Arthur LegendsArthur Legends

Fact vs. fictionFact vs. fiction

ExcaliburExcalibur

Gawain and the Green KnightGawain and the Green Knight

Dark AgesDark Ages

The 4The 4thth and 5 and 5thth centuries CE centuries CE The Dark Ages were a time in which very The Dark Ages were a time in which very

little information was written down.little information was written down. People were concerned with day to day People were concerned with day to day

survival not scholarship.survival not scholarship. Very little of this time period is known. Very little of this time period is known.

Only archeological information is Only archeological information is available.available.

Arthur FactsArthur Facts

Ambrosius Aurelianus: The Latin name in Ambrosius Aurelianus: The Latin name in which Arthur derives.which Arthur derives.

It is believed that the factual Arthur was a It is believed that the factual Arthur was a Roman who was left in Britain after the Roman who was left in Britain after the Roman forces returned to the continent.Roman forces returned to the continent.

FactsFacts

This Roman then took up arms with the This Roman then took up arms with the Britons against the invading Saxon tribes.Britons against the invading Saxon tribes.

It is believed that this historical Arthur It is believed that this historical Arthur fought a dozen battles with the invaders.fought a dozen battles with the invaders.

He was mortally wounded in the last He was mortally wounded in the last battle at Mount Badon around 490 CEbattle at Mount Badon around 490 CE

FictionFiction

The History of the British KingsThe History of the British Kings by by Geoffrey of Monmouth was written in the Geoffrey of Monmouth was written in the 1212thth century. century.

This book was to trace the linage of all This book was to trace the linage of all the British kings and give historical, the British kings and give historical, accurate information regarding kingship, accurate information regarding kingship, battles, territory, etc.battles, territory, etc.

FictionFiction

Monmouth’s account claims that Arthur Monmouth’s account claims that Arthur was in fact a “true” king. One with a was in fact a “true” king. One with a kingdom and a crown.kingdom and a crown.

This account was in fact fiction.This account was in fact fiction.

It gave rise the Arthur legends we have It gave rise the Arthur legends we have today.today.

Stories of ArthurStories of Arthur

Historians do know that the stories, the Historians do know that the stories, the legends of Arthur crossed over into legends of Arthur crossed over into France during the 12France during the 12thth century. century.

It was in France that the new element of It was in France that the new element of courtly love comes into the stories.courtly love comes into the stories.

Stories of ArthurStories of Arthur

During the mid 12During the mid 12thth century the stories century the stories traveled to Germany.traveled to Germany.

Wolfram von Echenbach added the Grail Wolfram von Echenbach added the Grail Quest to the legends of Arthur and his Quest to the legends of Arthur and his knights.knights.

Stories of ArthurStories of Arthur

In the early 13In the early 13thth century the stories century the stories returned to England.returned to England.

It was at this time that the entourage of It was at this time that the entourage of knights looking for adventure was added knights looking for adventure was added to the tales.to the tales.

Stories of ArthurStories of Arthur

The stories are romantic. They represent the The stories are romantic. They represent the ideals of chivalry, the devotion to loyalty, ideals of chivalry, the devotion to loyalty, generosity and courtesy.generosity and courtesy.

In Arthur’s kingdom no one, including the king, In Arthur’s kingdom no one, including the king, was above anyone else. The creation of the was above anyone else. The creation of the round table made everyone equal—a new round table made everyone equal—a new concept for the English. This ideal would not be concept for the English. This ideal would not be repeated until the American Revolution.repeated until the American Revolution.

ImportanceImportance

The idea of a true, blood and flesh king The idea of a true, blood and flesh king Arthur has played an important role in the Arthur has played an important role in the history of England.history of England.

The British crown has used Arthur to The British crown has used Arthur to justify their rule for hundreds of years.justify their rule for hundreds of years.

ImportanceImportance

In 1066 William the Conquer claimed that In 1066 William the Conquer claimed that he was in fact a descendant of Arthur. he was in fact a descendant of Arthur. This gave him legitimacy in his takeover This gave him legitimacy in his takeover of England.of England.

