Lais · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Lais by Marie de France.
Eliduc
major
Also known as Sir Eliduc
A knight torn between his wife and a foreign princess, central to his own lay.
Gugemar
major
Also known as Gugemar Hearken
A knight who falls in love after being wounded by a magical arrow.
Sir Launfal
major
Also known as Launfal
A knight who gains a fairy lover but must keep her secret.
Milon
major
A knight who secretly loves a lady and communicates via a swan.
Equitan
major
A king who pursues his seneschal's wife, leading to a tragic end.
Bisclavaret
major
A werewolf knight betrayed by his wife who hides his clothing.
Frêne
major
A twin abandoned at birth who later becomes a lady of worth.
Yonec
major
The son of a lady and a knight transformed into a hawk.
King Arthur
supporting
Also known as Arthur
Legendary king who appears in several lays as a ruler.
King Mark
supporting
King of Cornwall, uncle of Tristan and husband of Isoude.
Tristan
supporting
A knight famous for his love affair with Queen Isoude.
Isoude
supporting
Also known as Queen Isoude
Queen of Cornwall, beloved of Tristan.
Gawain
supporting
A knight of Arthur's court, nephew of the king.
Guillardun
supporting
Also known as Dame Guillardun
A princess who falls in love with Eliduc.
Meriadus
supporting
A knight who challenges Sir Launfal.
The Dolorous Knight
supporting
Also known as the Knight Peerless
A knight who suffers from unrequited love in his own lay.
The Varlet
minor
A young servant or squire in various lays.
Marie de France
minor
Also known as Marie, Dame Marie
The poet-narrator who appears in the prologue.
The Wolf
minor
The werewolf form of Bisclavaret.
His Master
minor
A generic term for a knight's lord or owner.
Brangwaine
minor
Isoude's loyal handmaiden and confidante.
Buron
minor
A knight mentioned in the lay of Eliduc.
Eudemarec
minor
A character in the lay of Yonec.
Solomon
minor
Also known as King Solomon
Biblical king referenced as a figure of wisdom.
Dante
minor
Italian poet referenced in the endnotes.
