A legendary King Arthur and Arthurian heroes

Министерство образования и  науки Республики Тыва

МБОУ СОШ №1 им. Ю.А. Гагарина

ПРОЕКТНАЯ РАБОТА  ПО АНГЛИЙСКОМУ ЯЗЫКУ

A legendary King Arthur and Arthurian heroes

                                                                           Выполнила ученица 9А класса

                                                                                                              Кольцова Ксения

                                                                                                           Руководитель: учитель

                                                                                                                 английского языка

                                                                                           Шумова Елена Владимировна

CONTENTS

Preface………………………………………………………………………………………..3

The birth of Arthur……………………………………………………………………………4

Arthur becomes King……………………………………………………………………….5-6

Guinevere made Queen……………………………………………………………………….7

The Round Table…………………………………………………………………………….8-9

The Knights of the Round Table…………………………………………………………10 -12

Merlin…………………………………………………………………………………………13

The sword Excalibur…………………………………………………………………………..14

Death of King Arthur…………………………………………………………………………15

Sources………………………………………………………………………………………..16

King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and his historical existence is debated and disputed by modern historians. The legendary Arthur developed as a figure of international interest largely through the popularity of Geoffrey of Monmouth's fanciful and imaginative 12th-century Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain). Although the themes, events and characters of the Arthurian legend varied widely from text to text, and there is no one canonical version, Geoffrey's version of events often served as the starting point for later stories. Geoffrey depicted Arthur as a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire over Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul. Many elements and incidents that are now an integral part of the Arthurian story appear in Geoffrey's Historia, including Arthur's father Uther Pendragon, the wizard Merlin, Arthur's wife Guinevere, the sword Excalibur, Arthur's conception at Tintagel, his final battle against Mordred at Camlann and final rest in Avalon.

Arthur appears either as a great warrior defending Britain from human and supernatural enemies or as a magical figure of folklore.

Arthur was a famous king of England. He lived such a long time ago that we know very little about him. This king had such strange adventures, and did such wonderful things, that people have never tired of writing and reading about him and his famous Knights of the Round Table.

Here are some   of the legends  of King Arthur and his  knights. The life of King Arthur has been retold many times over the centuries.

King Arthur

It was not until Arthur had grown to young manhood that he knew he was of royal blood. Артур не знал, что в его жилах течет королевская кровь,  пока он не достиг юношеского возраста.

The birth of Arthur

Once there was a king in Britain called King Uther. He loved the beautiful Princess Igraine, and he wanted to marry her, but she didn’t love him.

There was a magician named Merlin, who lived in that country. One day Merlin came to King Uther. He said that he would help him to merry her and they would be a son. But Uther would have to give the child to Merlin.

So king Uther married Igraine, and they had a son. They named the son Arthur. When   a boy was three days old   Merlin came to the door of the King’s house. It happened that the baby was given to Merlin, who was supposed to know all things as he was a magician. Merlin took him to Sir Ector, who brought the child up as his own son, and Sir Ector’s wife cared for him.

Arthur becomes King

Soon King Uther  became  very ill. He knew that he was going to die.  Then Merlin came to him and said to call all his knights and great men and tell them that his son, Arthur, would be king after him.

King Uther did that before he died. Every lord in England wanted to be king. The wise Merlin had promised that it should be made known to them, by a wonderful sign, who should be king. So he called all the lords together in a great church in London to see if the sign would be given. All the knights and great men came to London.  After the first prayers were said, a large four-sided stone was discovered in the churchyard in which was a sword called Excalibur. Around the sword, written in letters of gold, were these words:

“Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone, is rightwise King born of England”

The lords went out to look at the stone and the sword. As soon as they saw the words that were written about the sword, they tried to move it; but in vain. ‘’ It will be made known to us,” said the archbishop.  So it was decided that ten famous knights should guard the sword until one came who should be able to move it.

There was a great contest, when it was hoped it would be revealed to them who should be made king. All the barons came forth to the contest to try their skill. Among them rode Sir Ector, and with him his son, Sir Kay, and his foster-son, young  Arthur.

