Soredamors
The sister of Gawain, wife of Alexander of Greece, and mother of Cligés. Her romance with Alexander forms one of the central love stories in Chrétien de Troyes' Cligés.
Introduction#
Soredamors was the sister of Sir Gawain, a lady of Queen Guenevere’s household, the wife of Alexander of Greece, and the mother of Cligés. In Chrétien de Troyes’ Cligés, her courtship with Alexander forms one of the romance’s central narratives, combining chivalric adventure with the ideals of courtly love. Although her name suggests one “gilded with love,” Soredamors initially scorns the very emotion she eventually comes to embody.
Affiliations | Queen Guenevere’s Household
Alternative Names | Soredamor, Surdamur
The House of Orkney#
In the tradition followed by Cligés and later Arthurian romances, Soredamors belonged to one of the most prominent families in the Arthurian legends. She was the daughter of King Lot of Orkney and Morgause, making her the niece of King Arthur and the sister of Sir Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain, Gareth, and in many traditions, Mordred.
As a member of the House of Orkney, Soredamors occupied an important place within Arthur’s royal family. Although her brothers became celebrated knights of the Round Table, Soredamors followed a different path, serving Queen Guenevere at court before marrying the Greek prince Alexander. Through their son, Cligés, she united Arthur’s kindred with the imperial house of Constantinople.
A Lady of Guenevere’s Court#
Soredamors served Queen Guenevere as one of her ladies. During Arthur’s journey to Brittany, she met the young Greek prince Alexander, who had come to Britain seeking knighthood from King Arthur.
Despite their immediate attraction, neither dared confess their feelings, and each endured the quiet suffering of unspoken love.
The Romance with Alexander#
Chrétien devotes considerable attention to the growing affection between Soredamors and Alexander. Their mutual hesitation gives rise to a series of reflections, doubts, and inner struggles that have become one of the classic portrayals of courtly love in medieval romance.
Recognising what neither lover could bring themselves to admit, Queen Guenevere arranged for the two to meet and encouraged them to declare their feelings openly.
Marriage and Motherhood#
Following Alexander’s victory over Count Angrs of Windsor, the couple were married amid the celebrations marking the end of the rebellion.
Their son, Cligés, was born little more than a year later and became the hero of the second half of the romance.
Return to Greece#
After the death of Alexander’s father, Soredamors accompanied her husband and young son back to Constantinople. There she witnessed the settlement between Alexander and his brother Alis, who agreed to share the governance of the empire.
Following Alexander’s death from illness, Soredamors herself died not long afterwards, unable to recover from her loss. Their deaths mark the end of one generation and the beginning of Cligés’ own adventures.
Literary Significance#
Soredamors is one of Chrétien de Troyes’ most fully developed heroines. Her romance with Alexander explores the ideals of courtly love, portraying not only the joy of mutual affection but also the uncertainty, restraint, and emotional conflict that accompany it.
Through her marriage to Alexander, she also unites Arthur’s family with the imperial house of Constantinople, linking the Arthurian world with the Byzantine setting of Cligés.
Soredamors is one of Chrétien de Troyes’ earliest and most psychologically developed heroines. Rather than relying on dramatic obstacles or illicit romance, her relationship with Alexander is shaped by mutual admiration, uncertainty, and the conventions of courtly love, making their courtship one of the finest examples of the genre in medieval Arthurian literature.
Sources#
Cligés | Chrétien de Troyes, late 12th century
