If you can: Brainstorm what you know about the legend of King Arthur. Write down as much as you can. Everyone: Why is it important to read about these legends? Both from an individual standpoint and a societal standpoint. HALF-PAGE ENTRY

King Arthur was a legendary leader of the Britons (the Celtic people in Britain before Anglo-Saxon settlement drove them out) Lived during the late 5 th and early 6 th century Defended the Britons from Saxon invasions

One of the most famous and written about legends of all time The legends don’t tell us much about history (they are mostly fictional), but they do tell us much about chivalry, valor, bravery, loyalty, devotion, and the human condition There is no canonical (meaning official) version of the legend of King Arthur, there are many different variations, but these notes contain the popular versions

Father of King Arthur Fell in love with a Duke’s wife, Igraine He went to war over her, but could not breach the Duke’s castle walls He has the wizard Merlin disguise him as the Duke and thus tricks Igraine into sleeping with him This is how Arthur is conceived

Becomes king after pulling out the Sword in the Stone which no one else could do Started the Knights of the Round Table, at his castle called Camelot, where all knights were treated equally Has a son, Mordred, with his half-sister who seduced him using magic Mordred later fatally wounds Arthur as Arthur kills Mordred After being fatally wounded he is brought to the island of Avalon, where he will not die from his wounds but never returns. His epitaph says “Here lies Arthur, the Once and Future king”.

King Arthur’s wife Has an affair with King Arthur’s favorite Knight of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot This betrayal begins the downfall of Arthur’s kingdom

After Guinevere and Lancelot’s betrayal, Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are demoralized and disillusioned. The Knights then seek the Holy Grail in hopes of restoring Arthur and the kingdom The Grail legend might be influenced by the Celtic belief in a magic cauldron with restorative powers The primary source for the legend is the Christian belief that the Grail is the chalice that Jesus drank wine out of during the Last Supper before the Crucifixion

Perhaps the most famous weapon of all time. Depending on the legend, this is also the Sword in the Stone If not the Sword in the Stone, it is given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake The sword is often thought to have magical powers, such as invulnerability for the bearer When Arthur is mortally wounded, Excalibur is thrown back into the lake by a knight and a hand catches it and drags it into the depths

Merlin – A wizard, uses magic that allows Uther to seduce Igraine and father Arthur. Also, Arthur’s mentor as a child and advisor as an adult. Sir Lancelot – A knight from France who becomes Arthur’s favorite. He later betrays Arthur and has an affair with Guinevere. Mordred – Arthur’s inbred son who betrays and fatally wounds his father before being killed.

The Lady of the Lake – The ruler of Avalon. In some legends, gives Arthur the sword Excalibur. Morgan Le Fey – Daughter of Igraine. Arthur’s half-sister known for her exploration of magic. Appears in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In some legends, combined with Arthur’s other half-sister Morgause, the mother of Mordred. Sir Gawain – Son of Morgan Le Fey and Arthur’s nephew. Challenges the Green Knight.

THERE ARE OVER ONE HUNDRED BOOKS WRITTEN ABOUT KING ARTHUR!!! Some famous movies: Camelot Excalibur Monty Python and the Holy Grail The Sword in the Stone First Knight King Arthur Some famous books: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Morte D’Arthur Idylls of the King The Once and Future King