1. Introductions to the man, the legend, the hero
King Arthur Legends
Introductions to the man, the legend, the hero

2. The Soldier Not a king but a Celtic warlord/general
Successful against barbarians who invaded England
Trained in way by the Romans

3. Legend
Story passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation
Have been written down in 6 different languages, therefore spellings vary
Most popular: Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’ Arthur, Lord Tennyson’s Idylls of the King, and T. H. White’s The Once and Future King

4. Legend of Excalibur
Two versions: Sword in the Stone and Lady of the Lake

5. Characteristics of Medieval Romances
Knights, kings, lords, queens
Chivalry—ideal qualities of knighthood
A quest
Good vs. evil
Magic—mysterious, supernatural events
Castles, gardens, forests
Larger than life heroes—can have magic or extraordinary powers
Use disguises to conceal true identity
Romantic love

6. Quest Adventure for something/someone of importance
Has to be of personal significance
Elements of mystery—monsters, evil, etc.
Long voyage
Defeats the foe
Dangerous
Hero matures through quest
Examples: Star Wars, National Treasure, Shrek, Lord of the Rings Trilogy

7. Characteristics of the Romantic Hero
Larger than life
Wants to make world better
Has inner drive, strength
Usually young
Physically and mentally strong
Close to nature; understands ways of earth
Lives clean life, uncluttered, simple
courteous; has self-control
Has endurance
Intelligent
Witty
Imaginative
Has contact with world above
Leader
Actions bring food to people
God-like
Can come from magical origins

8. Chivalry Qualities of a Knight
Physically strong
Experienced horsemen
Well trained in use of weapons
Must love honor
Must right wrongs
Willing to risk own life
Must defend weak
Must make good on his word
Polite and courteous
Could take on only fair or just fight
Swore to defend and honor all women
Loyal to his lord, his family and his comrades

9. Aspects of the Professional Warrior
Weapons
His flag
Horse
Had to have at least three
A battle horse
Horse for route
Pack horse for luggage

10. Attendants Required several One to conduct horses
One to bear heaviest weapons
One to aid master in mounting horses
One to guard prisoners

11. Arthurian legends are examples of medieval romances
Sir Thomas Malory was responsible for making the story English—also romanticized it
Tennyson wrote heroic version of legends

12. Important People and Places
King Arthur—son of Uther Pendragon; King of Britian; founder of the Knights of the Round Table
Avalon—island in the western seas where King Arthur goes at his death
Sir Bedivere—last of the Knights of the Round Table
Camelot—city where Arthur’s court is established

13. Sir Ector—Arthur’s foster father
Excalibur—Arthur’s sword
Sir Galahad—son of Sir Lancelot and purest of Arthur’s knights; succeeds in the quest for the Holy Grail
Sir Gareth—Gawain’s brother and Arthur’s nephew; assumes disguise as Beaumains
Sir Gawain—nephew to King Arthur; son of Morgana; most courteous of Arthur’s knights

14. Queen Guinevere—daughter of King Lodegreaunce; Arthur’s wife
Holy Grail—cup used at Last Supper; object of quests of Knights of the Round Table
Sir Kay—Arthur’s foster brother and steward
Lady of the Lake—Gives Arthur his sword
Sir Launcelot (Lancelot) du Lake—Greatest of the Knights of the Round Table; father of Sir Galahad

15. Merlyn/Merlin—a magician; counselor to Arthur
Sir Modred—arthur’s nephew; plots to overthrow the king
Morgan le Fay—Arthur’s half sister; a sorceress
Round Table—a wedding gift from Arthur’s father-in-law; provided seats for 150 knights

16. History of Britian/Significance of Arthur
The story begins with the battle at Troy. Rome was then founded by Aeneas. Britian’s royal lineage supposedly comes from this ancient lineage. Felix Brutus supposedly founded England and Arthur and his royal successors follow this fashion.

17. Movies First Knight Excalibur Camelot King Arthur
The Sword in the Stone
Knights of the Round Table
Etc.

18. Quiz What is the code of honor observed by the knights?
The Arthurian legends are examples of what form of writing?
What are the two different versions for how Arthur received Excalibur?
Who was Arthur’s foster father? His real father?