12 Questions
What is King Arthur's legendary status based on?
Tradition and legend
Who is credited with adding the legend of Camelot to the Arthurian story?
French writers
What was the purpose of the meeting in Canterbury after Uther Pendragon's death?
To elect a new king
Why was Arthur placed in the care of Sir Ector?
Because Merlin predicted Arthur would be in danger
What was written on the stone with the sword stuck in it?
Whoever pulls out this sword is the lawfully born king of Britain
What was the outcome of many knights trying to remove the sword from the stone?
They all failed to remove the sword
Who was Arthur serving as a squire to when he pulled the sword out of the rock?
Sir Kay
What was the name of the king's wife who had an affair with Sir Lancelot?
Guinevere
According to legend, who brought the Holy Grail to Britain?
Joseph of Arimathea
What was the name of the fellowship of knights in King Arthur's court?
Round Table fellowship
Who was said to have guarded the Grail?
The Fisher King
What was the name of King Arthur's son or nephew who betrayed him?
Mordred
Study Notes
King Arthur: The Legendary Figure
- King Arthur is a legendary figure with little known about him, believed to be a Celtic British warrior or king who fought against the Saxons in the early A.D. 500s.
Development of Arthurian Legend
- The Arthurian legend grew over time, with many sources contributing to it, including Welsh monk Nennius, church leader Geoffrey of Monmouth, and French writers.
Special Birth of Arthur
- Uther Pendragon, King of Britain, had a love affair with another man's wife, resulting in Arthur's birth.
- Merlin, a magician, predicted Arthur's greatness and needed to protect him from Uther.
The Sword in the Stone
- After Uther's death, Merlin organized a meeting in Canterbury to choose a new king.
- A sword appeared in a stone with an inscription, "Whoever pulls out this sword is the lawfully born king of Britain."
- Many knights tried and failed to remove the sword, but Arthur, acting as Sir Kay's squire, easily pulled it out and became the new king.
The Round Table Fellowship
- Arthur's knights, known as the Round Table fellowship, searched for the Holy Grail, the cup believed to be used by Jesus at the Last Supper.
- The search was led by knights such as Percival, Gawain, and Galahad, who faced challenges and opponents like the Fisher King.
Myths of Arthur's Death
- Arthur was betrayed by Sir Lancelot, who had a love affair with the king's wife, Guinevere.
- Alternatively, Arthur was betrayed and killed by his son or nephew, Mordred, or taken away by fairy queens to the island of Avalon.
Connection to Christianity
- The Arthurian legend was tied to Christianity through the story of Joseph of Arimathea, who brought the Holy Grail to Britain and thorns from Jesus' crown.
- An ancient thorn tree on the grounds of the church abbey at Glastonbury was believed to have grown from those thorns.
Learn about the legendary King Arthur, a Celtic British warrior who fought against the Saxons in the 5th century. Explore the many sources of the Arthurian legend, including the Welsh monk Nennius.
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