Today, Prince Charles’ official name Today, Prince Charles’ official name contains the name Arthur. This shows contains the name Arthur. This shows his connection to one of the oldest kings. his connection to one of the oldest kings.

Sir Thomas MalorySir Thomas Malory1405-14711405-1471

He was the first English writer to compile the He was the first English writer to compile the legends of King Arthur.legends of King Arthur.

He was a member of Parliament, England’s He was a member of Parliament, England’s ruling body, in 1445.ruling body, in 1445.

He was known for his hot temper and spent He was known for his hot temper and spent many years in jail (Tower of London).many years in jail (Tower of London).

Malory ContinuedMalory Continued

Malory was on the losing side of the War Malory was on the losing side of the War of the Roses. He was accused of of the Roses. He was accused of everything from cattle rustling to everything from cattle rustling to attempted murder.attempted murder.

He was in jail when he began composing He was in jail when he began composing Le Morte d’ArthurLe Morte d’Arthur (the Death of Arthur). (the Death of Arthur).

Malory continuedMalory continued

The story Malory wrote centered on King The story Malory wrote centered on King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.Table.

Malory died in jail. William Caxton, the Malory died in jail. William Caxton, the man who introduced the printing press in man who introduced the printing press in England, published Malory’s works.England, published Malory’s works.

Characters: ArthurCharacters: Arthur

King of “Camelot.”King of “Camelot.” Son of Uther Pendragon, King of Son of Uther Pendragon, King of

England, and Igraine.England, and Igraine. Legend says he was taken away by Legend says he was taken away by

Merlin after his birth and raised by Merlin after his birth and raised by pesants.pesants.

In some stories Arthur becomes king In some stories Arthur becomes king after he pulls the sword from the stone.after he pulls the sword from the stone.

Characters: ArthurCharacters: Arthur

Arthur marries Guinevere (against Arthur marries Guinevere (against Merlin’s advice) and was given a round Merlin’s advice) and was given a round table as part of the dowry.table as part of the dowry.

Camelot was Arthur’s personal kingdomCamelot was Arthur’s personal kingdom—it was NOT a national kingdom.—it was NOT a national kingdom.

Characters: GuinevereCharacters: Guinevere

The wife of Arthur.The wife of Arthur.

Unable to have children and this causes Unable to have children and this causes problems within the marriage and the problems within the marriage and the kingdom.kingdom.

Eventually she falls into an adulterous Eventually she falls into an adulterous relationship with Lancelot.relationship with Lancelot.

Characters: LancelotCharacters: Lancelot

A knight from France.A knight from France.

He was the best, the strongest, the most He was the best, the strongest, the most courageous of all the knights.courageous of all the knights.

Once he realizes his feelings for Once he realizes his feelings for Guinevere he stays away from Camelot.Guinevere he stays away from Camelot.

Characters: BedivereCharacters: Bedivere

Arthur’s knightArthur’s knight

The last knight left after the Battle at The last knight left after the Battle at Mount Badon. He was to give Excalibur Mount Badon. He was to give Excalibur back to the rightful owner.back to the rightful owner.

Characters: MerlinCharacters: Merlin

A mystical sorcerer. A mystical sorcerer.

Charged with looking after Arthur and Charged with looking after Arthur and tutoring him to become king.tutoring him to become king.

In some stories he is said to live In some stories he is said to live “backwards” meaning he already knows “backwards” meaning he already knows the future.the future.

Characters: Lady of the Characters: Lady of the LakeLake

She gives the sword Excalibur to Arthur.She gives the sword Excalibur to Arthur. This sword is different then the one he This sword is different then the one he

pulls from the stone to be king.pulls from the stone to be king. The scabbard of Excalibur posses The scabbard of Excalibur posses

magical properties—wearer can not be magical properties—wearer can not be harmed.harmed.

She gets the sword upon Arthur’s death.She gets the sword upon Arthur’s death.