Lady of the Lake (Camelot, Arthurian Legend) LADY of the LAKE Identity/Class: Celtic Goddess ( Camelot and modern eras) Occupation: Goddess, guardian of Excalibur Affiliations: Loosely connected to Celtic Gods ; uncertain connection to Nimue/Vivienne (see comments) Avengers West Coast, Black Knight (Dane Whitman), Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), Adam Crown , Excalibur, Green Knight, Iron Man (Tony Stark), Lancelot , Merlin , Arthur Pendragon Enemies: Bane, Hela, Iweret, Leah, Loki, Manchester Gods, Master Wilson, Red Lord , Sir Accalon; possibly Sir Balin Known Relatives: Dyonas (father), Llew-Llaw-Gyffes (uncle), Gwydion (grandfather), Arianrhod (grandmother), Dagda , Leir , Amaethon (granduncles); Mabuz (possible son?) Aliases: Nimue, Nineve, the Maiden of the Lake; see comments Base of Operations: An undersea kingdom or castle possibly beneath Lake Benoye, Benoye, France; First Appearance: Uncertain, possibly Morte D' Arthur by

 Sir Thomas Malory (15th century); (Marvel Universe): (Marvel UK) Hulk Comic#18 (July 4, 1979) Powers/Abilities: Uncertain.

She is apparently immune to the effects of aging and conventional disease. She apparently can survive underwater, although it may be that she uses the lake or other sources of water as a portal to another realm. She may be able to travel to Otherworld/Avalon, and possibly to other dimensions as well. She has long held the sword Excalibur, which she bestows unto only the most worthy swordsmen. In one appearance, she was a green woman, able to transform into (or composed of) a watery substance. She could transport herself to anywhere in which a large pool of water was present. She also may be able to travel through time, or at least view future events. She demonstrated a few other, unspecified magical powers. In another appearance, she had certain powers of vegetation, able to extend vines and branches from her body. The Lady of the Lake is typically described as being clad in shimmering, white robes of the purest samite. History: The Lady of The Lake was a mysterious female credited with giving King Arthur the legendary sword Excalibur and the mystic scabbard which protected the wearer from dying.

She was also credited with abducting Lancelot to her underwater dwelling to be her ward, training him to be the greatest of all knights. Other stories attribute Lancelot du Lac's ("of the Lake") prowess to the Lady of the Lake (with shades of the Achilles myth) baptizing him in a magic pool as a child . In some of the tales, she stole the child Lancelot and cured his madness. This was done so Lancelot could become guard to her weak son Mabuz who was tormented by Iweret. (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#9: Morgan le Fay) - Morgan le Fay stole the enchanted sword Excalibur and its magic scabbard (the wearer of the scabbard would lose no blood, no matter how seriously he were wounded). Morgan had the sword and scabbard replaced with non-magical replicas and then presented her lover, Sir Accolon, with the real Excalibur and scabbard. She then duped Accolon into attacking a knight, with him not knowing that knight was Arthur.

Despite his skill and courage, Arthur might have perished at Accolon's hands had not Nimue used her magic to force Accolon to drop Excalibur. Arthur then seized Excalibur and defeated Accolon, revealing Morgan's plot in the process. (New Excalibur#10) - After Camelot fell under the onslaught of "dragons" (actually Makluans), Percy followed the call of the Lady of the Lake, who pulled him into her waters and sent him forward in time to possess the body of Dane Whitman (the Black Knight of the modern era). With the Ebony Blade, the Percy-possessed Whitman slashed into Percy's own corpse and retrieved a scroll (presumably placed there by the Lady). He fought the arriving Excalibur (Captain Britain, Dazzler (Alison Blaire), Juggernaut, Nocturne (TJ Wagner), Sage, Pete Wisdom) and was knocked out by the Juggernaut. Sage read the scroll, learning that only Excalibur could save Camelot.

(New Excalibur#11) - Percy led Excalibur into the lake, and they emerged back in the 6th century, prior to the dragon's attack, and Percy was restored to his own body. He led them to aid Merlin against an attack by a trio of dragons. The group then returned to Camelot and shared the warning of the dragons' threat to Arthur. (New Excalibur#12 (fb) - BTS) - Pete Wisdom got drunk and hit on Guinevere. Arthur was less than appreciative, and after Wisdom tried to stab him with a carving knife, Arthur punched him out. Wisdom passed out in front of Guinevere's door; but Guinevere had been distraught over Wisdom's unpleasantness and had turned to Lancelot for sympathy, leading to the start of their affair. (New Excalibur#12) - Sage exposed the dragons as Makluans and instructed Merlin to conjure some Formosian herb, which caused the dragons to collapse into unconsciousness. Via the Lady of the Lake's magic, Excalibur and Dane Whitman returned to the modern era.

