1. The Legend of King Arthur

2. What is a Legend?
a traditional historical tale or collection of related tales popularly regarded as true, but usually contain a mixture of fact and fiction

3. Who was King Arthur?
Ruins and history point to a probable Briton warrior
May have been son of Uther Pendragon
Existed ca A.D.
Led battle of Mount Badon, defeating the Saxons

4. King Arthur of Legend Son of Uther Pendragon and Lady Igraine
Raised by Sir Ector with foster brother Kay
Proven heir to throne when he pulls the Excalibur from a stone
Educated and advised by Merlyn the Wizard

5. King Arthur – Literary Tradition
First mentioned by a Welsh monk, Nennius in 800AD
A Briton warrior who defeats Saxons in 12 battles

6. Arthurian Literary Tradition
Although a Dark Ages figure, Arthur is romanticized by medieval writers:
Geoffrey of Monmouth (12th century)
Chretien de Troyes (12th century)
Sir Thomas Malory: Le Morte d’Arthur (15th century)

7. The Literary Tradition
Medieval authors used elements of Celtic mythology
Blended in medieval concepts of knighthood and chivalry
Portrayed Arthur as a king, not warrior

8. Literary Tradition: 19th and 20th Centuries
Lord Tennyson (poet)
T.H. White (The Once and Future King – book one is The Sword in the Stone
Marian Zimmer Bradley (The Mists of Avalon)

9. The Round Table A gift from his father in law
To unite the country, Arthur creates the Knights of the Round table.
Each city state (kingdom) is represented by a knight.
No one knight, including King Arthur himself, has more power than another
Creates a democratic society

10. Knighthood Medieval concept Warriors and defenders
Competed in tournaments and jousts
Wore full armor
Loyal to local lord/king

11. The Code of Chivalry A knight should: Use his strength for good
Be honorable and virtuous
Protect the weak
Be courteous
Respect and defend women
Defend the church
Be inspired by love

12. Camelot Synonymous with peace and perfection
Castle and seat of King Arthur’s power
Constructed by Merlyn

13. Guinevere & Lancelot
the beautiful Princess Guinevere as becomes Arthur’s bride
Merlyn sees this will end disastrously.
Lancelot is a knight who will become one of Arthur's favorites and closest friends.

14. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the many stories that focuses on the other knights of the round table. This story comes at a time of peace, after the Round table has been established and Arthur is happily married to Guinevere.
Gawain is Arthur's Nephew, son of a sibling of Guinevere.

15. Mysteries and Evil Plots
Arthur has an older half sister - Morgan le Fey (fairy/witch) who believes she is the rightful ruler
She sleeps with Arthur and conceives a son, Mordred.
Mordred is raised to hate Arthur

16. Trouble At Home
During the search for the Holy Grail, Arthur’s life begins to fall apart. Some versions of the story have Arthur gone years on his quest.
Merlin is seduced by a young woman who steals his powers and imprisons him. Arthur is left without an advisor.
Upon his return, Arthur unknowingly knights his own son (Mordred) and invites him to the round table.

17. The Most Famous Affair in Literary History
Mordred discovers Guinevere and Lancelot’s affair (the two people that Arthur loves most) and convinces the rest of the Round Table to capture Lancelot in the act.
Lancelot escapes but Guinevere is captured and is to be burned at the stake for her treachery against the king. This leads to a civil war between the two and their knights.

18. The Fall of Camelot
Metaphorically, the country already had fallen with the betrayal of Arthur’s only love and his best friend
There are many versions of the story. All of which end with Arthur’s death in battle. Some of the versions include the following battles:
Saxons
Romans
Goths
French
Irish
Lancelot
Morgan le fey
Mordred
All of the stories end with Arthur’s glorious death in battle, all that any legendary king or hero can ask for