THE MYSTERIES OF AVALON: APPENDIX VI

LANVAL OF AVALON: A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY IN MARIE DE FRANCVE’S ARTHURIAN LAI?

According to THE NEW ARTHURIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA, Marie de France was “a French poet who may have lived in England and who dedicated her Lais to a king presumed to be Henry II of England.  She wrote during the second half, and before the last decade, of the twelve century… “

Only two of Marie’s lais are Arthurian in nature.  Of these, the longer and more famous, is “Lanval”.  This poem may be summarized as follows (from the Wikipedia article):

“Lanval” is one of the Lais of Marie de France. Written in Anglo-Norman, it tells the story of a knight at King Arthur’s court who is overlooked by the king, wooed by a fairy lady, given all manner of gifts by her, and subsequently refuses the advances of Queen Guinevere. The plot is complicated by Lanval’s promise not to reveal the identity of his mistress, which he breaks when Guinevere accuses him of having “no desire for women”. Before Arthur, Guinevere accuses Lanval of shaming her, and Arthur, in an extended judicial scene, demands that he reveal his mistress. Despite the broken promise, the fairy lover eventually appears to justify Lanval, and to take him with her to Avalon.

For Arthurian scholars, the question has always been: Who is Lanval?  The name is found only once in the Vulgate MERLIN, and the lai or its source was not adapted until the early fourteenth century (see the entry for “Lanval” in THE ARTHURIAN NAME DICTIONARY).  The poem’s protagonist has often been associated with Lancelot, and some authorities have guessed that the Fairy Lover of Avalon may be none other than Morgan le Fay.  But beyond this little progress has been made in shedding light on the origin of the name Lanval and why he was ultimately placed in Avalon.

I would make the case for Lanval not being a mythical figure or even an actual hero of Arthur’s time, but instead a contemporary of Marie de France.  We might compare him in this regard with Fergus of Galloway (d. 1161), who was made into an Arthurian era hero by the romance writer Guilluame de Clerc.

Lanval is recorded as a spelling variant of Lanvallay, Breton Lanvalae, a commune in the Cotes-d’Armor department of Brittany in northwestern France.  Other spelling variants include Lanvelay, Lanvalay, Lanvalai, Lanvalei.  There were ‘de Lanvallays’ who came over to England with William the Conqueror.  In MAGNA CARTA ANCESTRY: A STUDY IN COLONIAL AND MEDIEVAL FAMILIES, 2nd Edition, 2011, by Douglas Richardson, we learn of one William de Lanvallay, who succeeded his father as a minor in 1204 and died shortly before 3 October 1217.  This William held land in Kingstone, Somerset – a fact which we will examine more closely in a moment.  He was excommunicated by the pope in 1215 for joining a confederacy of barons against King John, the son of Henry II.  As a consequence, he lost his Somerset property.  When he returned to obedience to the king in 1216, his lands were restored.  His most noteworthy accomplishment appears to have been his inclusion among the 25 barons elected to guarantee the observance of Magna Carta, signed by John on 15 June 1215.

De Lanvallay’s ownership of land at Kingstone supplies us with an unexpected explanation of why Lanval was so intimately involved with the Fairy Lover of Avalon.  From ANGLO-SAXON GLASTONBURY: CHURCH AND ENDOWMENT by Lesley Abrams (Boydell and Brewer, 1996), and THE CHRONICLE OF GLASTONBURY ABBEY: AN EDITION, TRANSLATION AND STUDY OF JOHN OF GLASTONBURY’S ‘CRONICA SIVE ANTIQUITATES GLASTONIENSIS ECCLESIE’ by James P. Carley (Boydell and Brewer, 1985), we learn that land at Kingstone was granted to Glastonbury as early as the 10th century.  Some of this land was still in the abbey’s hands in 1066 (at least 8 hides worth), but was lost to the count of Mortain before 1086.

Glastonbury was first overtly identified with King Arthur’s Avalon during the reign of Marie de France’s probable patron Henry II (1133-1189).  According to the story told by Gerald of Wales in both his LIBER DE INSTRUCTIONE PRINCIPIS (c. 1193) and SPECULUM ECCLESIAE (c. 1215), King Henry “disclosed to the monks [of Glastonbury Abbey] some evidence from his own books where the body was to be found” and “strenuous efforts were made in Glastonbury Abbey to locate what must have been the splendid tomb of King Arthur.  It was the king himself who put them to this…”

There are, of course, problems with the chronology of William de Lanvallay.  These are best expressed in Chapter 6  of UNTITLED ENGLISH NOBILITY (http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISHNOBILITYMEDIEVAL3L-O.htm#_Toc351361220 ):

LANVALAY

Successful reconstruction of the following family is complicated by the duplication of the names William, Ranulf and Geoffrey, and the indication in the records, at least in the case of William and Geoffrey, of more than one individual with the same name at the same time.  The following is an attempt to reconcile the information available, but is not necessarily the final answer to the reconstruction of the family.

