1. The legendary king and the legendary mystery
King Arthur
The legendary king and the legendary mystery
R. Larrabee

2. Whether or not King Arthur really existed.
Scholars debate…..
Did Arthur really exist? Nobody knows for sure, but many scholars agree that the legends are based loosely on many different rulers.
Whether or not King Arthur really existed.

3. Because there was no real written language, the stories of Arthur were passed down from generation to generation.
The legends are based on folklore and some historical fact, but over time, the stories grew larger and more complex.
The actual legends were passed along by word of mouth. Naturally, over time the stories grew bigger and grander.

4. King Uther Pendragon of Britain
Arthur was the son of
Arthur’s parents, according to legend, were Igraine of Cornwall and King Uther Pendragon.
King Uther Pendragon of Britain
Igraine of Cornwall

5. Arthur was born on Christmas Eve.
Legend has it that Arthur was born on Christmas Eve in Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, England.
He was born in Tintagel Castle in Cornwall.

6. On the night of Arthur’s birth, he was secretly taken away by Merlin and hidden away until the time he could claim his birthright.
King arthur’s father struck a deal with Merlin; in order to have his son, he would need to relinquish the baby to Merlin upon his birth.

7. Arthur lived in obscurity for 14 years in the foster care of Sir Ector of Galava and his wife Griselda.
                                                               
Arthur was never aware of his royal birth. He was given to Sir Ector of Galava and his wife Griselda until he was 14.

8. When Arthur is 14, Uther Pendragon dies unexpectedly without naming Arthur his heir.
When Arthur was 14, his natural father Uther Pendragon, died without naming an heir to the throne. Now, it was up to Merlin to make sure that the rightful heir, Arthur, claimed the position of king.
It is now up to Merlin to ensure Arthur claims his birthright as King of Britain.

9. On the sword was engraved:
To enhance the legend, the sword was engraved, “Whoso pulleth this sword from this stone is rightwise born King of all Britain.”
“Whoso pulleth this sword from this stone is rightwise born King of all Britain.”

10. Acting as Kay’s page, Arthur attends the tournament with Sir Ector, and his newly knighted cousin Kay.
Naturally, Sir Ector’s son Kay wanted to try to pull the sword so he entered the tournament. Arthur attended as Kay’s page or helper.

11. At the tournament in London, Arthur pulls the sword from the stone and proves his birthright as King of Britain.
As the story goes, Arthur forgot Kay’s sword. Kay sent him back to get a sword and on his way, Arthur saw an unusual sight-a sword stuck in a stone outside a church. Knowing he needed to get back quickly, Arthur pulled the sword out and went to give it to Kay. Upon examining the sword, Sir Ector realized the enormity of the present situation.

12. At Easter, Arthur is crowned King of Britain.
At Easter, Arthur is crowned King. Now, take note of when Arthur is born and when he becomes King. Do you see any common thread?

13. At the time of Arthur, Britain was splintered into various kingdoms each ruled by his own king or liege-lord.
Britain in the time of Arthur was varied and diverse. Each kingdom was ruled independently with little reason to stay unified.

14. Because each liege-lord was only responsible for his own territory, Britain became vulnerable to attack from outside invaders.
                                
Each kingdom was ruled by its own liege-lord which made Britain very vulnerable to invasion. Most prevalent among these invaders were the Angles, Jutes, Saxons and the Irish.

15. Britain was primarily a pagan country
Britain was primarily a pagan country. Christianity was very new there, and many people still practiced the old pagan religions.
Arthur was to unify Britain as a Christian country although most people were pagan. Paganism is any of various religions other than Christianity or Judaism or Islamism. Generally, Pagans revered nature.
One of Arthur’s destinies was to unify Britain under one Christian God.

16. The character of the Lady of the Lake
For Example:
The character of the Lady of the Lake
Many pagan symbols are used throughout the legends. As you will learn, the Lady of the Lake is depicted as a magical being who gives Arthur his sword, Excalibur.
She is depicted as a magical being who lives under the water of a lake and gives Arthur his sword.

17. In reality, the Lady of the Lake was a pagan priestess of the shrine of the Mother Goddess. Her shrine was across the lake on a sacred and secluded island.
However, the real “Lady of the Lake” was a pagan priestess who lived across the lake on a secluded island, not actually under the water!