Sir Kay had no sword with him, having left this at his father's castle. He therefore asked Arthur to ride home for his sword and bring it to him. «I will, indeed,» said Arthur, and rode as fast as he could; but when he reached the castle there was no one there to give him his brother's sword, for all had gone to the contest.

Then Arthur being angry, said to himself: «I will ride to the churchyard, and take the sword from within the stone, for my brother, Sir Kay, shall not be without a sword this day.» When Arthur got to the churchyard, there was no one there. All the knights had gone to the contest to try their skill. Then Arthur, quickly and easily, pulled the sword out of the stone, and rode away to give it to his brother. As soon as Sir Kay saw it, he knew it was the sword of the stone, and went to his father, Sir Ector, and cried:

«Sir, here is the sword of the stone that appeared in the churchyard. It means that I am chosen King of England.»

When Sir Ector looked at the sword, he rode again to the churchyard, with Sir Kay and Arthur, where he made Sir Kay swear that he had got the sword.

«Sir,» said Sir Kay, «my brother, brought it to me.»

«And how did you get it?» asked Sir Ector of Arthur.

Then Arthur told how he had ridden to the castle for his brother's sword, and found no one there to give it to him. Knowing that Sir Kay should have a sword, he rode to the churchyard where he had seen the sword, and pulled it out of the stone easily.

«Were there no knights about the sword?» asked Sir Ector.

«No,» answered Arthur.

«Then,» exclaimed Sir Ector to Arthur, «I know now that you are chosen King of England.»

«Why should I be king?» asked Arthur.

«Sir,» said Sir Ector, «because of the prediction that no man, except the one that should draw out this sword shall be king of this land.»

Then Sir Ector told Arthur to put the sword as it had been before, that he might see for himself. So Arthur put the sword in the stone easily. Then Sir Ector tried to pull it out, but he could not move it.

«Now you try,» said Sir Kay to Arthur. «I will, indeed,» said Arthur, and he pulled the sword out as easily as he had done before.

Then Sir Ector and Sir Kay both knelt on the ground before him.

«My father and my brother!» cried Arthur. «Why should you knell to me?»

«No, no, I am not your father,» exclaimed Sir Ector, «nor am I even of your blood, which I now know is higher than I thought.»

Then Sir Ector told Arthur how he was brought to him, soon after he was born, and had been to him like his own son.

Arthur was sorry to hear that Sir Ector, who had cared for him, was not his father. Arthur promised Sir Ector that if ever he (Arthur) should become king, he would never fail to do whatever Sir Ector might ask of him. Then the archbishop was told how the sword had been won, and by whom.

King Arthur righted many wrongs that had been done since his father's death. The lands that had been taken from lords, knights, and ladies were returned to them, and he ruled the kingdom well.

Guinevere Made Queen

Guinevere was a wife of King Arthur by everyone. Her name is spelled differently depending on where you look. It can be either the traditional Guinevere, or Guenevere, or Guenievre, or Guenhumare or Ginevra. In Welsh, she is Gwenhwyfar; in Cornish, Jenefer. In all cases, she is surpassingly beautiful.

King Arthur told Merlin that his barons would give him no rest until he found a wife, and asked his advice.

So he went to Merlin and said that he loved Guinevere, the daughter of King Leodogran, and told who holds in his house the famous Round Table.

So Merlin came to King Leodogran, and told him that King Arthur desired his daughter, the fair Guinevere, for his wife.

«This is good news to me,» said King Leodogran, «that so noble and powerful a king as he should wish to marry my only daughter. I shall send him a gift also that will please him more than lands. I shall give him the Round Table, which his father, King Uther, gave to me.»

So the king gave his daughter, Guinevere to Merlin to bring her to King Arthur for his wife, and also the Round Table with its hundred famous knights.

When King Arthur heard that Guinevere was coming he was very happy, for he had loved her for a long time. He was even more pleased with the gift of the Round Table and the hundred knights.

The marriage of King Arthur and Guinevere was celebrated with great festivities. The Knights of the Round Table, who were the most powerful and the most worthy in all the land, were blessed in their seats. In every seat was the name, in letters of gold, of the knight who sat there.

King Arthur loved Queen Guinevere, and he did many great deeds in her honour.

