All about history book of myths and legends. ( PDFDrive )

The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table has

captured the imagination of writers down the ages. There have been

different versions of the story told by British, German, and French

authors, but all of them portray Arthur as a wise, just, and brave

ruler. The tales extolled the ideals of honour, chivalry, and bravery

exemplified by this perfect king and his valiant knights.

King Arthur and his Knights

King Arthur

The mythical ruler is depicted as

strong, athletic, and well-versed

in the art of warfare. He was the

ideal king who presided over a

golden age of chivalry.

WESTERN EUROPE

only Galahad, Perceval,

and Bors succeeded in

completing the quest.

According to some versions

of the story, they eventually

found the Holy Grail

and took it to the city

of Jerusalem.

ARTHUR’S DEATH

Meanwhile, problems were brewing at Camelot. One of

Arthur’s trusted knights, Lancelot, fell in love with Queen

Guinevere, and they had a secret afair. When Arthur found

out, he banished Lancelot, who was also his dearest friend.

Subsequently, Arthur’s son, Mordred, decided to challenge

his father for control of the kingdom. Many warriors on both

sides perished in the fierce battle; those left alive included

King Arthur and Mordred, who continued to fight each

other relentlessly. Arthur finally killed his treacherous son,

but was himself gravely wounded. Knowing that he was

nearing death, Arthur sailed to a place called Avalon (the

“island of apples”), where he fell into a long, death-like sleep.

It was believed that Arthur would return to rule once again

when Britain was in dire trouble and in need of a great leader.

Thus, he came to be known as the “Once and Future King”.

THE MYTH

Arthur was the illegitimate son of King Uther Pendragon of

Britain and Queen Ygern of Cornwall. Hence he was brought

up in secret, away from his parents. However, Uther gave

Arthur a chance to become his heir. The king embedded a

sword in a block of stone and declared that whomever pulled

it out would rightfully become the future King of Britain.

Many knights tried to recover the sword but failed, until

one day Arthur arrived and removed it easily. Later, when

the sword was damaged in a duel, Arthur was given a new

sword – the mythical “Excalibur” – by the “Lady of the

Lake”, a figure shrouded in mystery in the Arthurian legends.

THE KING AND HIS KNIGHTS

Arthur was an honourable king who ruled wisely. He was

deeply in love with the beautiful Guinevere, whom he took for

his queen. He had many brave knights as his followers, and

they discussed matters of state sitting together around the

famous Round Table in the castle at Camelot.

Many of these knights set out on a quest to find

important Christian relics

The sword in the stone

Pulling the sword out of the stone

was an apparently impossible task.

Only a hero could succeed, and when

Arthur did so, people were convinced

that he was the rightful king.

the Holy Grail, the cup used by Jesus

Christ before his death, which

is considered one of the most

in history. However,

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