Arthurian Legend

The tales of King Arthur are the most powerful and enduring legends of the British Isles.  The legendary Arthur developed as a figure of international interest largely through the popularity of Geoffrey of Monmouth's imaginative 12th-century work, 'History of the Kings of Britain.' 

While the character of Arthur appeared in many earlier Welsh and Breton tales and poems, Geoffrey's fictional history forms the basis for much British lore and literature. Although the themes, events and characters of the Arthurian legend have varied widely from text to text there is no one canonical version. However, Geoffrey's Arthurian narrative often served as the starting point for later stories. However, perhaps the greatest influence on how the legends are perceived in the 21st Century comes from Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur.' Malory retells the entire legend in one work and this influenced many of the modern interpretations from novels like TH White's 'The Once And Future King' to films such as John Boorman's visually stunning work from 1981 'Excalibur.'

To provide an outline of the legend which includes all the different variations of the many tales would be practically impossible, but below is a narrative of the main events of the legends, some of which feature in Malory: -

Arthur is the son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine, wife of the Duke Of Cornwall, Gorlois. In many of the magical versions of the legend he is conceived thanks to a deception by Merlin, who transforms Uther into the image of Gorlois so that he can trick Igraine into laying with him. 

Once born Arthur is sent to be fostered with Sir Ector (who is sometimes referred to as Uther's brother or cousin). In many tales it is Merlin who instigates the fostering so that Arthur can be well looked after until he is ready to rule. Arthur's identity remains a secret until he is around the age of 15. It is then that he pulls the sword from the stone (sometimes this is the legendary blade 'Excalibur' but often this is not introduced until later) and becomes King of a previously leaderless England. 

Once King, Arthur wins many battles thanks to his military prowess and the sword Excalibur, which Merlin is given from the Lady of the Lake. Merlin's wise counsel allows Arthur to consolidate the kingdom. 

Then another deception enters the story. Arthur unwittingly lays with his half-sister, Morgause (in many later tales Morgana or Morgan le Fay has this role) and Mordred is conceived. In Malory, following the advice of Merlin, Arthur puts all newborn baby boys on a boat which crashes, but Mordred is the only survivor. Malory makes Arthur almost morally corrupt once he is King, exemplified by his liaison with Morgause and his and Merlin's murdering of the infant boys.

Arthur then marries Guinevere and inherits the Round Table from her father leondegrance. (sometimes the Round Table is a gift from Merlin). Arthur gathers his knights at his great castle, Camelot and starts the order of the Knights of the Round Table. Each of his knights takes an oath to promote knightly conduct and protect the kingdom. The oath is seen as way to improve the morals of the kingdom although many of the Knights fail to live up to the code of chivalry.

Malory also chronicles Arthur's march on Rome, (originally imagined by Monmouth) while back at home the legendary figures of Lancelot and Tristan arrive at court. Lancelot aspires to Arthur's code and becomes his greatest and most gallant knight. However, particularly in Malory, Lancelot is often prevented from keeping to the Round Table oath by the actions of others. Lancelot also becomes close with Guinevere and soon an affair is insinuated and Arthur's authority is undermined.

Malory includes many of the tales of Tristan, Gawain and the other knights but it is the adulterous affair of Guinevere and Lancelot which has remained so prominent in Arthurian literature. Lancelot is generally portrayed as being morally ashamed by his betrayal of his King and friend. In Malory, Guinevere is portrayed as a very negative character who ensnares Lancelot, who is simply a flawed knight rather than morally corrupt. In other tales Guinevere is a much more noble character who actually tries to fight her attraction to Lancelot. In some modern fiction, Guinevere is either naively foolish when it comes to Lancelot or in the case of Bernard Cornwell's trilogy a greedy and ambitious character who has few redeeming qualities.

It is the adultery that generally starts the beginning of the end for Arthur in most tales. With Merlin's power diminishing, the magic and deceit of Morgan le Fey starts to have more influence. She is normally the character who instigates Mordred's schemes to uncover an affair between Guinevere and Lancelot. In some stories she tricks Gawain into challenging the Queen. In Malory it is Agravain, the son of Lot and Morgause, who brings the affair into the open and is then killed by Lancelot. Guinevere is then sentenced to death and in most traditional tales is rescued by Lancelot. Arthur then pursues Lancelot looking for vengeance and makes the mistake of leaving Mordred in charge of the kingdom. Mordred takes control of England and Arthur is forced to fight for his throne.

At the Battle Of Camlann, Arthur comes face to face with Mordred and in the ensuing fight both men are mortally wounded. As he is dying Arthur instructs Bedivere to throw Excalibur back into the lake, where it is retrieved by the Lady of the Lake. Arthur is then taken to his final resting place at the Isle Of Avalon. 

TH White
Find out about the famous Arthurian fantasy

Bernard Cornwell
Find out about his intriguing Warlord Chronicles

Marion Zimmer Bradley
Find out about her best selling Arthurian novel