The Legend of King Arthur and Camelot

King Arthur is the figure at the heart of the Camelot legends. He is said to be the son of Uther Pendragon and Ygraine of Cornwall. One of the questions that has occupied those interested in King Arthur is whether or not he is a historical figure. Modern scholarship has generally assumed that there was some actual person at the heart of the legends, though not of course a king with a band of knights in shining armor.

If there is a historical basis to the character, it is clear that he would have gained fame as a warrior battling the Germanic invaders of the late fifth and early sixth centuries. But what can not be denied is the influence of the figure of Arthur on literature, art, music, and society from the Middle Ages to the present. Though there have been numerous historical novels that try to put Arthur into a sixth-century setting, it is the legendary figure of the late Middle Ages who has most captured the imagination. It is such a figure, the designer of an order of the best knights in the world(Might for Right), that figures in the major versions of the legend from Malory to Tennyson to T. H. White.

Central to the legend is the downfall of Arthur's kingdom. It is undermined by the treachery of Mordred. That treachery is made possible because of the love of Lancelot and Guinevere.

Mordred is the illegitimate son of Arthur by his half-sister Morgause.

Lancelot is the greatest of Arthur's knights. Son of King Ban of Benwick, he is known as Lancelot of the Lake or Lancelot du Lac because he was raised by the Lady of the Lake. Among his many adventures are the rescue of the abducted Queen Guinevere from Meleagant, an unsuccessful quest for the Holy Grail and the rescue of the queen after she is condemned to be burned to death for adultery.

Lancelot is loved by Elaine of Astolat, who dies because her love is unrequited. Elaine, the daugher of King Pelles, tricks Lancelot into sleeping with her and from that union Galahad is born. His love for Guinevere ultimately brings about the downfall of Arthur's realm.

Guinevere is said to be the daughter of Leodegrance of Cameliard. She marries Arthur and then has a love affair with Lancelot which causes the downfall of Camelot.