E-Book Overview
With texts in modern English, from Gildas to Malory.
Here is Arthur, valiant King of Britain, from the beginning to the end of the Middle Ages, from the time he slaughters invaders in early history (Part I) until he succumbs through treachery in late romance (Part II). In between is a great wealth of materials for investigation and interpretation. To aid in both these important endeavors, Part III consists of criticism, carefully selected essays by leading Arthurian scholars. After the student has read the primary texts in translation, he can turn to these pages to broaden and deepen his knowledge and understanding, as well as to sharpen his critical perception through varying analytical approaches. As a guide throughout, study questions on the materials in Parts I, II, and III are contained in Part IV, along with suggestions for short and long investigative papers. These topics for research allow the reader to leave Arthur if he chooses and follow in library resources the outstanding personages of that glittering court. Moreover, broad historical, geographical, and mythical subjects are included for possible examination. A selective bibliography in Part V contains a list of translations, text and author studies, and critical items for use in the various research topics. Finally, there is a brief Glossary at the end to assist the student with certain Middle English and Latin words or expressions, and to identify a few geographical locations and real or imaginary persons.
E-Book Content
ARTHUR KING
of
BRITAIN
ARTHUR KING o f BRITAIN History, Chronicle, Romance & Criticism WITH TEXTS IN
MODERN
ENGLISH, FROM
GILDAS TO
MALORY
Edited by
Richard L Brengle Pershing College
New York
Appleton - Century - Crofts Division of Meredith Publishing Company
Copyright © 1964 by MEREDITH PUBLISHING COMPANY All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, must not be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission. For information address the publisher, Appleton-Century-Crofts, Division of Meredith Publishing Company, 440 Park Avenue South, New York, N. Y. 10016 6107-4 Library of Congress Card Number: 64-17761 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
E-12160
To TER R Y and Her Court of Four
PREFACE Peering back nearly fifteen hundred years to the momentous “Birth of Britain," the twentieth century’s greatest knight and war leader, Sir Winston Churchill, has this to say about the story of King Arthur: “If we could see exactly what happened we should find ourselves in the presence of a theme as well founded, as in spired, and as inalienable from the inheritance of mankind as the Odyssey or the Old Testament. It is all true, or it ought to be; and more and better besides." No doubt the legendary figure of Arthur has loomed large in the minds of Western men ever since the dimlylit days of Castle Guinnion and Mount Badon; and no doubt he is as close to the hearts of Englishmen and Frenchmen today as St. George and Charlemagne. For Arthur is both the hero and the human: a towering commander with a tragic destiny, a matchless champion with failing strength against the wearing of time. The vast and unique body of history, pseudo-history, chronicle, and romance of King Arthur has fascinated poets, storytellers, schol ars, and readers for centuries. His vogue in Britain and especially in France during the Middle Ages was immense; it spread all over the face of Europe, even to the Middle East and to Iceland. From its be ginnings, probably in Wales and Ireland, the story of the fabulous monarch and his men crossed to France in the twelfth century where the genius of Chrétien de Troyes brought to it the full force of courtly love; then sometime within the next hundred years it went on to Germany where the