NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Helain de Taningues

Helaine, Helains de Tanningues

This squire was castellan of a castle in the neighborhood of TaninguesGawaine visited him anonymously. Helain confided to the knight,

My people have often blamed me for delaying my entry into the order of chivalry,

but, after a dream twelve years before in which Helain was injured by Gawain, Helaine’s mother made Helaine promise that he would not be knighted by anyone except Gawain; however, every time he sought Gawain at Camelot, Gawain was away on adventures. Eventually, the Lady of Roestoc, who Helaine served, insisted that he be knighted.

Helaine witnessed an unknown knight defeat Seguarades in combat, and decided that he would be knighted by the victor. He was delighted when he found out that the victor was in fact Gawain, and he was able to keep his promise to his mother. Gawaine dubbed Helain the next day, also promising Helain’s beautiful sister to be her true knight, giving her a girdle and a locket which the Lady of Roestoc had given him.

It’s possible Helain was a relative of the Lady of Roestoc.


Source
Lancelot do Lac | 1215-1220