The Arthurian LegendThe Arthurian Legend

King Arthur, the Knights of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, Camelot, the Round Table, Camelot,

and the Excaliburand the Excalibur

The legend of King Arthur The legend of King Arthur and the knights of the and the knights of the Round Table is the most Round Table is the most powerful and enduring in powerful and enduring in the western world. King the western world. King Arthur, Guinevere, and Sir Arthur, Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot did not really Lancelot did not really exist, but their names exist, but their names conjure up a romantic conjure up a romantic image of gallant knights image of gallant knights in shining armour, in shining armour, elegant ladies in medieval elegant ladies in medieval castles, heroic quest for castles, heroic quest for the Holy Grail in a world the Holy Grail in a world of honour and romance, of honour and romance, and the court of Camelot and the court of Camelot at the centre of a royal at the centre of a royal and mystical Britain. and mystical Britain.

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

Arthur is a fabled British king figured in many Arthur is a fabled British king figured in many legends. legends.

The scarce historical background to Arthur is found The scarce historical background to Arthur is found in the works of Nennius and Gildas and in the in the works of Nennius and Gildas and in the

Annales CambriaeAnnales Cambriae..

Geoffrey of Monmouth and the Welsh collection of Geoffrey of Monmouth and the Welsh collection of anonymous tales known as the anonymous tales known as the MabinogionMabinogion. .

Thomas Mallory's comprehensive Thomas Mallory's comprehensive Morte D'ArthurMorte D'Arthur, , published in 1485.published in 1485.

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background According to According to the the Historia BrittonumHistoria Brittonum (History of (History of

the Britons)the Britons) and and Annales CambriaeAnnales Cambriae ((‘‘Welsh Welsh AnnalsAnnals’’),), Arthur Arthur wwas a shadowy historical figure, a as a shadowy historical figure, a Romano-British leader fighting against the invading Romano-British leader fighting against the invading Anglo-Saxons sometime in the late 5th to early 6th Anglo-Saxons sometime in the late 5th to early 6th centurycentury. .

The Annales Cambriae mentions the The Annales Cambriae mentions the Battle of Battle of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut (Mordred) (Mordred) were both killed, dated to 537were both killed, dated to 537. .

The text doesn’t The text doesn’t refer to Arthur as a king, although refer to Arthur as a king, although this may not be significant as this may not be significant as texts texts often name often name kings without mentioning their title.kings without mentioning their title.

Arthur’s NameArthur’s Name

IIt is derived from the Latin family name t is derived from the Latin family name ArtoriusArtorius, , meaning meaning ‘‘ploughmanploughman’ (~farmer).’ (~farmer).

AA derivation from derivation from Welsh Welsh artharth (earlier (earlier artart), ), meaning meaning ‘‘bearbear’’, suggesting , suggesting art-urart-ur, , ‘‘bear-manbear-man’’, is , is the original formthe original form. .

Arthur's name appears as Arthur's name appears as ArturusArturus in early Latin in early Latin Arthurian texts, never as Arthurian texts, never as ArtoriusArtorius. .

It is possible that in Celtic languages forms of It is possible that in Celtic languages forms of Artorius were pronounced as Arthur or Arturus.Artorius were pronounced as Arthur or Arturus.

Arthur’s FamilyArthur’s Family Father: Uther Pendragon (King of Britain).Father: Uther Pendragon (King of Britain). Mother: Igraine (Mother: Igraine (EigrEigr <Welsh>) (wife of <Welsh>) (wife of Duke Duke

Gorlois of CornwallGorlois of Cornwall).). When When Uther Uther fell in love with Gorlois' wife,fell in love with Gorlois' wife, Igraine Igraine, ,

Merlin helped the king, by transforming Uther to Merlin helped the king, by transforming Uther to resemble Gorloisresemble Gorlois.. When Gorlois died, Uther When Gorlois died, Uther married Igraine, but she was already pregnant.married Igraine, but she was already pregnant.

