King Arthur
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | '''Arthur''' is a fabled [[British king]] figured in many [[legend]]s. He appears as the ideal of kingship both in [[war]] and [[peace]]; even in modern times he has been ranked as one of the [[100 Greatest Britons]] of all times. Over time, the popularity of the stories of King Arthur have captured interest far beyond his being the legendary hero of one nation. Countless new legends, stories, revisions, books, and films have been produced in Europe and the United States of America that unabashedly enlarge on and expand the fictional stories of King Arthur. | ||
| - | 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 [[King Arthur#Geoffrey of Monmouth|version of events]] often served as the starting point for later stories. The 12th-century French writer [[Chrétien de Troyes]], who added [[Lancelot]] and the [[Holy Grail]] to the story, began the genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant strand of [[medieval literature]]. In these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various [[Knights of the Round Table]]. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the legend lives on, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media. | + | '''King Arthur''' was a [[legendary]] [[Celtic Britons|British]] leader who, according to [[Historians in England during the Middle Ages|medieval histories]] and [[Romance (heroic literature)|romances]], led the defence of Britain against [[Saxon]] invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of [[Welsh folklore|Welsh]] and [[English folklore]] and literary invention, and modern historians generally agree that he is unhistorical. The sparse historical background of Arthur is gleaned from various sources, including the ''[[Annales Cambriae]]'', the ''[[Historia Brittonum]]'', and the writings of [[Gildas]]. Arthur's name also occurs in early poetic sources such as ''[[Y Gododdin]]''. |
| - | ==See also== | + | |
| - | *[[Historical basis for King Arthur]] | + | |
| + | Arthur is a central figure in the legends making up the [[Matter of Britain]]. 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''). How much of Geoffrey's ''Historia'' (completed in 1138) was adapted from such earlier sources, rather than invented by Geoffrey himself, is unknown. | ||
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| + | 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 a vast empire. 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 magician [[Merlin]], Arthur's wife [[Guinevere]], the sword [[Excalibur]], Arthur's conception at [[Tintagel Castle|Tintagel]], his final battle against [[Mordred]] at [[Camlann]], and final rest in [[Avalon]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The 12th-century French writer [[Chrétien de Troyes]], who added [[Lancelot]] and the [[Holy Grail]] to the story, began the genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant strand of medieval literature. In these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various [[Knights of the Round Table]]. Arthurian literature thrived during the [[Middle Ages]] but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the legend continues to have prominence, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Arthur's O'on]] | ||
| + | *[[Artus Court]] | ||
| + | *[[Historicity of King Arthur]] | ||
| *[[King Arthur's family]] | *[[King Arthur's family]] | ||
| *[[King Arthur's messianic return]] | *[[King Arthur's messianic return]] | ||
| - | *[[Excalibur]] and [[Clarent]], King Arthur's weapons | ||
| *[[List of Arthurian characters]] | *[[List of Arthurian characters]] | ||
| *[[List of books about King Arthur]] | *[[List of books about King Arthur]] | ||
| *[[List of films based on Arthurian legend]] | *[[List of films based on Arthurian legend]] | ||
| + | *[[List of legendary kings of Britain]] | ||
| *[[Nine Worthies]], of which Arthur was one | *[[Nine Worthies]], of which Arthur was one | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 16:49, 5 June 2021
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King Arthur was a legendary British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of Welsh and English folklore and literary invention, and modern historians generally agree that he is unhistorical. The sparse historical background of Arthur is gleaned from various sources, including the Annales Cambriae, the Historia Brittonum, and the writings of Gildas. Arthur's name also occurs in early poetic sources such as Y Gododdin.
Arthur is a central figure in the legends making up the Matter of Britain. 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). How much of Geoffrey's Historia (completed in 1138) was adapted from such earlier sources, rather than invented by Geoffrey himself, is unknown.
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 a vast empire. 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 magician 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.
The 12th-century French writer Chrétien de Troyes, who added Lancelot and the Holy Grail to the story, began the genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant strand of medieval literature. In these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various Knights of the Round Table. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the legend continues to have prominence, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media.
See also
- Arthur's O'on
- Artus Court
- Historicity of King Arthur
- King Arthur's family
- King Arthur's messianic return
- List of Arthurian characters
- List of books about King Arthur
- List of films based on Arthurian legend
- List of legendary kings of Britain
- Nine Worthies, of which Arthur was one
