Arthur- The King of Arthur- The King of BritainBritain

The son of King Uther The son of King Uther Pendragon and Igraine of Pendragon and Igraine of Cornwall, Arthur is one of the Cornwall, Arthur is one of the most written about figures of most written about figures of legend. His existence has been legend. His existence has been debated hotly by scholars, debated hotly by scholars, some saying he did exist- some saying he did exist- others that he is merely a others that he is merely a mythological character. Most mythological character. Most popular theories state that popular theories state that Arthur did exist, but the Arthur did exist, but the events of his life may be an events of his life may be an amalgamation of several amalgamation of several historic figures and legends.historic figures and legends.

  

The Dux BellorumThe Dux Bellorum

The historical The historical Arthur would have Arthur would have been the “Duke of been the “Duke of Battle”. He would Battle”. He would have led his troops have led his troops into battle, riding a into battle, riding a white war horse.white war horse.

Merlin The MagicianMerlin The Magician

Considered the greatest Considered the greatest wizard and prophet of wizard and prophet of all time, Merlin was all time, Merlin was Arthur’s chief Arthur’s chief counselor and counselor and strategist.strategist.

He seemed to He seemed to orchestrate all aspects orchestrate all aspects of Arthurian life – from of Arthurian life – from the Sword in the the Sword in the Stone, to Stonehenge, Stone, to Stonehenge, to Camelot itself.to Camelot itself.

StonehengeStonehenge

According to According to legend, Aurelius legend, Aurelius Ambrosius had Ambrosius had Merlin bring the Merlin bring the Giant’s Ring to Giant’s Ring to Britain from Ireland.Britain from Ireland.

Ambrosius and Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon, Uther Pendragon, Arthur’s father, are Arthur’s father, are buried there.buried there.

The Women of CamelotThe Women of Camelot

IgraineIgraine is the mother of Arthur and the wife of Gorlois, Duke of Tintagel. In most is the mother of Arthur and the wife of Gorlois, Duke of Tintagel. In most versions she is very virtuous and refuses to sleep with Uther Pendragon despite his versions she is very virtuous and refuses to sleep with Uther Pendragon despite his persistence. Merlin disguises Uther as Gorlois so that he may travel into Tintagel persistence. Merlin disguises Uther as Gorlois so that he may travel into Tintagel and sleep with Igraine. and sleep with Igraine.

Morgan Le FayMorgan Le Fay was considered the daughter of Igraine and Gorlois- making was considered the daughter of Igraine and Gorlois- making her the half-sister to Arthur. Usually she is pitted against Arthur as his one major her the half-sister to Arthur. Usually she is pitted against Arthur as his one major adversary, and she is sometimes the mother of Mordred.adversary, and she is sometimes the mother of Mordred.

MorgauseMorgause is Arthur's half-sister and the wife of King Lot. Her sons are Gawain, is Arthur's half-sister and the wife of King Lot. Her sons are Gawain, Agravaine, Gaheris and Gareth by Lot, and often Mordred by Arthur. Agravaine, Gaheris and Gareth by Lot, and often Mordred by Arthur.

GuinevereGuinevere was the legendary queen consort of King Arthur. She was most was the legendary queen consort of King Arthur. She was most famous for her love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot. Their betrayal of famous for her love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot. Their betrayal of Arthur leads to the downfall of the kingdom.Arthur leads to the downfall of the kingdom.

The Lady of theThe Lady of the Lake-Lake- names include Viviane, Eviene, Viviene, Nimue, names include Viviane, Eviene, Viviene, Nimue, and Nina. In Malory she is the woman who gives Arthur Excalibur and later takes it and Nina. In Malory she is the woman who gives Arthur Excalibur and later takes it back when it is thrown into the water. In some works she is responsible for raising back when it is thrown into the water. In some works she is responsible for raising Lancelot. . She is also Merlin's downfall in Malory, because she enchants him with Lancelot. . She is also Merlin's downfall in Malory, because she enchants him with the magic he taught her. the magic he taught her.

