KING ARTHUR

INTRODUCING KING ARTHUR Historical Arthur Dark Ages Literary Arthur Medieval

ArthurArthur as presented in the legends was NOT a real person. ThereThere was, however, a chieftan named Arthur. HistoricalHistorical Arthur lived in the Dark Ages, at the end of the 5 th 5 th and beginning of the 6 th 6 th centuries. LiteraryLiterary Arthur comes from medieval times, during the 12 th century.

History of Arthur Celtic mythology Romantic themes +Fairylike elements ____________________ Arthurian Legend

King Uther Pendragon and Igraine According to legend, King Uther, Britain’s King, fell in love with Igraine, the wife of Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. When Gorlois discovers Uther’s feelings, he refuses to visit the royal court. This causes the king to go to Cornwall to pursue Igraine and enter into war with Gorlois.

King Uther Pendragon and Igraine (cont.) With Merlin’s help, Uther is disguised as Gorlois, and he seduces the Duchess. From this, future King Arthur is conceived. For Merlin’s assistance in the deception, Arthur was given to Merlin to raise as he saw fit.

Merlin Merlin is the magician who assisted Uther in his conquest of Igraine. He mentored and watched over Arthur throughout his life.

Sir Ector This is Arthur’s adoptive father, selected by Merlin. He is also Sir Kay’s father.

Sir Kay This is Sir Ector’s son who is taught the ways of knighthood. At one point, Arthur is serving as his squire.

Sir Kay (cont.) Upon Uther’s death, Sir Kay is competing to be king, and sends Arthur to get his sword. Not wanting to travel back to their lodging, Arthur finds a sword stuck in a stone. He pulls it out to give to Sir Kay. This becomes the test of the rightful king, so Kay tells others he pulled it out. Eventually, he tells the truth, and his one- time assistant is now King of Britain.

Morgause This is Arthur’s half sister, though he did not know it. She was married to his first enemy, King Lot. Her sons are Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain, Gareth, and Mordred.

Morgause (cont.) The young King Arthur (the Wart) finds himself immediately at war with King Lot. King Lot’s wife, Morgause, pays a visit (along with her sons) to King Arthur. The idea is that she is trying to reconcile Lot and Arthur. What is unknown to Arthur is that Morgause is also his half-sister. The evil Morgause uses magic to seduce Arthur. Though he does not realize it is his sister, he still commits the sin of incest, which ultimately contributes to his demise. ~ Her own son, Gaheris, later slays her when he finds her in bed with Lamorak (a knight).

Morgan le Fay She is Arthur’s half- sister and she has some magical powers. (Some accounts state that she is Ingraine’s child from a previous marriage.) She is also said to have sent Arthur off on the barge upon his final battle.

Guinevere Lady Guinevere is Arthur’s wife. In many accounts, she and Lancelot have a long- term affair. This affair ultimately causes war between Arthur and Lancelot. Some accounts show Guinevere punished for her adultery, but Lancelot saves her.

Lancelot Lancelot is Arthur’s chief knight and most revered friend. He is also Guinevere’s lover.

Mordred In Malory’s version, he is the product of Arthur and Morguase’s evening together. Eventually, while Arthur is fighting Lancelot, Mordred lays seige to Arthur’s kingdom, forcing Arthur back. The two engage in battle, where Mordred delivers the fatal blow to Arthur.

The Lady of the Lake She gives Arthur the sword Excalibur and takes it back upon his death. She is also enchanted and imprisoned by Merlin.

Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail He is a soldier of Pontius Pilate who was given the cup (Holy Grail) from the Last Supper; he is also said to have used the cup to catch Christ’s blood at the Crucifixion. Many knights went on quests to find The Grail.

Important Items: Excalibur This is Arthur’s magical sword from the Lady in the Lake.

Important Items: The Round Table This table was given as part of Guinevere’s dowry & used by Arthur and his knights. Each knight’s name was magically inscribed on the table. Everybody was equal, as there is no head.

Important Places: Camelot This is King Arthur’s beautiful kingdom.

Important Places: Tintagel Castle This is the conception place of Arthur.

Important Places: Isle of Avalon This is the island to which Arthur is sent to recover from the last battle.

Knights of the Round Table Sir GalahadSir Galahad Sir Lancelot du LacSir Lancelot du Lac Sir GawainSir Gawain Sir PercivaleSir Percivale Sir LionellSir Lionell Sir Tristram de LyonesSir Tristram de Lyones Sir GarethSir Gareth Sir BedivereSir Bedivere Sir BleoberisSir Bleoberis Sir La Cote Male TaileSir La Cote Male Taile Sir LucanSir Lucan Sir KaySir Kay Sir PalomedesSir Palomedes Sir LamorakSir Lamorak Sir Bors de GanisSir Bors de Ganis Sir SaferSir Safer Sir PelleasSir Pelleas Sir Ector de MarisSir Ector de Maris Sir DagonetSir Dagonet Sir DegoreSir Degore Sir Brunor le NoirSir Brunor le Noir Sir Le Bel DesconneuSir Le Bel Desconneu Sir AlymereSir Alymere Sir MordredSir Mordred

Knights: Sir Galahad He is the illegitimate son of Elaine and Lancelot, and is one of only three to achieve the Holy Grail. He is known as a pure, honorable knight.

Knights: Sir Gawain Arthur’s nephew, he is formidable and brash knight. He is also famed for fighting the Green Knight.

Knights: Sir Percivale (or Perceval) and Sir Bors These are the other two knights who successfully reach the Holy Grail with Sir Galahad.

