1. Arthurian Legend

2. What is a Legend?
A legend is a story told about larger-than-life heroes and events from the past
Legends are often about a particular person (a hero)
Legends have some historical basis, but may also contain
Factual details that have been exaggerated over time
elements of magic/supernatural
Myths: stories that a particular culture believes to be true, using the supernatural to interpret natural events & to explain the nature of the universe and humanity

3. What have you heard about Arthur?
What modern country is said to be the historical realm of King Arthur?
What did Arthur have to do to become king?
King Arthur’s mentor and teacher was named ________?
Arthur’s knights were part of a court called _________?
Arthur’s best knight was a Frenchman named _______?
Arthur’s queen was named _______________?

4. Origins of the Arthurian Legend
Arthurian legend emerged gradually over centuries as storytellers told and retold popular tales about a great chief who mysteriously disappeared but promised to return when his people needed him.
King Arthur legends are based on a 5th or 6th century Celtic warlord
Lived in Wales (Southwestern England)
led his people to victory against Saxon invaders
fatally wounded in battle and buried in the abbey of Glastonbury, where a gravestone can still be seen bearing his name.

5. Chivalry is not dead!
Chivalry: a code of behavior that medieval knights followed.
Associated with ideals of knightly virtues, honor and courtly love.
The terms chivalry and chivalrous are used to describe courteous [polite] behavior, especially that of men towards women.

6. Code of Chivalry
The chivalric code stressed, among other things, loyalty to the king, courage, personal honor, and defending those who could not defend themselves.
The Code:
Honor Courage Generosity
Modesty Honesty Faith in God
Loyalty Civility Compassion

7. Knightly Hierarchy King: male ruler of the country
Queen: female ruler of the country or wife of a king
Duke: a nobleman of highest rank
Duchess: a noblewoman of highest rank
Knight: a member of a medieval warrior class
Archbishop: a bishop of the highest rank
Men and women of high social stature were addressed as Sir and Lady.

8. KNIGHT TRAINING AGE 7  Become a page
Taken from home to the court or castle
Taught first articles of religion, respect, and reverence for their lords.
Initiated in ceremonies of the court
Carve, wait at table, and perform servant-type tasks
Taught falconry, dancing, harp playing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, tilting with spears, & performing military exercises on horseback
AGE 7 
Become a page

9. KNIGHT TRAINING AGE 14  Become a squire
Taught 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 breath
Taught to perform gracefully on horseback
Taught courtesy or refinements of civilization
Encouraged to bestow his attentions on a young lady of the court
Become a squire

10. Initiation to the knighthood
KNIGHT TRAINING
AGE 21 
Preparation for the Ceremony:
Fast and spend whole nights in prayer
Confession and communion
Clothed in snow-white garment
Go to church or hall where the ceremony is to be held
Wear a knightly sword suspended from neck
Initiation to the knighthood

11. Important Characters in Arthurian Legends
Wart—nickname for young Arthur, squire to Sir Kay
Kay—a young knight, son of Sir Ector
Sir Ector—foster father of Wart, father of Kay
Merlyn—wise magician, employed by Sir Ector as a tutor for Kay and Wart
Uther Pendragon—king of England who dies at start of story without an heir (son)
Pellinore—an accomplished knight who is now an old, partially deaf man. Delivers the news of Uther’s death

12. “The Crowning of Arthur”
Excerpted from Le Morte d’Arthur (The Death of Arthur) by Sir Thomas Malory
One of the earliest publications of the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1485)
Has influenced all of the later Arthur stories, including The Once and Future King and The Sword in the Stone
tone is much more serious and factualreads more like history book than pleasure reading (The Once and Future King)
8 total books/chapters
Style: episodiceach chapter tells its own complete story
“Crowning of Arthur” comes from Book One of Le Morte d’Arthur

13. “The Crowning of Arthur”
New characters introduced in this version of the legend
Uther Pendragon: King of Britain
Duke of Tintagil: Duke of Cornwall (part of England); at war for many years with Arthur
Lady Igraine: wife of Duke of Tintagil; Uther’s love interest
Sir Ulfius: knight and advisor to King Uther
Merlin the Prophet: wise mage; can prophesy the future; promises to get Igraine for Uther if Uther will reward him
Morgan le Fay: daughter of Igraine and Duke of Tintagil; sent to a nunnery; becomes a witch