Arthurian Legend

Before we continue on our journey through history and literature, it is important for
you to familiarize yourselves with the legend of King Arthur. Plots, characters,
themes, artifacts, and place names from this legend arise frequently in both literature
and life, so I would encourage you to consider these legends not only as
entertainment, but also as cultural background knowledge.
Using the sites listed, explore the legend of King Arthur: his life, his times, his
comrades, his legacy. You may use additional web sites found through Google or
another search engine; however, if you stray from the indicated pages, I cannot be
responsible for content found.
Remember, this is about the LEGEND, not the historical search for Arthur.

Making of a king. Answer the following questions about Arthur Pendragon

1. Who were his parents?
SOURCE:

2. Who were his siblings (by blood)?

3. Explain the strange circumstances of his conception and birth.

4. Who raised him?

5. How did he become King of England?

6. To whom was he married?

7. With whom did he have a child?

8. Describe his reign.

SOURCE:

9. How did he die?

The Knights of the Round Table

Lancelot
a. Where was he from?
b. What was his role at the Round Table?

c. What was his relationship to Arthur?

d. In what way did he betray the king?

List two other Knights of the Round Table and give pertinent information
for each.
1.

2.

SOURCE:
What are two of the rules or charges the Knights of the Round Table
swore to uphold?
a.
b.
People

For the following characters, explore the web to find information

about their lives and functions. Please use multiple sites to obtain
info. List your sources. Due to the age and nature of
the legend, some details may vary.
SOURCE:
Merlin
Uther Pendragon

Igraine

Lady of the Lake (Viviane)

SOURCE:

Morgan le Fay (Morgaine)

Mordred

Guinevere (Gwenhywfar)

Artifacts
Explore the web to find information about the following objects.
Please use multiple sites to obtain info. List your sources. Due to the
age
and nature of the legend, some details may vary.
Excalibur (Caliburn)
What did its scabbard do?
How did Arthur obtain it?
What happened to it after Arthur died?
The Round Table

How did Arthur obtain the table?

What did it symbolize?
SOURCE:
The Holy Grail
What is it?

What does it have to do with the Knights of the Round Table?

Places
Camelot

Avalon
Themes
Identify and defend at least two of the themes of Arthuriana
1.

2.

Lasting Influence
List at least three books based on Arthurian Legend.
List at least three movies depicting the stories of King Arthur and/or his
knights

Personal response:
Have YOU read any Arthurian stories or seen any King Arthur movies? If yes,
what were the titles of those works?
Why do YOU think the legend of King Arthur lives on?

Possible resources for your journey through Arthurian legends:

Timeless Myths: Arthurian Legends - A welcome to the Arthurian Legends.

http://arthurpendragon.ukonline.co.uk/artfaq.html#earliestall

Arthurian Legends A to Z - A dictionary of characters and Arthurian terms.

http://elt.britcoun.org.pl/elt/m_arthur.htm

King Arthur for Kids - The legends, the history, the characters, the places and
things
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~merrie/Arthur/kidstory.html

King Arthur's Life Story - From Early British Kingdoms for Kids
http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/kids/arthur_life.html

The Truth in the Tale: The Legends of King Arthur - An analysis of the legends
and how they were developed
http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/lovecraft/25/arthur.html

Arthurian Legends - A preview on the legends and characters

http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs993a/arthurian/arth.htm

Arthurian FAQs including Who Was Arthur? - The history behind the legendary
king
http://arthurpendragon.ukonline.co.uk/artfaq.html

Arthur: King of Briton - Merrie Haskell offers a very brief essay on the famous
king.
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~merrie/Arthur/art.html

King Arthur from The Camelot Project - A good, thorough essay on the Once and
Future King, King Arthur
http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/arthmenu.htm

Arthurian Resources - Brief history and links about the Arthurian Legends
http://www.arthuriana.co.uk/

King Arthur on Britania - Links to sites associated with Arthur

http://www.britannia.com/history/h12.html

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - All about the legends
http://www.kingarthursknights.com/

The Age of Arthur - An essay exploring how the legends have been passed on
through time http://users.northnet.com.au/~smasson/essays/King
%20Arthur.htm