Lady of the Lake

In an Arthurian legend, the Lady of the Lake gave King Arthur the sword known as Excalibur. Nimue (pronounced NIM-way) is the name given to the Lady of the Lake when referring to her romance with Merlin the wizard.

Related Topics:
Arthurian legend - King Arthur - Sword - Excalibur - Merlin - Wizard

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She is also called Dame du Lac, Viviane, Niniane, Nyneve, Vivian, Niviene, etc. However, in Layamon's Brut (1215) she is called Argante. The Lady also raised Lancelot as her foster child.

Related Topics:
Layamon - 1215 - Lancelot

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Later, Merlin fell in love with Nimue when Arthur retrieved Excalibur from her lake, located in Brittany, Cornwall or several other suggested locations. Nimue's incentive to preserve their romance was to gain the knowledge of magic that the wizard had.

Related Topics:
Brittany - Cornwall

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She learned a spell from Merlin that could entrap a person for all time. After Lancelot rescued Guinevere and before the battle at Joyous Gard, Nimue cast the spell on Merlin. The sources differ in what Merlin was trapped in. Some say that it was in a Crystal Cave, while others say that he was trapped in a Castle of Air, a Glass Tower or an oak tree. This spell was irreversible.

Related Topics:
Lancelot - Guinevere - Joyous Gard - Oak

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Nimue also has various other exploits, one involving Pelleas.

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Melusine is a somewhat related Celtic water spirit.

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