FINE ART/ALBUMhe Knights of the Round Table were
heroes of the realm in Britain’s
Arthurian legend. Dedicated to ensuring peace
in the mythical kingdom of Camelot (hard
won by Arthur after early wars), the knights
represented chivalry in its purest form. These
nobles pledged to follow a code of honor in
service to God, king, and country. According
to various origin stories, the Round Table was
created by the magician Merlin, in imitation
of the table at Christ’s Last Supper, for Uther
Pendragon, Arthur’s father. A seat at the table
was the highest honor to which an Arthurian
knight could aspire. The table’s circular shape
precluded hierarchy and was a potent symbol
of fraternity and esprit de corps.IN CAMELOT
A young Sir Galahad
is presented to King
Arthur and the Knights
of the Round Table in a
14th-century miniature.
Bibliothèque Nationale
de France, Paris