And I'm back with Day 2... Only 29 to go! lol Today's Blog Every Day in May challenge topic is to educate my readers on something I know lot about or that I am good at. I have to admit this one left me puzzling... I mean, I know a little bit about a lot of things, but a lot about one thing? And what, besides shopping and paper crafting, am I good at? I decided that the thing I would would share with you today was my passion obsession for the King Arthur legend. As you can see from the photo of one of the bookcases in my bedroom, I have a few books on the topic! Yes, ALL of those books are about the legend, in one incarnation or another!
There have been volumes written on Arthur and there has been an equal amount of debate as to whether he was indeed a real historical figure or just a hero in a complex and layered myth. Camelot, Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake, Morgan Le Fey, the Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere... What a blockbuster of a story! Arthur first appeared in literature in the 9th century in a collection called Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius. It is interesting to see how the legend evolves even as its title character does. Arthur is first seen as a soldier or warrior and develops into Briton's King over time as the legend progresses. Other components of the legend we know today, such as Lancelot or the Holy Grail quest, find their beginnings in the 12th century French romances.
To me there is something captivating about this enduring story and ever since I first read The Mist of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (which is a feminine viewpoint of the legend) I was enthralled. Anyone who is interested in Wicca would find this version of the legend intriguing as well. I even took a college course about Arthurian Literature- just because I could! It was an amazing class! Arthurian legend is not something that can be done justice in one short blog post but Arthur, son of Uther and Igraine, is waiting for you at the turn of a page. Here is a bibliography for your reference if you are inspired to read about The Once and Future King.
{hugs}
Regan
There have been volumes written on Arthur and there has been an equal amount of debate as to whether he was indeed a real historical figure or just a hero in a complex and layered myth. Camelot, Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake, Morgan Le Fey, the Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere... What a blockbuster of a story! Arthur first appeared in literature in the 9th century in a collection called Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius. It is interesting to see how the legend evolves even as its title character does. Arthur is first seen as a soldier or warrior and develops into Briton's King over time as the legend progresses. Other components of the legend we know today, such as Lancelot or the Holy Grail quest, find their beginnings in the 12th century French romances.
To me there is something captivating about this enduring story and ever since I first read The Mist of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (which is a feminine viewpoint of the legend) I was enthralled. Anyone who is interested in Wicca would find this version of the legend intriguing as well. I even took a college course about Arthurian Literature- just because I could! It was an amazing class! Arthurian legend is not something that can be done justice in one short blog post but Arthur, son of Uther and Igraine, is waiting for you at the turn of a page. Here is a bibliography for your reference if you are inspired to read about The Once and Future King.
{hugs}
Regan
1 comment:
I like King Arthur stories too (though, by stories here, I mean movies, because I don't think I've actually read a King Arthur book, other than those required summer reading books back in the day.) I'll have to check out the Mists of Avalon - I bet it's interesting to read from a woman's perspective. Thanks!
Hugs,
Heather
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