 As told in the Vulgate Cycle and the works based on it, the Joyous Gard is given its name by the young Lancelot when he sets up his household at the castle after capturing it and ending an evil enchantment during the task to prove his knighthood to King Arthur.Following Lancelot's adulterous and treasonous affair with Queen Guinevere, Lancelot rescues Guinevere, who is under sentence of death from Arthur, and brings her to the Joyous Gard.According to the Stanzaic "Morte Arthur", Arthur then unsuccessfully besieges Joyous Gard.