KING ARTHUR

Who was King Arthur?

• Arthur originally was based on a legendary Welsh warrior in the 6th century AD.

• There is no historical evidence that suggests he was in fact King

• Much like Beowulf, the Arthur legend contains references to real people and places, but the character’s reality is unsure.

The Evolution of Arthur

Nennius writes Historia Britonum in the 800s, and the “Cambrian Annals” are

written in the 900s.

Chrétien de Troyes’ poems

from 1170-1190. Adds Lancelot,

Holy Grail

Geoffrey of Monmouth writes “Royal British History”

in 1136. Adds Merlin the Magician

and Arthur’s backstory

Oral Tradition

5-600 C.E.

The “Vulgate Cycle” organizes the Arthur legend into 5 parts.

1210-1230, anonymous

Sir Thomas Malory writes Le Morte

d’Arthur, compiling the legend into 8 parts.

Old Arthur vs. Middle ArthurOld English Arthur is presented much in the same way as Beowulf: An unstoppable Badass.

Middle English Arthur: Lack of action, physically weaker, flawed but still noble, honorable, and wise.

SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT

Quick Facts:

• Written in the late 1300s

• Author is unknown, called the “Pearl Poet”

• Classic example of Courtly Love and Chivalry

Documents