Arthurian Legends

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Arthurian Legends
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What Is a Legend?

• Like myths, legends tell traditional stories
  (stories passed down orally) about the distant
  past
• Myths center on the religious or supernatural
  attempt to explain lifes mysteries
• Legends are historically based, although they may
  contain exaggerated, magical, or supernatural
  elements

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Arthurian Legends

• Take place in Great Britain
• Legends about King Arthurs life with many
  different versions
• Passed down orally in both England and France
• The real Arthur probably lived in the 6th
  century, during the Anglo-Saxon Period
• Sir Thomas Malory brought together the first
  collection of stories in the 15th century, during
  the Medieval Period

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King Arthur (2004)Many film versions of the
Arthurian legend exist, but this is one of the
few that focus on the historical Arthur from the
Anglo-Saxon Period.
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From Anglo-Saxon Period to Medieval Period

• Germanic Tribes
• (Angles, Saxons, Jutes, etc.)
• ?
• Anglo-Saxon
• ?
• Angle-Land
• ?
• England

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Camelot
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Holy Grail

• In Christian mythology the cup used by Jesus
  during the last supper.
• In Arthurian legends the hero must prove himself
  worthy to be in its presence

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Siege Perilous

• Specially reserved seat at the Round Table for
  the knight who was destined to quest for and
  return with the Holy Grail
• Sir Galahad- only knight who sits in it.
• Fatal to anyone else who sat in it.

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Round Table

• Mystical Table in Camelot
• Symbol of Unity
• Given to Arthur by King Lodegreaunce (Guinevere's
  Father)

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Excalibur

• King Arthur's mythical sword
• Sword in the stone only drawn by real king.

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Chivalry

• Ideas associated with medieval knighthood
• Examples
• Honor
• Courtly love
• Bravery
• Loyalty to King

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Page, Squire, Knight

• Age 7-Page
• Servant in a household
• Learns weaponry, courtesy, religion, etc.
• Age 14- Squire
• Personal aide to a knight
• Age 18-21- Knight
• If he can master the skills he is then knighted

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King Arthur

• Son of Uther Pendragon Igraine
• Raised by Sir Ector
• Drew the sword in the stone
• Married to Guinevere

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Sir Lancelot

• Greatest of King Arthurs Knights
• One of the most trusted
• Has an affair with Guinevere

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Sir Galahad

• Son of Lancelot Elaine
• Seat was siege perilous
• Quest for the Holy Grail

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Sir Kay

• Arthur and Kay raised by Sir Ector
• Kay was Arthurs foster brother
• Tries to claim sword in the stone

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Sir Gawain

• King Arthurs nephew
• Defender of the poor
• Ladies man

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Sir Mordred

• Illegitimate son of Arthur
• Traitor
• Takes over Kingdom while Arthur is away

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Merlin

• Wizard in Arthurian legends
• Kings Advisor
• Mistress is Morgan Le Fay

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3 Classes of Medieval Society

• Nobility

• Commoners

• Clergy

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Now it is time for us to begin our exploration of
Arthurian legends