ENG 283E: Our Premodern Epics: How Epics Create Culture and Vice Versa

The Heart of The Kingdom of Logres: King Arthur's Court in Camelot

  Heroic, legendary, and brave are three words that exemplify King Arthur. Arthurian legend has it that King Arthur was the epitome of an ideal king. He was honorable, chivalrous, and defended Britain from Saxon invaders which gained him utmost respect from his people. Although, King Arthur was not always recognized as a king. Concealed from birth and seen as a bastard child, he was teased and made worthless. As Britain fell into ruins with an unquestionable fate for the future of the throne, Merlin created the magical sword, Excalibur, in the stone that could only be ejected if the person was the rightful owner to the throne. Merlin brought Arthur before the sword in the stone and Arthur successfully removed it. He was crowned the King of England. The land that he ruled over was called, "Kingdom of Logres," and it was massive. It symbolizes his immense power and I believe that his court in Camelot represents the heart of his kingdom. The real life location of King Arthur's Court in Camelot is said to be located at the Roman Amphitheatre, Chester CH1 2BN in, what is today, the United Kingdom (Evans). King Arthur's Court in Camelot is the location that housed the Round Table that held 150 knights, which is another reason why Camelot is important. In Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, "This is the oath of a Knight of King Arther's Round Table and should be for all of us to take to the heart" (Malory). While the oath of a knight is significant, the chivalric code that founded the group of knights is even more important. These knights became the ones to be seated at the Round Table and their actions assisted in telling the story of King Arthur. The Round Table is symbolic as to how King Arthur ruled with fairness because King Arthur sat amongst his knights at the Round Table, instead of being seated at the head of the table, and everyone had equal say. This quote from Reading Like a Woman in Malory's Morte d'Arthur, "The three knights are ordered by Arthur to tell all their adventures to the court, thereby emphasizing the need to pass on the 'lessons' learned in their journey to others" displays King Arthur's desire to pass on knowledge that would benefit his people (Davidson). His court was a place where ideas were shared and opinions were expressed. The image that I have chosen is King Arthur's Court in Camelot with him on his throne being surrounded by all of his knights. In contrast to the Round Table, here in his court, King Arthur rules above all. The visitor to the court is bowing down to King Arthur, a sign of courtesy and respect. The image that I chose is so powerful because King Arthur's leadership is at its peak and at the end of Morte D'Arthur, the Round Table comes to a crumble and whether or not King Arthur is dead is in question. King Arthur was a fitting king and embodied the characteristics of a great king which made him loved and respected. There is dispute whether King Arthur actually existed, regardless, his legend continues to live on forever as the Arthurian cycle is reused in literary works across history. 

Works Cited 
Davidson, Roberta. "Reading Like a Woman in Malory's "Morte Darthur"" Arthuriana 16.1 (2006): 21-33. Web.
Evans, Martin. "Historians Locate King Arthur's Round Table." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, n.d. Web
Malory, Thomas, Sir. "Le Morte D'Arthur." Le Morte D'Arthur. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.

 

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