Although efforts have been made to connect the character of Lancelot to Celtic mythology, it is generally agreed that Lancelot was a contribution of the French Arthurian romances and medieval chivalric ideals. Lancelot first appears in Chretien de Troyes' "The Knight of the Cart", long after many of the other characters had been established. Lancelot was only gradually incorporated into the English chronicles and became a main part of the legend in Malory's "Morte D'arthur". Since his first appearance, the role of Lancelot has not been greatly altered and throughout eight hundred years of existence he has never been subject to the same condemnation as Guinevere. This is largely due his portrayal as a 'knight in shining armour' whose only fault is his doomed love for Guinevere.

This love enables Lancelot to be tricked into having a child with Elaine, but Lancelot remains devoted to Guinevere, repeatedly saving her from death at the hands of the King. In French Arthurian legends, Lancelot wants desperately to attain the Holy Grail and yet fails where another knight succeeds because of his 'unholiness'. In some accounts, Lancelot is driven mad by his love for Guinevere, and is cured by the Holy Grail. Versions of Lancelot's death are rare and the only prevalent one is that he retires to a monastery where he ends his days.