Transcript The Arthurian Legend

The Legend of King
Arthur
Who was King Arthur?
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There is great debate over who he was
Possibly a king, a prince, or a renowned
soldier
May have been son of Uther
Existed 450-550 A.D.
Led battle of Mount Badon, defeating the
Saxons
King Arthur of Legend
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Biological son of Uther and Igraine
Raised by Sir Ector with foster brother
Kay
Constans,
King of Britain
Ambrosius/Uther
Igraine
Arthur
Moines
Pendragon
King Arthur of Legend
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Proven heir to throne when he pulls the
Excalibur from a stone
Educated and advised by Merlyn the Wizard
Presided over the Knights of the Round Table
Won respect and loyalty of all of knights
Married to Guinevere
King Arthur of Legend
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Reigned over 20 years of peace
Son/Nephew Mordred against his reign
Mordred died; Arthur mortally wounded
Arthur died and was buried in Glastonbury
Abbey
Some said he would return to avenge his
death and reign again
King Arthur – the Literary
Tradition
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First mentioned in 800 A.D. in chronicle by
Nennius
 Arthur fought Saxons in 12 battles
 Arthur killed 960 Saxons single-handed
King Arthur – the Literary
Tradition
Popularized and romanticized by
medieval writers including:
Geoffrey of Monmouth: History of
the Kings of Britain (12th century)
Chretien de Troyes: Erec & Ened,
Yvain, Lancelot, Count of the Grail
(12th century)
Sir Thomas Malory: Le Morte
d’Arthur (15th century)
King Arthur – the Literary
Tradition
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Medieval authors used some elements of
Celtic mythology and fantasy
Included medieval concepts such as
knighthood and chivalry
Portrayed Arthur as a king, rather
than as an active warrior
Wrote for an aristocratic, upper class
audience
King Arthur – the Literary
Tradition
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Post-Medieval Writers:
Lord Tennyson – Idylls of the King
T.H. White – Once and Future King
(1939)
 Sword
in the Stone is 1 of 5 books
Marian Zimmer Bradley – The Mists
of Avalon
Knighthood
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Historically, knights were warriors and
defenders
Dressed in full armor
Competed in tournaments and jousts to show
their warrior skills
In knighting ceremony, vows to “be valiant,
courteous, and loyal”
The Code of Chivalry
A Good Knight:
 Uses his strength for good
 Strives to be honorable and virtuous
 Protects the weak
 Is courteous
 Respects and defends women
 Is a defender of the Christian church
 Is inspired to greatness by love
Camelot
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King Arthur’s castle
Meeting place of the Knights
of the Round Table
The seat of King Arthur’s power
Constructed by Merlyn
Embodies ideals of knighthood
Merlyn
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Son of an incubus (an evil spirit) and virtuous
mother
Sent as a sacrifice for King Vortigern
Merlyn saw that there were two fighting
dragons under the foundation:
 the white dragon represented the Britons
 the red dragon represented the Saxons
Dragons fight and the white one wins
Merlyn predicted that Vortigern would be slain
Merlyn
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Has magical powers:
 Insight into the future
 Power of transformation
Advisor to Kings Pendragon, Uther, and Arthur
Responsible for Arthur’s education
Is eventually entrapped by Viviane, an
enchantress
Sends Arthur’s knight on the Quest of the Holy
Grail
Morgan Le Fey
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Called Queen of the fairies, an enchantress,
and sorceress
Said to be Arthur’s half-sister
Is a constant tormentor to Arthur
Has magical powers similar to Merlyn
The Arthurian Legend Summary
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Is loosely based on a real historical figure
Is not historically accurate
Has roots in Celtic mythology
Include elements of fantasy and magic
Include medieval ideals and institutions such
as knighthood and chivalry
The themes are still seen today