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If you can:Brainstorm what you know about the legend of King Arthur. Write down as much as you can.
Everyone:Why is it important to read about these legends? Both from an individual standpoint and a societal standpoint. HALF-PAGE ENTRY
Journal – King Arthur
The Legend of King Arthur
King Arthur was a legendary leader of the Britons (the Celtic people in Britain before Anglo-Saxon settlement drove them out)
Lived during the late 5th and early 6th century
Defended the Britons from Saxon invasions
King Arthur in History
One of the most famous and written about legends of all time
The legends written about King Arthur don’t tell us much about history (they are mostly fictional), but they do tell us much about chivalry, valor, bravery, loyalty, devotion, and the human condition
There is no canonical (meaning official) version of the legend of King Arthur and there are many different variations, but these notes contain the popular versions
The Importance of the Legend
Father of King ArthurFell in love with a Duke’s wife,
IgraineHe went to war over her, but could
not breach the Duke’s castle wallsHe has the wizard Merlin disguise
him as the Duke and thus tricks Igraine into sleeping with him
This is how Arthur is conceived
Uther Pendragon
Becomes king after pulling out the Sword in the Stone which no one else could doMarried to Lady GuinevereStarted the Knights of the Round Table,at his castle called Camelot, where all knights were treated equallyHas a son, Mordred, with his half-sisterwho seduced him using magicMordred later fatally wounds Arthur as Arthur kills
MordredAfter being fatally wounded he is brought to the
island of Avalon, where he will not die from his wounds but never returns
King Arthur Pendragon
King Arthur’s wifeHas an affair with King Arthur’s favorite Knight of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot
This betrayal begins the downfall of Arthur’s kingdom
Lady Guinevere
After Guinevere and Lancelot’s betrayal, Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are demoralized and disillusioned. The Knights then seek the Holy Grailin hopes of restoring Arthur and the kingdomThe Grail legend might be influenced by the
Celtic belief in a magic cauldron with restorative powers
The primary source for the legend is the Christian belief that the Grail is the chalice that Jesus drank wine out of during the Last Supper before the Crucifixion
The Holy Grail
Perhaps the most famous weapon of all time.
May or may not have been the Sword in the Stone, depending on the legend
If not the Sword in the Stone, it is thought to have been given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake
The sword is often thought to have magical powers, such as invulnerability for the bearer
When Arthur is mortally wounded, Excalibur
is thrown back into the lake by a knight and a hand catches it and drags it into the depths
Excalibur
Merlin – A wizard, uses magic that allows Uther to seduce Igraine and father Arthur. Also, Arthur’s mentor as a child and advisor as an adult.
Sir Lancelot – A knight from France who becomes Arthur’s favorite. He later betrays Arthur and has an affair with Guinevere.
Mordred – Arthur’s inbred son who betrays and fatally wounds his father before being killed.
Other Characters
The Lady of the Lake – The ruler of Avalon. In some legends, gives Arthur the sword Excalibur.
Morgan Le Fey – Daughter of Igraine. Arthur’s half-sister known for her exploration of magic. Appears in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In some legends, combined with Arthur’s other half-sister Morgause, the mother of Mordred.
Sir Gawain – Son of Morgan Le Fey and Arthur’s nephew. One of the best Knights of the Round Table.
Other Characters
THERE ARE OVER ONE HUNDRED BOOKS WRITTEN ABOUT KING ARTHUR!!!
Some famous movies:CamelotMonty Python and the Holy GrailThe Sword in the StoneFirst KnightKing Arthur
Some famous books:Sir Gawain and the Green KnightMorte D’ArthurIdylls of the KingThe Once and Future King
Books about Arthur
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