Arthur had a sister named Gwyar, who was the Arthur had a sister named Gwyar, who was the mother of Gwalchmai or Gwalchmei, and of mother of Gwalchmai or Gwalchmei, and of Gwalhaved. Gwalchmai was better known in Gwalhaved. Gwalchmai was better known in English and French legend as English and French legend as GawainGawain or Gauvain. or Gauvain.

TintagelTintagel

The castle had been a Celtic The castle had been a Celtic stronghold before becoming home to stronghold before becoming home to Earl of Cornwall Earl of Cornwall

The legend says this is the birthplace The legend says this is the birthplace of Arthurof Arthur

TintagelTintagel

Merlin’s CaveMerlin’s Cave

Mythological FiguresMythological Figures Lady of the Lake:Lady of the Lake: A misty, supernatural figure A misty, supernatural figure

endowed with magic powers, endowed with magic powers, who gave the sword Excalibur who gave the sword Excalibur to King Arthur. She inhabited to King Arthur. She inhabited a castle in an underwater a castle in an underwater kingdom. According to one kingdom. According to one legend she kidnapped the legend she kidnapped the infant Launcelot and brought infant Launcelot and brought him to her castle where he him to her castle where he lived until manhood. She has lived until manhood. She has been identified variously with been identified variously with Morgan le Fay and Vivien. Morgan le Fay and Vivien. The poem The Lady of the The poem The Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott, is Lake, by Sir Walter Scott, is based on a totally different based on a totally different legend.legend.

Merlin:Merlin: Magician, seer, and teacher Magician, seer, and teacher

at the court of King Vortigern at the court of King Vortigern and later at the court of King and later at the court of King Arthur. He was a bard and Arthur. He was a bard and culture hero in early Celtic culture hero in early Celtic folklore. In Arthurian legend folklore. In Arthurian legend he is famous as a magician he is famous as a magician and as the counselor of King and as the counselor of King Arthur. In Tennyson’s Idylls Arthur. In Tennyson’s Idylls of the King Merlin is of the King Merlin is imprisoned eternally in an old imprisoned eternally in an old oak tree by he treacherous oak tree by he treacherous Vivien (or Nimute), when he Vivien (or Nimute), when he reveals the secrets of his reveals the secrets of his knowledge to her.knowledge to her.

Sir Lancelot:Sir Lancelot: The bravest and most celebrated knight at the court of King The bravest and most celebrated knight at the court of King

Arthur. He was kidnapped as an infant by the mysterious Lady of Arthur. He was kidnapped as an infant by the mysterious Lady of the Lake, from whom he received his education and took his title, the Lake, from whom he received his education and took his title, Launcelot of the Lake. As a young man he went to the court of Launcelot of the Lake. As a young man he went to the court of King Arthur, where he was knighted and became one of the most King Arthur, where he was knighted and became one of the most feared warriors in all Christendom. Lancelot was the lover of feared warriors in all Christendom. Lancelot was the lover of Guinevere, his sovereign’s queen. Guinevere, his sovereign’s queen.

Guinevere:Guinevere: She is the wife of King She is the wife of King

Arthur. Her illicit and Arthur. Her illicit and tragic love for Sir tragic love for Sir Launcelot, which Launcelot, which foreshadowed the downfall foreshadowed the downfall of Arthur’s kingdom, ends of Arthur’s kingdom, ends with her retirement to a with her retirement to a convert. Sha also figures in convert. Sha also figures in several aerly romances and several aerly romances and Celtic legends, her name Celtic legends, her name appearing in various forms appearing in various forms (Guanhamara, Gvenour…). (Guanhamara, Gvenour…). In different versions of the In different versions of the Arthurian story her name Arthurian story her name appears as Guenevere and appears as Guenevere and Guinever. Guinever.

Round Table:Round Table: The table at which King Arthur and his The table at which King Arthur and his knights held court. It was allegedly fashioned at the knights held court. It was allegedly fashioned at the behest of Arthur to prevent quarrels among the knights behest of Arthur to prevent quarrels among the knights over precedence. According to one version it was given to over precedence. According to one version it was given to Arthur as a wedding gift by his father-in-law. A round Arthur as a wedding gift by his father-in-law. A round table of undetermined antiquity hangs now in the castle at table of undetermined antiquity hangs now in the castle at Winchester. Tradicionally King Arthur’s, it may be a relic Winchester. Tradicionally King Arthur’s, it may be a relic of one of the medieval jousts also called round tables.of one of the medieval jousts also called round tables.

