We’re finishing the Anglo-Saxon and the Medieval Periods 449-1485

1. We’re finishing the Anglo-Saxon and the Medieval Periods 449-1485 • Note: the Medieval period = the Middle Ages

2. KING ARTHUR • Who is he? • A legendary British leader • According to medieval histories and romances, he led the defense of Britain against the Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. • He is said to have led the Knights of the Round Table at Camelot.

3. What is a LEGEND? • a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events • There’s a debate about whether or not King Arthur was a real person

4. One school of thought says YES • It cites the Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons) and other sources to show he was a leader who fought against the Anglo-Saxons • The Historia Brittonum lists twelve battles that Arthur fought in • The last battle of Mount Badon is where Arthur is said to have single-handedly killed 960 men • However, recent studies question the reliability of the Historia Brittonum

5. One school of thought says NO • Arthur is not mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (tells the history of the Anglo-Saxons) or named in any surviving manuscript written between 400 and 820. • He is absent from Bede’s History of the English People, another major early source that mentions the battle of Mount Badon • They claim he was originally a fictional hero of folklore who became credited with real deeds of the past

6. Why would people want him to be real? • The Tudor monarchs in England traced their lineage to Arthur and used that connection as a justification for their reign. • Modern scholarship has generally assumed there was some actual person at the heart of the legends, though not, of course, a king with a band of knights in shining armor.

7. What cannot be denied is the influence of the Arthur figure on literature, art, music and society from the Middle Ages to the present. •   Examples… • Many movies and novels about him • Even adaptations for theater, television, comics and other media

8. Was he popular during his time? • Yes • Why? • Stories took place in an idealized world – a world of castles, courtly love, heroes, and magical spells • Very unlike Medieval world of plagues, political battles

9. The Knights… • Most famous knight is Lancelot • Were supposed to be patient, humble, meek, keep their word,  never be cruel, be kind and gentle to ladies, never do anything dishonorable • Sat at the round table • Arthur devised the idea of a round table to prevent quarrels between his knights over the question of precedence

10. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight • In the early tales, Arthur’s nephew Gawain (not Lancelot) was the famous knight for his courage and chivalry • It’s a romance • an imaginative adventure concerned with noble heroes, gallant love, a code of honor, and daring deeds. • Usually have faraway setting, depict events unlike those of ordinary events, and idealize their heroes. • Often lighthearted in tone and involve fantasy.

11. Other figures… • Merlin: • Arthur’s advisor, who was a prophet and magician • Excalibur: • the name of Arthur’s sword • Camelot: • The city Arthur was in charge of

12. Medieval Romance

13. The term “romance” comes from “Romance languages,” meaning those languages derived from Latin (French, Italian, Spanish) • Many of the first romances were written in those languages • Examples: • Le Morte d’Arthur (The Death of King Arthur) • Le Roman du Rose (The Romance of the Rose) • Tristan and Isolde • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

14. CHARACTERISTICS • A highly artificial and stylized genre • Characters are lords and ladies • Love and chivalry– somewhat contradictory themes • Magic and enchantment, religious mysticism • Lots of fighting, gore, pageantry • Quests • The Knight as a central character

15. The Knight • A WARRIOR, CHRISTIAN and LOVER • Possesses good manners, delicacy, protocol • Has deference and passion (both!) for ladies • Has skills as a poet, musician, writer, speaker and dancer

16. The beginning of "The Knight's Tale" illuminated manuscript, Huntington Library, California

18. 13th century illuminated manuscript: Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre

19. "The Rescue of Guinevere" by William Hatherell (1855-1920)

20. The Romance and Love • The Romance tells of ideal, not realistic love • Love is so passionate as to cause fever and illness • Love is usually outside of marriage • Adultery is almost always inevitable, but has tragic consequences

21. The Knight and Lady • The Knight dedicates himself to the glorification of his Lady, either in secret or openly • He wears her colors to tournaments, devotes his trophies to her • All of his acts of heroism and valor are in her honor • The Lady is generally demanding, sometimes cruel, but always beautiful, intelligent and spirited.

22. “Lancelot and Guinevere‘s First Kiss,” Manuscript illustration, c 1400. Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

23. Works Cited • Hatherell, William. “The Rescue of Guinevere.” Oil on canvas, 1910. Rpt. “Arthurian Legends Illustrated.” Kathleen Nichols. Pittsburg State U., 2003. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www2.pittstate.edu/engl/nichols/arthur2.html>. • “The Knight’s Tale.” Ellesmere Manuscript, ca. 1400. Illuminated manuscript. San Marino, CA.: The Huntington Library. Rpt. “The Knight’s Tale in Images.” Luminarium.1997-2006. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/knightimg.htm>. • “Lancelot and Guinevere’s First Kiss.” Unknown artist. Manuscript illustration, c. 1400. Paris: Bibliotheque Nationale. Rpt. “Lancelot du Lac.” Timeless Myths. 1999. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/lancelot.html#Kiss>. • “Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre.” Unknown artist. Late 13th C. Rpt. “Tableaux ayant pour sujet les échecs.” 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.jmrw.com/Chess/Tableau_echecs/pages/112.htm>. • Leighton, Edmund Blair. “The Accolade.” 1901. Rpt. CGFA. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/l/l-5.htm#eleighton>. • Love, D. “‘Al this Peynted Process': Chaucer and the Psychology of Courtly Love.” English Studies. 83.5 (Nov. 2002), 391-398.