CHAPTER 5 LE MORTE D' ARTHUR ENGLISH SECOND QUARTER

Le Morte D’ Arthur

A collection of legends about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Sir Thomas Malory

The author of Le Morte D’ Arthur, written in 1460-1470.

William Caxton

The English merchant who first published Le Morte D’ Arthur in 1485.

King Uther Pendragon

The true father of Arthur and the king of England until his death.

Queen Igraine

Arthur's mother, originally the wife of the Duke of Cornwall.

Sword in the Stone

A sword stuck in a stone with an inscription that whoever pulls it out will be the rightful king.

Merlin

A sorcerer who advises the Archbishop of Canterbury to gather all lords and gentlemen of arms in London.

Sir Ector

A faithful knight who raises Arthur as his own son.

Sir Kay

Son of Sir Ector, becomes one of Arthur's knights.

Excalibur

The sword that Arthur pulls out of the stone, symbolizing his rightful kingship.

Cadlemas

The day when many lords try but fail to pull out the sword.

Feast of Easter

The day when the decision of Arthur's kingship is delayed.

Feast of Pentecost

The day when Arthur is officially declared as king by the commoners and lords.

Holy Grail

A significant object in the Arthurian legend, often associated with quests and spiritual significance.

Round Table

The table where Arthur and his knights gather, symbolizing equality and unity.

Legend

A type of folk narrative or story handed down over generations, often a mix of fact and fantasy.

Prophecies

Predictions or foretellings of future events, often present in Arthurian legends.

Chivalric hero

A knight who upholds the code of chivalry, often portrayed as brave, honorable, and skilled.

Role of supernatural forces

The involvement of magical or supernatural elements in the Arthurian legend.

Arthurian legend

Refers to different accounts of the life of King Arthur, popular in Wales and beyond.

Themes

• A peasant or commoner with a secret background

• Prophecies

• The chivalric hero

• Role of supernatural forces

Legend

• Type of folk narratives or stories handed down over generations

• Believed to be based on history, but a mix of fact and fantasy