King Arthur and His Knights

The Legend Begins… Arthur is the son of King Uther Pendragon and Igrayne, wife of Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. Merlin the Magician forced the King to “swear a solemn oath” to allow Merlin to bring up Arthur as he chose. Merlin delivered the newborn unchristened child to Sir Ector. Sir Ector christened the child and raised him as his own, not knowing he was the future king.

“Whoso pulleth this sword out of this stone and anvil is rightly King of all England” King Uther died two years after Arthur’s birth, leaving England in turmoil – a country without a king Several years passed, until all the lords of the realm gathered on Christmas Day looking for a miracle to show them who should rightly be King. The “Sword in the Stone” appeared in the church courtyard, bearing the famous inscription.

Who would be King? It was decided that a tournament would be held to determine who would win the right to pull the sword out of the stone. Sir Ector and his son, Sir Kay, traveled to the tournament. Sir Kay forgot his sword and asked his younger brother, Arthur to retrieve it. Arthur decided to get the sword that was in the stone and give it to Sir Kay.

Arthur becomes King Sir Ector and Sir Kay both knelt down to Arthur and told him of his true identity. The Lords were upset because they did not want a boy who was not of “high blood” to govern their country. The commoners finally cried out that Arthur was the rightful King and should be crowned. Arthur was first knighted, then crowned, by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Arthur swore to his Lords and Commoners to be a true King, and to govern with “true justice.”

The Land Called Camelot Arthur ruled in peace for many years… Guinivere, daughter of King Leodegrance, married Arthur Sir Lancelot, son of the Lady of the Lake, Arthur’s “First Knight” Merlin, wizard and advisor to the King Other Knights of the Round Table: Sir Gawain, Sir Galahad, Sir Percivale, Sir Bedivere

The Age of Chivalry Arthur and his Knights practiced the Code of Chivalry… Courage Justice Mercy Generosity Faith Nobility Hope

Le Morte D’Arthur The Death of Arthur Arthur is fatally wounded in a battle with Mordred. Arthur requests Sir Bedivere to throw Excalibur, his sword, into the lake. After Arthur’s third request, Sir Bedivere throws Excalibur into the lake, where it is reclaimed by Lady of the Lake.

Le Morte d’Arthur Sir Thomas Malory started writing Le Morte d’Arthur while he was in prison in the early 1450s and completed it by 1470-ish Malory was twice elected to a seat in Parliament He also acquired quite the criminal record which included: burglary, rape, sheep stealing, and attempting to ambush the Duke of Buckingham. He escaped from jail on two occasions, once by fighting his way out with a variety of weapons and by swimming a moat Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory is considered a precursor to the modern novel. It was printed a few weeks before the final battle in the War of the Roses. War of the Roses was the last English battle fought by knights in armor. It ended chivalry and the Middle Ages.

The Tales of King Arthur Le Morte D’Arthur – Sir Thomas Malory The Once and Future King & The Sword in the Stone – T.H. White Camelot, a musical – Alan J. Lerner & Frederick Loewe King Arthur-The Marvel of the Sword – Mary Macleod