Guen´dolen (3 syl.), a fairy whose mother was a human being. King Arthur fell in love with her, and she became the mother of Gyneth. When Arthur deserted the frail fair one, she offered him a parting cup; but as he took it in his hands, a drop of the liquor fell on his horse and burnt it so severely that it “lept twenty feet high,” ran mad, and died. Arthur dashed the cup on the ground, whereupon it set fire to the grass and consumed the fairy palace. As for Guendolen, she was never seen afterwards.—Sir W. Scott, The Bridal of Triermain, i. 2 (“Lyulph’s Tales,” 1813).
Guendolœ´na, wife of Locrin (eldest son of Brute, whom he succeeded), and daughter of Cori´neus (3 syl.). Being divorced, she retired to Cornwall, and collected an army, which marched against Locrin, who “was killed by the shot of an arrow.” Guendolœna now assumed the reins of government, and her first act was to throw Estrildis (her rival) and her daughter Sabre, into the Severn, which was called Sabri´na or Sabren from that day.—Geoffrey, British History, ii. 4, 5 (1142.)
Guenever or Guinever, a corrupt form of Guanhuma´ra (4 syl.), daughter of King Leodegrance, of the land of Camelyard. She was the most beautiful of women, was the wife of King Arthur, but entertained a criminal attachment for Sir Launcelot du Lac. Respecting the latter part of the queen’s history, the greatest diversity occurs. Thus Geoffrey says:
King Arthur was on his way to Rome ... when news was brought him that his nephew Mordred, to whose care he had entrusted Britain had ... set the crown upon his own head; and that the queen Guanhumara had wickedly married him.... When King Arthur returned and put Mordred and his army to flight ... the queen fled from York to the City of Legions [Newport in South Wales], where she resolved to lead a chaste life among the nuns of Julius the martyr.—British History, xi. 1 (1142).
Another version is, that Arthur, being informed of the adulterous conduct of Launcelot, went with an army to Bentwick (Brittany), to punish him. That Mordred (his son by his own sister), left as regent, usurped the crown, proclaimed that Arthur was dead, and tried to marry Guenever, the queen; but she shut herself up in the Tower of London, resolved to die rather than marry the usurper. When she heard of the death of Arthur, she “stole away” to Almesbury, “and there she let make herself a nun, and wore white cloaths and black.” And there lived she “in fasting, prayers and almsdeeds, that all marvelled at her virtuous life.”—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, iii, 161-170 (1470).
⁂ For Tennyson’s version, see Guinevere.
Guene´vra (3 syl.), wife of Necetaba´nus, the dwarf, at the cell of the hermit of Engaddi.—Sir W. Scott, The Talisman (time, Richard I.).
Guenn. Beautiful Breton peasant, haughty and gay, who refuses to sit as a model to the artists who haunt the region, until Hamor prevails over her scruples. Up to now, her love for her deformed brother has been the strongest passion of her strong nature. The love she learns to feel for Hamor masters all else, and when convinced that it is hopeless she grows desperate. She is “found drowned.”—Blanche Willis Howard, Guenn.
Guer´in or Gueri´no, son of Millon, king of Alba´nia. On the day of his birth his father was dethroned, but the child was rescued by a Greek slave, who brought it up and surnamed it Meschi´no or “the Wretched.” When grown to man’s estate Guerin fell in love with the princess Elizena, sister of the Greek emperor, who held his court at Constantinople.—An Italian Romance.
Guesclin’s Dust a Talisman. Guesclin, or rather Du Guesclin, constable of France, laid siege to Châteauneuf[Châteauneuf]-de-Randan, in Auvergne. After several assaults the town promised to surrender if not relieved within fifteen days. Du Guesclin died in this interval, but the governor of the town came and laid the keys of the city on the dead man’s body, saying he resigned the place to the hero’s ashes (1380).