Nightbringer | The Arthurian Online Encyclopedia

Florée of Escavalon

Floree

According to the Vulgate, she was the daughter of King Alain of Escavalon. She was loved by Guinganbresil, one of her father’s knights.

While traveling through the forest of Breckham, a group of Saxons seized her, but Gawaine rescued her. Later Gawaine stayed at the Castle Brion (which belonged to Aalain). Floree came to his bed somewhat in manner of Sir Bercilak’s (Bertilak) lady in Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight. Since Floree meant it, it went farther, and Guinglain apparently resulted from this adventure. I can’t figure out if Gawaine married Floree, but according to The Wedding of Sir Gawaine and Dame Ragnell, he was married several times.

Floree later married Meliant of Liz.

Malory does not name Floree, but in XIX, he calls Sir Brandiles’ sister the mother of Gawaine’s sons Florence and Lovel. Although Malory does not name Brandiles’ sister as the mother of Gawaine’s son Gingalin, who surely is identical with the Vulgate’s Guinglain, the name of the second son, Florence, is so similar to the name Floree that it strongly suggests a mother-son connection. Floree, then, might be identified with the sister of Sir Brandiles (Brandelis).


See also
Dame Ragnell | The Legend of King Arthur


Source
Le Livre d’Artus | Early 13th century