Historical Background: Did Arthur Exist? – During the Renaissance, it was extensively argued that Arthur was a historical figure The Tudor monarchs argued for their legitimacy by claiming kinship to Arthur Henry VIII The Tudor Rose Round Table Replica in Winchester Castle, England

Historical Background: Did Arthur Exist? – Modern scholarship assumes some historical reality as well Arthur would have gained fame as a warrior battling the Germanic invaders of the late fifth and early sixth centuries – Note that the Middle Ages took place between the 5th and 16th centuries, so Arthur would have lived early on in the period – Synonymous with medieval times and ideals

The Legendary Sources – Welsh and Breton Sources The Gododdin (attributed to Anierin, 9 th or 10 th cent.) – Mentions a great character who, despite having slain 300 warriors in battle, “was no Arthur” The poems of Taliesin (8 th to 12 th cent.) – “The Chair of the Prince” – refers to “Arthur the Blessed” – “The Spoils of the Annwyn” – recounts Arthur’s journey to the Otherworld – “The Elegy of Uther Pendragon” – hints at the father-son relationship between Uther and Arthur

The Legendary Sources – Historia Regum Brittaniae Written by Geoffrey of Monmouth – A brief outline of Arthur’s life – Blurs the line between history and legend – Le Morte d’Arthur Written by Thomas Malory – In the Romantic tradition – Emotional, rebelled against scientific rationalization – This the legend most familiar to us

Arthur the Legend – What does he represent? The Ideal – Represented by his talismans – chosen by fate – The Ideal Leader » The Sword in the Stone Ascendancy to kingship Divine Providence – The Ideal Warrior » Excalibur Invulnerability, invincibility in battle

Arthur the Legend – What does he represent? Chivalric Qualities – A set of knightly ideals and duties » Prowess » Justice » Loyalty » Defense » Courage » Faith » Humility » Generosity » Nobility » Franchise

Arthur the Legend – Childhood and Background Arthur is the offspring of Uther Pendragon and Igraine He is taken immediately after his birth by Merlyn Merlin gives Arthur to Ector to raise alongside Ector’s son, Kay As a squire for Kay, Arthur realizes his birthright by drawing the sword from the stone, claiming his kingship

Arthur the Legend – Arthur’s Golden Age Arthur unites England, builds Camelot, establishes a Golden Age He is given Excalibur by the Lady of the Lake Arthur marries Guinevere, who becomes his queen The Round Table is formed, a gathering of the realm’s greatest knights

Arthur the Legend – The Last Days of Camelot Arthur is betrayed by Lancelot and Guinevere In an effort to heal King and Realm, Arthur’s knights quest for the Holy Grail Mordred, Arthur’s son with Morgan le Fey, leads a rebellion against Arthur Mordred and Arthur slay each other in single combat in the Battle of Camlann

Friends and Foes – Merlin Arthur’s mentor, wizard, and architect of his kingship – Guinevere Arthur’s queen – Sir Lancelot Arthur’s friend and greatest knight, Knight of the Round Table – Sir Ector Arthur’s foster father, Knight of the Round Table

Friends and Foes – Sir Kay Arthur’s foster brother and seneschal, Knight of the Round Table – Morgan le Fay Arthur’s half-sister, nemesis, and sorceress – mother of Mordred – Mordred Arthur’s betrayer, son and killer, Knight of the Round Table – Sir Gawain Arthur’s nephew, Knight of the Round Table

Friends and Foes – Sir Galahad Son of Lancelot and Knight of the Round Table – Sir Percival Knight of the Round Table, attainer of the Grail – Sir Tristan Beloved of Isolde, Knight of the Round Table – Sir Bedivere Trusted Knight of the Round Table

Friends and Foes – Uther Pendragon Arthur’s natural father, King of England – Lady Ygraine Mother of Arthur and Morgan le Fay, wife of Gorlois (Morgan’s father) and later Uther – Vivien The Lady of the Lake. sorceress

Modern Tellings and Interpretations – Romanticism Reawakened interest in Arthurian legend – Chivalric ideals shaped a code of ethics for 19 th century gentlemen Idylls of the King – Alfred Lord Tennyson Reimagined Arthur for the Victorian Era A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court – Mark Twain A satiric look at American practicality and Arthurian ideals

Modern Tellings and Interpretations – The Modern Era The advent of film led to many modern reworkings of Arthurian legend Excalibur – 1981 Monty Python and the Holy Grail – 1975 The Sword and the Stone – 1963 King Arthur – 2004

Modern Tellings and Interpretations – The Modern Era Novels reimagined and expanded upon the legend The Mists of Avalon Marion Zimmer Bradley Tell the Arthur legend from a female perspective The Arthor Series A.A. Attanasio Incorporates elements from Norse mythos into the legend The Once and Future King T.H. White

The Once and Future King – Written by T.H. White and published in 1958 Arthurian legend told with a modern sensibility and from a modern perspective White made use of anachronism in his imagery and characterization Divided into four books with one epilogue The Sword in the Stone The Queen of Air and Darkness The Ill-Made Knight The Candle in the Wind The Book of Merlyn The Sword in the Stone focuses on a story largely untold: that of Arthur’s upbringing and education