Arthurian Legend

Arthurian Legend The Crowning of King Arthur from Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

What is a Legend? • A legend is a story told about extraordinary deeds that has been told and retold for generations among a group of people. • Legends are often about a particular person • Legends are thought to have a historical basis, but may also contain elements of magic and myth • Myths: stories that a particular culture believes to be true, using the supernatural to interpret natural events & to explain the nature of the universe and humanity

What is a Romance? A romance is an imaginative story concerned with noble heroes, chivalric codes of honor, passionate love, daring deeds, & supernatural events. In the Middle Ages in Europe, wandering storytellers would retell adventurous tales of knights and other noble heroes. These became known as romances, which, over time, moved from the oral tradition into written versions. Writers of romances tend to idealize their heroes as well as the eras in which the heroes live.

Romances cont’d… • Romances typically include these motifs: adventure, quests, wicked adversaries, & magic. • Motif: an idea, object, place, or statement that appears frequently throughout a piece of writing, which helps contribute to the work’s overall theme • Romance hero – a knight of superhuman strength, intelligence, and virtue who follows the code of chivalry.

Romances cont’d… • Exotic Setting: Romances are set in imaginary kingdoms with great castles, enchanted lakes, and forest populated with giants and monsters. • Supernatural elements: sorcerers and magic spells, giants and dragons, mysterious evil forces and foreknowledge of future events---such elements all play a part in romances. • Hidden identities: In a romance, others are often unaware of a character’s true identity. The truth is usually revealed at the climax of the tale.

Medieval Romance Medieval romances, such as Le Morte d’Arthur, are stories of kings, knights, and ladies, who are motivated by love, religious faith, or simply a desire for adventure. Medieval romances are lighthearted in tone and loose in structure, containing many episodes; characters simply go from one adventure to the next. Usually the main character has a series of adventures while on a quest to accomplish a goal. He must overcome many obstacles on this quest. Le Morte d’Arthur recounts the heroic deeds of noble knights and celebrates the chivalric code of honor.

Origins of the Arthurian Legend Arthurian legend emerged gradually over centuries as storytellers told and retold popular tales about a great chief who mysteriously disappeared but promised to return when his people needed him. King Arthur legends are based on a 5th or 6th century Celtic warlord who lived in Wales and led his people to victory against Saxon invaders. The warlord was said to have been fatally wounded in battle and buried in the abbey of Glastonbury, where a gravestone can still be seen bearing his name.

Sir Thomas Malory • Ca. 1405-1471 • Arrested in 1451 for a variety of criminal acts including brawling, escaping from prison, plundering the Abbey of Combe, extorting money, and committing rape. • Strong evidence exists that the book from which Arthurian legends were passed to the world was written in prison by a man whose violent career was at odds with the chivalric ideals he professes.

Le Morte D’Arthur • The title given by printer William Caxton to Sir Thomas Malory’s work about the legendary King Arthur. Malory’s work published in 1485. • Described in the preface as “the noble histories of King Arthur and of certain of his knights.” • Translated by Malory from a series of long prose romances in French. • Although somewhat historical, the Arthurian world is strictly fiction.

Malory’s Writing Style Malory’s style is terse and direct; he and his characters are masters of understatement. Although professedly dedicated to the service of women, Malory’s chivalry is primarily devoted to the fellowship and competitions of aristocratic men. A code of honor is cherished in which men win or lose “worship” through their actions in war or love. (Lancelot)

The Legend • King Uther of England, who was unmarried, loved Igraine, another man’s wife. In disguise, the king deceived Igraine into thinking he was her husband. Arthur was the child born to Igraine as a result of their affair. • The wise man, Merlin, knew the baby was in danger because many men wanted Uther’s throne, so he asked Sir Ector & his wife to raise the infant Arthur with their own son, Kay. • When King Uther died, no one except Merlin knew Arthur’s true identity, which would be revealed when Arthur completed a task that only the rightful king could perform. • According to legend, Arthur became King of England and established his court at Camelot. He then gathered the best knights from the area to join with him in the fellowship of the Round Table. These knights lived according to the chivalric code.

Chivalry is not dead! Chivalry is a code of behavior that medieval knights followed. It is usually associated with ideals of knightly virtues, honor and courtly love. The terms chivalry and chivalrous are used to describe courteous [polite] behavior, especially that of men towards women.

Code of Chivalry • The chivalric code stressed, among other things, loyalty to the king, courage, personal honor, and defending those who could not defend themselves. • The Code: • Honor Courage Generosity • Modesty Honesty Faith in God • Loyalty Civility Compassion

RULES/CODESfor KNIGHTS • To never do outrage nor murder • Always to flee treason • To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy • To always do ladies, gentlewomen and widows succor (to go to the aid of one in distress; to help) • To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows • Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods • To never lay down arms • To seek after wonders

RULES/CODESfor KNIGHTS • When called upon, defend the rights of the weak with all one's strength • To injure no one • Not to attack one another • To fight for the safety of one's country • To give one's life for one's country • To seek nothing before honor • Never to break faith for any reason • To practice religion most diligently • To grant hospitality to anyone, each according to his ability • Whether in honor or disgrace, to make a report with the greatest fidelity to truth to those who keep the annals

Knightly Hierarchy • King: male ruler of the country • Queen: female ruler of the country or wife of a king • Duke: a nobleman of highest rank • Duchess: a noblewoman of highest rank • Knight: a member of a medieval warrior class • Archbishop: a bishop of the highest rank • Men and women of high social stature were addressed as Sir and Lady.

KNIGHTTRAINING • Taken from home to the court or castle • Taught first articles of religion, respect, and reverence for their lords. • Initiated in ceremonies of the court • Carve, wait at table, and perform menial tasks • Taught falconry, dancing, harp playing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, tilting with spears, & performing military exercises on horseback AGE 7  Become a page or varlet

KNIGHTTRAINING AGE 14  • Taught to vault on a horse, to run, to scale walls, to spring over ditches – all in heavy armor • Taught to wrestle, to wield the battle-axe without raising the visor or taking a breath • Taught to perform gracefully on horseback • Taught courtesy or refinements of civilization • Encouraged to bestow his attentions on a young lady of the court Become a squire

KNIGHTTRAINING AGE 21  Preparation for the Ceremony: • Fast and spend whole nights in prayer • Confession and communion • Clothed in snow-white garment • Go to church or hall where the ceremony is to be held • Wear a knightly sword suspended from neck Initiation to the knighthood

KNIGHT SHIELDS “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” “May virtue lead to immortal glory” "Seize the Momentum of the New Era"

YOUR TURN! Do you have what it takes to be a Knight?

Arthurian Legend