LadyJezOfTheLake
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The Lady Of The Lake
The Lady Of The Lake was the foster-mother of Sir Lancelot and raised him beneath the murky waters of her Lake. She is, however, best known for her presentation to King Arthur of his magical sword Excalibur, through the intervention of the King's druidic advisor, Merlin who was constantly worried that his monarch would fall in battle.
Merlin had met the Lady at the Fountain of Brittany and fallen so deeply in love with her that he agreed to teach her all of his mystical powers. The lady became Merlin's scribe, who recorded his prophecies, as well as his lover. Unfortunately however, over the years, the Lady became so powerfull that her magical skills outshone even her teacher and she imprisioned him in a Glass Towner (or simular dungeon). To some extent she stepped into Merlin's role at King Arthur's side, but the old man's removal contributed considerly to the great monarch's downfall. The Lady of the Lake was eventually obliged to reclaim her sword when Arthur was fatally wounded at the Battle of Camlann and Excalibur was hurled back to misty waters. She was later one of the three Queens who escorted the King to Avalon.
The Lady of the Lake is usually referred to by various spellings of the names Nimue or Vivienne. Niemue is thought to be related to Mneme, the shortened form of Mnemosyne, one of the nine water-nymph Muses of Roman and Greek Mythology who gave weapons, not unlike Arthur's sword, to the heroic Perseus. Vivienne betrays the Lady's Celtic Form, for "Vi-Vianna" probably derives from "Co-0Vianna", a variant of the widespread Celtic water-goddess, Coventina. Remembering Latic Pronunciation, this name probably relates to Merlin's original partner in early poetry, his wife Gwendolena. Thus Gw-end(-ol)-oena = Cov-ent-ina. There have also been attempts to show Vivienne as a corrupt form of Diana or Rhiannon. Though possible, these therories seem unlikely.
Water deities were extrememly popular wit Celtic Society for they controlled the essential essence of life itself. The spontaneous movement of springs, rivers and lakes clearly showed the supernatural powers of the goddesses who lived within: and offerings at such aquatic features were commanplace, especially of weapons and other valuables. The practice contrinues today at wishing wells across the country, and the Lady of the Lake is remembered as "Lady Luck"!
Her names clearly revel this Lady to have been the Celtic Water-Goddess Coventina (presumably identified by the Romans with their Mnemosyne). This Lady was worshipped throughout the Western Roman Empire, in Britian, The Narbonne area of Gaul and North Western Iberia too. She is most celebrated for her shrine at Brocolitia (Carrawburgh) on Hadrain's wall. Here a quadrangular temple surrounded a central pool fed by a sacred spring. Coin, jewelry and small bronze fingurine offerings have been excavated as well as numberours altars dedicated by the local soldiers.
Since the Lady of the Lake's place as Merlin's student and lover was largely overtaken by Morgan Le Fay, a lady whose very name in Breton indicates a water-nymph, it seems that the two were aspects of the same character. Indeed, as both appear amonth the tree queens who escort Arthur to Avalon, she no doubt had a third aspect making up the well know theme of a Celtic Triple Goddess.
So to answer your question, why do I call Myself Lady Jezabel Of The Lake it is simply my scene name, but has special meaning to me for the following:
Scribe - Goreans have Scribes, and I am the Scribe of This House
Lady Of The Lake was eventually obliged to reclaim Her Sword- The Gorean Free are Warriors, although My weapon of choice is my tongue instead of a sword, and it is so much sharper than a sword could be.
Water deities represent life - I do live, have life and have control over My life. And as for the luck, feel very lucky to be alive with current medical conditions.
And I am celtic and I do have a celtic triple triskilion tattooed on my body w/ green thorns that represent the pain from life and red roses that represent the beauty from that pain.
So it is a scene name, that has a deeper meaning than most, but a rose by any other name is still a rose and to each their own.
Lady Jezabel Of The Lake
Free Companion Of Master Ken
Warrior, Wordsmith & Scribe
Research Notes and Quotes Provided by Britannia 2001
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Lady Jezabel Of The Lake
Free Companion To Master Ken
Warrior, Wordsmith & Scribe
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