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