Where did the King Arthur legend come from?
The legend possibly originated either in Wales or in those parts of northern Britain inhabited by Brythonic-speaking Celts. (For a fuller treatment of the stories about King Arthur, see also Arthurian legend.)
What is the real story of King Arthur?
King Arthur is a medieval, mythological figure who was the head of the kingdom Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. It is not known if there was a real Arthur, though it is believed he may have been a Roman-affiliated military leader who successfully staved off a Saxon invasion during the 5th to 6th centuries.
Is King Arthur and Camelot a true story?
Although most scholars regard it as being entirely fictional, there are many locations that have been linked with King Arthur's Camelot. Camelot was the name of the place where King Arthur held court and was the location of the famous Round Table.
Is King Arthur based on a real king?
A cipher in Nennius' history, Arthur now became a Celtic-speaking warrior-king within a richly imagined narrative. Geoffrey claimed that he'd gleaned details of Arthur's life from an ancient Welsh history book shown to him by an Oxford archdeacon, but there's no evidence such a book existed.
Is there any evidence that King Arthur existed?
“There is no evidence that anyone called Arthur lived there,” says Russell. “Nor is there any archaeological evidence to support the existence of Arthur as a real person.” Russell believes that Monmouth cobbled together various different ancient tales, characters, and episodes to create his now-beloved Arthur figure.
Who wrote the original story of King Arthur?
Geoffrey of MonmouthIn the popular 12th-century book “History of the Kings of Britain,” Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote the first life story of Arthur, describing his magic sword Caliburn (later known as Excalibur), his trusted knight Lancelot, Queen Guinevere and the wizard Merlin.
Where is Excalibur today?
The 14th century sword was discovered at in the Vrbas River, near the village of Rakovice in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Driven into a solid bit of rock 36ft below the surface and becoming stuck for years in water - the sword has now been dubbed 'Excalibur' after the legendary tale of King Arthur.
Was the Excalibur real?
For centuries the sword was assumed to be a fake. but research revealed last week has dated its metal to the twelfth century. Only the hilt, wooden grip and a few inches of the 3ft blade poke from the hill, which still draws pilgrims and tourists to the ruins of the chapel built around it.
Who were the 13 Knights of the Round Table?
List of the Knights of the Round TableSir Lancelot.Sir Gawain.Sir Geraint.Sir Percival.Sir Bors the Younger.Sir Lamorak.Sir Kay.Sir Gareth.More items...
Who ruled Camelot after Arthur died?
ConstantineIn Jean d'Outremeuse's 14th-century Ly Myreur des Histors, Lancelot installs Constantine on the throne after Arthur's death. He is king of Britain in some versions of the Havelok the Dane legend, beginning with Geoffrey Gaimar's 12th-century Estoire des Engleis.
Was Arthur and the Round Table Real?
These days, there is general acceptance that there is a real person behind King Arthur's legend but that the stories have been embellished and embiggened over time through countless retellings. However, some also believe King Arthur's story is an amalgamation of the legends of many great leaders during the period.
Is King Arthur a myth or legend?
Arthur, sometimes known as 'the king that was and the king that shall be', is recognised all over the world as one of the most famous characters of myth and legend. Yet, if he existed at all (which few scholars agree upon), he would not have been a king, but the commander of an elite force of fighting men.
Was Arthur and the Round Table Real?
These days, there is general acceptance that there is a real person behind King Arthur's legend but that the stories have been embellished and embiggened over time through countless retellings. However, some also believe King Arthur's story is an amalgamation of the legends of many great leaders during the period.
Why did King Arthur not exist?
According to one source, the consensus among academic historians today is that there is no solid evidence for his historical existence. However, because historical documents for the post-Roman period are scarce, a definitive answer to the question of Arthur's historical existence is unlikely.
Is King Arthur a myth or legend?
Arthur, sometimes known as 'the king that was and the king that shall be', is recognised all over the world as one of the most famous characters of myth and legend. Yet, if he existed at all (which few scholars agree upon), he would not have been a king, but the commander of an elite force of fighting men.
