NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Helena

Elaine, Elena, Elene, Eleyne, Helaine, Helayn, Helen

The daughter, niece, or wife of King Hoel of Brittany (excepting the Vulgate Merlin, where she is “an old woman” and the niece of Lionel of Nanteuil, and the Norse Saga of Tristram, where she is Duke Orsl’s daughter).

She was kidnapped by the Giant of Mont Saint MichelArthur, on his way to wage war against Lucius of Rome, heard of her plight and traveled to the mountain with Kay and Bedivere. They arrived to find the lady dead – either from rape or from suicide to avoid rape – but Arthur avenged her by killing the giant.

A tomb was later erected on Mont Saint Michel in her memory.


Sources
Historia Regum Britanniae | Geoffrey of Monmouth, c. 1138
Roman de Brut | Wace, c. 1155
Brut | Layamon, late 12th century to mid-13th century
Vulgate Merlin | 1220-1235
Tristrams Saga ok Ísöndar | 1226
Le Morte Darthur | Sir Thomas Malory, 1469-1470