Arthur Legends

1
Arthur Legends

• Fact vs. fiction
• Excalibur
• Gawain and the Green Knight

2
Dark Ages

• The 4th and 5th centuries CE
• The Dark Ages were a time in which very little
  information was written down.
• People were concerned with day to day survival
  not scholarship.
• Very little of this time period is known. Only
  archeological information is available.

3
Arthur Facts

• Ambrosius Aurelianus The Latin name in which
  Arthur derives.
• It is believed that the factual Arthur was a
  Roman who was left in Britain after the Roman
  forces returned to the continent.

4
Facts

• This Roman then took up arms with the Britons
  against the invading Saxon tribes.
• It is believed that this historical Arthur fought
  a dozen battles with the invaders.
• He was mortally wounded in the last battle at
  Mount Badon around 490 CE

5
Fiction

• The History of the British Kings by Geoffrey of
  Monmouth was written in the 12th century.
• This book was to trace the linage of all the
  British kings and give historical, accurate
  information regarding kingship, battles,
  territory, etc.

6
Fiction

• Monmouths account claims that Arthur was in fact
  a true king. One with a kingdom and a crown.
• This account was in fact fiction.
• It gave rise the Arthur legends we have today.

7
Stories of Arthur

• Historians do know that the stories, the legends
  of Arthur crossed over into France during the
  12th century.
• It was in France that the new element of courtly
  love comes into the stories.

8
Stories of Arthur

• During the mid 12th century the stories traveled
  to Germany.
• Wolfram von Echenbach added the Grail Quest to
  the legends of Arthur and his knights.

9
Stories of Arthur

• In the early 13th century the stories returned to
  England.
• It was at this time that the entourage of knights
  looking for adventure was added to the tales.

10
Stories of Arthur

• The stories are romantic. They represent the
  ideals of chivalry, the devotion to loyalty,
  generosity and courtesy.
• In Arthurs kingdom no one, including the king,
  was above anyone else. The creation of the round
  table made everyone equala new concept for the
  English. This ideal would not be repeated until
  the American Revolution.

11
Importance

• The idea of a true, blood and flesh king Arthur
  has played an important role in the history of
  England.
• The British crown has used Arthur to justify
  their rule for hundreds of years.

12
Importance

• In 1066 William the Conquer claimed that he was
  in fact a descendant of Arthur. This gave him
  legitimacy in his takeover of England.
• Today, Prince Charles official name contains the
  name Arthur. This shows his connection to one of
  the oldest kings.

13
Sir Thomas Malory1405-1471

• He was the first English writer to compile the
  legends of King Arthur.
• He was a member of Parliament, Englands ruling
  body, in 1445.
• He was known for his hot temper and spent many
  years in jail (Tower of London).

14
Malory Continued

• Malory was on the losing side of the War of the
  Roses. He was accused of everything from cattle
  rustling to attempted murder.
• He was in jail when he began composing Le Morte
  dArthur (the Death of Arthur).

15
Malory continued

• The story Malory wrote centered on King Arthur
  and his Knights of the Round Table.
• Malory died in jail. William Caxton, the man who
  introduced the printing press in England,
  published Malorys works.

16
Characters Arthur

• King of Camelot.
• Son of Uther Pendragon, King of England, and
  Igraine.
• Legend says he was taken away by Merlin after his
  birth and raised by pesants.
• In some stories Arthur becomes king after he
  pulls the sword from the stone.

17
Characters Arthur

• Arthur marries Guinevere (against Merlins
  advice) and was given a round table as part of
  the dowry.
• Camelot was Arthurs personal kingdomit was NOT
  a national kingdom.

18
Characters Guinevere

• The wife of Arthur.
• Unable to have children and this causes problems
  within the marriage and the kingdom.
• Eventually she falls into an adulterous
  relationship with Lancelot.

19
Characters Lancelot

• A knight from France.
• He was the best, the strongest, the most
  courageous of all the knights.
• Once he realizes his feelings for Guinevere he
  stays away from Camelot.

20
Characters Bedivere

• Arthurs knight
• The last knight left after the Battle at Mount
  Badon. He was to give Excalibur back to the
  rightful owner.

21
Characters Merlin

• A mystical sorcerer.
• Charged with looking after Arthur and tutoring
  him to become king.
• In some stories he is said to live backwards
  meaning he already knows the future.

22
Characters Lady of the Lake

• She gives the sword Excalibur to Arthur.
• This sword is different then the one he pulls
  from the stone to be king.
• The scabbard of Excalibur posses magical
  propertieswearer can not be harmed.
• She gets the sword upon Arthurs death.