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Questions and Answers
What is King Arthur's legendary status based on?
What is King Arthur's legendary status based on?
Who is credited with adding the legend of Camelot to the Arthurian story?
Who is credited with adding the legend of Camelot to the Arthurian story?
What was the purpose of the meeting in Canterbury after Uther Pendragon's death?
What was the purpose of the meeting in Canterbury after Uther Pendragon's death?
Why was Arthur placed in the care of Sir Ector?
Why was Arthur placed in the care of Sir Ector?
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What was written on the stone with the sword stuck in it?
What was written on the stone with the sword stuck in it?
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What was the outcome of many knights trying to remove the sword from the stone?
What was the outcome of many knights trying to remove the sword from the stone?
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Who was Arthur serving as a squire to when he pulled the sword out of the rock?
Who was Arthur serving as a squire to when he pulled the sword out of the rock?
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What was the name of the king's wife who had an affair with Sir Lancelot?
What was the name of the king's wife who had an affair with Sir Lancelot?
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According to legend, who brought the Holy Grail to Britain?
According to legend, who brought the Holy Grail to Britain?
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What was the name of the fellowship of knights in King Arthur's court?
What was the name of the fellowship of knights in King Arthur's court?
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Who was said to have guarded the Grail?
Who was said to have guarded the Grail?
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What was the name of King Arthur's son or nephew who betrayed him?
What was the name of King Arthur's son or nephew who betrayed him?
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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.
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Description
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.
