Camelot

Camelot looks at the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, separating fact from myth. Historians and archeologists analyze the legend for the light it sheds upon the code of chivalry as well as the role it has played in different eras of British history. Camelot is recommended for language arts, fine arts, and social studies courses.

• Alfred, Lord Tennyson
• Celts
• Tintagel
• Wars of the Roses
• chivalry
• courtly love
• hierarchy
• the Holy Grail
• tournaments

1. According to the legend of King Arthur, Guenivere had a round table constructed as part of her dowry. Who supposedly sat at this table? Why did it symbolize "authority without hierarchy"?

2. Who were the Celts? Who were their enemies? Where do the descendants of the Celts live today?

3. When historians determined that the existing castle at Tintagel was built in the 12th century,it seemed impossible for King Arthur to have been born there. How does recent archeological evidence support the legend of Arthur's birth at this site? What other information has the archeological evidence provided about the people who lived there?

4. In 1138, Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about King Arthur. In 1170, Chretien de Troyes also contributed to the legend. How did these stories help develop the "Code of Chivalry"?

5. Why is Gueniviere considered the Helen of Troy of the Middle Ages? Can you describe the characteristics of two types of women depicted in the Arthurian legends? Are the male characters any more realistic than the female characters? Why or why not?

1. Two later versions of the Arthurian legend reflect the response of the authors to their times. Mallory wrote in 15th century, while Lord Tennyson wrote in the 19th century. In an essay, describe the upheavals these two men witnessed, and explain why the legend of King Arthur particularly appealed to their eras.

2. According to the theory of "Courtly Love", a knight fought more bravely in tournaments and battles because he fought for the woman he loved. Imagine you are a knight in a tournament, or a lady watching her knight participate. You may write a poem or a short story expressing your emotions, or you may draw a picture of what you would see.

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