Knights of a Round Table

The most familiar thing that comes to mind when I hear someone mention King Arthur, is automatically, his knights of the round table. They go together like speghetti and meatball. I believe that's what made the romantic idea of King Arthur so great. He not only represented ideas of chivilry and honor, but that he also supported equality of man. Merlin, King Arthur's mentor,who was the mastermind of the "round table" idea,  instilled in Arthur the values of using mind over brawn, and to avoid war and bledshed whenever possible, but also felt the importance of Arthur learning to treat his knights fairly. These men pledged themselves with their lives of their own free will to follow the lead of what they believed to be a man so great, and intelligent, so brave and gracious, a man proven to be fair. Not because he was the King, but because he was a good king, a fair king, a man that could be trusted with their lives, and a man that represented an idea that was bigger than themselves and deserved to be defended, and kept safe. They did this mostly because, they were accepted into a brotherhood that treated them all, no matter the wealth or familiar statures, equal. One of the things in the military nowadays that I belive is taken from this simple of idea of "the round table", is when you hear soldiers and sailors talk about who in their chain of command, commanded the most respect from them. It wasn't the highest ranking official, or the most seasoned veteran, it was the leader who worked alongside them, ate with them, and "chewed the same dirt they did". That person had the choice to sit apart from his men, but didn't, made the value of their work and lives equal in the same cause, the same fight. This is the impact that has been carried over hundreds of years, so even though there are those who might not know who King Arthur and Merlin are, there are still lots who know of that idea of equality that sprung from the knights of the round table.

Where did the Sword in the Stone come from?

According to Britannia.com, the story of the Sword in the Stone is referenced only in Merlin's history. Following what is most popularly believed, that Merlin became the young boy's tutor, while he grew up with his foster-father, Sir Ector. Merlin arranged for the sword-in-the-stone contest by which he became king, creating the defining moment of Arthur's career.  Later, the magician met the mystic Lady of the Lake at the Fountain of Barenton and persuaded her to present the King with the magical sword, Excalibur, it is noted that this is not the sword in the stone. The only notable reference of the Sword in the Stone, is also found in Britannia, and it is in the history of London during the Dark Ages that Arthur's pulling of the sword in St. Pauls' churchyard, the scene which is referenced in the Disney movie, that is said to be "merely apocryphal". As is most of the history of King Arthur. While more is known about Merlin, and through Merlin it is mostly thought to be the means of Arthur's birth, through the deception of Uther leading to the conception of Arthur. This is why I choose to blog about them in the first place, I couldn't have one without the other, without Merlin there would be no Arthur, and without Arthur, how would Merlin defeat the Saxons, the goal in which he was preordained?

King Arthur & Merlin

When I was a child, before I had learned how to read, I was a movie aficionado. My parents enabled me by purchasing all the latest Disney movies out there, because let's be honest, who doesn't want their child sitting quietly for hours on end? My absolute favorite movie to watch back then was The Sword In The Stone. It was funny, scary, sad, and educational all in one animated package. If you are unfamiliar with this movie I implore you to rent the DVD and watch it because it can be enjoyed no matter what age you are. Although, a quick summary would be that Arthur, then a young boy known as "Wart" is being raised by a negligent and harsh stepfather when he happens to come across Merlin, a wizard who takes it upon himself to become the boys tutor. Merlin though, has strange ways of tutoring because he teaches Wart life lessons by turning him into various kinds of animals: fish, bird, and squirrel. Each of the transformations is meant to instill in Arthur the concept of Mind over Might, it is better to use your head instead of your fists.
 Progressing through the years into literacy and schooling, the legends of King Arthur have been incorporated into almost every English literature class since the 8th grade with T.H. Whites' book, The Once and Future King. It was after reading that book that I discovered it was the basis for my favorite childhood movie! I have been hooked ever since continuing on through the years to read any and all King Arthur legends that come my way, and I hope that while you follow my blogs as I further explore the relationship of King Arthur and Merlin, that you will learn to appreciate the life instilling lessons and mentorship of Merlin and the progression of Arthur into a great king as I have come to admire.