The fall of Camelot at the dragons' hands was diverged into "reality-6120." After the Battle of Cammlan, wherein both Arthur and his treacherous rival Mordred met their dooms, the dying Arthur commanded his cupbearer, Sir Bedivere, to carry Excalibur to a nearby lake and cast it into the waters. Overcoming his reluctance after an admonishment to obedience by the dying king, Bedivere hurled the blade over the lake and as the blade neared the waters the Lady of the Lake's hand reached up from the depths to grasp it, brandishing it three times before returning to her watery home. (Excalibur: XX Crossing#1) Just after his battle with Mordred, Arthur threw Excalibur into the water for the Lady of the Lake. However, Sidestep, a time-travel mastery rogue, had brainwashed Jean Grey into thinking she was Morgan Le Fay, and she prevented the Lady of the Lake from receiving the sword. However, a time displaced Shadowcat subdued Grey, and the Lady of the Lake received the sword. (see comments).

Some stories place the Lady of the Lake, whether Niamh or Nimue, alongside Morgan le Fey as one of three or even four queens that carry away the mortally wounded Arthur to the Celtic otherworld of Avalon where he awaits the day when Britain once again needs him to return. In one account, she was murdered by the knight Sir Balin demanding Excalibur after Arthur's death. (Hulk Comic#18/2-19/2) - After the temporary destruction of the Ebony Blade by the Iron Knight, the Black Knight (Dane Whitman) was given the sword Excalibur by the Lady of the Lake. She appeared only momentarily, handed him the sword, and returned to the waters from which she had surfaced. (Knights of Pendragon I#15) - The Lady of the Lake appeared in the shower of Adam Crown, telling him of his destiny: "It is time once more for the king to ride out once more for the sword of the new dawn." Apparently following her mystic guidance, Crown traveled to the Museum of Pagan Antiquities in London, stole "a priceless Iron Age sword," and hurled it into the nearby canal.

The sword sank beneath the surface, and then the Lady of the Lake's hand lifted it (or another sword) back above the surface. (Knights of Pendragon I#16 - BTS) - Crown followed the guidance of the Lady of the Lake, bringing the sword from the Lady of the Lake to Wiltshire, England. (Knights of Pendragon I#17) - Crown floated out into the middle of Blagdon reservoir, where the Lady of the Lake confronted him. She led him to Avalon, to the Green Chapel, where she brought him to the empty tomb of Arthur and convinced him that he was the Pendragon reincarnation of King Arthur. Crown accepted the Pendragon spirit as she brought him before the Green Knight. She also cryptically referenced some terrible fate that had befallen her--presumably an attack by the Bane--which was what had made her so hideous. In addition, Ben Gallagher dreamed of a woman, who may have been the Lady of the Lake (or some Arthurian Holy Woman, about whom I have no idea) transforming him into the Pendragon reincarnation of Percival.

His dreams ended when his real body died, from wounds recently suffered in battle against the bane B'Ngudjaaa. The woman transported him to the tombs of Avalon. (Heroes for Hire I#2) - The Lady of the Lake appeared to Dane Whitman in a lagoon in the Central Park Zoo. She transported him to Avalon, where she may have imbued him with the spirit of a Pendragon. She outfitted him with a new suit of armor, the Sword of Light, the Shield of Night, and a new winged steed--Strider. (Heroes for Hire I#8) - The Black Knight returned to Avalon, beseeching the aid of the Lady of the Lake in locating Crystal. She refused, telling him that she must be his lady, as he was bound to her service. In addition, she reminded him that Crystal was wed to another (Quicksilver), and that his affection for her was not honorable. As he left, she prophesized three women for him: the one he loves, the one who stole his heart, and the one who yet waits. All would cause him heartache and grief.

(Captain Britain and MI13#2) - The Lady of the Lake was slain by Skrulls who had usurped the power of magic and invaded Otherworld. (Captain Britain and MI13#4) - With the defeat of the Skrulls and the restoration of magic, the Lady of the Lake was restored to existence. (Journey into Mystery I#639 (fb) ) - Master Wilson met for a parley with King Arthur, Dagda, the Lady of the Lake, Captain Britain and Merlyn, but no compromise was found and a war began. (Journey into Mystery I#639) - Dagda was present in Camelot when King Arthur called everyone to arms against the Manchester Gods. During the call to arms Loki asked the Lady of the Lake for a chance to see the Holy Grail (he had to get it as part of a deal with Hela), but she replied with a quick nay.

