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)

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)

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)

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)