From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (4/4)

The Vulgate Cycle “The Vulgate Cycle, [was] composed between 1220 and 1235”,[1] meaning it is our next main Medieval Arthurian text. Therefore we must go onto our next impact, “St. Joseph of Arimathea, acclaimed by the monastery of Glastonbury as the apostolic evangelist of Britain, gained this accolade through the Arthurian Grail romances, and most particularly, the Estoire del Saint Graal”.[2] The Estoire de Saint Graal was part of the Vulgate Cycle and according to Lagorio helped cement the link between the link between not only the Holy Grail, and Joseph of Arimathea, but also the link between legend of … Continue reading From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (4/4)

From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (3/4)

Wace’s Roman de Brut “Wace’s Roman de Brut, the earliest extant Old French Brut, c. 1155, is known for its account of the birth, reign, and defeat of King Arthur”[1] Therefore it is the next chronological text after Geoffrey of Monmouth, and was written only two years after the end of the Anarchy (see the dates and definition stated above). Henry II was crowned king of England only one year before the approximate date for Wace’s Roman de Brut, and despite being coronated immediately after a period of Civil War, Henry II would become the first monarch of the long … Continue reading From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (3/4)

From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (2/4)

Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae Monmouth mixed history and mythology together with potent results, but before we fully appreciate the impact of this fascinating piece of medieval writing, I would first like to take a slight diversion, and look at one possible purpose of Monmouth’s, that I have not yet seen discussed during my research. The most probable date for the Historia Regum Britanniae is 1136-1138.[1] If we are taking these dates as truth Monmouth was writing his Historia during a time of huge upheaval and civil war. This time is known as the Anarchy “The Anarchy was a … Continue reading From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (2/4)

From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (1/4)

Abstract From the dark ages Britain has had an innate interest in the Arthurian legend. This essay looks at the formative years of this legend where the stories become full narratives, the Medieval period. This essay assesses the impacts of the four main medieval texts, namely: Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae, Wace’s Roman de Brut, Chrétien de Troyes’ Arthurian Romances, and the Vulgate cycle. The texts link to monarchs such as King Stephen, Henry II, Edward I and Edward III. The texts also link to historical events including the Anarchy and the Third Crusade, showing how the legend of … Continue reading From Monmouth to Malory: How did the legend of King Arthur impact Medieval Britain? (1/4)

Christmas Angel by Tilly Singleton

There on the top of the towering tree, I saw you when I was only three. Your golden robes and complexion fair adorned with holy halo and flowing hair. Every year I helped unpack And saw you lying atop the stack As we ran around singing ‘O Christmas tree’ I smiled as you winked down to me. Until one year I unpacked my stuff, A lot of these little trinkets and tat All alone inside my flat. There on top of the squat little tree, I didn’t see you when I was twenty-three! Written by Tilly Singleton 8A Continue reading Christmas Angel by Tilly Singleton

How do we affect society? by Maja Villareal

Year 9 students at Bennett practise writing persuasively about important social issues experienced in the wider world, such as discrimination. This article was written by Maja Ysabelle Villareal in response to the task and nominated for publication by her English teacher. Although the world has changed drastically since 1928 (the year the Equal Franchise Act granted equal voting rights to women and men), discrimination and prejudice still exist today, hidden in our everyday lives. People of colour are discriminated against for having darker skin or differently shaped eyes, for having a different accent, or for not being able to fluently … Continue reading How do we affect society? by Maja Villareal

To Quell the Cabinet: The Cato Street Conspiracy by Zahra Uddin

In a book called – “Parliament: The Biography – Volume 2: Reform”, Chris Bryant discusses the last two hundred years where Parliament has witnessed social unrest and turbulent change. The theme of novelty and reform are explored and beliefs for evolution rather than revolution are hammered down.  However, it was pages 24-25 and that of listening to the History Extra podcast – “Georgian terrorists: The Cato Street Conspiracy” that really contributed to my research of the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820. The inevitable failure of the Cato Street Conspiracy put an end to the act of “Old Radicalism” in England. … Continue reading To Quell the Cabinet: The Cato Street Conspiracy by Zahra Uddin

Stem Club #1

Every Thursday lunchtime, the STEM club runs demonstrations and practical activities. I recently experienced a smoke-filled room when examining the way air flows over aeroplane wings in a session led by the joint Head of STEM club, Calum Ellis. He set a group activity in which everyone was able to make their own inventive designs, ranging from sleek paper aeroplanes and an aerofoil to a simple cylinder… which turned out to be the most aerodynamic shape! Another week, led by Max Bennett, had roaring flames burning fascinating colours. He led the students in exploring the different chemical compositions purely on … Continue reading Stem Club #1

A collection of Remembrance Day poems

Many students from the English Poetry Club have submitted wonderful poems commemorating Remembrance Day and we have collated them into a single post. We hope you enjoy them. Time Wait so has it been 104 years? Days by days, night by night, years by years… People waiting outside their door still thinking they will be back tomorrow? Or maybe… later? They drew tallies on the wall feels like someone is missing in the house the house isn’t loud anymore the house isn’t full of joy anymore the house is… quiet, empty, and… silent. People walk through the Red Field winds … Continue reading A collection of Remembrance Day poems