NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Historical Note. The ancient Britons looked out from their little island home with its protecting seas, and pictured the great unknown world beyond as a fairyland filled with enchanted cities and wonderful forests, and peopled by friendly fairies and magicians. About the beginning of our Christian era the Romans came among them for a time, teaching them obedience to law. Later, the barbarian hordes came over the North Sea, to conquer them. But the invaders were resisted by strong leaders among whom one by the name of Arthur stands pre-eminent. Historians generally agree that a chieftain of this name actually lived about the close of the fifth century or the beginning of the sixth. Some say he was from the north, some from the south, of England. Arthur became not only the great national hero, but also the champion of Christianity against heathen invaders. He is said to have united the scattered British clans and to have defeated the invaders in twelve great battles.

In their days of distress many of the Britons fled across the Channel and settled among their kindred, the Bretons of northern France. From here Welsh bards with their harps wandered throughout all Christendom, singing of Arthur’s heroic deeds. As time went on these tales of Arthur became blended with the fairy stories of their old happy dream-life. When chivalry was at its height, from the twelfth to the fifteenth century, the strolling minstrels took up the legend, adapting it to the ideals of the times and to the tastes of their audiences in court and castle and market place.

In these songs and legends, Arthur appeared as a great king surrounded at his “Table Round” with valiant knights who, under vows of purity and holiness, went forth in daily quest of noble deeds. Early in the twelfth century the legends were carried back to England. A Welsh priest, Geoffrey of Monmouth, gave a form to these tales which became widely popular, and later from this version and others, Sir Thomas Malory wrote his story, “Le Morte D’Arthur” (The Death of Arthur). In 1485, William Caxton, the first English printer, published Sir Thomas’s story, which became the chief source of modern poets who have written on this theme. Among these, the English poet, Tennyson, in his beautiful “Idylls of the King,” has told the story of Arthur and his knights.

Britain at the time in which Arthur is supposed to have lived was a land of warring tribes. Christianity had gained little more than a foothold. It was an age in which might was greater than right. But when Arthur’s knights went forth at the command of their king, their aim was to overthrow the injustice and lawlessness then so common in the land. Wonderful deeds were done by that little company of brave men, who rode abroad “redressing wrongs.”

Discussion. 1. Is there a historical basis for the stories of Arthur? 2. How did they become interwoven with myth and legend? 3. When Arthur became king, what was the condition of the people of Britain? 4. Why did the barons oppose Arthur? 5. What reforms did Arthur introduce? 6. Read lines which show that Arthur thought of the poor as well as of the rich and the great. 7. What was the Round Table? 8. Read the lines that tell of the vows made by the knights. 9. What did the knights promise first? 10. Why do you think Arthur put this first? 11. What reason did Arthur give the sorceress for not wishing to remain longer in her castle? 12. Find a word in this speech that explains Arthur’s life. 13. Read lines which show Arthur’s generosity toward a foe. 14. What ideals of conduct did these stories uphold in times when might was greater than right? 15. Pronounce the following: joust; tournament; stanched.

Phrases