Who ruled Camelot after Arthur died?
ConstantineIn Jean d'Outremeuse's 14th-century Ly Myreur des Histors, Lancelot installs Constantine on the throne after Arthur's death. He is king of Britain in some versions of the Havelok the Dane legend, beginning with Geoffrey Gaimar's 12th-century Estoire des Engleis.
Who is King Arthur?
King Arthur is a legendary British king who appears in a series of stories and medieval romances as the leader of a knightly fellowship called the...
Was King Arthur a real person?
Historians cannot confirm King Arthur’s existence, though some speculate that he was a real warrior who led British armies against Saxon invaders i...
When did stories about King Arthur become popular?
Stories about King Arthur became popular before the 11th century. Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia regum Britanniae, written between 1135 and 1139,...
How did Arthur become king?
Legends disagree on how Arthur became king, though most involve his famous sword, Excalibur. Some involve Arthur fulfilling a prophecy by pulling E...
Who was King Arthur’s wife?
King Arthur was married to Guinevere in most legends. Early traditions of abduction and infidelity follow Guinevere, who in some stories was carrie...
When was Arthur first mentioned?
A less obviously legendary account of Arthur appears in the Legenda Sancti Goeznovii, which is often claimed to date from the early 11th century (although the earliest manuscript of this text dates from the 15th century and the text is now dated to the late 12th to early 13th century).
Who was King Arthur?
King Arthur ( Welsh: Brenin Arthur, Cornish: Arthur Gernow, Breton: Roue Arzhur) was a legendary British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
What is the genre of Arthurian romance?
The 12th-century French writer Chrétien de Troyes, who added Lancelot and the Holy Grail to the story, began the genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant strand of medieval literature. In these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various Knights of the Round Table. 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 continues to have prominence, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media.
What is King Arthur's name?
Some scholars have suggested it is relevant to this debate that the legendary King Arthur's name only appears as Arthur or Arturus in early Latin Arthurian texts, never as Artōrius (though Classical Latin Artōrius became Arturius in some Vulgar Latin dialects).
Where did the name Arthur come from?
The origin of the Welsh name "Arthur" remains a matter of debate. The most widely accepted etymology derives it from the Roman nomen gentile (family name) Artorius. Artorius itself is of obscure and contested etymology, but possibly of Messapian or Etruscan origin. Linguist Stephan Zimmer suggests Artorius possibly had a Celtic origin, being a Latinization of a hypothetical name *Artorījos, in turn derived from an older patronym *Arto-rīg-ios, meaning "son of the bear/warrior-king". This patronym is unattested, but the root, *arto-rīg, "bear/warrior-king", is the source of the Old Irish personal name Artrí. Some scholars have suggested it is relevant to this debate that the legendary King Arthur's name only appears as Arthur or Arturus in early Latin Arthurian texts, never as Artōrius (though Classical Latin Artōrius became Arturius in some Vulgar Latin dialects). However, this may not say anything about the origin of the name Arthur, as Artōrius would regularly become Art (h)ur when borrowed into Welsh.
What is King Arthur's first account of his life?
King Arthur in a crude illustration from a 15th-century Welsh version of Historia Regum Britanniae. Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, completed c. 1138, contains the first narrative account of Arthur's life.
How long did the last printing of Le Morte d'Arthur take?
Social changes associated with the end of the medieval period and the Renaissance also conspired to rob the character of Arthur and his associated legend of some of their power to enthrall audiences, with the result that 1634 saw the last printing of Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur for nearly 200 years.
Who was King Arthur?
Celtic bards traveled from court to court recounting folk tales of the past. Over time, Arturus, the military leader, became King Arthur of England. Some historians believe Arthur was Dux (Duke) of Britain, a Roman title. However, by AD 500, such titles had become vague and 'King' was the customary designation of Celtic leaders.
