Of Camilla and Vortigern: The Shieldmaid and the Overlord
… This week, we're digging into the least likely of the ladies: King Arthur’s concubine, or mistress, or seductress: “the Saxon battle maiden, Camilla.”
So, we’re starting with a fun one!
At first glance, the name Camilla doesn't appear Saxon or Germanic or Jutish, which is probably what she was. Because it isn’t…
Guinevere: Four Fathers for a Phantom Queen
… Today's episode is about Queen Guinevere herself: the one woman formally and certainly designated as Arthur's queen. I’m calling it Guinevere: Four Fathers for a Phantom Queen.
The original version of Guinevere’s name was Gwynhwyfar, which renders as “White or Blessed Spirit, Specter, or Demon” in Proto-Brythonic. It has also been suggested thatGwyn or Gwen may have been a title linked to the throne…