[Two possible brothers]:

1.         WILLIAM [I] de Lanvalay (-before 1185).  “Manasse Biset dapifero, Henrico de Oilleo, W[illelmo] de Lanvaleio…” witnessed the charter dated [Jan 1158] under which King Henry II confirmed the donation to the nuns of Neasham, Durham made by “Emma de Teisa”[333].  The Rotuli de Dominabus of 1185 records that “Clementia de Sancto Claro” held “Haiam” from “Willelmo de Lanvalei”[334].  m GUNNORA de Saint-Clair, daughter of HUBERT de Saint-Clair & his wife Clementia — ([1140/50]-before 1185).  Domesday Descendants names “Gunnora daughter and heiress of Hubert de St Clair” as the wife of William de Lanvallay, but does not cite a specific source reference for this information[335].  The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified.  Her birth date is estimated on the assumption that the age of her mother is accurately stated in the Rotuli de Dominabus of 1185.  William [I] & his wife had [three] children:

a)         WILLIAM [II] de Lanvalay of Walkern, Northamptonshire ([1168/73]-[20 Jun 1207/1209]).  The Rotuli de Dominabus of 1185 records “Willelmus de Lanvalle…in custodia domini Regis” and holds all his land, of unknown value, in “Hundredum de Lexedene” in Essex and “in Hallingeburia” in Essex[336].  King John confirmed “villam de Bromeleg cum advocatione ecclesie”, donated by “Willelmus de Lanval…in maritagium cum Gunnora sorore ipsius Willelmi de Lunval”, to “Willelmo de Bello Campo” by charter dated 20 Jun 1207[337].  The Testa de Nevill lists knights who held land in Northamptonshire, dated to [1208/09], including “heres Willelmi de Lanvelay tenet Wakerle”[338].  m HAWISE de Bocland, daughter of HUGH de Bocland & his wife Matilda — (-before 19 Jul 1233).  Her parentage and marriage are shown in The Complete Peerage[339].  The primary source which confirms her parentage has not yet been identified.  Bracton records a claim, dated 1232, by “Johannes de Burgo et Hawisia uxor eius” against “Willelmum de Bello Campo” claiming the return of “manerium de Brumlegha…hereditatem ipsius Hawisie” which had not been transferred to her after the death of “Gunnoram de Lanualay quondam uxorem suam” and which “Hawisia de Lamualay quondam uxor Willelmi de Lanualay…avie ipsius Hawisie” was granted as “dotem…de dono ipsius Willelmi quondam viri sui”[340].  Christine de Mandeville Countess of Essex granted her lands in Westley, Cambridgeshire to Geoffrey de Lanvalay and his mother Hawise by charter dated 1227[341].  William [II] & his wife had [two] children:

i)          WILLIAM [IV] de Lanvalay ([after 1190]-[1214/18 May 1216]).  The Testa de Nevill lists knights who held land in Northamptonshire, dated to [1208/09], including “heres Willelmi de Lanvelay tenet Wakerle”[342].  Although he is not named in this record, it must refer to William [IV] who was presumably still a minor at the time.  William Reedy, in the introduction to his collection of Basset charters, states that Alan Basset paid a fine to marry his daughter to the son and heir of William de Lanvalay in [1212/14][343].  The Patent Roll 1217 records an order to “baillivis suis in quorum bailliis Willelmus de Lanvalay terras habuit” in respect of the lands “que fuerunt Willelmi de Lanvalay”[344], which is consistent with the recent death of William [IV].  The Testa de Nevill includes a list of landholdings in Somerset, dated 1219, which includes “filia et heres Willelmi de Lamvale est in custodia H. de Burgo justiciarii…et terra sua de Kingestan valet x.l…”, in Kent “in hundred de Schamele dominus H. de Burgo habet custodiam cuiusdam puelle que est heres Willelmi de Lanvalai cum maneriis de Chauk et de Henneherst…”, and in Essex “terra…in hundredo de Lexeden”[345].  m ([1212/14]) [MATILDA] Basset, daughter of ALAN Basset of Wycombe & his second wife Aline de Gai.  William Reedy, in the introduction to his collection of Basset charters, states that Alan Basset paid a fine to marry his daughter to the son and heir of William de Lanvalay in [1212/14][346].  Her name is suggested by two orders: firstly, King Henry III ordered the sheriff of Northamptonshire “to place in respite the demand of 29s that he makes from Matilda de Lanvallay for her assets in Wakerley”, dated [Apr] 1223[347], and secondly the king ordered the sheriff of Northamptonshire “to place in respite the demand for 29s that he makes by summons of the Exchequer from Matilda de Lanvallay”, dated 11 May 1226[348].  The references to Northamptonshire suggest a connection with the family of William [IV].  No other individual named Matilda has yet been identified in his family, which suggests that the debtor may have been his widow of whose name no record has been found.  William [IV] & his wife had one child:

