KING ARTHUR

INTRODUCING KING ARTHUR

Historical Arthur Literary Arthur

Dark Ages Medieval

 Arthur as presented in the legends
was NOT a real person.
There was, however, a chieftan
named Arthur.
Historical Arthur lived in the Dark
Ages, at the end of the 5th and
beginning of the 6th centuries.
Literary Arthur comes from
medieval times, during the 12th
century.
 History of Arthur
Celtic mythology
Romantic themes
+ Fairylike elements
____________________

Arthurian Legend
 IMPORTANT CHARACTERS
Uther Pendragon Arthurs biological father.
Igraine Arthurs biological mother
Sir Ector - Arthurs adoptive father
Merlin Arthurs counselor, prophet, magician, &
wizard; he placed Arthur with Sir Ector.
Morgan le Fay Arthurs half sister; healer &
shape-changer; an adversary of both Arthur &
Guinevere; she took Arthur to the barge that
would take him to Avalon to be healed.
Morgause Arthurs half sister; married to King
Lot; mother of Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain,
Gareth, & Mordred.
 Sir Kay son of Sir Ector; raised as Arthurs
step-brother.
Mordred Arthurs nephew; seized Guinevere
& rebelled against Arthur; killed by Lancelot
after the last battle.
Guinevere Arthurs wife; Lancelots lover.
Lancelot Arthurs chief knight & rival for
Guineveres love.
The Lady of the Lake aka Vivienne; gave
Excalibur to Arthur; enchanted & imprisoned
Merlin.
Joseph of Arimathea soldier of Pontius Pilate
who was given the cup (Holy Grail) from the
Last Supper; settled in Glastonbury.
 IMPORTANT OBJECTS
Excalibur Arthurs magical sword; given to him
by The Lady of the Lake.

The Holy Grail the cup used by Christ at the

Last Supper; used by Joseph of Arimathea to
catch Christs blood when he was on the cross.

The Round Table the table given as part of

Guineveres dowry & used by Arthur and his
knights. Each knights name was magically
inscribed on the table. Everybody was equal.
 Knights of the Round Table
Sir Galahad Sir Palomedes
Sir Lancelot du Lac Sir Lamorak
Sir Gawain Sir Bors de Ganis
Sir Percivale Sir Safer
Sir Lionell Sir Pelleas
Sir Tristram de Lyones Sir Ector de Maris
Sir Gareth Sir Dagonet
Sir Bedivere Sir Degore
Sir Bleoberis Sir Brunor le Noir
Sir La Cote Male Taile Sir Le Bel Desconneu
Sir Lucan Sir Alymere
Sir Kay Sir Mordred
 Chivalry
knighthood & its code of honor
Invincible strength
Justice
Modesty
Loyalty to superiors
Courtesy to equals
Compassion to weakness
Devotion to the church
 Knight
Mounted warrior
Man of rank, or in service of a man of
rank
Generally possesses some independent
means of support, but relies on the
gratitude of those he has served

Knights errant -- wandering knights who

traveled the country in quest of adventure
Knight Training
Ceremony:
Officiating priest takes the sword, blesses it,
and returns it
Candidate folds arms, kneels before
presiding knight and answers questions
about motives for becoming a knight
Takes an oath
Receives armor and sword
Kneels before presiding knight who
administers the accolade (3 strokes of a flat
sword on the neck or shoulder) and says,
In the name of God, of St. Michael, and of
St. George, I make thee a knight; be valiant,
courteous, and loyal.
Receives helmet, shield, and spear
The emblem of the Knights of the Round Table worn round the necks of
all the Knights was given to them by King Arthur as part of the
ceremony of their being made a knight.

The Order's dominant idea was the love of God, people, and noble deeds.

The cross in the emblem was to remind them that they were to live pure
and stainless lives, to strive after perfection and thus attain the Holy
Grail.

The Red Dragon of King Arthur represented their allegiance to the King.

The Round Table was illustrative of the Eternity of God, the equality,
unity, and comradeship of the Order, and singleness of purpose of all
the Knights.
 RULES/CODES for KNIGHTS
To never do outrage nor murder
Always to flee treason
To by no means be cruel but to give mercy
unto him who asks for mercy
To always do ladies, gentlewomen and
widows succor (to go to the aid of one in distress; to help)
To never force ladies, gentlewomen or
widows
Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels
for love or worldly goods
To never lay down arms
To seek after wonders
 When called upon, to defend the rights of
the weak with all one's strength
To injure no one
Not to attack one another
To fight for the safety of one's country
To give one's life for one's country
To seek nothing before honour
Never to break faith for any reason
To practice religion most diligently
To grant hospitality to anyone, each
according to his ability
Whether in honour or disgrace, to make a
report with the greatest fidelity to truth to
those who keep the annals