King Arthur: History and Legend

King Arthur: History and Legend is a captivating educational program produced by The Great Courses in 2015. An engrossing blend of historical fact, engaging storytelling, and scholarly analysis, the series seeks to separate truth from myth in the vast body of literary and historical material associated with King Arthur, regarded as a legendary British leader who supposedly led the defense of Britain against the Saxon invaders in the early 6th century.

Designed to inspire, educate and entertain the history enthusiast and armchair scholar, King Arthur: History and Legend is comprised of 24 half-hour lectures. The series dives deep into the mythological and historical underpinnings of the Arthurian legend. Expertly helmed by Professor Dorsey Armstrong of Purdue University, an acclaimed scholar in medieval literature and Arthurian legend, the lectures strike a balance between academic rigor and accessibility for the everyday viewer.

The course starts by setting the foundations, offering viewers a background on the historical, theological, and literary contexts from which the Arthurian Legends emerged. It delves into the origins of Arthurian Legend, exploring clues about the likelihood of Arthur's historical existence. The lectures consider both sides of the debate - the skepticism of modern scholars who see Arthur as a mythological figure, and the enduring belief of others in Arthur's historical authenticity.

King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot, Merlin, Queen Guinevere, and the Holy Grail: names and symbols synonymous with literary legend and romantic medievalism. This course explores these characters and themes in great depth, examining seminal works of Arthurian literature such as Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, Chretien de Troyes’ Arthurian Romances, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, along with other anonymous medieval texts and modern interpretations.

The show guides viewers on how the Arthurian Legend was curated, molded, and expanded from the Middle Ages to Modern times. It unpicks not just the myth of King Arthur, but the context in which the myth was told, the purpose it served, and the reality it may have been based on.

The course also navigates the Arthurian Legend's metamorphosis over time. It delves into how various Arthurian tales have been adapted through different periods – the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, the Victorian era, right through to contemporary times. Besides the core texts of Arthurian literature, the series also underscores the importance of the Arthurian Legend's influence in art, music, movies, and even in bureaucratic, religious, and political constructs.

Furthermore, the lectures demonstrate Arthur's importance as a symbol of national identity, particularly during periods of socio-political upheaval and uncertainty. From its origins in Celtic folklore to the romantic revival of the legend in Victorian times, the course shows how Arthur's story has been rewritten and reinterpreted in response to changing cultural contexts.

Prof. Armstrong's lectures are brilliantly structured, comprehensive, and highly engaging. Her enthusiastic and thoughtful examination of the Arthurian Legend infuses the course with a sense of lively curiosity, sparking intrigue in viewers' minds. By investigating a wide array of empirical signs, interdisciplinary scholarly debates, and comprehensive analysis of texts, it offers a panoramic view of the spectral figure of Arthur.

In King Arthur: History and Legend, viewers are encouraged to join Prof. Armstrong on an exciting intellectual quest in search of the real King Arthur while exploring the tantalizing mysteries that continue to surround this mythical figure. The course illuminates Arthur as a character who straddles the boundary between history and legend—a figure that might or might not have lived, but whose name has certainly endured.

With a potent mix of scholarship, analysis, and love for the story, King Arthur: History and Legend is more than a series of lectures. It is a comprehensive journey through time, culture, myth, literature, and history. Whether you're a history lover, literature enthusiast, or a casual viewer with an interest in the timeless tale of King Arthur, these lectures provide an essential grounding.

King Arthur: History and Legend is not merely about the exploration of history or mythology; it's an intriguing examination of cultural storytelling and its evolution—a testament to the enduring allure of the legends that shape our understanding of the past. With each lecture, the show stands as a monument to human creativity and a celebration of just how enduring and captivating a good story can be.