(Journey into Mystery I#641) - Dagda, King Arthur, Merlyn, the Lady of the Lake and Captain Britain met at the Round Table in Camelot to discuss tactics when Herne the Hunter arrived to tell them that the lines had collapsed and the wall was breached by the Manchester Gods after their enemies had destroyed the legendary sites connected to Otherworld in Britain. An emissary Engel of the Manchester God came to Avalon's leader to suggest a treaty. A short time later Dagda was present when King Arthur signed a peace treaty with Master Wilson, turning Otherworld into a more democratic domain. (Journey into Mystery I#641 - BTS) - Distracted by the paperwork she had to go through Loki and Leah got a chance to lead Hela to the Holy Grail to drink from it and heal the wounds inflicted upon her by the Disir. Comments: Creator: uncertain. Possibly Sir Thomas Malory in Morte D' Arthur (as suggested by Kyle Smith) Adapted to the MU by Dez Skin, Steve Parkhouse, Paul Neary, and John Stokes. This history is a shortened deduction merging many of the tales of Arthurian myth and, hence, omits some of the details and motivations involved.

In some versions of the Arthurian legends, particularly the Vulgate, there were two separate women/goddesses: Niamh and Vivienne, both of whom also received the name Nimue, who is the Lady of the Lake. In several tales, the identity of Niamh merges with that of Nimue/Vivienne, the love of Merlin. In the stories where Niamh/Nimue was murdered by Sir Balin, Nimue/Vivienne replaced her as the Lady of the Lake. Alternatively, in other versions, there was only a single character, or even two aspects of the same being--the goddess Morgan. If only for the purposes of clarifications, the Appendix will list the Lady of the Lake as Niamh/Nimue, and as a separate being from Nimue/Vivienne. The actual situation in the MU is unlikely to ever be revealed. Further explanatation on the division b/t Niamh and Nimue, courtesy of Greg O: Nimue is often referred as the young enchantress that seduced Merlin.

If she was once Morganna Le Fey's pupil, then later Merlin's pupil and eventual captor how could she be the same person that Merlin brought Arthur to in order to obtain Excalibur? It just doesn't add up. Snood: My guess would be that no one at Marvel knows there are two characters. I'm fairly certain that anyone using the Lady of the Lake intends it to be the same person who gave Arthur Excalibur in the the first place. That means Niamh. If I were to try to explain things, I would think that Niamh (who is a goddess, after all) was not actually killed, or if so, managed to reform herself, and continue as the modern Lady of the Lake. In addition, it just doesn't make sense for Morgan's pupil to have sabotaged her work and saved Arthur's life. I think that had to be Niamh. But I would also like to see more of Nimue/Vivienne. To be honest, with many of the myths, the more you try to pin down who's who and who did what, the more confused you get.

I tried to research this more myself and kept getting further from what I knew/thought was in line with the MU character, so I stopped...--Snood. Per Will U: was the most ancient Celtic-Gaelic spelling of Nimue before the myths were translated into a modern tongue. Same pronunciation either way, Nim-u-way . The story that takes place in Excalibur: XX Crossing #1 does not quite fit into the assumed chronology of the King Arthur legend. However, it could very well be the way events happened on Earth-616, as I don't believe the legendary account has been shown in such otherwise. It's also possible that the time-travel took Grey and Pryde back to an already-diverged Earth where Arthur, not Bedivere, returned Excalibur to the Lady, and their actions had no consequence to the timeline of Earth-616. - Madison Carter The version of the Lady of the Lake in Excalibur#37 (by Scott Lobdell and Mark Badger) is markedly different from the version seen in the rest of the stories.

The version in the Knights of Pendragon is different as well, but she may have been temporarily afflicted by the curse of the Bane...or perhaps that is her true form in the modern era, and she magically cloaks herself in a form more aesthetically pleasing. Perhaps one version is Niamh and the other Vivienne? It's a moo point anyway...I'm thinking not too many people writing for Marvel know anything about either version, except that she gave Excalibur to King Arthur. Also in Excalibur#37, she recalled Iron Man as one who had "championed the Greater Isles of Britain in times past." He did so by traveling back in time to the time of Camelot, in Iron Man I#149, 150. However, the footnote referenced "most recently in Iron Man#250." In that issue, Iron Man traveled forward in time, too an alternate future of 2093, where she assisted that time's Merlin and Arthur.

So, the Lady of the Lake may have: (1) traveled forward in time to that world as well, and knew of those events via that means; (2) viewed those future events through a magical portal; (2) referred only to Iron Man I#150. The footnote may have been directed to the reader, and not specifically referring to the events referenced by the Lady of the Lake. Moot point. Dorkas Farcas. The original Knights of Pendragon series is quite hard to follow. Jess Nevin's pre-FF page covers the Pendragon concept beautifully...but it seems to be down right now. However, the Pendragon were good spirits, formerly tied to many of the Knights of the Round Table, which appeared as needed to fight the darker forces of the world. The Bane represented that dark force, and were apparently agents of the Red Lord , who would presumably be the Celtic God Bodb Derg. I guess the sword that Crown stole was supposed to be Excalibur? Who knows?

