The Legend of King The Legend of King ArthurArthur

Who was King Arthur? Who was King Arthur? There is great debate over who he There is great debate over who he

waswas Possibly a king, a prince, or a Possibly a king, a prince, or a

renowned soldierrenowned soldier May have been son of UtherMay have been son of Uther Existed 450-550 A.D. Existed 450-550 A.D. Led battle of Mount Badon, defeating Led battle of Mount Badon, defeating

the Saxons the Saxons

King Arthur of LegendKing Arthur of Legend Biological son of Uther and

Igraine Raised by Sir Ector with foster

brother KayConstans,

King of Britain

Ambrosius/Uther Moines Pendragon

Arthur

Igraine

King Arthur of LegendKing Arthur of Legend

Proven heir to throne when he pulls the Proven heir to throne when he pulls the Excalibur from a stoneExcalibur from a stone

Educated and advised by Merlyn the Educated and advised by Merlyn the WizardWizard

Presided over the Knights of the Round Presided over the Knights of the Round TableTable

Won respect and loyalty of all of knightsWon respect and loyalty of all of knights Married to GuinevereMarried to Guinevere

King Arthur of LegendKing Arthur of Legend Reigned over 20 years of peaceReigned over 20 years of peace Son/Nephew Mordred against his reignSon/Nephew Mordred against his reign Mordred died; Arthur mortally Mordred died; Arthur mortally

woundedwounded Arthur died and was buried in Arthur died and was buried in

Glastonbury AbbeyGlastonbury Abbey Some said he would return to avenge Some said he would return to avenge

his death and reign againhis death and reign again

King Arthur – the King Arthur – the Literary TraditionLiterary Tradition First mentioned in 800 A.D. in chronicle First mentioned in 800 A.D. in chronicle

by Nenniusby Nennius Arthur fought Saxons in 12 battlesArthur fought Saxons in 12 battles Arthur killed 960 Saxons single-handedArthur killed 960 Saxons single-handed

King Arthur – the King Arthur – the Literary TraditionLiterary TraditionPopularized and romanticized by Popularized and romanticized by

medieval writers including:medieval writers including:Geoffrey of Monmouth: Geoffrey of Monmouth: History of History of

the Kings of Britain the Kings of Britain (12(12thth century) century)Chretien de Troyes: Chretien de Troyes: Erec & Ened, Erec & Ened,

Yvain, Lancelot, Count of the Yvain, Lancelot, Count of the Grail Grail (12(12thth century) century)

Sir Thomas Malory: Sir Thomas Malory: Le Morte Le Morte d’Arthurd’Arthur (15 (15thth century) century)

King Arthur – the King Arthur – the Literary TraditionLiterary Tradition Medieval authors used some elements Medieval authors used some elements

of Celtic mythology and fantasy of Celtic mythology and fantasy Included medieval concepts such as Included medieval concepts such as

knighthood and chivalryknighthood and chivalry Portrayed Arthur as a king, rather Portrayed Arthur as a king, rather

than as an active warriorthan as an active warrior Wrote for an aristocratic, upper classWrote for an aristocratic, upper class

audience audience

King Arthur – the King Arthur – the Literary TraditionLiterary Tradition Post-Medieval Writers:Post-Medieval Writers:

Lord Tennyson – Lord Tennyson – Idylls of the KingIdylls of the KingT.H. White – T.H. White – Once and Future Once and Future

KingKing (1939) (1939)Sword in the StoneSword in the Stone is 1 of 5 books is 1 of 5 books

Marian Zimmer Bradley – Marian Zimmer Bradley – The The Mists of AvalonMists of Avalon

KnighthoodKnighthood Historically, knights were warriors and Historically, knights were warriors and

defendersdefenders Dressed in full armorDressed in full armor Competed in tournaments and jousts to Competed in tournaments and jousts to

show their warrior skillsshow their warrior skills In knighting ceremony, vows to “be In knighting ceremony, vows to “be

valiant, courteous, and loyal”valiant, courteous, and loyal”

The Code of ChivalryThe Code of Chivalry

A Good Knight:A Good Knight: Uses his strength for goodUses his strength for good Strives to be honorable and virtuousStrives to be honorable and virtuous Protects the weakProtects the weak Is courteousIs courteous Respects and defends womenRespects and defends women Is a defender of the Christian churchIs a defender of the Christian church Is inspired to greatness by love Is inspired to greatness by love

CamelotCamelot King Arthur’s castleKing Arthur’s castle Meeting place of the Knights Meeting place of the Knights

of the Round Tableof the Round Table The seat of King Arthur’s powerThe seat of King Arthur’s power Constructed by MerlynConstructed by Merlyn Embodies ideals of knighthoodEmbodies ideals of knighthood

MerlynMerlyn Son of an incubus (an evil spirit) and virtuous Son of an incubus (an evil spirit) and virtuous

mothermother Sent as a sacrifice for King VortigernSent as a sacrifice for King Vortigern Merlyn saw that there were two fighting Merlyn saw that there were two fighting

dragons under the foundation: dragons under the foundation: the white dragon represented the Britonsthe white dragon represented the Britons the red dragon represented the Saxonsthe red dragon represented the Saxons

Dragons fight and the white one winsDragons fight and the white one wins Merlyn predicted that Vortigern would be slainMerlyn predicted that Vortigern would be slain

Merlyn Merlyn Has magical powers:Has magical powers:

Insight into the futureInsight into the future Power of transformationPower of transformation

Advisor to Kings Pendragon, Uther, and Advisor to Kings Pendragon, Uther, and ArthurArthur

Responsible for Arthur’s educationResponsible for Arthur’s education Is eventually entrapped by Viviane, an Is eventually entrapped by Viviane, an

enchantressenchantress Sends Arthur’s knight on the Quest of Sends Arthur’s knight on the Quest of

the Holy Grailthe Holy Grail

Morgan Le FeyMorgan Le Fey

Called Queen of the fairies, an Called Queen of the fairies, an enchantress, and sorceressenchantress, and sorceress

Said to be Arthur’s half-sisterSaid to be Arthur’s half-sister Is a constant tormentor to ArthurIs a constant tormentor to Arthur Has magical powers similar to MerlynHas magical powers similar to Merlyn

The Arthurian Legend - The Arthurian Legend - SummarySummary Is loosely based on a real historical Is loosely based on a real historical

figurefigure Is not historically accurateIs not historically accurate Has roots in Celtic mythologyHas roots in Celtic mythology Include elements of fantasy and magicInclude elements of fantasy and magic Include medieval ideals and institutions Include medieval ideals and institutions

such as knighthood and chivalry such as knighthood and chivalry The themes are still seen todayThe themes are still seen today