What is the modern tale of King Arthur?
Malory's text transports the reader to a dreamland of castles and kingdoms in which the love of adventure was reason enough to wage battles. Though these adventures are as real as a boy's dream, they're as difficult to place in the latitude and longitude of today's world.
What is a fanciful history?
In the centuries that followed Arthur's death, fanciful histories fleshed out the few reliable facts about the 'King' with a whole body of literature that created an enduring legend.
What did the abbot say to the monks?
In desperation, the abbot raised his voice and declared: "I will tell you something new and great. There was once a mighty king, whose name was Arthur. . . .". The words had an electrifying effect.
Why was the table painted in 1522?
King Henry VIII ordered the table painted in 1522 to honour a visit by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. The image of Arthur is actually modeled on a very youthful Henry VIII seated in full royal regalia.
Where is Arthur's seat?
Arthur's Seat from Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland. Excavations conducted by archaeologist Leslie Alcock revealed wattle and daub huts within an 18-acre enclosure on top of the hill. Two shrines, a metalworkers' area, furnaces, smiths' tools, and finished weapons were also unearthed.
Where did the Celts live?
Although the Saxons finally conquered Britain, the Celts remained strong in Cornwall, Cumberland, and Wales. There, the Celtic people retained a degree of independence and kept alive the memory of old champions like Arturus. Celtic bards traveled from court to court recounting folk tales of the past. Over time, Arturus, the military leader, became King Arthur of England.
Who wrote the King Arthur story?
Aiming to properly contextualize the array of tales presented, documentarian and writer Michael Wood has looked at the cultural and geographic origins of the King Arthur story in his TV series In Search of Myths and Heroes.
Who Was King Arthur?
King Arthur is a medieval , mythological figure who was the head of the kingdom Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. It is not known if there was a real Arthur, though it is believed he may have been a Roman-affiliated military leader who successfully staved off a Saxon invasion during the 5th to 6th centuries. His legend has been popularized by many writers, including Geoffrey of Monmouth.
What is the Arthurian story about?
Due to cultural intermingling in Europe, political influences and writers' imagination, the Arthurian story developed into a full-fledged legend and complex story , with an emphasis on a noble kingdom called Camelot, the Knights of the Round Table and the queen, Guinevere, who has an affair with the knight Lancelot. Other aspects of the tale include the king's deadly conflict with his nephew or son, Mordred, and the knights' quest for the Holy Grail.
Who inspired King Arthur?
Little is known about the possible figure who inspired the story of King Arthur, a heroic monarch who has been a popular mythological and literary character for some time. It has been suggested that the real-life "Arthur" may have been a warrior/officer of Roman affiliation who led a British military force against incoming Saxon forces during the 5th to 6th centuries A.D. Still, Celtic monk Gildas wrote of the Saxon invasion in his work The Ruin and Conquest of Britain, citing the conflict at Badon Hills, and no warrior named Arthur is mentioned.
Who was the first English writer to write a retelling of King Arthur's story?
King Arthur in Literature. Thomas Malory was the first to provide an English prose retelling of the legend in his Le Morte D'Arthur, published in 1485. Centuries later, Alfred Tennyson published his Idylls of the King throughout the latter half of the 1800s, telling the story of Camelot in the form of an epic poem.
Who played King Arthur in the movie?
Fast forward to the next millennium where Antoine Fuqua directed King Arthur (2004), whose still fantastic plot relied more heavily on the idea that Arthur, here portrayed by Clive Owen, was a military leader against the Saxons. His life was also portrayed in the 2017 movie King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Who played the monarch in the movie Camelot?
Later revivals would see Richard Harris — who starred in the 1967 movie version as well — and Robert Goulet portray the monarch. A more serious, grim take on Camelot was seen in the 1981 film Excalibur, with Helen Mirren in the role of Morgana, half-sister to the king.
When did Arthur's biography come out?