Camelot

In the legends of King Arthur,  Camelot is the capital of his kingdom, thought as a wonderful magical place. Truth, goodness, and beauty reigned in Camelot.

The Round Table

 The Round Table is King Arthur's famed table in the Arthurian legend, around which he and his Knights congregate. As its name suggests, it has no head, implying that everyone who sits there has equal status. The table was first described in 1155 by Wace, who relied on previous depictions of Arthur's fabulous retinue. The symbolism of the Round Table developed over time; by the close of the 12th century it had come to represent the chivalric order associated with Arthur's court, the Knights of the Round Table.

The Round Table first appears in Wace's Roman de Brut, a Norman language adaptation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae finished in 1155. Wace says Arthur created the Round Table to prevent quarrels  among his barons, none of whom would accept a lower place than the others.

Nowadays the Round Table is organized for the 24 Parties in Winchester that claim continuity over many hundreds of years.

Geoffrey of Monmouth was usually seen as one of the first who brought the Arthurian world to life, though there are scattered works, references and oral traditions from Wales and Brittany. Yet, in his Historia regum Britanniae ("History of the Kings of Britain"), a number of essential elements that make up the Arthurian world, didn't appear in his work. The heroes, Lancelot and Perceval were nowhere to be seen. There was also no Camelot, no Holy Grail, and more importantly, no Round Table.

It wasn't until 1155, when an Anglo-Norman author from Jersey, named Wace, wrote down his Roman de Brut in French, and introduced the Round Table into the Arthurian legend. However, Wace's version was different to what we popularly know today about the Round Table.

The knights were usually of noble birth: they were usually kings and princes, dukes, counts (or earls) and barons. They formed the backbone of the army, since they were the only one who could afford expensive armour and weapon, as well as the cost of training and maintaining the war-horse.

When the knights attend a festival or council at the king's main hall, those who sat at the head of table, usually have precedence over others. These knights would feel envy or jealousy to those of higher ranking. Sometimes, the knights would cause a brawl, over who would take the seat at the head of table.

To resolve these problems, Arthur resorted to having his table constructed in a rounded shape. The ingenuity of this design, make all the knights equal, regardless if he was a king or a minor baron. No one would have precedence over others.

The knights in Arthur's company became known as the "Knights of the Round Table". These knights were heroes, renowned for their strength and courage, and for their skill in combat and warfare. They swore to protect the king and the kingdom.

Layamon, the English author of Brut, who wrote the adaptation of Wace's work, further elaborate the origin of the Round Table.

So the Round Table actually began in a more basic tradition, that of political expenditure. There was no magical or mystical ingredient that would appeared later in this century or early next century.

Note that at this time, there was still no Grail to be sought, nor were there heroes such as Perceval or Galahad.

Arthur established a brilliant court at Camelot, where he gathered around him the greatest and the most chivalrous warriors in Europe, the Knights of the Round Table. King Arthur’s knights included Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, Sir Bedivere and Sir Gawain and others.

The knights and the Round Table

Everyone has heard of the Knights of the Round Table, but many people are not familiar with any of the Noble Knights save for Lancelot. But even Lancelot, however, is to many people something he was not. The Knights were men of courage, honor, dignity, courtesy, and nobleness. They protected ladies and damsels, honored and fought for kings, and undertook dangerous quests. Browse through the navigation above and get to know the major Knights of the Round Table.

The Emblem of the Knights

The emblem of the Knights of the Round Table worn round the necks of all the Knights was given to them by King Arthur as part of the ceremony of their being made a knight.

 The Order's dominant idea was the love of God, men, and noble deeds. The cross in the emblem was to remind them that they were to live pure and stainless lives, to stive after perfection and thus attain the Holy Grail.

 The Red Dragon of King Arthur represented their allegiance to the King. The Round Table was illustrative of the Eternity of God, the equality, unity, and comradeship of the Order, and singleness of purpose of all the Knights.

Sir Lancelot

 Lancelot was the son of King Ban of Benwick and Queen Elaine. He was the First Knight of the Round Table, and he never failed in gentleness, courtesy, or courage. Launcelot was also a knight who was very willing to serve others.

