Middle English Literature Medieval Legends and Romances

Walk-in Work CAMELOTEXCALIBUR HOLY GRAIL KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE Which legendary character are all of these terms associated with?

Intro to King Arthur  King Arthur is the legendary British leader of the late 5 th and early 6 th centuries that defended against Saxon invaders.  It’s mostly a legend that has been invented and reinvented over the centuries. Historical existence is debated.

Historical Context Remember the Saxons and Normans?  The story is set during the 5 th and 6 th centuries when Celtic kingdoms were trying to fight against the Saxons.  But the story was written after the Norman invasion of 1066 when Norman French became the language of the elite, the court, and government.

Authors  Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain, completed in 1138) where he introduces the characters of Uther Pendragon, Merlin, Guinevere, Excalibur, Mordred, and Avalon.  Chretian de Troyes, a French writer, added the story of Lancelot, the Knights of the Round Table, the Holy Grail, and the Arthurian romance in the 1300’s.

The Sword and the Stone  In groups of four, put the events of the story in order.  Characters: King Uther, Ingriane, Merlin, Arthur, Sir Ector. When you are finished, be prepared to discuss the following questions:  What does King Uther agree to do in order to marry?  How do they choose the next king of Britain?  How do you think Arthur feels after finding out his true identity?

Newspaper Assignment  Write a short article on the situation in Britain after King Uther died or on the time Arthur manages to pull the sword out of the stone. Draw on your knowledge of the historical period to include details about the time.  Use the following headlines:  KING UTHER DEAD, WHO IS THE NEW KING?  YOUNG BOY PULLS SWORD OUT OF STONE.

Turn and Talk  Are honor, chivalry and romance dead?  Are these they modern ideals or ancient ones?

Medieval Romance or Chivalric Romance  Type of Medieval poetry, prose, or verse narrative  Traits include:  Knights that go on heroic quests or adventures to fight dragons and save damsels in distress.  Codes of Honor  Courtly Love

Chivalry: From the Middle English word chivalrie and the Middle French word chevalerie. It meant warrier on horseback or brave gentleman. Based on this Code of Chivalry, what qualities did the Knights of Round Table possess? What values must they uphold?

Courtly Love  Aristocratic: Noble Lords and Ladies  Followed Rules and Courtship: Exchanged gifts and tokens. The lady was wooed by songs, poems, flowers, and ceremonial gestures.  Secret: Courtly Lovers were sworn to secrecy.

Knights of the Round Table  Sir Galahad  Sir Lancelot du Lac  Sir Gawain  Sir Percivale  Sir Lionell  Sir Tristram de Lyones  Sir Gareth  Sir Bedivere  Sir Bleoberis  Sir La Cote Male Taile  Sir Lucan  Sir Kay  Sir Palomedes  Sir Lamorak  Sir Bors de Ganis  Sir Safer  Sir Pelleas  Sir Ector de Maris  Sir Dagonet  Sir Degore  Sir Brunor le Noir  Sir Le Bel Desconneu  Sir Alymere  Sir Mordred

Sir Lancelot and Guinevere  Lancelot is known as Lancelot of the Lake (or Lancelot du Lac) because he was raised by Vivien, the Lady of the Lake.  He carries out various good deeds, including rescuing Queen Guinevere from Meleagant, an unsuccessful quest for the Holy Grail and the rescue of Guinevere after she is condemned to be burned to death for adultery with him.

Knights Wanted  Write a job advertisement starting with these words:  WANTED: KNIGHT OF THE ROUND TABLE.