The first full “biographies” of Arthur don’t appear until the 12th century. Though they were sometimes styled as being based on a true story, they came out of a time when romance writing was all the rage, inspired by the rise of courtly love and chivalry.
Who wrote the history of the kings of Britain?
The most famous accounts are History of the Kings of Britain, written in 1136 in Latin by Geoffrey of Monmouth, who claimed to have been translating an ancient British book on the kings of Britain that had been lost. The legend really took off in the 15th century with the release of Le Morte d’Arthur, with which Thomas Malory helped popularize, ...
Who was the only person to pull the sword out of the stone?
The legend really took off in the 15th century with the release of Le Morte d’Arthur, with which Thomas Malory helped popularize, for the English-speaking world, courtly love and the iconic image of Arthur being the only one who can pull the sword out of the stone.
Was Arthur a military leader?
Lacy, a medievalist and former international president of the International Arthurian Society. If an “Arthur-type” figure were alive around that time, then he was probably a military leader ...
Is Arthur based on a real person?
What is possible, however, is that Arthur is based on a real leader from the 5th or 6th century. One promising theory points to a person known as “Riothamus” — an honorific for “supreme king” — who crossed the English Channel to fight in France. That’s something that Arthur also does in early texts.
Was King Arthur a real person?
Some people do believe that King Arthur could have been a real person, but despite the occasional news story about an archaeological discovery that may provide clues, experts on Arthurian legend tell TIME that there is no evidence — no primary source from the time — to confirm that King Arthur was ever a real person.
What is the legend of King Arthur?
The legend of King Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table have captivated readers for more than a millennium. Growing out of the chaos of the post-Roman occupation of Britain, the stories offered a rallying point and origin story of British might and power. Many continue to search for evidence and clues proving the existence ...
Who wrote the history of King Arthur?
In 1136 CE, some 500 years after Arthur would have lived, British cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth completed his History of the Kings of Britain, tracing British history through the early seventh century. It’s in this book that the military leader Arthur gets an upgrade to king. Geoffrey also gives the first full account of Arthur’s life, including his birth at Tintagel Castle (in present-day North Cornwall, England), rise to the throne as a teenager following his father’s death and his victorious battles against the Saxons.
What was the name of the book that was published in 1485?
Mallory’s 1485 book was a hit and was republished several times after its initial release, but the tale soon fell out of favor, and his book was unavailable until 1816, when it was reintroduced. Arriving at the height of literary and artistic period known as the Romantic era, Mallory’s book left a deep impression on British poets like Alfred Tennyson, John Keats and William Wordsworth, as well as later American writers like Mark Twain, author of the 1889 novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. Mallory’s book also became the basis for numerous illustrated versions of the Arthurian tales, tailored for both children and adults, as well as highly influential paintings, plays and even a musical, Camelot, which depicted the love triangle between Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot, and inspired the use of the term “Camelot” by some historians in reference to the brief presidency of John F. Kennedy, whose youthful presence had inspired millions around the world.
What was Arthur's sword called?
Geoffrey’s work is also the first to mention Arthur’s powerful sword, although it’s known as Caliburn, not yet Excalibur. Geoffrey’s book, written in Latin but translated into several languages, was a popular success, but even his contemporaries cast a wary eye on his scholarship.
Who was the first Arthurian writer to name Camelot as the site of Arthur's court?
Troyes is the first Arthurian writer to name Camelot as the site of Arthur’s court and to introduce characters such as Perceval, one of Arthur’s knights whose quest for the Holy Grail used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper would become a focal point of Arthurian legend.
Who wrote the Vulgate cycle?
Just a few years later, the Arthurian tale got a rewrite of sorts, thanks to a group of anonymous authors who wrote the Post-Vulgate Cycle, which stripped away much of the love story to focus almost exclusively on the quest for the Holy Grail by the Knights of the Round Table (purported to be a wedding gift to Arthur from Guinevere’s father).
When did the Arthurian legend blossom?