 It has been said that Lancelot was the greatest fighter and swordsman of all the knights of the Round Table. Legend tells us that as a child, Lancelot was left by the shore of the lake, where he was found by Vivien, the Lady of the Lake. She fostered and raised him, and in time Lancelot became one of history's greatest knights.

Legend also says that Lancelot was the father of Galahad by Elaine. It was another Elaine, Elaine of Astolat, who died of a broken heart because Launcelot did not return her love and affection.

 Many sources tell us of the love shared toward each other of Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. There may be some truth to this since Lancelot was a favorite of the Queen's, and he rescued her from the stake on two different occasions. It was at one of these rescues that Lancelot mistakenly killed Sir Gareth, which led to the disbandment of the Round Table. After the Queen repented to an abbey as a nun, Lancelot lived the rest of his life as a hermit in penitence.

 Did Lancelot originate in Celtic mythology, was he a continental invention, or did he really live as a famous knight and hero? We may never know... but Lancelot will always live in our imaginations as one of the greatest knights in history.

Sir Kay

 Sir Kay was the son of Ector and the foster brother of King Arthur. History records Kay as being a very tall man, as shown by his epithet, the Tall.

Sir Galahad

 Galahad was the natural son of Launcelot. His name may be of Welsh origin or come from the place name Gilead in Palestine. His mother was Elaine, and he was placed in a nunnery as a child, being that the abbess there was his great aunt.

 One day a sword in a stone was seen in a river by Arthur's knights, and it was said that only the world's best knight could pull out the sword. Galahad was led into Arthur's court where he sat in the Siege Perilous and then drew the sword out. It was later on when the Grail appeared in a vision at Arthur's court that Galahad was one of the three knights chosen to undertake the Quest for the Holy Grail. He was given a white shield, made by Evelake, with a red cross which Joseph of Arimathea had drawn in blood. In the course of the Quest he joined up with Percivale, Bors, and Percivale's sister. On board Solomon's ship, Galahad obtained the Sword of David, and after the death of Percivale's sister the trio split up for a while and Galahad traveled with his father, Launcelot.

 When the three rejoined forces they came to Carbonek and achieved the Grail. Galahad mended the broken sword, and therefore, He was allowed to see the Grail. After beholding the Holy Grail, Galahad requested of Joseph of Arimathea that he die, which request was granted unto him. Galahad was always known as the "Perfect Knight". He was "perfect" in courage, gentleness, courtesy, and chivalry.

Sir Tristan

 Tristan, or Tristram in Old English, was a contemporary of King Arthur and a Knight of the Round Table. He was the nephew and champion of King Mark of Cornwall and the son of Meliodas, King of Lyoness. Tristan's mother died when he was born, and as a young man he took service with his uncle, Mark.

 Tristan became the champion of his uncle after defeating and killing Marhaus of Ireland in a duel. That defeat led to a truce with King Anguish of Ireland and he arranged for his daughter, Iseult to be married to King Mark. It was Tristan who was sent to Ireland to fetch the would be Queen. While in the process of bringing her back to Cornwall, Tristan and Iseult fell helplessly in love with one another. Therefore, they fled from Mark and lived the rest of their days on the run.

 Legend has it that while Tristan was playing his harp for Iseult, Mark snuck in behind him and killed him with a dagger or a lance in the back.

 The Fowey Stone in Cornwall is thought to bear an inscription about a Tristan, son of Cunomorus, to whom the tale may have been transferred. According to the Italian version of the story, Tristan and Iseult had two children, bearing their names, while the French view gives them one son, Ysaie, and a grandson, Marc.

 The name Tristan may be Pictish in origin. It is interesting to note that the Pictish King Talorc III was succeeded by Drust V; were these the Protagonists of the original Tristan story? No one may ever know.

Sir Percivale

 Percivale was raised by his mother in ignorance of arms and courtesy. Percivale's natural prowess, however, led him to Arthur's court where he immediately set off in pursuit of a knight who had offended Guinevere.

Merlin

In the legends of King Arthur, Merlin was a magician who act as Arthur’s adviser. He was imprisoned for all time by a woman to whom he told the secret of his magic.

