NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Strange Land

La Terre Foraine

The enigmatic kingdom containing Corbenic (Carbonek), the Grail Castle. It was ruled in Joseph of Arimathea’s time by King Calafes (Kalafes), and then by the line of Grail Kings, from Joshua to Pelles. (The Vulgate Estoire del Saint Graal says that the second Nascien was its king, but does not later name him as a Grail King.)

After the Dolorous Stroke, it became part of the Waste Land. It may be identical to Listenois, or it may be a land within that kingdom. In some passages, however, the “Strange Land” refers to the land of Gorre.

In the Vulgate Mort Artu, it is said to border on the White Land, which was ruled by Lancelot’s grandfather. An unnamed knight from the Strange Land fought for Lancelot in his war against Arthur. This may be a different “Strange Land.”

The name La Terre Foraine applies to a region on the border of Gore. It seems to apply to Listeneise (Listenois), since Pelles is identified as king of “the foreign country.” I suspect the name is a descriptive tag rather than a proper name. The city of Maante is the capital of Listeneise.


Sources
Vulgate Lancelot | 1215-1230
Vulgate Estoire del Saint Graal | 1220-1235
Post-Vulgate Queste del Saint Graal | 1230-1240