18. Another Example: Merlin the Magician
As you heard in an erlier slide, Merlin was considered to be a wizard or magician. He possessed power of prophecy and powerful magic
Merlin is considered a powerful magician who possesses both the power of prophecy and powerful magic.

19. In all actuality, Merlin was most probably a wise man of one of the pagan religions.
Most likely, Merlin was a wise man, or a man who knew the intricacies of the world. Just like our TV weathermen/women are able to predict the weather based on known information, Merlin probably did the same. He was able to ‘tell
when the heavens would be angry (thunder/lightning) and he was able to magically heal those who were sick by combining mysterious herbs (similar to our doctors and pharmacists)
Prior to and during the time of Arthur, there were men like Merlin who were gifted healers, prophets, and wise counselors.

20. The Holy Grail Another Example:
The Holy Grail is another object associated with paganism and christianity

21. It has become an important Christian symbol.
Some experts say that the Holy Grail was the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper.
There have been many experts that conclude that the grail is the cup Jesus drank from at the last supper and has thus become a very important Christian symbol.
It has become an important Christian symbol.

22. Some scholars believe that the grail is not a Christian symbol at all, but a pagan object that was part of set of sacred pagan regalia that included a platter, a sword, and a lance.
Other scholars believe that it is and object that was part of pagan regalia which included a platter, sword and lance. Three objects-remember the number three?

23. Most recently, some scholars suspect that the Grail was not an object at all, but a person.
Recently there has been much controversy that the grail is a person, not an object. The book The DaVinci Code has prompted a lot of this controversy.
Watch or read the DaVinci Code for a story about this theory.

24. Regardless of the various opinions of the scholars, in the Arthurian Legends, the Holy Grail is understood as the sacred chalice of Jesus.
For Arthurian purposes, however, the Grail will be assumed to be the Chalice of Jesus

25. Once the country is unified and peaceful, Arthur marries Guenevere and makes her his queen.
Arthur finally marries-Guinevere-and makes her his Queen. Note: many names in the legend are spelled different ways. Don’t let this distract you!

26. As a wedding gift, Guenevere’s father gives Arthur a round table
As a wedding gift, Guenevere’s father gives Arthur a round table. It could seat 100 knights.
Guenevere’s father gave Arthur a wedding gift-a round table to seat 100 knights

27. Some famous Knights of the Round Table
Many of the knights lived long into legend.

28. Sir Lancelot du Lac
One of the most famous is Sir Lancelot. He was considered the best and the bravest. He was also Arthur’s best friend. However, he fell inlove with Guinevere
Best and bravest of all the knights and King Arthur’s best friend. Lancelot falls in love with Guenevere, Arthur’s queen.

29. Sir Galahad
Sir Galahad becomes the only knight to see the holy grail but he dies right after he sees it. He is then carried to heaven by three angels (there’s that three again…)
The only knight to see the Holy Grail. After Galahad beholds the Grail, he dies and his soul is take up to heaven by three angels.

30. Sir Gawaine
Sir Gawain is one of Arthur’s most loyal knights. You will read in 12th grade about gawain and the green knight
One of Arthur’s most loyal knights. He battles the Green Knight.

31. Sir Percival
Sir Percival gets a vision of the regalia. He cannot find it because he lacks faith
Is shown a vision of the Holy Regalia: the Grail, the Lance, the Platter. He fails to find the Regalia because of his lack of faith.

32. Does great deeds but dies from love far from home. Beloved of Isolde.
Sir Tristram
Also known as Tristan
Sir Tristram or Tristan dies far from home. He was in love with Isolde
Does great deeds but dies from love far from home. Beloved of Isolde.

33. Sir Bors
Sir Bors accompanies Galahad and is the only one to tell the tale of Galahad and the grail.
Accompanies Galahad on the Grail Quest. He returns to tell the story of Galahad.

34. Sir Kay
As you learned earlier, Kay was Arthur’s foster brother. Arthur appointed him seneschal, or landlord, of all his lands.
Kay was Arthur’s foster brother. Arthur appointed him the seneschal of all his lands.

