King ArthurThe legendary king and the legendary mystery

R. Larrabee

Scholars debate…..

Whether or not King Arthur really existed.

Because there was no real written language, the stories of Arthur

were passed down from generation to generation.

The legends are based on folklore and some

historical fact, but over time, the stories grew

larger and more complex.

Arthur was the son of

King Uther Pendragon of Britain

Igraine of Cornwall

Arthur was born on Christmas Eve.

He was born in Tintagel Castle in Cornwall.

On the night of Arthur’s birth, he was secretly taken away by Merlin and hidden away until the time he could claim his birthright.

Arthur lived in obscurity for 14 years in the foster care of Sir Ector of Galava and his wife Griselda.

                                                               

When Arthur is 14, Uther Pendragon dies unexpectedly without naming Arthur his heir.

It is now up to Merlin to ensure Arthur claims his birthright as King of Britain.

On the sword was engraved:

“Whoso pulleth this sword from this stone is rightwise born King of all Britain.”

Acting as Kay’s page, Arthur attends the tournament with Sir Ector, and his newly

knighted cousin Kay.

At the tournament in London, Arthur pulls

the sword from the stone and proves his birthright as King of

Britain.

At Easter, Arthur is crowned King of Britain.

At the time of Arthur, Britain was splintered into various kingdoms each ruled by his own king or liege-lord.

Because each liege-lord was only

responsible for his own territory, Britain became vulnerable to attack from outside

invaders.

                                

Britain was primarily a pagan country. Christianity was very new there, and many

people still practiced the old pagan religions.

One of Arthur’s destinies was to unify Britain under one Christian God.

For Example:

The character of the Lady of the Lake

She is depicted as a magical being who lives under the water of a lake and gives

Arthur his sword.

In reality, the Lady of the Lake was a pagan priestess of the shrine of the Mother Goddess.

Her shrine was across the lake on a sacred and secluded island.

Another Example: Merlin the Magician

Merlin is considered a powerful magician who possesses both the power of prophecy and powerful magic.

In all actuality, Merlin was most probably a wise man of one of the pagan religions.

Prior to and during the time of Arthur, there were men like Merlin who were gifted healers, prophets,

and wise counselors.

Another Example: The Holy Grail

Some experts say that the Holy Grail was the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper.

It has become an important Christian symbol.

Some scholars believe that the grail is not a Christian symbol at all, but a pagan object that was part of set of sacred pagan regalia that included a platter, a sword, and a lance.

Most recently, some scholars suspect that the Grail was not an object at all, but a person.

Watch or read the DaVinci Code for a story about this theory.

Regardless of the various opinions of the scholars, in the Arthurian Legends, the Holy Grail is understood as the sacred chalice of Jesus.

Once the country is unified and peaceful, Arthur marries Guenevere and makes her his queen.

As a wedding gift, Guenevere’s father gives Arthur a round table. It could seat 100 knights.

Some famous Knights of the Round Table

Sir Lancelot du Lac

Best and bravest of all the knights and King Arthur’s best friend. Lancelot falls in love with Guenevere, Arthur’s queen.

Sir Galahad

The only knight to see the Holy Grail. After Galahad beholds the Grail, he dies and his soul is

take up to heaven by three angels.

Sir Gawaine

One of Arthur’s most loyal knights. He battles the Green Knight.

Sir Percival

Is shown a vision of the Holy Regalia: the Grail, the Lance, the Platter. He fails to find the Regalia because of his lack of faith.

Sir Tristram Also known as Tristan

Does great deeds but dies from love far from home. Beloved of Isolde.

Sir Bors

Accompanies Galahad on the Grail Quest. He returns to tell the story of Galahad.

Sir Kay

Kay was Arthur’s foster brother. Arthur appointed him the seneschal of all his lands.

Sir Bedivere

Arthur’s cousin. Arthur charges him to return his sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake.

Knights had to display bravery, loyalty, and chivalry. These qualities were prized above all other qualities.

What is chivalry?

Chivalry

• Live to serve King and Country. • Live to defend Crown and Country and all

it holds dear. • Live one's life so that it is worthy of

respect and honor. • Live for freedom, justice and all that is

good. • Never attack an unarmed foe.

Chivalry continued

• Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry.• Respect women. • Exhibit Courage in word and deed. • Defend the weak and innocent. • Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause. • Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry. • Die with valor. • Always keep one's word of honor.

Other Important Characters in the Arthurian Legend

Guenevere

Arthur’s wife. She later has an affair with Lancelot.

Merlin

Arthur’s cousin, adviser, and powerful magician.

Morgana Le Fey

Arthur’s sister who conspired against him

and stole his sword Excalibur.

Morgause

Arthur’s half sister. She is the mother of Gawaine, Gaheris, Gareth, Agravaine, and Mordred. She is also the Lady of the Lake from whom Arthur gets the sword. She is one of the three women who bring Arthur’s body to Avalon after he dies.

Mordred

Arthur’s son and nephew. He conspires to catch Lancelot and Guenevere together. He kills his father.

Isolde

Beloved of Tristram.

Elaine of Astolat

Was in love with Lancelot. Deceived him into sleeping with her. She bore him a child-Galahad. After the child was born, Elaine takes her own life.

A Triangle of Love

Despite fighting their feelings for each other, Guenevere and Lancelot fall in love.

Mordred arranges a plot to catch the Queen and her lover.

Although they attempt to hide their feelings, some of the knights suspect them.

On a night when Arthur is away from Camelot, Mordred’s plan is acted out.

Lancelot and the Queen are discovered together.

Guenevere is taken into custody, but Lancelot escapes killing the knights that try to stop him.

The Queen is convicted of treason and is sentenced to burn at the stake.

Lancelot rescues the Queen (as Arthur had

hoped he would.)

Some say Guenevere entered a convent and lives out her life there. Others say she entered the service of the Lady of Avalon.

She never saw Lancelot again.

Mordred and Arthur eventually go to war.

Mordred hacks into Arthur’s helmet with his sword. Arthur pierces Mordred with his sword.

Arthur and Guenevere are buried together

At Glastonbury

Abbey