The Legend of King Arthur

Inscription of King Arthur

• Inscription: "Here lies Arthur, king who was, and king who will be."
• Found in Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur (15th century).

Origins of the Legend

• King Arthur's story is rooted in Celtic poetry from the time of the Saxon invasions of Britain.
• After the Romans left Britain in 410 CE, Saxon invaders exploited the vulnerability of the territory.
• The locals fought back fiercely during centuries of turmoil.
• Limited written records from this time make it hard to reconstruct history.

Early References to Arthur

• The Gododdin contains the first reference to Arthur, although he does not appear in the poem.
• A warrior named Gwawrddur is mentioned as a skilled slayer but not on par with Arthur.
• Suggests Arthur was a legendary warrior, but historical existence is uncertain.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

• In 1130, Geoffrey of Monmouth, a cleric, wrote The History of the Kings of Britain.
• Used Celtic and Latin sources to create a chronicle focused on King Arthur.
• His account blends myth, poetry, and some historical references.
• Introduced elements like Caledfwlch (a magical sword) and Caerleon (a Roman fortress).
• Created the character of Merlin based on the Celtic bard Myrrdin.
• Portrayed Arthur as a castle-bound king rather than just a military leader.

Translation and Further Development

• Geoffrey's work translated into French by poet Wace around 1155 CE.
• Wace introduced the Round Table to ensure equal seating among Arthur's guests.
• Influenced by the ideals of chivalry and equality.

Chrétien de Troyes

• Later, poet Chrétien de Troyes wrote romances that popularized Arthur's stories further.
• Introduced key characters like Lancelot and Gawain, along with a love triangle involving Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere.
• Introduced the Holy Grail, possibly influenced by Celtic mythology.
• Contextualized the Grail as a powerful relic during the Crusades.

Evolution of the Legend

• Various retellings led to the transformation of Caerleon into Camelot and Caliburnus into Excalibur.
• In the 15th century, Sir Thomas Malory synthesized the stories in Le Morte D’arthur.
• The legend of King Arthur has continuously evolved over the millennium.
• Whether or not Arthur actually lived, his character has achieved lasting immortality in literature and culture.