Week Eleven: King Arthur

This week, I am reading the King Arthur unit. I remember reading books about King Arthur and the knights of the roundtable when I was a child and being fascinated with that period in history. I am excited to read these stories again and possibly some new ones!

The Drawing of the Sword
The story begins in ancient, kingless Britain. There were many knights who tried to seize the crown but Merlin, the magician, saw a sword in a great stone. He said that whoever pulled the sword from the stone was the be the rightful King of England. Many knights tried to pull the sword and many were unsuccessful. One day, a tournament was held to see who could gain the sword and a man named Sir Ector, his son, and a boy name Arthur were in attendance. Arthur needed a sword and pulled the sword from the stone as if it was nothing. His uncle knew it was not his sword. Sir Ector told Arthur that he was the rightful king, as he had removed the enchanted sword. Arthur took the sword and offered it to the altar where he was crowned king.

The Questing Beast
Now that Arthur was King, he had many battles to fight and conquer. He often listened to Merlin for help and was helped by his magical sword. One night Arthur had a strange dream that the earth was overrun with creatures that killed his people. He went to the forest and a beast came after him. It was a strange beast. The King watched the creature and followed it until he killed it.

The Sword Excalibur
This story begins with King Arthur becoming wounded and being healed after being put in a magical sleep by Merlin. Arthur was without a sword, and an arm came out of the lake holding a sword. Merlin and Arthur looked at the maiden standing in the water and gave him the sword as long as he would give her a gift in return. They brought the sword back to land and found that when one is wearing the scabbard, he cannot be wounded.

The Round Table
The story of the round table begins with Arthur wanting to take a wife but not having time to while fighting so many battles. He asked Merlin what he should do because the woman he loves is unattainable. Arthur asked for Leodegrance's permission to marry his daughter and he was able to. Two young men were dubbed knight as the story ends.

The Passing of Merlin
Sir Tor, who was crowned at the Round Table, was given a seat there. Merlin saw that Tor and his wife were happy together. One day Merlin who showed Vivien some powers was then betrayed by her as she killed him with the powers he taught her. Merlin was buried alive and the damsel left with joy.

King Arthur and Morgan le Fay
This story begins with Morgan le Fay, a magical sister of King Arthur. She was very vengeful, but let no one know of her intentions. One day, Morgan left the country with the blessing of Queen Guenevere and rode until she found her brother. She told the scabbard and went away. The King went looking for her and she continued to run away. Arthur gave up and went back to the Abbey to rest. He was angry with his sister.

The Quest of the Holy Graal
This story begins with an explanation of the Holy Graal. It is a vessel used by our Lord brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea. The relic is invisible to men because of their sins but now and then it appeared by angels or floating in a heavenly light. The Knights made a vow to find it and that became their only job, against the King's will. This story is compared to a beautiful dream.

The King's Pilgrimage
The King decided to go on a pilgrimage to find the Holy Graal. He went forth with a youth so he would not be alone. The youth, named Chaus, had a strange dream the night before they left. He dreamed that the King had left without him and he found the King in a chapel. Then, by a scream of a squire, the King and Queen were awoken from their slumber and the youth told them of his dream. Because of the dream, King Arthur went on the journey alone and resolved to bring peace to his kingdom.

The Coming of the Holy Graal
The story begins on the eve of Pentecost with the knights at the round table ready for a feast. They heard a loud crash and a sunbeam appeared and in floated the Holy Graal. The Graal left and the King knew he had to go after it. The next day, he bid the kingdom farewell and went to see the Holy Graal.

Sir Galahad and the White Knight
Sir Galahad went to the White Abbey to rest after traveling for many days. He talked to two knights who had came in search of a shield that could cure all men. They saw the white shield in the Abbey and King Bagdemagus took it and rode away. He was not the noblest of all knights, as the shield did not protect him. They learned that the shield was meant to save Sir Galahad only. He hung the shield around his neck and met the White Knight. They each went off in search of the Holy Graal.

Sir Lancelot's Vision
This story begins with Sir Lancelot finding an old chapel with a high altar inside. He laid down by a cross in the chapel and all of a sudden, a candle floated toward him and so did the Holy Vessel of the Graal. Lancelot was then cured of his illness. He kissed the cross and wondered if what he had seen was a dream or not. Lancelot looked around and saw that his helm and sword were gone and his horse was gone also. He wept and left on foot quite sadly.

The Adventure of Sir Percivale
Sir Percivale begins this story with his own dangerous adventures. He came across Sir Lancelot who was without a horse. Percivale rode as fast as he could until he saw a woman before him. The woman lent him her horse, but the horse was a fiend. Percivale then fought a strange creature and saved a lion from harm.

Sir Lancelot and the Five Hundred Knights
This story begins with Lancelot moving through the forest and finding out that Sir Galahad was his son who was in search of the Holy Graal. Lancelot then left the hermit he was staying with and found five hundred knights riding on horseback. A war broke out and Lancelot helped the lesser of the sides, the black knights. After the battle, Lancelot left and came across a nun who told him of his future.

Sir Gawaine and the Hermit
Sir Gawaine rode along the countryside alone before he met Sir Ector de Maris and was happy. They talked and all of a sudden, they heard a voice that told them that Galahad would die a holy man and Gawaine left immediately.

The Adventure of Sir Bors
Sir Bors went off in search of the Holy Graal. He came across a man on a donkey and they rode together into the hermitage. Sir Bors then left and had many adventures, once almost killing his own brother. He then went to the sea and on the shore found a vessel as well as Sir Percivale. They shared their adventure with one another.

Sir Galahad and the Mysterious Ship
This story begins with Sir Galahad leaving a hermitage for another adventure. He reached the sea and found a ship where Sir Bors and Sir Percivale were lying. They found a ship that only the best of knights could navigate. He found a sword and tried to grab it. Neither Sir Bors nor Sir Percivale could grab it, yet Sir Galahad could.

Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad
Lancelot came to a water and fell asleep. He went to find an adventure and found the dead woman from the previous story with the tale of her adventures. Galahad and Lancelot met, enjoying each other's company. They lived in that shit for half a year and after that time, went into the forest to quest. The father and son then bid farewell and Lancelot went back to Camelot.

Sir Galahad and the Graal
Sir Galahad went to find the Graal. He rode until he found a ship awaiting them and saw the Holy Graal covered with red samite. The Graal healed him and he was given a place at the round table back home. At the end of the year, Galahad was crowned king and sent Percivale and Bors away. He was praying when his soul suddenly left his body. Percivale died shortly after and Lancelot fell to his old sins again.

The End of Arthur 
This story begins with Arthur lying wounded on a battlefield. He told Sir Bedivere to take Excalibur and throw it in the water. Instead of doing this, Bedivere hid it under a tree and Arthur knew he was lying and Bedivere did it again. King Arthur was then put on a barge and died. Queen Guenevere stole away after hearing of his death. She became a nun. Lancelot often visited the tomb of his parents, Queen Genevere and King Arthur. Sir Lancelot then died in his bed from sadness and was taken to heaven.