35. Sir Bedivere
Arthur’s cousin, Sir Bedivere, is responsible for returning Excalibur to the Lady of the lake
Arthur’s cousin. Arthur charges him to return his sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake.

36. Knights had to display bravery, loyalty, and chivalry
Knights had to display bravery, loyalty, and chivalry. These qualities were prized above all other qualities.
Knights needed to display bravery, loyalty and chivalry.

37. What is chivalry?

38. Chivalry Live to serve King and Country.
Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear.
Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor.
Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.
Never attack an unarmed foe.
What is chivalry? Here are only some of the important points written in the code of chivalry

39. Chivalry continued Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry.
Respect women.
Exhibit Courage in word and deed.
Defend the weak and innocent.
Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.
Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry.
Die with valor.
Always keep one's word of honor.

40. Other Important Characters in the Arthurian Legend
Not just the knights gained fame. There were many other people involved in the legends.

41. Guenevere Arthur’s wife. She later has an affair with Lancelot.
Guinevere was thought to be the most beautiful woman in the land. She married arthur, as mentioned earlier, but had an affair with Lancelot.
Arthur’s wife. She later has an affair with Lancelot.

42. Merlin Arthur’s cousin, adviser, and powerful magician.
Merlin, thought to be Arthur’s cousin, was his adviser and magician
Arthur’s cousin, adviser, and powerful magician.

43. Morgana Le Fey
Arthur’s sister who conspired against him and stole his sword Excalibur.
Morgana, or Morgan Le Fey is arthur’s siter who conspired against him

44. Morgause
Arthur’s half sister. She is the mother of Gawaine, Gaheris, Gareth, Agravaine, and Mordred. She is also the Lady of the Lake from whom Arthur gets the sword. She is one of the three women who bring Arthur’s body to Avalon after he dies.
Morgause is Arthur’s half sister. Arthur has an affair with her, before he knew she was his sister. Read slide

45. Mordred
Mordred is Arthur’s illegitimate son with Morgause. He conspires against Arthur by catching Lancelot and Guinevere and eventually lying to Arthur. He ends up killing Arthur
Arthur’s son and nephew. He conspires to catch Lancelot and Guenevere together. He kills his father.

46. Isolde
Isolde is the beloved of Sir Tristram.
Beloved of Tristram.

47. Elaine of Astolat
Was in love with Lancelot. Deceived him into sleeping with her. She bore him a child-Galahad. After the child was born, Elaine takes her own life.
Elaine of Astolat was in love with Lancelot and deceived him into sleeping with her. She gives birth to Galahad, but then kills herself shortly after.

48. A Triangle of Love
Medieval times were not without their own drama. Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot were involved in a love triangle.

49. Despite fighting their feelings for each other, Guenevere and Lancelot fall in love.
Knowing it was wrong, Guinever and Lancelot eventually cannot help their feelings any longer and fall in love.

50. Mordred arranges a plot to catch the Queen and her true love.
Although they attempt to hide their feelings, some of the knights suspect them.
They tried to hide their love, but it did not go unnoticed. As mentioned before, Mordred plotted to catch them
Mordred arranges a plot to catch the Queen and her true love.

51. Lancelot and the Queen are discovered together.
On a night when Arthur is away from Camelot, Mordred’s plan is acted out.
Read slide
Lancelot and the Queen are discovered together.

52. Guenevere is taken into custody, but Lancelot escapes killing the knights that try to stop him.
Read slide

53. The Queen is convicted of treason and is sentenced to burn at the stake.
Mordred convinces Arthur that Guinevere must be burned as any other traitor would be.

54. Lancelot rescues the Queen (as Arthur had hoped he would.)
Many believe Arthur secretly hoped Lancelot would rescue her from certain death. Arthur loved her very much and probably didn’t want her dead.

55. She never saw Lancelot again.
Some say Guenevere entered a convent and lives out her life there. Others say she entered the service of the Lady of Avalon.
Nobody can say for certain what happened to her. Read slide
She never saw Lancelot again.

56. Mordred and Arthur eventually go to war.
Read slide
Mordred hacks into Arthur’s helmet with his sword. Arthur pierces Mordred with his sword.

57. Arthur and Guenevere are buried together
At Glastonbury Abbey

58. Read tomb