1. An Introduction and Review
Arthurian Legends
An Introduction and Review

2. The Beginnings A legendary figure
According to tradition, he led the Britons, a Celtic people, in their defense against invading Anglo-Saxons
May have lived in the late 5th to early 6th centuries
Earliest reference, in the Historia Brittonum, claims he killed 960 men in a single battle

3. Supposedly died in the Battle of Camlann
Aside from the Historia Brittonum, there is no conclusive evidence that King Arthur was a real person
“…there may well have been an historical Arthur [but we can say] nothing about him” --- Thomas Charles-Edwards

4. The Legend
Arthur’s legend can be divided into two phases: pre-Galfridian, and Galfridian)
Galfridian: Latin form of Geoffrey, of Geoffrey of Monmuth
Pre-Galfridian: Historia Brittonum

5. Three Strands of Pre-Galfridian Arthur
Arthur is a warrior without equal, protected Britian from threats, both natural--- the Saxons, and supernatural--- monsters (dragons, giants, witches, etc.)
Often a leader of heroes with mystical powers (Professor Xavier)
Often had a strong connection with the supernatural realm--- possibly a god or god-like figure

6. Galfridian Arthur
First narrative account of Arthur’s life is found in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Brittanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain).
This serves as the beginning of the legends most familiar to modern readers

7. Key Points of Geoffrey’s Account
Arthur’s father is Uther Pendragon, who uses the magic of the wizard Merlin to seduce Arthur’s mother Igerna at Tintagel, where she later gives birth
When Uther dies, Arthur succeeds him as King.
Arthur defeats the Scots and the Picts and creates his own empire, incorporating parts of Ireland, Iceland, and the Orkney Islands.
He later conquers Norway, Denmark, and Gaul, where he defeats the Roman emperor in battle. While away, he learns that his nephew, Mordredus, has stolen the throne.
Arthur returns and defeats Mordredus, but is himself mortally wounded and taken to the isle of Avalon.

8. Arthur as Romance Tale After Geoffrey of Monmouth, the tale changes
Arthur becomes less significant
Lancelot, Guinevere, Perceval, Galahad, and Gawain become more important

9. The French Influence Battle of Hastings, 1066 Chretien de Troyes
Wrote five Arthurian romances
Introduced Lancelot to the legend
Focused primarily on tales of courtly love

10. Courtly Love
“A love at once illicit and morally elevating, passionate and disciplined, humiliating and exalting, human and transcendent”
Courtly lovers engaged in short trysts in secret, but never (ideally) became physically intimate
Love as salvation

11. Thomas Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur, and the War of the Roses
Retelling of the Arthurian Legend
Influenced by the dynastic wars between House Lancaster and House York
Utopian, orderly Camelot contrasted with the chaos of civil war

12. Camelot, Utopia, and the Holy Grail
Mallory’s Camelot is a true democracy
Arthur’s roundtable a symbol of a world without hierarchy--- no one can sit at the head of the table. Everyone is equal.
Camelot becomes base of operations for quests for the Holy Grail