Knights: Sir Tristam (or Tristan) An honorable knight, he goes to Ireland to fetch his uncle, King Mark’s bride, Iseult. On their way back to Cornwall, they unwittingly drink a love potion and fall in love with each other. Mark is said to have killed him.

Chivalry knighthood & its code of honor Invincible strength ValorJusticeModesty Loyalty to superiors Courtesy to equals Compassion to weakness Devotedness to the church

Knight  Mounted warrior  Man of rank, or in service of a man of rank  Generally possesses some independent means of support, but relies on the gratitude of those he has served Knights errant -- wandering knights who traveled the country in quest of adventure

Knight Training

AGE 7  Become a page or varlet Taken from home to the court or castleTaken from home to the court or castle Taught first articles of religion, respect, and reverence for their lordsTaught first articles of religion, respect, and reverence for their lords Initiated in ceremonies of the courtInitiated in ceremonies of the court Carve, wait at table, and perform menial tasksCarve, wait at table, and perform menial tasks Taught falconry, dancing, harp playing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, tilting with spears, & performing military exercises on horsebackTaught falconry, dancing, harp playing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, tilting with spears, & performing military exercises on horseback

AGE 14  Become a squire Taught to vault on a horse, to run, to scale walls, to spring over ditches – all in heavy armorTaught to vault on a horse, to run, to scale walls, to spring over ditches – all in heavy armor Taught to wrestle, to wield the battle-axe without raising the visor or taking a breathTaught to wrestle, to wield the battle-axe without raising the visor or taking a breath Taught to perform gracefully on horsebackTaught to perform gracefully on horseback Taught courtesy or refinements of civilizationTaught courtesy or refinements of civilization Encouraged to bestow his attentions on a young lady of the courtEncouraged to bestow his attentions on a young lady of the court

AGE 21  Initiation to the Knighthood Preparation for the Ceremony: Fast and spend whole nights in prayerFast and spend whole nights in prayer Confession and communionConfession and communion Clothed in snow-white garmentClothed in snow-white garment Go to church or hall where the ceremony is to be heldGo to church or hall where the ceremony is to be held Wear a knightly sword suspended from neckWear a knightly sword suspended from neck

Ceremony: OfficiatingOfficiating priest takes the sword, blesses it, and returns it CandidateCandidate folds arms, kneels before presiding knight and answers questions about motives for becoming a knight TakesTakes an oath ReceivesReceives armor and sword KneelsKneels before presiding knight who administers the accolade (3 strokes of a flat sword on the neck or shoulder) and says, “In the name of God, of St. Michael, and of St. George, I make thee a knight; be valiant, courteous, and loyal.” ReceivesReceives helmet, shield, and spear

The emblem of the Knights of the Round Table worn round the necks of all the Knights was given to them by King Arthur as part of the ceremony of their being made a knight. The Order's dominant idea was the love of God, people, and noble deeds. The cross in the emblem was to remind them that they were to live pure and stainless lives, to strive after perfection and thus attain the Holy Grail. The Red Dragon of King Arthur represented their allegiance to the King. The Round Table was illustrative of the Eternity of God, the equality, unity, and comradeship of the Order, and singleness of purpose of all the Knights.

RULES/CODES for KNIGHTS To never do outrage nor murderTo never do outrage nor murder Always to flee treasonAlways to flee treason To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercyTo by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy To always assist ladies, gentlewomen and widows (to go to the aid of one in distress; to help)To always assist ladies, gentlewomen and widows (to go to the aid of one in distress; to help) To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widowsTo never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goodsNot to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods To never lay down armsTo never lay down arms To seek after wondersTo seek after wonders

When called upon, to defend the rights of the weak with all one's strengthWhen called upon, to defend the rights of the weak with all one's strength To injure no oneTo injure no one Not to attack one anotherNot to attack one another To fight for the safety of one's countryTo fight for the safety of one's country To give one's life for one's countryTo give one's life for one's country To seek nothing before honourTo seek nothing before honour Never to break faith for any reasonNever to break faith for any reason To practice religion most diligentlyTo practice religion most diligently To grant hospitality to anyone, each according to his abilityTo grant hospitality to anyone, each according to his ability Whether in honour or disgrace, to make a report with the greatest fidelity to truth to those who keep the annalsWhether in honour or disgrace, to make a report with the greatest fidelity to truth to those who keep the annals

Famous Works which include Arthur Historia Regum Brittaniae written by Geoffrey of Monmouth. ALL LATER VERSIONS OF THE LEGEND ARE BASED ON THIS WORK Historia Regum Brittaniae written by Geoffrey of Monmouth. ALL LATER VERSIONS OF THE LEGEND ARE BASED ON THIS WORK Roman de Brut by Layamon (1st English Arthurian story) Roman de Brut by Layamon (1st English Arthurian story) 1370 – Sir Gawain and the Green Knight anonymous1370 – Sir Gawain and the Green Knight anonymous 1485 – Morte d’ Arthur (Death of Arthur) by Sir Thomas Malory1485 – Morte d’ Arthur (Death of Arthur) by Sir Thomas Malory – The Faeire Queene by Edmund Spenser – The Faeire Queene by Edmund Spenser – Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson – Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1880 – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain1880 – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain 1882 – Parsifal an opera by Richard Wagner1882 – Parsifal an opera by Richard Wagner – The Once and Future King by T.H. White – The Once and Future King by T.H. White 1960 – Camelot a musical by Lerner & Loewe1960 – Camelot a musical by Lerner & Loewe