Le Bel Inconnu (the Fair Unknown)
The Fair Unknown is the protagonist of our story. Being raised in ignorance of his heritage, he enters without a name, but through the course of the text his identity is discovered – he is Gingalain, eldest son of Gauvin and the fairy, Blanchemal. He is a fierce, noble knight whose mother referred to him as ‘Handsome Son’, which is a testament to his good looks. He thus begins as an outsider, but a determined one indeed. The discovery of his name coincides with the end of his quest and as a result he is allowed headspace which results in a great deal more dithering in the second half of the text, which is more about learning to manage and reconcile his desires. Ultimately, he chooses social ambition (Blonde Esmerée) over true passion (represented by la Belle aux Blanches Mains).
Le Roi Arthur (King Arthur)
Arthur is the King of England (and the Arthurian Knighthood) particularly famous for his Round Table. He is oddly submissive to the Bel Inconnu, granting him the ‘don’ (rash boon) he demands and sending him on the quest to restore the City of Snowdon and save Blonde Esmerée. He chooses the name the Fair Unknown but will be shown to have been wrong about this name when le Bel Inconnu’s true heritage is revealed. He represents the political and social world, which le Bel Inconnu will ultimately choose, opposed to the world of the supernatural.
Hélie
Hélie is Blonde Esmerée’s lady-in-waiting and messenger. When the City of Snowdon is taken by the evil Mabon, she is sent by Blonde Esmerée to request aid at the Court of Arthur. The Fair Unknown puts himself forward for this quest, but Hélie is disgusted to be going to the Princess’ rescue with such an inexperienced youth. The Fair Unknown changes her mind over the course of the journey to the City of Snowdon, as he is triumphant in a number of adventures.
Blonde Esmerée
Esmerée the Blonde (Blonde Esmerée) is a Princess of Wales whose capital city (the City of Snowdon) is under siege by a powerful enchanter, Mabon. Hélie is sent as a messenger to Arthur’s Court to plead Arthur for help. The Fair Unknown takes on this quest, successfully liberating the city and Esmerée (who had been turned into a wyvern, a mythical beast, which he had to kiss in order to free!). Esmerée is so thankful to the Fair Unknown that she wishes to marry him. Eventually, they do marry, although at the cost of his relationship with the Maiden with the Fair Hands.
Robert the dwarf (le nain)
Robert, the dwarf who accompanies Hélie, is a gracious, courtly figure in the romance. He asks Hélie to reconsider her hastiness at judging the Fair Unknown as unworthy before she has had the chance to see what he’s capable of. He also advises the Fair Unknown on romantic matters, seemingly some kind of expert on love, representing a moment of introspection. He advises him that it is time to ‘conquer love’ (conquérir l’amour) rather than endure it. Interestingly this represents the first time the Fair Unknown has asked anyone else’s opinion.
La Belle aux Mains Blanches (the maiden with the white/fair hands)
The Fair Unknown is caught somewhat in a love triangle with Blonde Esmerée and la Belle aux Mains Blanches (the maiden with the white/fair hands). She is a fairy mistress who he meets on the Ile d’Or and falls quickly in love with. They wished to marry one another, however he snuck away to complete his quest. She reluctantly accepts him back once the Blonde Esmerée is safe (after at first pretending she doesn’t recognize him), for him to do it all over again when he hears about the joust! She jilts him when he goes to this tournament at Maiden’s Castle. She is also the one who reveals his real name in the eerie castle where Blonde Esmerée is held which forms an uncanny double of the Court of Arthur. Ultimately, she remains unobtainable as continuing his romance with her would mean giving up other things he desires (a space in the social world).
Gauvain
Gauvain is le Bel Inconnu’s father – although a noble knight of Arthur’s Round table, he is not the most admirable figure, often giving in to self-indulgence with several love affairs and love children.
