The Sword in the Stone

The Legend of King Arthur As far as we know, Arthur was born some time during the fifth or sixth century in Wales, the Midlands or in Cornwall and he was not only a great king but a great commander in chief as well with the title of “Dux Britannorum” Duke of Britanny. In this function he commanded the armies of several different minor kings and chieftains, who had reclaimed the country for themselves after the last remnants of the Roman dominion had vanished a century ago. Some big battles are mentioned, in which Arthur, who carries a shield with a picture of Sait Mary on it, leads his warriors against the Saxons so successfully, that what started off as an invasion turned out to become a more or less peaceful settlement after all. The invaders withdrew to certain parts of he country where they setteled down, cultivated the land and engaged in mixed marriages after some time. This was the origin of the English population - a mixture of Saxons and Celts that stayed unchanged up to the eleventh century, when the Normans arrived.

Arthur’s Early Years After Arthur’s birth, Merlin became the young boy’s tutor, while he grew up with his foster-father, Sir Ector ( alias Cynyr Ceinfarfog (the Fair Bearded)). In the defining moment of Arthur’s career, Merlin arranged for the sword-in- the-stone contest by which the lad became king. Later, the magician met the mystic Lady of the Lake at the Fountain of Barenton (in Brittany) and persuaded her to present the King with the magical sword, Excalibur. In the romances, Merlin is the creator of the Round Table, and is closely involved in aiding and directing the events of the king and kingdom of Camelot. He is pictured by Geoffrey of Monmouth, at the end of Arthur’s life, accompanying the wounded Arthur to the Isle of Avalon for the healing of his wounds. Others tell how having fallen deeply in love with the Lady of the Lake, he agreed to teach her all his mystical powers. She became so powerful that her magical skills outshone even Merlin’s. Determined not to be enslaved by him, she imprisoned the old man in a glass tower, a cave or similarly suitable prison. Thus his absence from the Battle of Camlann was ultimately responsible for Arthur’s demise. According to Geoffrey’s “Vita Merlini” (c. 1151), Merlin/Myrddin was a sixth century prophet living in the north of Britain where his career extended beyond Arthur. Merlin travelled north, after Camlann, to the court of King Gwendoleu of Caer-Guenoleu (north of the Salway) where the locals called him Lailoken (or Llallogan). Shortly afterward, a war broke out between Merlin’s Royal master and the three allies, King Riderch Hael (the Generous) of Strathclyde and Kings Peredyr & Gwrgi of Ebrauc (York). Gwendoleu was killed in the ensuing Battle of Ardderyd (Arthuret) and Merlin, sent mad with grief at the death of his nephew and four brothers, fled into the Caledonian Forest. He lived there in a mad frenzy for over a year, becoming known as Myrddin Wylt (the Wild), before Riderch, who was his brother-in-law, found him and brought him to safety in the Strathclyde Court.

What is Excalibur? Also known as The Sword of Power, this ancient weapon was supposedly created by The Lady of the Lake, who made it a magical sword as well; no sword made by man could break it. Moreover, its owner could never be harmed, so long as its silver scabbard stayed with the sword. Excalibur also had the power to keep the wrong people from claiming it. In some stories, other would-be kings try to use the sword against Arthur: those villains are forced by the sword’s magic to instead surrender to Arthur and follow him. After Arthur discovered that his wife Guinevere and Sir Lancelot were having an affair, Arthur drove Excalibur into the ground, seriously wounding Merlin, and destroying the scabbard in the process. Although the sword was eventually returned to Arthur, he was no longer impervious to other swords. This would lead to his death at the Battle of Camlann. Excalibur’s fate would be more glorious: it was thrown back into the water from where Merlin borrowed it from the Lady of the Lake years before. We have not seen it since, and many people believe it never existed at all.

What is the Holy Grail? The Grail was the cup that Christ reportedly drank from the night before he was crucified. Arthur, believing his empire needed to return to the holy ways, sent out his knights to look for the ancient artifact. There is no proof that the knights ever found The Grail, or that it ever existed. In one version of the story, a young knight named Perceval finds The Grail, returns it to Arthur, who uses its power to regain his failing health. There are so many other versions of this story, because the truth has never been discovered. Until The Grail or other proof of Arthur’s quest is actually found, scholars will never believe in its existence.

1 Who was The Lady of the Lake? The Lady of the Lake in popular stories is the high priestess of an older religion and the woman who gave Arthur Excalibur and then took it back when Sir Bedivere threw it back into the lake. She is also said to be the mother of Merlin and the person who educated Sir Lancelot. It is believed that she and others created Excalibur as a super weapon, one that could unite all the warring countries, if the right person held the sword. That, by the way, is where Arthur comes into the story. In other versions, The Lady of the Lake was the leader of the mystical city of Avalon, which you will read about later. Again, there is no proof that she had magical powers, created Excalibur, or that she even existed.

Who was Merlin? One of the more interesting stories within the Arthurian Legend, Merlin was an advisor and mentor to Arthur. Merlin is said to have been born in Carmarthen, which means "Myrddin Town." He is said to have been the child of a human mother and an incubus, or demon. He had no father in the traditional sense. Since there are many versions of the Arthur Legend, there are as many different versions of this mythical person. In the movie “Excalibur,” Merlin is immortal, and was born sometime after The Lady of the Lake made Excalibur, possibly. In the movie, Merlin is wise but dangerous; he travels only by foot and comes and goes as he pleases. Merlin, Excalibur, and Arthur seem to exist in a triangle, one depending upon the others. If one fails, the others will die. This is demonstrated many times in the movie version, which is said to be the most popular among scholars today. Again, there is no physical proof that Merlin ever existed. His death, brought about by the end of Arthur’s reign and the return of Excalibur to The Lady of the Lake, is also a mystery.

Who was Mordred? Mordred was Arthur's son who, according to whom you read, either was killed by Arthur himself or merely seized the kingdom while Arthur was away. Some traditions have Mordred marrying Guinevere in Arthur's absence. Most sources say that Mordred's mother was Arthur’s sister, Morgana. Although he is central to the death of Arthur, we have no proof that he lived.

What was Avalon? Avalon is the place Arthur is said to have been taken to when he was dying, to be healed. There are lots of theories as to where Avalon might actually have been. Some say it was not a geographical place, but a symbol for heaven or the otherworld. Some scholars claim Glastonbury is the modern city of Avalon, where our story of the legendary King Arthur comes to an end.

Even though you have read all of this information about the Arthurian Legend, let me tell you that for the versions I have shown here, nearly 100 more are available. The main idea of the story has been interpreted so many times that the truth about Arthur may never be known. What we DO KNOW is that the real life of Arthur became the basis by which an entire lifestyle was created to honor him. Knights, their castles, and ideas are all owed to the man who ruled England just after the fall of the Roman Empire, who probably never had Excalibur, who probably never met Merlin, and definitely did not meet a Lady of the Lake! The effect he left on those knights and upon the people of the Middle Ages means much more than any land he conquered: if you understand that fact, you will have learned the true meaning of the Arthurian Legend. The rest, as I mentioned, is just a fantasy!