ARTHURIAN LEGENDARTHURIAN LEGEND

Background information for a unit of study pertaining to the Arthurian legend

(Use outline notes to accompany this presentation.)

10th grade EnglishMrs. DukeSpring 2005Edited and Expanded by C. Barbour

THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHURTHE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR

Set in Great Britain in the Middle Ages (Medieval) 7th and 8th centuryCode of ChivalryChristianityHas been altered and passed down by many groups….

The Legend of King Arthur—have you seen any of these?The Legend of King Arthur—have you seen any of these?

The Sword in the Stone

Excalibur

First Knight

Monty Python: The Search for the Holy Grail

The Mists of Avalon

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

ArthurArthur

Illegitimate son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine of CornwallFoster child of Sir EctorTutored in secret by Merlin

ARTHURARTHUR

Won the throne of Britain by pulling a sword from a stone

Did Arthur really exist?Did Arthur really exist?

No definitive evidence of Camelot or the Round TableCertain kings claimed to be descendents of ArthurHmmm……this might be a good idea for a project……

THE ROUND TABLETHE ROUND TABLE

3 versions of the legend to describe its origin:

1) Dowry given by Guinevere’s dad

2) built at Arthur’s request to insure equal seating

3) Merlin built it as a gift

THE ROUND TABLETHE ROUND TABLE

Round shape symbolized equality“First Among Equals”Originally seated 13, later 15013 seats signified the 12 apostles and Christ

THE ROUND TABLETHE ROUND TABLE

Seats were magically inscribed with nameplates:“THIS IS THE SEAT OF….”

Siege PerilousSiege Perilous

The 13th seat at the Round Table where only the Grail hero could sit without dyingMerlin named itReserved for the Knight who found the Grail and was of pure heart

CAMELOTCAMELOT

Legendary capital of Arthur’s kingdomCan’t really place it on a modern map – maybe Tintagil Castle?Sometimes referred to as “The Golden City”Legend says Merlin built it in one night

CamelotCamelot

Represents an ideal placeTerm used to describe the Kennedy years in US History

AvalonAvalon

The island to which Arthur was taken as he lie dyingSaxons believed Arthur would return from Avalon in England’s hour of needNo proof, but often identified with Glastonbury in England

MerlinMerlin

Arthur’s advisor, prophet, and magicianTutored Arthur as a childHad supernatural powersWas locked in a cave by Nimue (Lady of the Lake)

Arthur asking Merlin for advice

GuinevereGuinevere

Arthur’s wifeHad an affair with Lancelot2 theories about what happened to her after Arthur’s death:

Retired to a nunneryAbducted by Mordred

Taken from Idylls of a King

Lady of the LakeLady of the Lake

Nimue (or Vivienne?)Supernatural figure with magical powers she learned from Merlinlives in an underwater kingdomGave Excalibur to Arthur

How Arthur got ExcaliburHow Arthur got Excalibur

How Arthur Got ExcaliburHow Arthur Got Excalibur

Morgan Le FayMorgan Le Fay

Arthur’s half-sister (Igraine’s daughter)Often Arthur’s adversary stole ExcaliburMordred’s mother or is it Morgawse? (with Arthur)

The Holy GrailThe Holy Grail

Christ gave it to Joseph of Arimathea when he was imprisoned by the JewsThe cup (chalis) used at the Last SupperThen used to catch the blood of Christ as it dripped off the crucifixPursued by the Knights of the Round Table seeking immortality

LancelotLancelot

Most popularArthur’s favoriteBest swordsmanTaught to fight by NimueCould not see the Grail because of his adultery

GalahadGalahad

Grail Knight and holder of the Siege PerilousSon of Lancelot and ElaineAfter he found the Holy Grail, he chose to stay at the Caste of Corbinic and not return to Camelot. He didn’t want to lose his purity

GarethGareth

Accidentally blinded by LancelotSets the stage for Mordred’s takeover

GawainGawain

Arthur’s nephewFamous story about him“Gawain and The Green Knight”

PercevalPerceval

The main Grail knight after GalahadHe found the Holy GrailLater disappeared; believed to be taken in by a ship with a red/white cross

BedivereBedivere

The only knight who survived the battle between Mordred and ArthurCast Excalibur into the pool after Arthur’s mortal wounding

KayKay

Arthur’s foster brotherSeneschal for Arthur One of the first knights to join the table

The Knights of the Round TableThe Knights of the Round Table

http://www.wakemanbrasil.hpg.ig.com.br/arthur.htm

CHIVALRYCHIVALRY

Webster’s Dictionary:

Gallantry, courtesy and honor.

The noble qualities a knight was supposed to have, such as courage and a readiness to help the weak.

The demonstration of any of these qualities.

CODE OF CHIVALRYCODE OF CHIVALRY

A handbook of good conductSelf-imposed standards with the realization that setting a good example sends a message which is far more powerful than anything else one can do.

The Ten Commandments of the Code of ChivalryThe Ten Commandments of the Code of ChivalryFrom Chivalry by Leon Gautier

Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions. Thou shalt defend the Church. Thou shalt repect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word. Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

CHIVALRYCHIVALRY

The choice to do the right things, for the right reasons, at the right

times.