Arthurian

Arthurian refers to the legends surrounding King Arthur and his knights, a body of stories that forms the core of medieval romance and later adaptations. The tales portray Arthur as a British king who unites the realm, establishes Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table, and presides over a chivalric code. Central figures include Merlin, Guinevere, Lancelot, Morgan le Fay, and the Holy Grail, though the exact constellation of characters varies by version.

Origins of the tradition are obscure, with possible roots in early Welsh and Breton narratives. The most influential early literary formulation appeared in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136), presenting a pseudo-historical account of Arthur's reign. In the 12th century, Chrétien de Troyes added romantic episodes and the quest for the Holy Grail, while later medieval prose cycles, including the Vulgate Cycle, and Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (c. 1485), expanded the myth into a continuous narrative.

The Arthurian legend examines sovereignty, legitimacy, loyalty, betrayal, and moral virtue, often through quests and trials that test knighthood. Its influence extends from medieval romance to modern fantasy, film, and popular culture, shaping ideas of heroism, chivalry, and mythic kingship. Scholarly study covers its origins, manuscript transmission, and evolving portrayals across cultures as the tale adapts to changing social and political contexts while remaining an enduring symbol of monarchy and collective memory.