Le Morte d’Arthur · Character

Dame Lionesse

A lady won by Sir Gareth in combat, later his wife.

minor

Also known as the Lady Lionesse, the Dame Lionesse

First appearance: i

Dame Lionesse shows up with force in XV. The page is where that presence becomes real.

The lady under siege; her castle is surrounded by the Red Knight, and she is the sister of Linet.

In the storyXVOpen this moment free

See Dame Lionesse in XV Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In XV: The lady under siege; her castle is surrounded by the Red Knight, and she is the sister of Linet. Later, in XVI: The lady at the…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Dame Lionesse sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Dame Lionesse in i

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Dame Lionesse sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Supporting and legendary figures
Protagonist
Central tragic figures

+5 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Sir Launcel…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Dame Lionesse appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XV
The lady under siege; her castle is surrounded by the Red Knight, and she is the sister of Linet.
XVI
The lady at the window, besieged by the Red Knight, makes a curtsey to Beaumains.
How Sir Beaumains Overcame the Red Knight of the Red Launds
Watches the battle from a window and encourages Beaumains with her countenance.
How Beaumains Came to the Lady, and When He Came to the Castle the Gates Were Closed Against Him, and of the Words That the Lady Said to Him
Speaks to Beaumains from the castle window, setting a year-long trial before she will grant him her love.
The Rescue of the Dwarf and the Revelation of Sir Gareth
Lady of the castle who learns Gareth's true identity and confesses her love for him, asking her brother to return the dwarf.
How Sir Gareth Came to His Lady and of Their Love
Dame Lionesse is revealed as the lady of the Castle Perilous. She returns Sir Gareth's love and promises to love him alone for the rest of her life.
XXII
Secretly visits Sir Gareth's bed, cries out when he is wounded, and declares him her lord and husband.
The Tournament at Castle Perilous
Proposes the tournament to Arthur and organizes the event from Castle Perilous.
How King Arthur went to the tournament with his knights, and how the lady received him worshipfully, and how the knights encountered.
Ordains great array for the tournament and lends Gareth a magical ring.
Sir Gareth is Discovered and Escapes the Field
Receives her ring back from Gareth via his dwarf; is assured of his fidelity.
XXXIII
Mentioned as not yet visiting Gareth; sent for by Arthur.
How Sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each other to King Arthur, and of the appointment of their wedding.
Proclaims Sir Gareth as her first and last love, agreeing to marry him.
Of the Great Royalty, and what officers were made at the feast of the wedding, and of the jousts at the feast
Wedded Sir Gareth; requested that no wedded knight joust at the feast.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Dame Lionesse unlock in the free preview.

See Dame Lionesse in i

See Dame Lionesse in XV