The most popular origin of the table first appears in The most popular origin of the table first appears in Robert de Boron’s Merlin, and was taken up by the Robert de Boron’s Merlin, and was taken up by the later prose romances. In it, the table was created by later prose romances. In it, the table was created by Merlin. In works like the Lancelot-Grail Cycle, the Merlin. In works like the Lancelot-Grail Cycle, the Post-Vulgate Cycle the Round Table was created for Post-Vulgate Cycle the Round Table was created for Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon, and was kept by Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon, and was kept by Uther’s vassal Leodegrance after his death. When Uther’s vassal Leodegrance after his death. When Arthur becomes king, he receives the table as a gift Arthur becomes king, he receives the table as a gift when he marriages Leodegrance’s daughter Guinevere.when he marriages Leodegrance’s daughter Guinevere.

There is no ‘head of the table’ at a round table, and so There is no ‘head of the table’ at a round table, and so no one person is at a privileged position. Thus the no one person is at a privileged position. Thus the knights were all peers and there was no ‘leader’ as knights were all peers and there was no ‘leader’ as there were at so many other medieval tables. there were at so many other medieval tables.

Round Tables were an aristocratic activity throughout Round Tables were an aristocratic activity throughout Europe from the 13th century in to the 15th century.Europe from the 13th century in to the 15th century.

In Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish, plate, cup or vessel that caught Jesus' blood during his crucifixion. It was said to have the power to heal all wounds. In this case, the Grail is not an expensive, golden goblet, but a simple dish, made of wood.

But there are other opinions, for instance that the San Grail is a kind of stone, maybe the Philosopher’s Stone, or a piece of the Decalogue (=Tízparancsolat).

People who drink out of the Grail, will be immortal.

Scientists say, the word San Grail comes from the Sang Raal. It means Holy Blood. It refers to Jesus and his descendants.

At the Court of King Arthur, however, it was prophesied that At the Court of King Arthur, however, it was prophesied that the Grail would one day be rediscovered by a descendant of the Grail would one day be rediscovered by a descendant of St. Joseph: the best knight in the land St. Joseph: the best knight in the land

CamelotCamelot is the most famous fictional castle and court is the most famous fictional castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur. Later romance associated with the legendary King Arthur. Later romance depicts it as the fantastic capital of Arthur’s realm, from which depicts it as the fantastic capital of Arthur’s realm, from which he fought many of the battles and quests that made up his life. he fought many of the battles and quests that made up his life. Camelot as a place is associated with ideals like justice, bravery Camelot as a place is associated with ideals like justice, bravery and truth, all the virtues Arthur and his knights embodiment in and truth, all the virtues Arthur and his knights embodiment in the romances. As it is absent from the early material, and its the romances. As it is absent from the early material, and its location, if it even existed, is unknown. Thus most modern location, if it even existed, is unknown. Thus most modern academic scholars regard it as being entirely fictional. academic scholars regard it as being entirely fictional.

CamelotCamelot Possible Identifications:Possible Identifications: Cadbury CastleCadbury Castle, , CaerleonCaerleon, ,

CaerwentCaerwent, , CamelfordCamelford, , CamelonCamelon, , CarlisleCarlisle, , Castle Castle KilliburyKillibury, , ColchesterColchester, , Graig-Graig-LlwynLlwyn, , LlanmelinLlanmelin, , SlackSlack, , StirlingStirling, , WinchesterWinchester..

In 1542 John Leland In 1542 John Leland reported the locals reported the locals around Cadbury Castle in around Cadbury Castle in Somerset considered it to Somerset considered it to be the original Camelot. be the original Camelot. This theory is bolstered, This theory is bolstered, or may have derived from, or may have derived from, Cadbury’s proximity to Cadbury’s proximity to the River Cam and towns the River Cam and towns Queen Camel and West Queen Camel and West Camel, and remained Camel, and remained popular enough to help popular enough to help inspire a large scale inspire a large scale archaeological dig in the archaeological dig in the 20th century.20th century.

