2017-06-12 Mon

The adjacent 31 British Penny stamp was issued by Royal Mail United Kingdom on 3rd September 1985 to commemorate the love of Lancelot and Guinevere.

Lancelot fell in love with Queen Guinevere when he was at King Arthur’s court. One day Meleagant, son of King Bademagu carried off Guinevere to his land. Deeply distressed, Lancelot set off to get his lady-love back.

On his journey, he rode so fast that his horse died. He then continued his journey walking until he saw a cart driven by a dwarf. Those who sat in the cart were criminals taken to prison; a shamed vehicle. But in love, he captured the cart and drove it unashamed. He met Elaine, a fair damsel, who escorted him some way as she had fallen in love with him but left mid-way giving him her horse.

He next reached a sword-bridge. The stream swift and surging, black and turgid was so wicked looking that it looked like devil’s own stream. But nothing could stop Lancelot who removed his armor and crossed the bridge barefoot. Next day he fought Meleagant and seeing his son being defeated, Bademagu stopped the fight. Lancelot had won Guinevere on the promise of fighting with Bademgau once again a year later at King Arthur’s court.

Elated, Lancelot meet Guinevere who refused to even see him as he had shamed her by driving the cart. However, the next day she forgave him and at night they fondled each other. But as destiny would have it, Lancelot’s hand was bleeding after cutting the bar to enter her room. His blood had spilled on both her bed and Sir Kay’s bed (Guinevere’s aid) when he had gone to check if he was asleep.

Next day Meleagant questioned her character; Lancelot fought her honor. Seeing his son lose again Bademagu stopped the fight and declared Guinevere pure. However, ashamed of himself, Lancelot left Guinevere with the promise that he would return whenever her honor needed protection. This was the tragic end of a love-story.

Mintage World is proud to present a stamp set of eternal love stories depicted on stamps like Helen and Paris, Orpheus and Eurydice, Eros and Psyche and Napoleon and Josephine. Read on!