In the Heroes for Hire stories, the following people did not remember that Dane Whitman and the Lady of the Lake had already met once (although quite briefly): (1) Dane Whitman, (2) the Lady of the Lake, (3) the writer and editors. Arthur did indeed return in the time of need of England, in the pages of the Marvel UK Hulk Comic, to oppose the forces of Necromon . --the writers of the HsfH series also didn't remember/know this, nor the fact that Arthur had fought side by side with the Black Knight in that story. Some modern historians believe the episodes involving the Lady of the Lake and the drawing forth from (and later return to) the waters of Excalibur as representative of ancient pagan rituals in which swords were left in sacred pools as votive deposits. Mabuz/Mabon was son of Matrona, a lake-goddess disconnected with the LOTL, but merged with her in later years.

If I remember right, his story occurs several years before the incidents in Arthur's life--Will U Many, many thanks to Will U and Greg O, two of the Appendix's myth-masters, for supplying the historical/legend version of both the Lady of the Lake and Nimue/Vivienne. I also gained additional information from: Lady of the Lake , Celtic Gods and Goddesses , Encyclopedia of the Celts , and a few others, which are listed below, although it doesn't seem to have a whole lot to do with the Lady of the Lake Mythologically the Celtic Lady of the Lake was known as a Gwragedd Nnnwn (or Lake Faerie). These fae were often married to mortal men. They were lovely, blonde women who enjoyed female company and aiding mortal women and children. The Lady of the Lake was also considered the Queen of the Isle of Maidens. Nimue (pronounced Nim-oo-ay), mythologically, was a lesser Celtic Moon Goddess; cognate with the Greek Nemesis and Diana of the Grove. Her name meant "fate" and "she who lives" and was said to reside in the Fairy wood of Broceliande. She was also connected to the Goddess Morgan.

Niamh (pronounced Nee-av) , was called Beauty and Brightness and helped heroes at death. She is also listed as a possible form of Badb (who receives a brief mention in the Appendix on the Tuatha da Danaan/Celtic Gods page . Archetypically, Nimue and the Lady of the Lake represented the primal initiation into the Otherworld. She reigned over knowledge, was the foster mother, and the mistress of wisdom. (Iron Man I#250) - Iron Man and Dr. Doom traveled to the (alternate?) future of 2093, where they were brought by the Merlin of that time. Merlin called on the Lady of the Lake to pass on Excalibur to Iron Man to defeat a threat of that future's Dr. Doom and Iron Man (see comments). Journey into Mystery additions by Markus Raymond.

CLARIFICATIONS: Nimue/Vivienne --connection uncertain (see comments) Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur, should be differentiated from: Excalibur, the British Super-Hero group, @ Excalibur Special Edition I#1 Excaliber , "Slappy" Struthers, empowered by Morgan Le Fay, @ Spider-Woman I#2 Appearances: Hulk Comic#18-19 (July 4, 1979 - July 7, 1979) Excalibur: XX Crossing (1992) - Scott Lobdell (writer), Jae Lee (artist), Terry Kavanagh (editor) Excalibur I#37-38 (May-June, 1991) - Scott Lobdell (writer), Mark Badger (artist), Terry Kavanagh (editor) Knights of Pendragon I#15-16 (September-October, 1991) - Dan Abnett & John Tomlinson (writers), Gary Erskine (pencils), Bambos Georgiou (inks), Steve White (editor) Knights of Pendragon I#17 (November, 1991)

 - Dan Abnett & John Tomlinson (writers), Gary Erskine (pencils), Bambos Georgiou (inks), Steve White (editor) Heroes for Hire I#2 (August, 1997) - John Ostrander (writer), Pascual Ferry (pencils), Jaime Mendoza (inks), Mark Bernardo (editor) Heroes for Hire I#8 (February, 1998) - John Ostrander (writer), Pascual Ferry (pencils), Jaime Mendoza (inks), Mark Bernardo (editor) New Excalibur#10-12 (October-December 2006) "The Last Days of Camelot" - Frank Tieri (writer), Michael Ryan (penciler), Rick Ketcham (inker), Mike Marts (editor) Captain Britain and MI13#2 (August, 2008) - Paul Cornell (writer), Leonard Kirk (penciler), Jesse Delperdang (inker), Will Panzo (assistant editor), Nick Lowe (editor) Captain Britain and MI13#4 (October, 2008) - Paul Cornell (writer), Leonard Kirk (penciler

