Beforet

'Beautiful Forest'

The beautiful forest ruled by Iweret, Lancelot's opponent in Ulrich's Lanzelet.

The forest contained the castle of Dodone. It had once been part of Mabuz's lands, but Iweret annexed it, knowing that Mabuz could not oppose him. Mabuz's mother, a fairy, charged Lancelot, whom she raised, to defeat Iweret in revenge.

Beforet is obviously a shortening of belle forêt, meaning 'beautiful forest', which is its alternate name. The forest was cherished because of its hardy stock of fish, water, and wildlife - including, according to Ulrich, bears, deer, boars, lions, and elephants.