We’re finishing the Anglo-Saxon and the Medieval Periods 449-1485

Note: the Medieval period = the Middle Ages

KING ARTHURWho is he?A legendary British leaderAccording to medieval histories and romances, he led the defense of Britain against the Saxon invaders in the early 6th century.

He is said to have led the Knights of the Round Table at Camelot.

What is a LEGEND?

a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

There’s a debate about whether or not King Arthur was a real person

One school of thought says YES

It cites the Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons) and other sources to show he was a leader who fought against the Anglo-Saxons

The Historia Brittonum lists twelve battles that Arthur fought in

The last battle of Mount Badon is where Arthur is said to have single-handedly killed 960 men

However, recent studies question the reliability of the Historia Brittonum

One school of thought says NO

Arthur is not mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (tells the history of the Anglo-Saxons) or named in any surviving manuscript written between 400 and 820.

He is absent from Bede’s History of the English People, another major early source that mentions the battle of Mount Badon

They claim he was originally a fictional hero of folklore who became credited with real deeds of the past

Why would people want him to be real?The Tudor monarchs in England traced their lineage to Arthur and used that connection as a justification for their reign.

Modern scholarship has generally assumed there was some actual person at the heart of the legends, though not, of course, a king with a band of knights in shining armor.

What cannot be denied is the influence of the Arthur figure on literature, art, music and society from the Middle Ages to the present.

  Examples… Many movies and novels about him

Even adaptations for theater, television, comics and other media

Was he popular during his time?

Yes Why? Stories took place in an idealized world – a world of castles, courtly love, heroes, and magical spells

Very unlike Medieval world of plagues, political battles

The Knights…

Most famous knight is Lancelot Were supposed to be patient, humble, meek, keep their word,  never be cruel, be kind and gentle to ladies, never do anything dishonorable

Sat at the round tableArthur devised the idea of a round table to prevent quarrels between his knights over the question of precedence

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

In the early tales, Arthur’s nephew Gawain (not Lancelot) was the famous knight for his courage and chivalry

It’s a romancean imaginative adventure concerned with noble

heroes, gallant love, a code of honor, and daring deeds.

Usually have faraway setting, depict events unlike those of ordinary events, and idealize their heroes.

Often lighthearted in tone and involve fantasy.

Other figures… Merlin: Arthur’s advisor, who was a prophet and magician

Excalibur: the name of Arthur’s sword

Camelot:The city Arthur was in charge of

Medieval Romance

The term “romance” comes from “Romance languages,” meaning those languages derived from Latin (French, Italian, Spanish)

Many of the first romances were written in those languages

Examples: Le Morte d’Arthur (The Death of King Arthur)Le Roman du Rose (The Romance of the Rose)

Tristan and IsoldeSir Gawain and the Green Knight

CHARACTERISTICSA highly artificial and stylized genreCharacters are lords and ladiesLove and chivalry– somewhat contradictory themes

Magic and enchantment, religious mysticism

Lots of fighting, gore, pageantryQuestsThe Knight as a central character

The KnightA WARRIOR, CHRISTIAN and LOVERPossesses good manners, delicacy, protocol

Has deference and passion (both!) for ladies

Has skills as a poet, musician, writer, speaker and dancer

The beginning of "The Knight's Tale" illuminated manuscript, Huntington Library, California

13th century illuminated manuscript: Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre

"The Rescue of Guinevere" by William Hatherell (1855-1920)

The Romance and LoveThe Romance tells of ideal, not realistic love

Love is so passionate as to cause fever and illness

Love is usually outside of marriageAdultery is almost always inevitable, but has tragic consequences

The Knight and LadyThe Knight dedicates himself to the glorification of his Lady, either in secret or openly

He wears her colors to tournaments, devotes his trophies to her

All of his acts of heroism and valor are in her honor

The Lady is generally demanding, sometimes cruel, but always beautiful, intelligent and spirited.

“Lancelot and Guinevere‘s First Kiss,” Manuscript illustration, c 1400.

Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Works Cited Hatherell, William. “The Rescue of Guinevere.” Oil on canvas,

1910. Rpt. “Arthurian Legends Illustrated.” Kathleen Nichols. Pittsburg State U., 2003. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www2.pittstate.edu/engl/nichols/arthur2.html>.

“The Knight’s Tale.” Ellesmere Manuscript, ca. 1400. Illuminated manuscript. San Marino, CA.: The Huntington Library. Rpt. “The Knight’s Tale in Images.” Luminarium.1997-2006. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/knightimg.htm>.

“Lancelot and Guinevere’s First Kiss.” Unknown artist. Manuscript illustration, c. 1400. Paris: Bibliotheque Nationale. Rpt. “Lancelot du Lac.” Timeless Myths. 1999. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/lancelot.html#Kiss>.

“Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre.” Unknown artist. Late 13th C. Rpt. “Tableaux ayant pour sujet les échecs.” 21 Sept. 2008.

<http://www.jmrw.com/Chess/Tableau_echecs/pages/112.htm>. Leighton, Edmund Blair. “The Accolade.” 1901. Rpt. CGFA. 21 Sept.

2008. <http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/l/l-5.htm#eleighton>. Love, D. “‘Al this Peynted Process': Chaucer and the Psychology of

Courtly Love.” English Studies. 83.5 (Nov. 2002), 391-398.