), Jesse Delperdang (inker), Will Panzo (assistant editor), Nick Lowe (editor) Journey into Mystery I#639 (August, 2012) - Kieron Gillen (writer), Richard Elson (artist), Lauren Sankovitch (editor) Journey into Mystery I#641 (September, 2012) - Kieron Gillen (writer), Richard Elson (artist), Lauren Sankovitch (editor) Last updated: 11/21/16 Familiars origins/Arthurian Legend | Blood Brothers Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia This page contains all familiars inspired by the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Contents [ show ] History King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. In the legends, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various Knights of the Round Table. Knights of the Round Table The Knights of the Round Table were characters in the legends about King Arthur. They were the best knights in King Arthur's kingdom and lived in King Arthur's castle, Camelot. They were called the Knights of the Round Table because of a special table in Camelot, that was round instead of rectangular. This meant that everyone who sat around it was seen as equal. Bedwyr In Arthurian legend, Sir Bedivere (/ˈbɛdɨvɪər/ or /ˈbiːdɨvɪər/; Welsh: Bedwyr ; French: Bédoier, also spelt Bedevere) is the Knight of the Round Table who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. He serves as King Arthur's marshal and is frequently associated with Sir Kay .

Sir Lucan is his brother; Sir Griflet is his cousin. Bedwyr is one of the earliest characters to be associated with the Arthurian cycle, appearing in a number of early Welsh texts in which he is described as Bedwyr Bedrydant (Bedwyr of the Perfect Sinews), a handsome, one-handed knight under Arthur's command. His father is given as Pedrawd or Bedrawd, and his children as Amhren and Eneuawg, both members of Arthur's court. He was known to use dark magic to seduce and subdue his foes with great skill and aggression. He was feared by many and although the townspeople frequently asked for his hanging, King Arthur still held him in high regards. Bercilak The Green Knight is a character in the 14th-century Arthurian poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the related work The Greene Knight. His true name is revealed to be Bercilak de Hautdesert in Sir Gawain, while The Greene Knight names him "Bredbeddle".

The Green Knight later appears as one of Arthur's greatest champions in the fragmentary ballad "King Arthur and King Cornwall", again under the name "Bredbeddle". In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Bercilak is transformed into the Green Knight by Morgan le Fay, a traditional adversary of King Arthur, in order to test his court. In The Green Knight he is transformed by a different woman for the same purpose. In both stories he sends his wife to seduce Gawain as a further test. "King Arthur and King Cornwall" portrays him as an exorcist and one of the most powerful knights in Arthur's court. In Sir Gawain , the Green Knight is so called because his skin and clothes are green. The meaning of his greenness has puzzled scholars since the discovery of the poem, who identify him variously as the Green Man, a vegetation being in medieval art; a recollection of a figure from Celtic mythology; a Christian symbol; or the Devil himself. The medieval scholar C. S. Lewis said the character was "as vivid and concrete as any image in literature." J. R. R.

Tolkien called him the "most difficult character" to interpret in the introduction to his edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. His major role in Arthurian literature includes being a judge and tester of knights, and as such the other characters see him as friendly but terrifying and somewhat mysterious. Kay In Arthurian legend, Sir Kay /ˈkeɪ/ (Welsh: Cai, Kai, or Kei, or Cei; Latin: Caius; French: Keu; French Romance: Queux; Old French: Kès or Kex) is Sir Ector's son and King Arthur's foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. In later literature he is known for his acid tongue and bullying, boorish behavior, but in earlier accounts he was one of Arthur's premier warriors. Along with Bedivere , with whom he is frequently associated, Kay is one of the earliest characters associated with Arthur.

Lancelot Sir Lancelot (or Launcelot) du Lac (/ˈlænsələt/, /ˈlɔːnsələt/, /ˈlænsəlɒt/, or /ˈlɔːnsəlɒt/; and /djuːˈlæk/ or /djuːˈlɑːk/) was one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He most typically features as King Arthur's greatest champion whose love affair with Queen Guinevere brings about the end of Arthur's kingdom. His first appearance as a main character is in Chrétien de Troyes' Le Chevalier de la Charette, or "Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart", written in the 12th century. In the 13th century, he was the main focus in the lengthy Vulgate Cycle, where his exploits are recounted in the section known as the Prose Lancelot. Lancelot's life and adventures have been featured in several medieval romances, often with conflicting back-stories and chains of events.

