Lady of the Isle of Avalon
A lady of Avalon, named by Malory.
She sent a servant to Camelot with a magic sword, saying that only a pure knight could draw it. This feat was accomplished by Balin, who kept the sword despite the servant’s warnings, and later slew his brother Balan with it. The visit turned out to be a part of an elaborate revenge scheme exposed by Merlin.
Her name is Malory’s corruption of the French l’île, meaning “the isle,” as in dame de l’île d’Avalon (“Lady of the Isle of Avalon”), which is the lady’s title in the Post-Vulgate Suite du Merlin.
See also
Balin’s Sword | The Legend of King Arthur
Source
Le Morte Darthur | Sir Thomas Malory, 1469-1470