Gingalain
Character in Arthurian legend / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gingalain[1] Gingelein[2] or Sir Gyngalyn/Gingalin[3] (French: Guinglain, Guinglan,[4] Giglan ,[5] German: Wigalois, etc.), also known as Le Bel Inconnu, or The Fair Unknown, is a character from Arthurian legend whose exploits are recorded in numerous versions of a popular medieval romance. He was not even told his name, and unbeknownst to him, he is son of Sir Gawain and the fay Blanchemal.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Hb-gringalais-le-fort.jpg)
The nameless youth arrives King Arthur's Court, and is granted a boon to be knighted. He earns the nickname "Fair Unknown", then accepts his main quest, to save the Princess/Queen of Gales (Wales), brought by the Welsh maidservant Hélie. He undergoes a number of side-quests, including his succoring of the Maid of the White Hands, (French: La Pucelle à Blanches Mains, aka the enchantress of the Ile d'Or) who becomes his mistress, but he leaves abruptly in un-chivalric manner to return to his main quest (at the city of Snowdon). He defeats the enchanter Mabon and accomplishes the "Fearsome Kiss" upon a serpent[lower-alpha 1] to dispel the transformation of the princess of Wales, after which a voice reveals to him his name, Guinglain, and his parentage. The princess discloses her name as Blonde Esmeree; she is Princess/Queen of Wales,[lower-alpha 2] and wishes to marry the hero. The Fair Unknown has a chance of reunion with White Hands, but when Arthur calls a tournament to entice him back, she helps by magically sending him to the joust, and he takes this to be a rejection. He is then married to Blonde Esmeree.
His nickname differs depending on the version and language; he is known in Middle English as Libeaus Desconus.