Background The Arthurian legend has existed for over a thousand years and is just as compelling today as it was

in the faraway days of its early creators - Geoffrey of Monmouth, Robert de Boron, Chrtien de Troyes, and most majestically: Sir Thomas Malory in his epic work, Le Morte d'Arthur. Countless writers, poets, and artists (not to mention film-makers and now, webmasters) have been inspired by the life and times of King Arthur. Arthur as presented in the legends was NOT a real person. There was, however, a chieftan named Arthur. Historical Arthur lived in the Dark Ages, at the end of the 5th and beginning of the 6th centuries. Literary Arthur comes from medieval times, during the 12th century.

Historia. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the legend lives on, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media. Sir Thomas Malorys Le Morte d Arthur, completed during the ninth year of the English King Edward IV's reign (4th March 1469 to 3rd March 1470), is the definitive and inclusive Arthurian epic and the source of much of the Arthurian legend as we know it today. Though Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur is not the original Arthurian legend - begun over 300 years earlier by Geoffrey of Monmouth - it has become known as the authoritative version. Malory was the writer who really brought together all the different Arthurian stories and related Celtic myths into one more-or-less coherent narrative, even though they don't always fit together properly Arthurs Family Arthur was the great legendary British king. Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine. Igraine was the wife to Duke Gorlois of Cornwall (or Hoel of Tintagel), at the time she had conceived Arthur. Through Merlin's magic, Uther was transformed to look exactly like her husband. Uther made love to Igraine, when Gorlois was absence. When Gorlois was killed, Uther immediately married Igraine. After the death of Uther, Arthur, who had been reared in secrecy, won acknowledgment as king of Britain by successfully withdrawing a sword from a stone. Merlin, the court magician, then revealed the new king's parentage. Arthur, reigning in his court at Camelot, proved to be a noble king and a mighty warrior. Camelot was the great castle of King Arthur. Camelot was the seat of power in Britain, where inside a council was established. Arthur and his knights who presided over the council were called Knights of the Round Table. Camelot symbolized the Golden Age of Chivalry. He was the possessor of the miraculous sword Excalibur, given to him by the mysterious Lady of the Lake. Later legends say that Arthur had three half-sisters: Morgawse, Elaine (Blasine) and Morgan le Fay. Morgawse had married King Lot of Orkney, Elaine (Blasine) was married to King Nentres of Garlot, while Morgan was wife of King Urien of Gorre, brother of Lot. Arthur said to have no children from his wife Guinevere, except for in Perlesvaus, where Lohot was their son, and Guinevere is his mother. However, Lohot (or Loholt) was said to be Arthur's son, not by

Arthurian literature mainly derived legends from the pagan Celtic times. It was also said to be based from Romano-British king from the time of the Dark Ages (AD 476-800). King Arthur is a legendary British leader who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early sixth century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and his historical existence is debated and disputed by modern historians. The sparse historical background of Arthur is gleaned from various sources, including the Annales Cambriae, the Historia Brittonum, and the writings of Gildas. Arthur's name also occurs in early poetic sources such as Y Gododdin. The legendary Arthur developed as a figure of international interest largely through the popularity of Geoffrey of Monmouth's fanciful and imaginative 12th-century Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain). Some Welsh and Breton tales and poems relating the story of Arthur date from earlier than this work; in these works, Arthur appears either as a great warrior defending Britain from human and supernatural enemies or as a magical figure of folklore, sometimes associated with the Welsh Otherworld, Annwn. Although the themes, events and characters of the Arthurian legend varied widely from text to text, and there is no one canonical version, Geoffrey's version of events often served as the starting point for later stories. Geoffrey depicted Arthur as a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire over Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul. Many elements and incidents that are now an integral part of the Arthurian story appear in Geoffrey's

his wife Guinevere, but more frequently by a woman named Lisanor. Of Arthur's several enemies, the most treacherous were his sister Morgan le Fay and his nephew Mordred. Morgan le Fay was usually represented as an evil sorceress, scheming to win Arthur's throne for herself and her lover. Mordred (or Modred) was variously Arthur's nephew or his son by his sister Morgawse. He seized Arthur's throne during the king's absence. Later he was slain in battle by Arthur, but not before he had fatally wounded the king. Arthur was borne away to the isle of Avalon, where it was expected that he would be healed of his wounds and that he would someday return to his people. At Arthur's death Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur into the lake; a hand rose from the water, caught the sword, and disappeared. Another sword, sometimes mistakenly identified with Excalibur, was drawn from a stone by Arthur to prove his royalty. The Link to Celtic Mythology Formerly, it was thought that the Arthurian legend was the work of several inventive poets and romancers of the Middle Ages. The generally accepted theory now is that Arthurian legend developed out of stories of Celtic mythology. The most archaic form in which these occur in British sources is the Welsh Mabinogion, but much of Irish mythology is palpably identical with Arthurian romance. It is not certain how or where (in Wales or in those parts of northern Britain inhabited by Brythonic-speaking Celts) this legend originated or whether the figure Arthur was based on a historical person. Important Characters: Uther Pendragon Arthurs biological father. Igraine Arthurs biological mother Sir Ector - Arthurs adoptive father Merlin Arthurs counselor, prophet, magician, & wizard; he placed Arthur with Sir Ector. Morgan le Fay Arthurs half sister; healer & shape-changer; an adversary of both Arthur & Guinevere; she took Arthur to the barge that would take him to Avalon to be healed. Morgause Arthurs half sister; married to King Lot; mother of Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain, Gareth, & Mordred. Sir Kay son of Sir Ector; raised as Arthurs step-brother.

Mordred Arthurs nephew; seized Guinevere & rebelled against Arthur; killed by Lancelot after the last battle. Guinevere Arthurs wife; Lancelots lover. Lancelot Arthurs chief knight & rival for Guineveres love. The Lady of the Lake aka Vivienne; gave Excalibur to Arthur; enchanted & imprisoned Merlin. Joseph of Arimathea soldier of Pontius Pilate who was given the cup (Holy Grail) from the Last Supper; settled in Glastonbury.

Important Places:

Camelot King Arthurs kingdom. Tintagel Castle conception place of Arthur. Isle of Avalon island to which Arthur is sent to recover from the last battle. Glastonbury claimed by some to be the actual Isle of Avalon, as it was once surrounded by marshes.

Important Objects: Excalibur Arthurs magical sword; given to him by The Lady of the Lake. The Holy Grail the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper; used by Joseph of Arimathea to catch Christs blood when he was on the cross. The Round Table the table given as part of Guineveres dowry & used by Arthur and his knights. Each knights name was magically inscribed on the table. Everybody was equal.