The famous magician, tutor of King Arthur and a talented scientist who is credited with the creation of the Round Table, the construction of the city-fortress of Camelot and Stonehenge, the mysterious buildings of huge boulders was born on Earth a woman from magic creatures – either a demon or an Angel. So some magic were  transferred to  Merlin.  He was the “right hand” of Arthur, he gave wise counsel and  helped the King in finding the right solution.

No one knows how Merlin was killed. There are many different guesses and versions of his death, the most famous says that his charmed beautiful fairy lulled and hid in a large ancient oak until his magic would not needed the world once again.

The sword Excalibur

The sword of King Arthur. In one version of the legends of Arthur, he proved (доказал) his right to rule by pulling Excalibur out of a stone.

In another version, he received Excalibur from a maiden, the Lady of the Lake, to whom he returned it at the end of his life. “… After a long time they came to a lake. As Arthur stood by the lake he saw a hand holding a sword come up out the water. … It is the sword Excalibur. It’s a magic sword. King Arthur got into the boat and went and took the sword.”

“ No man can kill the man who has this sword”, said Merlin.

Here is a description of the sword: the sword blade was not very long, approx. 28 inches; sheath were made of wood, but with leather lining.

Death of King Arthur

It happened that while King Arthur was away from England, Sir Mordred decided to rule instead of him. So he sent letters, which looked like they had come from across the sea, saying that King Arthur had been killed in battle with one of his knights.

When King Arthur returned to his kingdom, he determined to set a day when he might be revenged on Sir Mordred for his evil deeds.

Never was there seen a more sorrowful battle in all the land. King Arthur and Sir Mordred stood between their armies. They fought fiercely until the close of the day, when many noble knights lay dead on the field.

At last King Arthur hurt Sir Mordred under his shield. When Sir Mordred realized that it was his death-wound, he struck the king’s helmet such a mighty blow that his sword wounded King Arthur’s head.

When King Arthur came to himself, he called for Sir Bedivere, one of his knights.

«Take my good sword, Excalibur,» said the king, «and go to the lake. When you get there, throw the sword into the water, and return to me and tell me what you see. I have a serious wound, and my time is not long.»

Sir Bedivere departed. On his way to the lake, the knight looked at the richly jewelled sword, which grew brighter the more he looked upon it, and he thought that no good would come from throwing the sword into the water. So he hid it under a tree and returned to the king, who asked:

«What did you see there?»

«Sir,» said the knight, «I saw nothing but the water rise and fall.»

«What you say is not true,» cried the king. «Go, and do as I asked you. You are called a noble knight, and you have betrayed me for a jewelled sword! Haste again to the water's edge, for your delay puts me in great danger. If you don't obey my command, and I ever see you again, I shall kill you with my own hand. You would see me dead for my jewelled sword.»

Once more Sir Bedivere came to the edge of the water. He took the sword up, and threw it into the water as far as he could. As he did so, arms rose above the surface of the water and caught the sword. Then the hands disappeared beneath the water with the sword.

Once more Sir Bedivere returned to King Arthur and told him all he had seen.

«Ah, me!» said Arthur, «help me to the water's edge, for I fear I may be late.»

Then the knight carried the dying king on his back to the edge of the water, where appeared a barge.

Then the barge moved away from the shore, and Sir Bedivere saw his king being borne away.  Thus The knight saw king Arthur borne away, and saw him no more.

Some say that King Arthur lives still, with his knights and companions, in an enchanted castle, and that he will come again to rule. Others declare that on his tomb is written:

“HERE ARTHUR LIES, KING ONCE AND KING TO BE”

SOURCES

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Кауфман К.И., Кауфман М.Ю.  Страницы Британской истории. - Обнинск: «Титул», 2007

Старков А.П., Диксон Р.П., Островский Б.С.Учебник по английскому языку для учащихся 9 классов. – Санкт-Петербург: «Специальная литература», 1997

Томахин Г.Д. Великобритания : Лингвострановедческий словарь. -  Москва: «Астрель», 2001

Падение Камелота. Серия «Зачарованный мир», 2003

http://altritter.ru/articles/istorija/135.htm

http://ru.wikipedia

http://www.vokrugsveta.ru

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