King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Fact or Folklore
There are many accounts of the birth of Arthur
In post-Roman Britain around the Sixth century, (this date varies in many manuscripts) was the legendary British leader King named Arthur.
King Arthur was a legend of his time leading the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders as all legendary figures beyond a certain time in medieval history and romances, the history of Britain is a mixture of fact and folklore.
The Historical existence of King Arthur is debated and disputed by modern historians, The first narrative account of Arthur’s life is found in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Latin work Historia Regum Britanniae, whether you read Latin or not I think you could probably work out the translation as the History of the Kings of Britain, this work, was completed around 1138, and is a rather romantic account of The British kings of that time.
The conquests of Norway, Denmark and Gaul
Arthur’s father, Uther Pendragon and his magician advisor Merlin were the subjects of many accounts, ballad and stories, the birth of Arthur also has many explanations, one of the most popular is that Uther was disguised by Merlin as his enemy Gorlois, he then sleeps with Gorlois’s wife Igerna in the Tintagel Castle near the village of the same name in Cornwall England.
Igerna gives birth to Arthur and on Uther’s death; the fifteen-year-old Arthur succeeds his father as the King of Britain.
Arthurs many battles is described in ‘Historia Brittonum’ the last battle described is the battle of Bath.
The Superman of his day?
King Arthur then defeats the Picts and Scots and creates the Arthurian empire, according to the manuscript, Ireland, Iceland and the Orkney Islands are the next to fall at the hands of Arthur. After a period of relative peace, the urge to expand his Empire takes over again and so the conquests of Norway, Denmark and Gaul are the next to be added.
For all you historian out there you will know, that at that time Gaul was held by the Roman Empire this leads to further battle and confrontations between Arthur and the Roman Empire defeating the Roman emperor Lucius before returning home to England.
Arthur is depicted as a fearless warrior and protector of Britain, killing many enemies and slaying Dragons not to mention rescuing maidens in distress (The Superman of his day?)
Most of us know of Arthur, Lancelot and his son Sir Galahad, and The Lady Guinevere, but there were many other characters that founded the legend surrounding Camelot, the Round Table, and the Holy Grail.
The code of chivalry,
We are not sure how many Knights of the Round Table there were but their fame is still well known today according to Sir Thomas Malory the code of chivalry, the knights vowed
• To never do outrage nor murder
• Always to flee treason
• To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy
• To always do ladies, gentlewomen, and widows succor
• To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows
• Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods
Is it all romance, fact or fiction? You will have to make your own mind up as to where you stand.
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