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 The truths and legends about King Arthurby Alairic Seruthsson Page 2 of 2 Arthur was sent to Avalon until such future time as he would be needed by
his country. A German tale of one of their famed monarchs, Frederick
Barabossa (which means redbeard,) resembles the Arthurian story. The story
claims that King Frederick sleeps in a tower guarded by ravens. He wakes up
every hundred years. The year will come when he wakes up and there are no
ravens flying above the tower. This will mean Germany needs him, and that
he may wake again. These myths also resemble the concept of Oriental
ancestor worship. Some oriental cultures believe that people’s ancestors
are watching them from heaven. The spirits come and aid their descendents
with the magical powers they have gained after dying.
The legendary Arthur gathered all the greatest knights in the land and gave them places at the great Round Table in his capital, Camelot. Because the table was round, all of the places at the table were equal and no knight could be counted higher in the king’s favor than any other. The circle has been seen throughout ancient times as a symbol of eternity and equality. The circle has no beginning and no end, thus represents one whole company with no distinction for favor. King Arthur endeavored to maintain the ideals of the Round Table forever. King Arthur had a company of legendary men, the crème de la crème of Europe’s chivalric knights. Many historical kings attempted to surround themselves with a great assortment of highly professional. Peter the Great, Emperor of Russia, gathered many famed shipbuilders and naval men. Queen Elizabeth, and many kings of England and the British Empire, are examples of this practice. Most notable of these rulers was Alexander the Great. This renowned conqueror from remote Macedonia assembled a great force of foreign fighters and trained them into the elite company known as the Companions. Like Arthur’s knights, the Companions wielded long lances. With these lances they speared their enemies in the first charge. The Companions left these lances sticking in their dead foes, then they rode back to collect the weapons when the battle was over. Many of the Arthurian quests had to do with magically endowed items. Magic weapons and relics were commonplace. The Holy Grail, Excalibur, and countless other swords, suits of armor, and magic rings were included. Innumerable myths of other cultures included magical objects. An article that can do wonderful things is compelling to any storyteller: myths and legends the world over include magical objects. All of these components from many different cultures have come together to make King Arthur the classic hero he is today. Of all the legends of the world, this is perhaps one of the best known and loved. Sorry, the bibliography was not included. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alairic Seruthsson is a young student interested in literature, history, and Fantasy. You can see some of his fiction at www.sffworld.com's online fiction page; and his own fantasy-based homepage at www.geocities.com/area51/shire/7091 Copyright© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Alairic Seruthsson, sffworld.com. All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the author. |
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