Arthur, King of Tales  Introduction: modern Arthurian material (names, objects, books, movies, games), and research (IAS, BBSIA, conferences, editions, books, articles)  How to study this: course manual  Chronology and thematical setup  Tasks and groups  Workshop on wednesdays  DVD

The historical Arthur  Map, A.D. 500  Romans (gone in 407), high king  Angles and Saxons invade  To the west!  Archeological evidence (Cadbury), 460: Britons fight back  Riothamus? High King disappears after trip to continent

Map: invasion

The historical Arthur  Gildas  12 battles and “Nennius”: Dux bellorum  Saint’s lives (vb. vita Padarn, vita Gildas by Caradoc)

The historical Arthur  Easter Tables  Welsh oral tales, evidence:  triads (Gwenhwyfar, Cai, Bedwyr, Medraut)  Spoils of Annwn (Arthur looks for cauldron in the underworld)  Y Gododdin  Mabinogion: Culhwch&Olwen, Rhonabwy’s dream (Iddawg, Medrawd)  Orality - written culture (Latin)  Vernacular - Latin

The historical Arthur  Geoffrey of Monmouth  Context (‘The Anarchy’), patron(s)  Sources  Story up to Arthur: Aeneas (Troy), Brutus, Vortigern and his saxon allies, Merlin, Aurelius, and Uther  Tasks A-C and D-F

Geoffrey: (cl)aims What did he want to achieve? Personal gain: bishopric (not until 1151: bishop elect of St. Asaph) Presentation of courtliness and exemplary behavior Providing Anglo-Norman dynasty with prestigious example/forerunner Political claim: the lands owned by the English king on the mainland are rightfully his, because Arthur conquered France (and Rome) well before Charlemagne ruled all of France

Geoffrey > Wace > Layamon What is missing in HRB? (RT, Grail, Lancelot, etc.) It is a real chronicle (battle!) Round Table in Wace (handout) Wace, Roman de Brut (1154) Given to Eleanor after wedding Henry II (cf. books on Dutch culture for Maxima) Vernacular: Anglo-Norman French, rhyming couplets Influential for ‘matière de Bretagne’ Bretons as source for oral tales

Wace and Layamon Additions like Round Table (< Britons) Equality, form of table relieves peer pressure Modern equivalents aplenty, but not in the medieval texts (Arthur usually sits apart, or on a dais) Layamon’s Brut (circa 1200), English translation of Wace’s Brut. RT: fatal food fight, carpenter creates the object; ring shaped: 1600 persons inside and outside Modern version Thomas Berger, Arthur Rex: wheel of Giant’s cart, axle hole used for cooking.

Tasks/questions for Friday A.Describe Merlin’s role (cf. HRB) B.On whose authority does Arthur become King? (cf. HRB) C.What is the function of the Round Table? (Cf. Wace, Layamon) Why is there an empty seat? D.Is Excalibur a magic sword? (cf. HRB)