The legend of King Arthur states The legend of King Arthur states that after King Uther died, that after King Uther died, England was left without a king to England was left without a king to rule, the isle was divided amongst rule, the isle was divided amongst several lords - all fighting for the several lords - all fighting for the title of king. There appeared a title of king. There appeared a sword in a stone which, according sword in a stone which, according to the wizard Merlin, could only to the wizard Merlin, could only be drawn by the true King of be drawn by the true King of England. Arthur accomplished the England. Arthur accomplished the task and Merlin had him crowned task and Merlin had him crowned king. king.

The Sword in the StoneThe Sword in the Stone

Excalibur – The Second Excalibur – The Second SwordSword

After a particularly After a particularly difficult battle difficult battle against King against King Pellinore, Arthur Pellinore, Arthur needed a new swordneeded a new sword

Merlin took him to a Merlin took him to a lake, where a lady on lake, where a lady on a barge met the mena barge met the men

An arm extended An arm extended from the lake, from the lake, holding aloft a holding aloft a magnificent swordmagnificent sword

This sword and its This sword and its scabbard play an scabbard play an important part in the important part in the legend of Arthurlegend of Arthur

CamelotCamelot After putting down a rebellion of After putting down a rebellion of

several lords, Arthur built Camelot, several lords, Arthur built Camelot, and a reign of peace followed. and a reign of peace followed.

The Knights of the Round The Knights of the Round TableTable

Arthur married Arthur married Guinevere, and he was Guinevere, and he was given the Round Table given the Round Table as her dowry. Many as her dowry. Many stories and adventures stories and adventures ensued, and the ensued, and the knights of the Round knights of the Round Table and their quests Table and their quests are the stuff of legendsare the stuff of legends

The table had no head The table had no head or foot, so all were or foot, so all were equalequal

It was said to seat 150 It was said to seat 150 knightsknights

Its seats included the Its seats included the Siege Perilous, where Siege Perilous, where Galahad satGalahad sat

We’re Knights of the Round We’re Knights of the Round Table…Table…

Sir Thomas Malory describes the Sir Thomas Malory describes the Knights' code of chivalry as:Knights' code of chivalry as:

To never do outrage nor To never do outrage nor murder murder

Always to flee treason Always to flee treason To by no means be cruel but To by no means be cruel but

to give mercy unto him who to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy asks for mercy

To always do ladies, To always do ladies, gentlewomen and widows gentlewomen and widows succor succor

To never force ladies, To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows gentlewomen or widows

Not to take up battles in Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods worldly goods

The most famous knights The most famous knights are…are…

Sir Agravaine, son of King Lot of Orkney, son of King Lot of Orkney Sir Bedivere (Bedwyr) (Bedwyr) Sir Bors, King of Gannes (Gaul) , King of Gannes (Gaul) SiSir Constantine, son of Cador, who became king after Arthur's , son of Cador, who became king after Arthur's

deathdeath Sir Ector, Arthur's foster father and Sir Kay's father , Arthur's foster father and Sir Kay's father Sir Gaheris, nephew of Arthur, nephew of Arthur Sir Galahad (son of Lancelot; his seat was the Siege Perilous) (son of Lancelot; his seat was the Siege Perilous) Sir Gareth, also called Beaumains or Goodhands , also called Beaumains or Goodhands Sir Gawain, nephew of Arthur, nephew of Arthur Sir Kay, Arthur's foster brother, son of Sir Ector , Arthur's foster brother, son of Sir Ector Sir LancelotSir Lancelot (Launcelot du Lac, father of Sir Galahad) (Launcelot du Lac, father of Sir Galahad) King Leodegrance, Guinevere's father and keeper of the Round , Guinevere's father and keeper of the Round

Table Table Sir Mordred, Arthur's illegitimate son and destroyer of the kingdom , Arthur's illegitimate son and destroyer of the kingdom Sir Pelleas, husband of the Lady of the Lake, husband of the Lady of the Lake King Pellinore, fought and almost killed Arthur; was put to sleep by , fought and almost killed Arthur; was put to sleep by

MerlinMerlin Sir Percival , son of Pellinore , son of Pellinore Sir TristanSir Tristan, nephew of King Mark; lover of Isolde, nephew of King Mark; lover of Isolde

The Quests and Related The Quests and Related StoriesStories

Most of the quests of Most of the quests of the knights of the the knights of the round table seem to round table seem to reflect early Christian reflect early Christian values as well as the values as well as the values of the cultures values of the cultures over which they were over which they were superimposed. superimposed.

