{ Arthurian Legend Background A brief overview

 Monty Python Monty Python Monty Python Here’s everything you need to know about Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table…

 The existence of a real King Arthur wasn’t even questioned until around the 1700s.  It was then realized that, for the most part, Arthur is more fiction than fact.  There may have been a British commander who fought for the Romans against the Saxons who was named Arthur, but there was no King, no Camelot.  Instead, the story of Arthur, of Camelot, and of the Knights of the Round Table was in fact some of the most popular and famous Romance literature of the Middle Ages and beyond—it still is popular today. LOL JK

 Arthur’s parents were King Uther Pendragon and Lady Igraine of Cornwall—they were not married to one another.  Pendragon was killed by Lady Igraine’s husband when he became aware of her adultery.  To keep the baby safe, Merlin took Arthur away after his birth to live with Sir Ector as a page.  Arthur was unaware of his important heritage. Arthur’s fictional life

King Arthur  Gawain – King Arthur’s nephew and a knight of the Round Table  Mordred – illegitimate son of Arthur by one of his half- sisters, Morgan La Faye  Bedivere – knight of the Round Table; serves as King Arthur’s marshal; brother of Sir Lucan  Lucan – knight of the Round Table; brother of Bedivere; a butler to King Arthur  Lancelot – a knight of the Round Table; Arthur’s most trusted knights who helped aid him in many victories; best known for his love affair with Arthur’s wife, Guinevere Notable characters

 Excalibur, Arthur’s sword, was given to him by the Lady of the Lake; this wasn’t the sword he pulled from the stone.  Merlin told him about the sword, and he went to the lake and spoke to the Lady.  She told him that in order to be worthy of the sword, a man must never do wrong and have no fear.  Arthur rowed to the middle of the lake and a woman’s arm rose out of the water holding Excalibur, which he was able to take from her hand without difficulty. Life continued...

 Arthur went on to become King of Camelot and to marry Guinevere (the Round Table was a gift from his future father-in-law).  Arthur had a son, but not with his wife.  He unknowingly fathered a child with his half sister, Morgan la Fay, or Morgana.  She had magical powers and could change her appearance, so when Arthur slept with her, he didn’t know who she was.  The child was conceived, and Arthur was ashamed and appalled, so he tried to send the child away to perish at sea. Life continued…

 Mordred is then raised to hate his father.  Trouble enters into his kingdom— from a couple of sources.  First, Lancelot arrives and he becomes Arthur’s first knight—his most trusted ally.  Unfortunately, Lancelot and Guinevere fall in love—more than courtly love - they consummate.  Lancelot and Guinevere flee, and while Arthur is distracted by this deception, the real villain, Mordred, takes advantage.  Mordred moves into Camelot, raises an army and is prepared to take it over with force. Life continued…

 Fidelity to one’s king and one’s promises (saw this in Gawain)  Admiration for women, but from afar (When Lancelot and Guinevere succumb to their emotions, this signals the end of Camelot.)  Love of religion (search for the Holy Grail)  Love of adventure The Arthurian Code of Chivalry