The Arthurian legend blossomed during the 12th and 13th centuries. The Arthur of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s book is a brooding, violent warrior. It’s in his next incarnation that romance takes center stage, thanks to a series of Arthurian stories written in France.
What is King Arthur's history?
King Arthur Baking Company has a long and storied history, stretching back nearly to the American Revolution. We've been providing bakers with superior flour since 1790: from Martha Washington's apple pie through the invention of the chocolate chip cookie, from flour in wooden barrels to bags at the supermarket, we've been there. Simply put, King Arthur and American baking have been close companions since the very beginning.
Why is flour called King Arthur?
The Sands, Taylor, & Wood Company introduced its "new and improved" flour at the Boston Food Fair, naming it King Arthur for its Arthurian attributes: "purity, loyalty, honesty, superior strength, and a dedication to a higher purpose.".
When was sourdough bread invented?
Gold was discovered in northern California in 1848, and the rush was on. Hungry miners developed naturally fermented "sourdough" as a way to bake bread. And in 1849 , The French Bakery became the first shop in San Francisco offering sourdough bread for sale.
When did King Arthur's Bread Baking program start?
In 1992, King Arthur's Life Skills Bread Baking program taught 900 Connecticut schoolchildren to bake bread and share it with those less fortunate. Today, our Bake for Good program has expanded nationwide, and has reached hundreds of thousands of middle school kids.
When did King Arthur become a distributor?
After a mid-century expansion, by 1968 King Arthur had become New England's largest bakery supply distributor, offering virtually every ingredient used by professional bakers, from pie fillings to flavorings to ice cream toppings. In the late 1970s, the business decided to return to its original mission: selling flour to home and professional bakers.
Who owns King Arthur Flour Bakery?
A long-time dream of King Arthur co- owner Brinna Sands was for the business to open an onsite bakery and school. After years of research and planning, Brinna's dream came true: The King Arthur Flour Bakery and Baking Education Center opened their doors on our Norwich, Vermont campus.
Is King Arthur a B Corp?
Carrying on a long-time business commitment to do the right thing, King Arthur proudly became a founding B Corp member, changing its bylaws to reflect its commitment to all stakeholders: shareholders, business partners, the community, and the environment.
What is Arthur's sword called?
In Welsh legends, Arthur's sword is known as Caledfwlch. In Culhwch and Olwen, it is one of Arthur's most valuable possessions and is used by Arthur's warrior Llenlleawg the Irishman to kill the Irish king Diwrnach while stealing his magical cauldron.
What is the name of the sword that Arthur threw into the lake?
The identity of this sword as Excalibur is made explicit in the Prose Merlin, part of the Lancelot-Grail cycle of French romances (the Vulgate Cycle). In the Vulgate Mort Artu, when Arthur at the brink of death he orders Griflet to throw the sword into the enchanted lake; after two failed attempts (as he felt such a great sword should not be thrown away), Griflet finally complies with the wounded king's request and a hand emerges from the lake to catch it. This tale becomes attached to Bedivere instead of Griflet in Malory and the English tradition. However, in the Post-Vulgate Cycle and consequently Malory, early in his reign Arthur breaks the Sword from the Stone while in combat against King Pellinore, and then on Merlin's advice he goes to be given Excalibur by a Lady of the Lake in exchange for a later boon for her (some time later, she arrives at Arthur's court to demand the head of Balin ). Malory records both versions of the legend in his Le Morte d'Arthur, naming both swords as Excalibur.
Where did the name Excalibur come from?
The name Excalibur ultimately derives from the Welsh Caledfwlch (and Breton Kaledvoulc'h, Middle Cornish Calesvol ), which is a compound of caled "hard" and bwlch "breach, cleft". Caledfwlch appears in several early Welsh works, including the prose tale Culhwch and Olwen (c. 11-12th century). The name was later used in Welsh adaptations of foreign material such as the Brut s (chronicles), which were based on Geoffrey of Monmouth. It is often considered to be related to the phonetically similar Caladbolg, a sword borne by several figures from Irish mythology, although a borrowing of Caledfwlch from Irish Caladbolg has been considered unlikely by Rachel Bromwich and D. Simon Evans. They suggest instead that both names "may have similarly arisen at a very early date as generic names for a sword". This sword then became exclusively the property of Arthur in the British tradition.