You can see Arthur’s profile defined in the You can see Arthur’s profile defined in the cliff face of the Island cliff face of the Island

It is an Iron Age castleIt is an Iron Age castle

ExcaliburExcalibur Arthur, reigning in his Arthur, reigning in his

court at Camelot, proved to court at Camelot, proved to be a noble king and a be a noble king and a mighty warrior. He was the mighty warrior. He was the possessor of the miraculous possessor of the miraculous sword Excalibur, given to sword Excalibur, given to him by the mysterious Lady him by the mysterious Lady of the Lake. of the Lake.

At Arthur’s death Sir At Arthur’s death Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur Bedivere threw Excalibur into the lake, a hand rose into the lake, a hand rose from the water, caught the from the water, caught the sword, and disappeared. sword, and disappeared.

Another sword, sometimes Another sword, sometimes mistakenly identified with mistakenly identified with Excalibur, was drawn from a Excalibur, was drawn from a stone by Arthur to prove his stone by Arthur to prove his royality.royality.

Its scabbard (hüvely)prevented Its scabbard (hüvely)prevented the wearer from loosing bloodthe wearer from loosing blood

The Name:The Name: The earliest Arthurian The earliest Arthurian stories give the name of King Arthur's stories give the name of King Arthur's sword as sword as CaladfwlchCaladfwlch, a Welsh word , a Welsh word derived from derived from Calad-BolgCalad-Bolg meaning meaning "Hard Lightning". Later it developed to "Hard Lightning". Later it developed to become the become the CaliburnCaliburn of Geoffrey and of Geoffrey and Monmouth and finally the Frenchified Monmouth and finally the Frenchified ExcaliburExcalibur that we know today that we know today

Of Arthur’s several enemies, Of Arthur’s several enemies, the most treacherous were the most treacherous were his sister Morgan le Fay and his sister Morgan le Fay and his nephew Mordred. Morgan his nephew Mordred. Morgan le Fay was usually le Fay was usually represented as an evil represented as an evil sorceress, scheming to win sorceress, scheming to win Arthur’s throne for herself Arthur’s throne for herself and her lover. Mordred was and her lover. Mordred was varuiously Arthur’s nephew or varuiously Arthur’s nephew or his son by his sister his son by his sister Morgawse. He seized Arthur’s Morgawse. He seized Arthur’s throne during the king’s throne during the king’s absence. Later he was slain in absence. Later he was slain in battle by Arthur, but not battle by Arthur, but not before he had fatally wounded before he had fatally wounded the king. Arthur was borne the king. Arthur was borne away to the isle of Avalon. away to the isle of Avalon. Where it was expected that ho Where it was expected that ho would be healed of his would be healed of his wounds and that he would wounds and that he would someday return to his people. someday return to his people.

Avalon:Avalon: In the Celtic mythology, In the Celtic mythology,

the blissful otherworld of the blissful otherworld of the dead. In medieval the dead. In medieval romance it was the island romance it was the island to which the mortally to which the mortally wounded King Arthur was wounded King Arthur was taken, and from which it taken, and from which it was expected he would was expected he would someday return. Avalon is someday return. Avalon is often identified with often identified with Glastonbury in Somerset, Glastonbury in Somerset, England. England.

His GraveHis Grave

There were stories that even King There were stories that even King Henry III himself had ordered the Henry III himself had ordered the exhumationexhumation

„„the body at least sixteen feet the body at least sixteen feet beneath the earth, not in a tomb of beneath the earth, not in a tomb of stone but in a hollow oak” the reason: stone but in a hollow oak” the reason: it might never be discovered by the it might never be discovered by the saxonssaxons

Arthur’s tomb at Glastonbury (?)Arthur’s tomb at Glastonbury (?)

MERLIN

THE EXCALIBUR

Arthur and Guinevere’s wedding