N I G H T B R I N G E R . S E
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DODINAS LE SAVAGE
Dodynel, Dodinel
Son of Belinant and Eglante (one version made Lady of Malehaut his mother), the brother of King Tradelmans of Norgales, Dodinas was a knight of the Round Table and one of those who seem to be much in evidence, but upon whose personality there is hard to get little, if any, grip. Originally he might be identical with Percivale.
Chrétien de Troyes gives him, as Dodinel the Wild, the place of ninth best on the list of Arthur's knights that begins in line 1691 of Erec and Enide; but Harris remarks, in his introduction to Yvain, that Chrétien
included among the ten ... some who were of no importance whatever,
being more interested in catchy names. The sobriquet 'the Savage' suited him since he used to hunt wild game in wild forests.
Chrétien also included Dodinel [though without the soubriquet "Wild"] with Sagramore, Kay, Gawaine, Ywaine, and eventually Guenevere as they sit listening to Sir Calogrenant at the beginning of 'Yvain'. Dodinas is again listed among Arthur's knights in 'Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight'. He may have been prominent in certain pre-Malory romances, and the prominence echoed wanly through into Malory, but the major adventures did not. Dodinas may well have been a friend of Sagramore's for they ride together three times in the books of Tristram; on the third occasion, Gawaine and Ywaine are also with them. Dodinas may have been one of the Queen's immediate circle, for he was in her party when they went a-Maying and Meliagrant ambushed them.
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