King Arthur Man or Myth Introductory Information 1500

King Arthur Man or Myth?

Introductory Information • 1500 years ago in Cornwall, England- Arthur was born • Life is based on facts, legend, and folklore • He represented everything that is good in a king

Arthur’s Birth • Born in Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, England – Uther Pendragon desires another man’s wife – Egraine – she is married to the Duke of Tintagel and Uther’s lord and has three daughters: • Morgause, Morganna, and Morgan Le Fay – Uther wants her so badly he is willing to make a deal with a magician to get her • Speaks to Merlin about his situation

Let’s Make a Deal • Merlin agrees to help Uther under the condition that if there is a child born as a result of their union, Merlin gets to have the child to raise – Uther agrees – Merlin changes Uther’s appearance to look like the Duke of Tintagel while the REAL duke is away at war • He visits the Lady Egraine and they play “pattycake” • The REAL Duke of Tintagel is killed in battle

“I Have to Do What? ” • Egraine gives birth to a bouncing baby boy • Names him Arthur • Merlin takes the child from his mother and gives him an education • He protects him and acts as a wise advisor to him

Who is this Merlin Character? • He is said to live backwards in time – - • Future to past He is a “walking anachronism” He protects the young Arthur and acts as a wise advisor to him – Merlin does not actually “raise” Arthur; he gives him to a local family to live with. He is available for his education and advice

Arthur’s Foster Family • Merlin gives the young Arthur to Sir Ector and his wife to raise him as their own – They have a son of their own - Kay – Kay is training to be a knight and mistreats the boy – Arthur is treated like a household servant – Nicknamed “the Wart”

The Once and Future King • Book about Arthur’s “coming of age” – • The Once and Future King by T. H. White • Film version of the book– Disney’s Sword and the Stone

The Once and Future King • One day Arthur, acting as Kay’s squire goes to a tournament in London – It is said the winner of the tournament will be the next King of England • Arthur forgets to pack Kay’s sword for the tournament • Rushes back to the pub, but it was empty because everyone was at the tournament.

Sword in the Stone • He runs to a nearby churchyard and sees a sword stuck in a stone/anvil • Inscription: “Whoso pulleth out the Sword in the Stone and Anvil is rightwise King of born of all England. ” • He pulls it out and runs back to the tournament

Sword in the Stone • Sir Ector and Sir Kay don’t believe he had pulled out THIS sword. – It has been stuck there for years; the strongest men have not been able to pull it out – They take him back to the churchyard, put it back in the stone. • Other knights try, but are unsuccessful • Wart pulls it out again and is successful • He is crowned King of England

“King Arthur” • He establishes his kingdom- Camelot • It is idyllic and a perfect example of a Christian kingdom

Excalibur • Merlin tells Arthur to go to a lake in Glastonbury (magical place) – Lakes represent a place between life and death • Lady of the Lake (Nimue) reaches her hand out of the lake and gives a special sword to Arthur - Excalibur – As long as Arthur carries this sword on his person, he cannot be harmed

Guinevere • Arthur chose Guinevere to be his wife – Daughter of King Leodegrance of France – He gives the happy couple a large ROUND TABLE as a wedding gift – Arthur and Guinevere were hopelessly in love with one another, but were also very close friends as well.

The Trouble with Guinevere • Merlin was against the marriage – He says she is the source of Arthur’s ruin – Remember, Merlin can foretell the future

The Round Table • The Round Table seated 24 knights • Represented democracy – there is no “head” of the table; everyone is seated equally • It represented a brotherhood of men who strove to defend the kingdom and promote the common good.

Lancelot du Lac • He was the son of the Lady of the Lake (Nimue) • He rides into Camelot and demonstrates he is an excellent warrior and would be an attribute to the Round Table • Arthur knights Lancelot- Sir Lancelot • Lancelot and Arthur become close friends

Royal Love Triangle • Lancelot and Guinevere love each other, but they also love Arthur very much and do not want to hurt him. This situation is painful for everyone involved.

Evil Rears it’s Ugly Head • Remember, Egraine had 3 daughters before she gave birth to Arthur: – Morgause – Morganna – Morgan Le Fay– – She is an enchantress and practices black magic

Evil Rears its Ugly Head • Morgan Le Fay wants black magic to take over the world instead of the white magic that Merlin practices - Morgan Le Fay wants to get revenge on Merlin so she sends Morgause (Arthur’s ½ sister) to seduce Arthur She becomes pregnant and gives birth to Mordred. These two evil ladies raise Mordred to get revenge on

Sir Lancelot • Like every good knight, Lancelot fights for and improves himself in the name of his queen – Guinevere. • They become good friends since he is also good friends with Arthur. • They get a little “too close” and have an affair, but they keep it a secret.

Evil Rears its Ugly Head • Mordred grows into a young man and appears in Camelot • Stirs up a lot of drama with the knights • Catches Guinevere and Lancelot “playing pattycake” • Tells Arthur to destroy his marriage

Arthur is Crushed • The affair destroys his marriage and his friendship with Lancelot • Arthur banishes Lancelot • Because he is a just king he is forced to punish Guinevere like any other adulteress – She is sentenced to burn at the stake

The Aftermath • When Guinevere is on the stake to be burned, Lancelot swoops in and rescues her. – Takes her to his castle in Wales • Guinevere can’t live with the guilt of what she has done to Arthur and joins a convent in the hopes of atoning for her sins. • Lancelot goes back to France and marries Elaine- they have a son - Galahad

Idylls of the King • Epic poem written by Sir Thomas Malory in the 1450 s – 12 narrative poems based on Arthurian legends: 1. The birth and rise of Arthur: "From the Marriage of King Uther unto King Arthur that Reigned After Him and Did Many Battles" 2. King Arthur's war against the Romans: "The Noble Tale Between King Arthur and Lucius the Emperor of Rome" 3. The book of Lancelot: "The Noble Tale of Sir Launcelot Du Lac" 4. The book of Gareth (brother of Gawain): "The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney" 5. Tristan and Isolde: "The First and the Second Book of Sir Tristrams de Lione" 6. The Quest for the Holy Grail: “The Noble Tale of the Sangreal” 7. The affair between Lancelot and Guinevere: "Sir Launcelot and Queen Gwenyvere" 8. The breaking of the Knights of the Round Table and the death of Arthur: "The Death of Arthur"

“Le Morte D’Arthur” • “Death of Arthur” • Camelot begins to crumble when Arthur “falls apart” after his split from Guinevere • Camelot/Arthur becomes weak and susceptible to invaders and enemies • Mordred wages war on Arthur • Arthur and Mordred die • Camelot is destroyed • Arthur goes to a paradise - Avalon

Holy Grail • Cup Christ drank from at the Last Supper • Said to have caught the blood of Christ after the Crucifixion • Saved by Joseph of Arimethea and brought to the Britain • Grail disappeared and was the most sought after item by knights on quests • Grail was said to have the power to heal

Holy Grail • Sir Galahad, Lancelot’s son was the one who found the Grail • Sir Galahad was considered the most pure knight • He sat in the Siege Perilous- special seat reserved for the holiest and best knight