Lucan Sir Lucan the Butler is a servant of King Arthur and one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. The duties of a "butler" have changed over time; Sir Lucan was supposed to have been in charge of the royal court, along with Bedivere the Marshal and Kay the Seneschal. Sir Lucan is the son of Duke Corneus, brother to Sir Bedivere and cousin to Sir Griflet. He and his relatives are among Arthur's earliest allies in the fight against the rebel kings such as Lot, Urien, and Caradoc, and remained one of Arthur's loyal companions throughout his life. In most accounts of Arthur's death, from the Lancelot-Grail Cycle to Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, Sir Lucan is one of the last knights at the king's side at the Battle of Camlann. He is usually the last to die; he helps Arthur off the battlefield after he battles Mordred , but the stress is too much. He dies from his own wounds just before the king returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake and sails off for Avalon.

Source: Other Characters Other characters are not true Knights of the Round Table, but were allies, enemies, or relatives of those warriors. Some of the following characters may also not be related to the Knights, but are considered to be part of the Arthurian Legends. Afanc The Afanc (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈavank], sometimes also called Addanc, [ˈaðank]) is a lake monster from Welsh mythology. Its exact description varies; it is described variously as resembling a crocodile, beaver or dwarf-like creature, and is sometimes said to be a demon. The lake in which it dwells also varies; it is variously said to live in Llyn Llion, Llyn Barfog, near Brynberian Bridge or in Llyn yr Afanc, a lake near Betws-y-Coed that was named after the creature. Some legends ascribe the creature's death to King Arthur. Close to Llyn Barfog in Snowdonia is a hoof-print petrosomatoglyph etched deep into the rock "Carn March Arthur", or the "Stone of Arthur's Horse", which was supposedly made by King Arthur's mount, Llamrai, when it was hauling the afanc from the lake.

Black Knight The Black Knight appears in different forms in Arthurian legend. In one tale he is a knight who tied his wife to a tree after hearing she had exchanged rings with Sir Perceval . Sir Perceval defeated the Black Knight and explained that it was an innocent exchange. A supernatural Black Knight is also summoned by Sir Calogrenant (Cynon ap Clydno in Welsh mythology) in the tale of Yvain, the Knight of the Lion. Calogrenant is bested by the Black Knight, but the Black Knight is later killed by Ywain (Owain mab Urien) when he attempts to complete the quest that Calogrenant failed. A Black Knight is also the son of Tom a'Lincoln and Anglitora (the daughter of Prester John) in Richard Johnson's Arthurian romance, Tom a'Lincoln. Through Tom, he is thus a grandson of King Arthur, though his proper name is never given. He killed his mother after hearing from his father's ghost that she had murdered him. He later joined the Faerie Knight, his half-brother, in adventures.

A Black Knight is also mentioned as being killed by Gareth when he was traveling to rescue Lyonesse. Carl Sir Gawain and the Carle of Carlisle is a Middle English tail-rhyme romance of 660 lines, composed in about 1400.A similar story is told in a 17th-century minstrel piece found in the Percy Folio and known as The Carle of Carlisle. These are two of a number of early English poems that feature the Arthurian hero Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, in his English role as a knight of the Round Table renowned for his valour and, particularly, for his courtesy. Hellawes The sorceress Hellawes is a minor character in Thomas Malory's 15th-century compilation of Arthurian legends Le Morte d'Arthur, a treacherous magician whom Sir Lancelot encounters in his pursuit of a holy sword or cloth (the talisman needed to heal his wounded liege-man, Meliot of Logres). Hellawes managed to lure the questing knight into her fearsome Chapel Perilous, but Lancelot—the object of her obsessive and unrequited love—successfully escaped its traps.

Ragnelle The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle (The Weddynge of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnell) is a 15th-century English poem, one of several versions of the "loathly lady" story popular during the Middle Ages. An earlier version of the story appears as "The Wyfe of Bayths Tale" ("The Wife of Bath's Tale") in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, and the later ballad "The Marriage of Sir Gawain" is essentially a retelling, though its relationship to the medieval poem is uncertain.The author's name is not known, but similarities to Le Morte d'Arthur have led to the suggestion that the poem may have been written by Sir Thomas Malory. Stories about the Arthurian court were popular in medieval England, and the worn condition of some of the manuscripts suggests that they were well read. The Ragnelle narrative may have been intended for a festive or less than serious audience. Thomas Garbaty sees the poem as a humorous parody of the Arthurian legend, where Arthur is cowed by both the challenging knight and Ragnelle, "passing the buck" to Gawain.