(1)       HAWISE de Lanvalay ([1213/16]-after 1235).  The Testa de Nevill includes a list of landholdings in Somerset, dated 1219, which includes “filia et heres Willelmi de Lamvale est in custodia H. de Burgo justiciarii…et terra sua de Kingestan valet x.l…”, in Kent “in hundred de Schamele dominus H. de Burgo habet custodiam cuiusdam puelle que est heres Willelmi de Lanvalai cum maneriis de Chauk et de Henneherst…”, and in Essex “terra…in hundredo de Lexeden”[349].  The Pipe Roll 1223 includes land of “Huberto de Burgo cum herede Willelmi de Lanvalet…in Schaftebir” [Shaftesbury] in Dorset[350].  King Henry III ordered the sheriff of Dorset “to take into the king´s hands the lands of Emedeswurth and Morden which Peter Russell holds of the fee of William de Lanvallay”, dated [Mar] 1224[351].  Bracton records a claim, dated 1232, by “Johannes de Burgo et Hawisia uxor eius” against “Willelmum de Bello Campo” claiming the return of “manerium de Brumlegha…hereditatem ipsius Hawisie” which had not been transferred to her after the death of “Gunnoram de Lanualay quondam uxorem suam” and which “Hawisia de Lamualay quondam uxor Willelmi de Lanualay…avie ipsius Hawisie” was granted as “dotem…de dono ipsius Willelmi quondam viri sui”[352].  A charter dated 1235 records a dispute a claim “Johannem de Burgo et Hawisiam uxorem eius” against the abbot of Colchester relating to revenue from “molendino de Nordmilne” and the agreed settlement which refers to “Johannes et Hauuisia et heredes ipsius Hauuisie”, the latter being unnamed[353].  A writ dated 1 Dec “3 Edw I”, after the death of “John de Burgo the elder”, names “Sir John de Burgo the younger…aged 40 and more is his next heir”, records “Hallingebyri…manor…held of the king in chief of tyhe barony of Launvaly…of the inheritance of Hawis his wife”, and names “Sir Hubert de Burgo father of Sir John de Burgo the elder”[354].  m (before 1232) JOHN de Burgh, son of HUBERT de Burgh Earl of Kent & his first wife Beatrice de Warenne (-before 1 Dec 1274).

…

b)         WILLIAM [III] de Lanvalay (-after 29 Sep 1223).  An order dated 3 Sep 1199 relates to land of “Willo de Lanuallai et Rad de Lanualai” in Huntingdonshire and Berkshire[373].  His parentage is confirmed by the Testa de Nevill which lists landholdings in Berkshire, dated 1212, including “Willelmus de Lanvalei tenet c solidatas terre in Blacgrave sine servicio nominato quam Rex Henricus pater dedit Radulfo avo suo”[374].  The Pipe Roll 1223 includes “Willelmus de Lanval” among those owing “de prestito Pictavie” in Essex and Hertfordshire, and land of “Ricardo Walensi…in Estbir cum filia et herede Radulfi de Lanvalet. Et Willelmo de Lanvalet…in Blakegrave…” in Berkshire[375].

 The chronology for the various Williams therefore extends roughly from the mid 12th century to the first quarter of the 13th.  This period overlaps both that of Marie de France, author of Lanval, and Henry II, who not only had dealings with at least one of the de Lanvallays, but who chose to identify Glastonbury with Avalon (doubtless for political reasons that have been stated elsewhere).  Furthermore, Kingstone, in possession of the de Lanvallays, had a long history with Glastonbury/Avalon.

It is for these reasons that I would identify Marie’s Lanval with one of the William de Lanvallays. It is likely that the lai is a symbolic representation of the life of one of these de Lanvallays, or is a symbolic commemoration of an important event in the life of one of these men.  As “going to Avalon” in Lanval’s case means dying and being taken to the Otherworld that is Glastonbury, we must select a William who had died before the last decade of the 12th century or thereabouts – which is the usual terminus for Marie’s writing of the lai.

I think we are dealing with the Magna Carta episode here.  Lanval’s rejection of the queen’s advances leads to the loss of his Fairy Lover; she will not come to him anymore.  The barons become involved in the judicial proceedings, and the hero is not declared innocent until the Fairy Lover makes an appearance and offers testimony on his behalf.  This sounds suspiciously like William de Lanvallay’s loss of the Somerset lands when he joined the barons in opposition to the king.  Once he had reconciled with the king, his lands – with their ancient tie to Glastonbury/Avalon – were restored to him. William died the year following, a passing which may have been depicted by Marie as Lanval’s journey to Avalon.

Whether that is the ‘secret code’ lurking within Marie’s lai is impossible to say with any certainty.  But it is the only episode in a life of a de Lanvallay that has a demonstrable connection to “Avalon”.