See if you can spot See if you can spot similarities with other similarities with other myths we have myths we have studied.studied.

What is this melding What is this melding of beliefs called?of beliefs called?

Sir Gawain and the Sir Gawain and the Green KnightGreen Knight

Sir Gawain accepted a challenge from Sir Gawain accepted a challenge from a mysterious warrior who was a mysterious warrior who was completely green, from his clothes and completely green, from his clothes and hair to his beard and skin. hair to his beard and skin.

The "Green Knight" offered to allow The "Green Knight" offered to allow anyone to strike him with his axe if the anyone to strike him with his axe if the challenger would take a return blow in challenger would take a return blow in a year and a day. a year and a day.

Gawain accepted, and beheaded him in Gawain accepted, and beheaded him in one blow, only to have the Green one blow, only to have the Green Knight stand up, pick up his head, and Knight stand up, pick up his head, and remind Gawain to meet him at the remind Gawain to meet him at the appointed time. appointed time.

The story of Gawain's struggle to meet The story of Gawain's struggle to meet the appointment and his adventures the appointment and his adventures along the way demonstrate the spirit of along the way demonstrate the spirit of chivalry and loyaltychivalry and loyalty. .

Tristan and IsoldeTristan and Isolde

After defeating the Irish knight Morholt, Tristan went to Ireland After defeating the Irish knight Morholt, Tristan went to Ireland to bring back the fair Isolde for his uncle King Mark to marry. to bring back the fair Isolde for his uncle King Mark to marry.

Along the way, they accidentally ingested a love potion that Along the way, they accidentally ingested a love potion that caused the pair to fall madly in love. caused the pair to fall madly in love.

Although Isolde married Mark, she and Tristan were forced by Although Isolde married Mark, she and Tristan were forced by the potion to seek one another out for adultery. the potion to seek one another out for adultery.

Although the typical noble Arthurian character would be shamed Although the typical noble Arthurian character would be shamed from such an act, the love potion that controlled them freed from such an act, the love potion that controlled them freed Tristan and Isolde from responsibility. Tristan and Isolde from responsibility.

The king's advisors repeatedly attempted to have the pair tried The king's advisors repeatedly attempted to have the pair tried for adultery, but again and again the couple used trickery to for adultery, but again and again the couple used trickery to preserve their façade of innocence. preserve their façade of innocence.

In Beroul's version, the love potion eventually wore off, and the In Beroul's version, the love potion eventually wore off, and the two lovers were free to make their own choice as to whether two lovers were free to make their own choice as to whether they ceased their adulterous lifestyle or continued.they ceased their adulterous lifestyle or continued.

The Lady of ShalottThe Lady of Shalott Cursed to watch the Cursed to watch the

world in a mirror and world in a mirror and weave the things she weave the things she saw, the Lady of saw, the Lady of Shalott fell in love Shalott fell in love with Lancelot after with Lancelot after she saw him in her she saw him in her mirror.mirror.

She left her tower, She left her tower, heading toward heading toward Camelot, even though Camelot, even though she knew it would kill she knew it would kill her.her.

Often she is Often she is associated with the associated with the Lady Elaine, the Lady Elaine, the mother of Galahad.mother of Galahad.

The Holy GrailThe Holy Grail According to Christian belief, the According to Christian belief, the Holy Holy

GrailGrail was either the dish, plate, or cup was either the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, or the used by Jesus at the Last Supper, or the chalice used to hold his blood at the chalice used to hold his blood at the crucifixion. It was said to possess crucifixion. It was said to possess miraculous powers. miraculous powers.

