King Arthur Legends

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King Arthur Legends

• Introductions to the man, the legend, the hero

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The Soldier

• Not a king but a Celtic warlord/general
• Successful against barbarians who invaded England
• Trained in way by the Romans

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Legend

• Story passed down by word of mouth from
  generation to generation
• Have been written down in 6 different languages,
  therefore spellings vary
• Most popular Thomas Malorys Le Morte d
  Arthur, Lord Tennysons Idylls of the King, and
  T. H. Whites The Once and Future King

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Legend of Excalibur

• Two versions Sword in the Stone and Lady of the
  Lake

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Characteristics of Medieval Romances

• Knights, kings, lords, queens
• Chivalryideal qualities of knighthood
• A quest
• Good vs. evil
• Magicmysterious, supernatural events
• Castles, gardens, forests
• Larger than life heroescan have magic or
  extraordinary powers
• Use disguises to conceal true identity
• Romantic love

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Quest

• Adventure for something/someone of importance
• Has to be of personal significance
• Elements of mysterymonsters, evil, etc.
• Long voyage
• Defeats the foe
• Dangerous
• Hero matures through quest
• Examples Star Wars, An American Tale, The
  Fugitive, Lord of the Rings Trilogy

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Characteristics of the Romantic Hero

• Larger than life
• Wants to make world better
• Has inner drive, strength
• Usually young
• Physically and mentally strong
• Close to nature understands ways of earth
• Lives clean life, uncluttered, simple
• courteous has self-control
• Has endurance

• Intelligent
• Witty
• Imaginative
• Has contact with world above
• Leader
• Actions bring food to people
• God-like
• Can come from magical origins

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ChivalryQualities of a Knight

• Physically strong
• Experienced horsemen
• Well trained in use of weapons
• Must love honor
• Must right wrongs
• Willing to risk own life
• Must defend weak

• Must make good on his word
• Polite and courteous
• Could take on only fair or just fight
• Swore to defend and honor all women
• Loyal to his lord, his family and his comrades

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Aspects of the Professional Warrior

• Weapons
• His flag
• Horse
• Had to have at least three
• A battle horse
• Horse for route
• Pack horse for luggage

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• Attendants
• Required several
• One to conduct horses
• One to bear heaviest weapons
• One to aid master in mounting horses
• One to guard prisoners

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• Arthurian legends are examples of medieval
  romances
• Sir Thomas Malory was responsible for making the
  story Englishalso romanticized it
• Tennyson wrote heroic version of legends

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Important People and Places

• King Arthurson of Uther Pendragon King of
  Britian founder of the Knights of the Round
  Table
• Avalonisland in the western seas where King
  Arthur goes at his death
• Sir Bediverelast of the Knights of the Round
  Table
• Camelotcity where Arthurs court is established

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• Sir EctorArthurs foster father
• ExcaliburArthurs sword
• Sir Galahadson of Sir Lancelot and purest of
  Arthurs knights succeeds in the quest for the
  Holy Grail
• Sir GarethGawains brother and Arthurs nephew
  assumes disguise as Beaumains
• Sir Gawainnephew to King Arthur son of Morgana
  most courteous of Arthurs knights

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• Queen Guineveredaughter of King Lodegreaunce
  Arthurs wife
• Holy Grailcup used at Last Supper object of
  quests of Knights of the Round Table
• Sir KayArthurs foster brother and steward
• Lady of the LakeGives Arthur his sword
• Sir Launcelot (Lancelot) du LakeGreatest of the
  Knights of the Round Table father of Sir Galahad

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• Merlyn/Merlina magician counselor to Arthur
• Sir Modredarthurs nephew plots to overthrow
  the king
• Morgan le FayArthurs half sister a sorceress
• Round Tablea wedding gift from Arthurs
  father-in-law provided seats for 150 knights

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History of Britian/Significance of Arthur

• The story begins with the battle at Troy. Rome
  was then founded by Aeneas. Britians royal
  lineage supposedly comes from this ancient
  lineage. Felix Brutus supposedly founded England
  and Arthur and his royal successors follow this
  fashion.

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Movies

• First Knight
• Excalibur
• Camelot
• King Arthur
• The Sword in the Stone
• Kinghts of the Round Table
• Etc.

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Quiz

1. What is the code of honor observed by the
   knights?
2. The Arthurian legends are examples of what form
   of writing?
3. What are the two different versions for how
   Arthur received Excalibur?
4. Who was Arthurs foster father? His real father?