Middle English Literature

Medieval Legends and Romances

Walk-in Work

CAMELOT EXCALIBUR

HOLY GRAILKNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE

Which legendary character are all of these terms associated with?

Intro to King Arthur

King Arthur is the legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries that defended against Saxon invaders.

It’s mostly a legend that has been invented and reinvented over the centuries. Historical existence is debated.

Historical ContextRemember the Saxons and

Normans?

The story is set during the 5th and 6th centuries when Celtic kingdoms were trying to fight against the Saxons.

But the story was written after the Norman invasion of 1066 when Norman French became the language of the elite, the court, and government.

Authors Geoffrey of Monmouth’s

Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain, completed in 1138) where he introduces the characters of Uther Pendragon, Merlin, Guinevere, Excalibur, Mordred, and Avalon.

Chretian de Troyes, a French writer, added the story of Lancelot, the Knights of the Round Table, the Holy Grail, and the Arthurian romance in the

1300’s.

The Sword and the Stone

In groups of four, put the events of the story in order.

Characters: King Uther, Ingriane, Merlin, Arthur, Sir Ector.

When you are finished, be prepared to discuss the following questions:

What does King Uther agree to do in order to marry?

How do they choose the next king of Britain?

How do you think Arthur feels after finding out his true identity?

Newspaper Assignment

Write a short article on the situation in Britain after King Uther died or on the time Arthur manages to pull the sword out of the stone. Draw on your knowledge of the historical period to include details about the time.

Use the following headlines:

KING UTHER DEAD, WHO IS THE NEW KING?

YOUNG BOY PULLS SWORD OUT OF STONE.

Turn and Talk

Are honor, chivalry and romance dead?

Are these they modern ideals or ancient ones?

Medieval Romance or Chivalric Romance

Type of Medieval poetry, prose, or verse narrative

Traits include:

Knights that go on heroic quests or adventures to fight dragons and save damsels in distress.

Codes of Honor

Courtly Love

Chivalry: From the Middle English word

chivalrie and the Middle French word

chevalerie.

It meant warrier on horseback or brave

gentleman.

Based on this Code of Chivalry, what

qualities did the Knights of Round Table possess?

What values must they uphold?

Courtly Love

Aristocratic: Noble Lords and Ladies

Followed Rules and Courtship: Exchanged gifts and tokens. The lady was wooed by songs, poems, flowers, and ceremonial gestures.

Secret: Courtly Lovers were sworn to secrecy.

Knights of the Knights of the Round TableRound Table Sir Galahad Sir Galahad

Sir Lancelot du LacSir Lancelot du Lac Sir Gawain Sir Gawain Sir Percivale Sir Percivale Sir LionellSir Lionell Sir Tristram de LyonesSir Tristram de Lyones Sir GarethSir Gareth Sir BedivereSir Bedivere Sir BleoberisSir Bleoberis Sir La Cote Male TaileSir La Cote Male Taile Sir LucanSir Lucan Sir KaySir Kay

Sir PalomedesSir Palomedes Sir LamorakSir Lamorak

Sir Bors de GanisSir Bors de Ganis Sir SaferSir Safer

Sir PelleasSir Pelleas Sir Ector de MarisSir Ector de Maris

Sir DagonetSir Dagonet Sir DegoreSir Degore

Sir Brunor le NoirSir Brunor le Noir Sir Le Bel DesconneuSir Le Bel Desconneu

Sir AlymereSir Alymere Sir MordredSir Mordred

Sir Lancelot and Guinevere

Lancelot is known as Lancelot of the Lake (or

Lancelot du Lac) because he was raised by Vivien,

the Lady of the Lake.

He carries out various good deeds, including rescuing

Queen Guinevere from Meleagant, an unsuccessful quest for the Holy Grail and

the rescue of Guinevere after she is condemned to

be burned to death for adultery with him.

Knights Wanted

Write a job advertisement starting with these words:

WANTED: KNIGHT OF THE ROUND TABLE.