The Fair Unknown

The French poet Renaud de Beaujeu (or Renaut de Bâgé) wrote Le Bel Inconnu in 1185-1190. It was the story of Guinglain, the son of Gawain, who was known as the "Fair Unknown".

Le Bel Inconnu was a typical tale of the hero who searched for his identity and his adventures in the Otherworld. This theme repeated many times in medieval tales. Lancelot (Prose Lancelot from the Vulgate Cycle, c. 1227) and Perceval (Le Conte du Graal, c. 1180) were in the same situation, brought up by women and not knowing their names. They could only find their names by undertaking strange adventures. Even Gawain appeared in a tale where he was ignorant of his own name, until he won renown for a perilous adventure (such as the Rise of Gawain, c. 1250).

There are other versions of the Fair Unknown (Gawain's son) in which the hero was known by other names.

The Fair Unknown

Gawain once slept with a fay named Floree (Blanchemains or Ragnell), who begot a son named Guinglain. Though his mother brought him up, she only called him "Fair Son", so Guinglain never knew his name as he grew up.

When he was old enough to assume arms, he left his mother and arrived at King Arthur's court in Caerleon. The young man asked a boon from the king. Arthur agreed, so that day the king knighted the stranger. When Arthur asked for his name, he informed the king he did not know his name. Arthur decided to name the new nameless knight as the Fair Unknown (Bel Inconnu).

A damsel named Helie arrived in court, asking for aid. She had come on behalf of the Blonde Esmerée (Fair Esmerée), the daughter of King Gringas. Blonde Esmerée was the Queen of Wales who had been transformed into a serpent by two sorcerers. Only a kiss from a brave knight could lift the spell from Esmerée.

Guinglain asked for a new boon from Arthur; Guinglain had decided to undertake the adventure to release the enchantment from Esmerée. Arthur had no choice but to allow the new knight to take on this dangerous mission.

Helie was upset that Arthur had allowed an inexperienced knight to return with her. Guinglain followed Helie as she left Arthur's court. She repeatedly abused the new knight, though Guinglain was unfailingly courteous to her. However, Guinglain proved his worth as he fought enemy knights and rescued the damsel from giants. By this time, Guinglain had earned Helie's respect.

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When they came upon Golden Island (another Otherworld), Guinglain had to fight a knight who wished to marry the beautiful lady of the island. Guinglain defeated and killed the knight. On the island, Guinglain met and fell in love with La Pucelle, known as the Fée aux Blanches Mains (Fay of the White Hands), who was actually a fay. La Pucelle wanted to marry the young knight, but Helie reminded him that he had obligation to help her queen.

They left the Golden Island. Guinglain came upon the Waste City of Senaudon. The hero had to fight with an apparition and a knight. Guinglain killed the knight. A serpent came towards him, kissing the hero's lips. An unseen speaker revealed the hero's name was Guinglain, as well as revealing that he was the son of Gawain. The spell was broken, and Esmerée was transformed back into human form.

The beautiful queen wanted to marry the young knight, offering him the kingdom. However, Guinglain was still in love with La Pucelle. Guinglain returned to the Golden Island and stayed with the lady for a time, as her lover.

However, Guinglain eventually returned to the real world and married Blonde Esmerée.