The Wedding of Sir Gawain survives in a poorly copied 16th-century manuscript located in the Bodleian Library (Bodleian 11951, formerly Rawlinson C.86) though it was probably written in the 15th century. Ritho A formidable Giant from Wales. He caused terror across the Welsh countryside of Yr Wyddfa Fawr, challenging chieftains to combat. He slew many men and he cut off their beards which was sewn together to form a cloak as a trophy. He then sent a message to King Arthur to give up his beard to the Giant or else the Giant would do battle with him and win his beard anyway. King Arthur accepted the challenge. The two fought a ferocious battle but King Arthur got the upper hand and won, kicking the Giant down a path called Rhiw Barfe meaning ‘The Way of the Bearded One’. A cairn was erected where the Giant lay called Gwyddha Rhita meaning ‘Rhita’s cairn’ but this stone was destroyed many centuries later to make room for a hotel.

Excalibur ï¿½There likewise I beheld Excalibur Before him at his crowning borne, the sword That rose from out the bosom of the lake, And Arthur rowï¿½d across and took it ï¿½ rich With jewels, elfin Urim, on the hilt, Bewildering heart and eye ï¿½ the blade so bright That men are blinded by it ï¿½ on one side Graven in the oldest tongue of all this world ï¿½Take me,ï¿½ but turn the blade and ye shall see And written in the speech ye speak yourself ï¿½Cast me away!ï¿½ And sad was Arthurï¿½s face Taking it, but old Merlin counsellï¿½d him ï¿½Take thou and strike!

The time to cast away Is yet far off.ï¿½ So this great brand the king Took, and by this will beat his foemen down,ï¿½ - Idylls of the King, Lord Alfred Tennyson (29) Excalibur: the mystical sword of King Arthur, a weapon of great physical and magical powers, and one of the most well-known objects associated with Arthurian legends; ï¿½No sword has had the impact and universal appeal as that enjoyed by Excalibur, legendary sword of the Britons,ï¿½ (Peterson 52). King Arthur carried this sword throughout his reign and realm, achieving legendary status for both himself and the sword. Throughout Arthurian legend, the sword is credited with many traits, names, origins, and even wielders. Its story changes and ebbs with the authorsï¿½ whims, but it remains a symbol of power, magic, and the kingdom of Arthur . It is also the symbol of the power one man can wield, bringing an entire kingdom under his rule.

The origins and evolution of Excalibur can be traced through the development of the name Excalibur, by looking at Celtic and Welsh legends, and by tracing the evolution of Excaliburï¿½s tale and attributes through various Arthurian stories. Widely known by its name Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur has held other various names throughout Arthurian literature. Geoffrey of Monmouth, who is usually credited with first adding the sword to legend, named it Caliburnus (Lacy ï¿½Encycolpediaï¿½ 147). This name, sometimes shortened to Caliburn, stems from the Latin word chlybs, meaning steel (Lacy ï¿½Handbookï¿½ 337). In addition to the Latin form, there are two theories for the origin of Caliburnus. One is an Irish word, also the name of a legendary sword, Calad-cole (Brown ï¿½Grailï¿½ 117). The other is the Welsh word Caledvwlch, meaning a strong carving instrument ( Warren 254n43).

In The Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh prose poetry, Caledvwlch is a legendary sword with the same attributes as Excalibur (Gantz 140). Roger Sherman Loomis, in his Arthurian Tradition and Chretien de Troyes, argues for both origins. He claims the name Excalibur developed out of many different legends and authorsï¿½ adaptations. Caledvwlch probably developed out of one of the forms of the Irish Calad-cole, and then became Caliburnus in Monmouthï¿½s writings. It became Calibor in the Anglo-Norman poet Waceï¿½s French prose Roman de Brut, based on Monmouthï¿½s Historia Regum Britanniae. According to Loomis, there existed, ï¿½A peculiar tendency to attach the prefix es- to names,ï¿½ (Loomis 424). Calibor then became Escalibor, which eventually transformed into Excalibur. There was more to this sword than its name however, as can be send through the various Celtic and Welsh legends it evolved from.

In Celtic legend, it was common for weapons and other objects to have mysterious origins. Nuadaï¿½s sword, Lughï¿½s spear, the sword of Fergus, and Cuchulainï¿½s gae bulga (spear) all had origins similar to Excalibur. These weapons were forged by a smith with great skill and power. In Layamonï¿½s Brut, King Arthurï¿½s sword was made by Wygar, the elfish smith (Ettlinger 299). Similar characters, such as Wayland, appear as otherworldly smiths continuing the pattern, ï¿½The concept of an exceptionally skilled craftsman is a common theme in mythology. Swords of such power are made so that only a few or one specific person can effectively wield them,ï¿½ (Peterson 53). Some argue Wayland evolved from the, ï¿½Roman god Vulcan, who was modeled on the Greek god Hephaestus, the master smith whose forge was beneath the volcano of Aetna (Day 86-87). Magical weapons forged by supernatural smiths were then wielded by great heroes.

