An attempt to figure out a very complex

An attempt to figure out a very complex legend… A Who’s-Who in Le Morte D’Arthur

General Information �The story of the rise and fall of the kingdom of Camelot A legendary kingdom, but possibly mirroring Malory’s views of England

Malory’s stories: �Philosophy of doom �Expand on Arthurian characters �Present deadly paradoxes—events that simultaneously help and hurt the kingdom �Except for Galahad, there is only the pattern of human ambition, remorse, penance, and sorrowful death. �Lots of deadly rivalries and adulterous love

Family Trees King Arthur’s House Uther Pendragon (m. Igrayne) Arthur (m. Guinevere) Mordred Morgan le Fay (m. Uriens) Elayne (m. Garlot) Morgause (m. Lot) Gawain Aggravain Gaheris Gareth

Pellanor/Pellinore’s House Pellanor Perceval Lamerok Agglovale Durnarde

The Grail House Labor Pellam Pellas Elayne Gallahad

Lancelot’s House Joseph of Arimathea Line of 6 kings… Ban Bors of Gault Lancelot Lionel, Bors of Garnes Galahad Lionel (nephew of Lancelot)

Tristram’s House King Melyodas King Mark (m. La Beal Isode) Tristram Andret

I. The Tale of King Arthur � 1. Merlin King Uther Pendragon lusts after Igrayne Merlin transforms Uther into Duke Arthur is conceived, Duke dies, Uther and Igrayne marry “Sword in the Stone” Arthur meets and falls in love with Guinevere Arthur conceives a child with the wife of King Lot = Mordred. Merlin: “kill all the babies”

� 2. The Knight with the Two Swords Sir Balyn pulls sword from lake, Lady Lyle of Avilon, Balan and Balyn kill each other � 3. Tor and Pellanor Arthur marries Guinevere, Arthur sets up Round Table, Gawain and Pellanor become knights Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and Sir Pellanor’s adventures

� 4. Death of Merlin loves Nimue, she doesn’t return the love, wants to learn his magic, locks him in a cave � 5. Arthur and Accolon Arthur goes to war again a league of 5 kings Morgan le Fay attempts to kill Arthur, throws Excalibur in the lake Nimue becomes the Lady of the Lake

II. Arthur and King Lucius �Emperor Lucius of Rome sends message to Arthur’s court demanding tribute. �Fighting �Arthur wins and is crowned in Rome. �Goes home

III. Sir Lancelot Du Lac French Son of King Ban and Elayne Raised by Lady of the Lake Greatest knight, loves Guinevere Attempts to be pure Pretty much saves/helps women: Helps Sir Bagdemagus’ daughter Damsel leads him to Tarquin where knights are held captive. Tentagil Castle: giants holding maidens there. Consoles a lady when her knight dies

IV. The Tale of Sir Gareth �Youngest brother of Gawain and Gaheris �Lots of battles, every battle increases in intensity. �Marries Lyonesse

V. Sir Tristram de Lyones � 1. Isode the Fair Tristram orphaned early Raised by his uncle, King Mark in France Becomes a harpist Falls in love with Isode (Irish princess) Uncle Mark ends up hating Tristram (fall out over a girl) ▪ Mark wants to marry Isode ▪ Tristram goes and gets Isode

Tristram and Isode end up drinking a love potion that was intended for Mark and Isode and Mark marry. Tristram and Isode are lovers= problems. Tristram goes to Britain and marries Isode Le Blaunche Maynes

� 14. Lancelot and Elayne By a trick, Lancelot lies with Elayne and Galahad is conceived. Guinevere finds out and banishes Lancelot goes crazy and runs off and knights go searching for him. Lives in a castle with Elayne for a bit.

VI. The Tail of the Holy Grail � 1. The Departure (our reading) � 2. The Miracles � 3. Sir Perceval—really wants to beat Galahad � 4. Sir Lancelot � 5. Sir Gawain and Sir Ector--dream that reveals they lack the qualities to find the Grail � 6. Sir Bors—help his brother, Sir Lionel or lady being raped? � 7. Sir Galahad � 8. The Castle of Corbenic � 9. The Miracle of Galahad—obtaining the Grail and dying.

VII. Lancelot and Guinevere 1. The Poisoned Apple Lancelot is banished, a knight dies from a poisoned apple and they suspect Guinevere. 2. The Fair Maid of Astalot Falls in love with Lancelot He wears her token in joust 3. The Great Tournament Arthur proclaims a tournament Guinevere asks Lancelot to wear her token 4. The Knights of the Cart 5. The Healings of Sir Urry Other knights trying to catch Lancelot and Guinevere and reveal it to Arthur

VIII. Arthur’s Death � 1. Slander and Strife Gawain and Garth know about Lancelot and Guinevere Arthur judges Guinevere to be burned Lancelot hears about Guinevere and accidently kills Gareth and Gaheris � 2. Vengeance of Sir Gawain � 3. The Siege of Benwick Arthur attacks Lancelot’s land Gawain calls Lancelot a traitor—Lancelot barely spares his life � 4. The Day of Destiny (our reading) � 5. The Death of Sir Lancelot and Guinevere