Where was the Excalibur sword found?
Historically, a sword identified as Excalibur (Caliburn) was supposedly discovered during the purported exhumation of Arthur's grave at Glastonbury Abbey in 1191. On 6 March 1191, after the Treaty of Messina, either this or another claimed Excalibur was given as a gift of goodwill by the English king Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart) to his ally Tancred, King of Sicily. It was one of a series of Richard's symbolic Arthurian acts, such as associating the crown won from the slain Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd with the crown of King Arthur.
Who stole the scabbard from Arthur?
In the later romance tradition, including Le Morte d'Arthur, the scabbard is stolen from Arthur by his half-sister Morgan le Fay in revenge for the death of her beloved Accolon (slain by Arthur with Excalibur in a duel) and it is thrown into a lake, never to be found again.
Who asked the Lady of the Lake for the sword?
"King Arthur asks the Lady of the Lake for the sword Excalibur." Walter Crane 's illustration for Henry Gilbert 's King Arthur's Knights: The Tales Retold for Boys and Girls (1911)
When was the Excalibur sword discovered?
On 6 March 1191, after the Treaty of Messina, either this or another claimed Excalibur was given as a gift of goodwill by Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart) to his ally Tancred, King of Sicily.
Overview
King Arthur (Welsh: Brenin Arthur, Cornish: Arthur Gernow, Breton: Roue Arzhur) was a legendary Celtic Briton who according to medieval histories and romances, was leader of the Celtic Britons in battles against Saxon invaders of Britain in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. Details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of Welsh mythology, English folklore and literary invention and there is disagreement and discussion about his historicity. The sparse historical background of Arthur is …
Historicity
The historical basis for King Arthur has been long debated by scholars. One school of thought, citing entries in the Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons) and Annales Cambriae (Welsh Annals), saw Arthur as a genuine historical figure, a Romano-British leader who fought against the invading Anglo-Saxons some time in the late 5th to early 6th century.
The Historia Brittonum, a 9th-century Latin historical compilation attributed in some late manus…
Name
The origin of the Welsh name "Arthur" remains a matter of debate. The most widely accepted etymology derives it from the Roman nomen gentile (family name) Artorius. Artorius itself is of obscure and contested etymology, but possibly of Messapian or Etruscan origin. Linguist Stephan Zimmer suggests Artorius possibly had a Celtic origin, being a Latinization of a hypothetical name *Artorījos, in turn derived from an older patronym *Arto-rīg-ios, meaning "son of the bear/warrior-…
Medieval literary traditions
The familiar literary persona of Arthur began with Geoffrey of Monmouth's pseudo-historical Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), written in the 1130s. The textual sources for Arthur are usually divided into those written before Geoffrey's Historia (known as pre-Galfridian texts, from the Latin form of Geoffrey, Galfridus) and those written afterwards, which could no…
Decline, revival, and the modern legend
The end of the Middle Ages brought with it a waning of interest in King Arthur. Although Malory's English version of the great French romances was popular, there were increasing attacks upon the truthfulness of the historical framework of the Arthurian romances – established since Geoffrey of Monmouth's time – and thus the legitimacy of the whole Matter of Britain. So, for example, the 16t…
See also
• Arthur's O'on
• Artus Court
• Historicity of King Arthur
• King Arthur's family
• King Arthur's messianic return
External links
• International Arthurian Society
• "Arthurian Gwent". Blaenau Gwent Borough County Council. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2008.. An excellent site detailing Welsh Arthurian folklore.
• Green, Caitlin. "Arthuriana: Studies in Early Medieval History and Legend".. A detailed and comprehensive academic site, which includes numerous scholarly articles.