The connection of Joseph of Arimathea The connection of Joseph of Arimathea with the Grail legend dates from Robert with the Grail legend dates from Robert de Boron's de Boron's Joseph d'ArimathieJoseph d'Arimathie (late 12th (late 12th century) in which Joseph received the century) in which Joseph received the Grail from an apparition of Jesus and Grail from an apparition of Jesus and sent it with his followers to Great Britain.sent it with his followers to Great Britain.

The quest for the Holy Grail makes up The quest for the Holy Grail makes up an important segment of the Arthurian an important segment of the Arthurian cycle, appearing first in works by cycle, appearing first in works by Chrétien de Troyes.Chrétien de Troyes.

As Arthur aged, Camelot went into decline. The evil work of Morgan began to take over the once glorious kingdom; the knights became mean, lost their chivalry, turned to fighting between themselves. Merlin, in an effort to save Camelot, suggested a grander quest than any of the others he had previously created, and told Arthur to send his knights to quest for the Holy Grail. The Grail, which brought healing and eternal life, would be the key to lifting Arthur's spirits and bringing his health back, and thus also the health of the realm. The knights scattered to the four corners of the earth. Perceval lacked Christian understanding, and Lancelot was not pure of heart, but Galahad, the most innocent of knights, the only man pure enough to sit in the Perilous Seat, vanished along with the grail. The Grail was never brought to Camelot.

The The BeginningBeginning of of the Endthe End

Lancelot Lancelot andand

GuinevereGuinevere In the end, Arthur was In the end, Arthur was

betrayed by Lancelot betrayed by Lancelot and Guinevere, the and Guinevere, the latter being sentenced latter being sentenced to death. Lancelot to death. Lancelot rescued Guinevere, rescued Guinevere, killing several knights killing several knights in the process, and this in the process, and this prompted Arthur to go prompted Arthur to go to war against his one to war against his one time best knight.time best knight.

MordredMordred

While he was away, Arthur While he was away, Arthur placed Mordred, his son by placed Mordred, his son by his half sister, in charge of his half sister, in charge of the kingdom. Arthur returned the kingdom. Arthur returned from war with Lancelot to from war with Lancelot to quell a rebellion by Mordred.quell a rebellion by Mordred.

(Because of a prophecy, (Because of a prophecy, Merlin had attempted to get Merlin had attempted to get rid of the infant Mordred by rid of the infant Mordred by placing all noble babies in a placing all noble babies in a boat and setting it adrift.)boat and setting it adrift.)

Arthur’s last battle on Salisbury Plain Arthur’s last battle on Salisbury Plain resulted in Mordred’s death, but resulted in Mordred’s death, but Arthur was also mortally wounded.Arthur was also mortally wounded.

Avalon?Avalon?Arthur’s remains were supposedly Arthur’s remains were supposedly

discovered during the 12th Century in discovered during the 12th Century in Glastonbury (though this too is a subject Glastonbury (though this too is a subject of debate).of debate).

The other theory is that Arthur was taken to The other theory is that Arthur was taken to Avalon to be healed, and he is waiting Avalon to be healed, and he is waiting there until Britain needs her greatest king there until Britain needs her greatest king again.again.

Arthur in LiteratureArthur in Literature Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief

shining moment that was known as Camelot!shining moment that was known as Camelot!Lerner and Lowe’s Lerner and Lowe’s CamelotCamelot

BooksBooks

The Once and Future KingThe Once and Future King

The Idylls of the KingThe Idylls of the King

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s CourtA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

Le Morte d’ArthurLe Morte d’Arthur

The Hollow Hills, The Crystal Cave, The Wicked Day The Hollow Hills, The Crystal Cave, The Wicked Day (Stewart Trilogy)(Stewart Trilogy)

The Mists of AvalonThe Mists of Avalon

Movies / PlaysMovies / Plays

CamelotCamelot

The Sword in the StoneThe Sword in the Stone

ExcaliburExcalibur

King ArthurKing Arthur

Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail / SpamalotMonty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail / Spamalot