King Leodegrance

King Leodegrance/ˈliːoʊdɪɡræns/,sometimesLeondegrance,Leodogran,or variations thereof, is the father of QueenGuinevereinArthurian legend.His kingdom ofCameliard(or Carmelide) is usually identified with Cornwall but may be located in BretonCornouaillenear the town ofCarhaix-Plouguer,which is the Carhaise ofL'Histoire de Merlin(13th century).

Leodegrance had servedUther Pendragon,King Arthur's biological father and regnal predecessor. Leodegrance was entrusted with the keeping of theRound Tableat Uther's death. When Guinevere marries Arthur, Leodegrance gives the young king the table as a wedding present. In later romance Leodegrance is one of the few kings who accept Arthur as his overlord. For this, his land is invaded by the rebel kingRience,but Arthur comes to his rescue and expels the enemy. Arthur meets Guinevere for the first time during this excursion, and they develop a love that eventually results in their fateful marriage.

According to theLancelot-Grailprose cycle, Leodegrance fathered a second daughter out of wedlock; he also names this child Guinevere. The "False Guinevere" later treacherously convinces Arthur's court that she is his real wife and her sister is an impostor, forcing the real queen and her loverLancelotinto hiding with their friendGalehaut.Guinevere eventually returns and reclaims her throne.

InWelsh mythology,the father of Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere) is the giantOgyruan/OgyrvanorGogyrfan,who is mentioned in a number ofMiddle Welshtexts.

In popular culture

Leodegrance was portrayed byPatrick Stewartin the 1981 filmExcaliburand byDaragh O'Malleyin the 2011 television seriesCamelot.