in Arthurian legend who were definitely hit by Cupid’s arrow, and often killed by it too. One of these passionate pairs was Tristan and Isolde, and their tale includes a tragic love triangle for the ages. Tristan was one of the Knights of the Round Table, tasked with sailing to Ireland to bring back his uncle Mark’s bride—who just so happened to be Isolde.
On the way back, they both drank a love potion (some versions describe this act as accidental) and fell hard for each other. Isolde still had to marry Mark to bring about peace between Ireland and Cornwall, so Tristan and Isolde began an adulterous affair. Ultimately, the two did not end up together, and thus this tale ends in tragedy.
Tristan and Isolde in embrace by Rogelio de Egusquiza (1896)
Merlin is probably best known for his magical and mythical abilities and his friendship with King Arthur, to whom he was a trusted advisor. However, even with his vast knowledge, he was not insusceptible to puppy love. Nimue and Merlin were another Arthurian romantic pairing, and although there are many versions of this tale, our story focuses on just one rendition. Nimue was thought to be a Lady of the Lake, a title used to describe fae enchantresses in Arthurian legend, and in this tale, she uses her beauty to seduce Merlin into providing her with his magical knowledge, while keeping herself safe from a much older man.
Merlin met Nimue when she was only 16, and he fell in love with her at first sight. She agreed to accompany Merlin on a journey in return for learning magic, and as they travelled together she became afraid that Merlin would use his abilities to enchant her into laying with him. Merlin, as a prophet and seer, foresaw his own death but was unable to stop his demise due to his helpless infatuation with Nimue.
Finally, we come to possibly the most famous Arthurian couple, or should we say, throuple—Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. Lancelot was one of the greatest Knights of King Arthur’s Round Table, but he made the fatal mistake of falling in love with Queen Guinevere. Returning his love, they began a torrid affair, indirectly leading to the downfall of both Arthur and his kingdom. Many versions of this tale exist, but in every telling the two do not end up together, sometimes due to guilt from their betrayal keeping them apart even after Arthur’s death, making them a truly tragic Arthurian romance couple.
Explore more of the legends that inspired Conqueror’s Blade: Avalon, get acquainted with King Arthur himself, and learn about Sir Galahad, the original knight-errant.