NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Giant of Mont Saint-Michel

Dinabuc

A Spanish giant who resided at Mont Saint-Michel kidnapped Helen (Helena), the daughter/niece/wife of Hoel, King of Brittany.

Arthur and his knights, on their way to fight the Roman War, heard of the abduction and rode to rescue the lady. Arthur, Kay, and Bedivere arrived to find the lady dead (either killed by the giant or by herself to avoid rape). They crept to the giant’s lair and found him roasting children (or, in Geoffrey, piglets) on a spit. Arthur challenged and killed him. Arthur later ordered a church built at this site.

According to the Middle English Parlement of the Thre Ages, Arthur fought a dragon, rather than a giant, on Mont Saint-Michel. The Prose Brut calls the location Saint Bernard’s Mount.

Wace names the giant Dinabuc.


See also
Coat of the Giant of Mont Saint-Michel | The Legend of King Arthur
Saint Michael’s Mount (Cornwall) | The Legend of King Arthur
Spain | The Legend of King Arthur