Commonly in Celtic legend though, the hero died at the end of his fight or quest. The heroï¿½s weapon was usually thrown into a lake afterwards. This was both popular in legend and as a practice among the Celts (Peterson 53). There is historical evidence to support this, as archeologists continue to find weapons and armor in the lakes and ponds of Britain . Perhaps this act was to keep others from using their weapons (Lacy ï¿½Handbookï¿½ 338). It may have also been a symbolic act, an acknowledgement of defeat or, ï¿½a sacrifice or a votive offering made to fit a cult ritual,ï¿½ (Day 89-91). Celtic religion had a sacrificial element; therefore this assessment of throwing weapons into lakes may be based in religious beliefs and practices. Like the Celts and their heroes, Arthur also returned his sword to the lake from whence it came, back to the Lady of the Lake . The origin of the name Excalibur can be traced through Celtic legends as well.

Loomis writes, ï¿½The derivation of the famous brand Calibor, better known as Excalibur, from the sword Caledvwlch in The Mabinogion, and ultimately from the sword variously called Caladcolg or Caladbolg in the Irish sagas, is accepted by all scholars,ï¿½ (Loomis 407). In Kulhwch, Arthur has a sword called Caledvwlch. The name is composed of two words, ï¿½caletï¿½ meaning hard and ï¿½bwlchï¿½ meaning notch (423). Loomis also argues, ï¿½The origin of the name Calibor or Caliborc has long been known, and forms one of the most impressive arguments for the infiltration of Welsh and even Irish names into Arthurian romance,ï¿½ (423). Loomisï¿½ argument can be best shown and supported in the following Celtic tales and their recognizable names, characters, and events.

In The Cattle Raid of Cooley in the Book of Dun Cow from the Ulster cycle, Fergus mac Roich was exiled and prevailed upon to fight against the Ulstermen. He demands his sword from King Ailill. The king, ï¿½sends for it and presents it to Fergus, who greets it as ï¿½Caladcolcï¿½,ï¿½ (Loomis 424). In the Book of Leinster, a variation of the same story, the sword is called Caladbolg. This sword is said to have come from ï¿½faery palaces and to become as long as a rainbow when it is brandished,ï¿½ (424). Before the battle in The Cattle Raid of Flidais, Fergusï¿½ sword is switched out for a wooden one. He does not realize this until he is in the middle of the battle. In The Death of Fergus Mac Leite, Fergus is mortally wounded and, ï¿½he implored the Ulstermen to give his sword to one who would be worthy of it,ï¿½ (425).

The two Irish names mentioned, Caladcolg and Caladbolg, translate into, respectively, ï¿½Hard Swordï¿½ and ï¿½Hard Sheathï¿½ (425). The sword of Fergus is from a magical place and has magical attributes, as does Excalibur. In Huth Merlin, part of the Post-Vulgate cycle, Morgan le Fay switches Excalibur for another and Arthur does not realize it until he is fighting Accolon. He also gives a speech about the proper and worthy wielder of Excalibur as he lays dying (425). The names Caladcolg and Caladbolg are very similar to Caledvwlch, which as previously discussed is the sword in The Mabinogion. This sword was also associated with battle prowess, as it is used to defeat the Ulstermen. Arthurï¿½s sword is a symbol of battle prowess, as his victories and, ï¿½reputation on the battlefield helped make the sword legendary; it became seen as the sword of kings. The sword then became a more powerful symbol for his reign than any crown,ï¿½ (Williams 53).

Excalibur has origins in Welsh stories as well. In a set of poems known as The Welsh Triads, the sword was mentioned by the name Caledfwlch, ï¿½Above all there was his magnificent sword ï¿½ Caledfwlch, the ï¿½Lightning Sword,ï¿½ associated with the old Lightning Gods,ï¿½ (Williams 43). It belonged to Arthur, who was not called a king, but was a warrior with a great hall, a ship, many magical objects, and a wife named Gwenhwyfar. Taliesin, a sixth century Welsh poet, wrote The Spoils of Annwfn (49). In it, Arthur went on a mission to Annwfn (in the otherworld) to find a magic cauldron. On this trip he also found a, ï¿½flashing, deadly sword.ï¿½ Caledfwlch, often written as a flashing or blazing sword, had otherworld origins in this tale (52). As legend progressed, this theme continued as Avalon became the most common forging place of Excalibur.

As can be seen through similar names, events, and traits, Excaliburï¿½s origins clearly lie, at least partly in Celtic and Welsh legends. From these legends, the sword developed into its popular role as Arthurï¿½s sword. Over its evolution, Excaliburï¿½s tale picked up many commonalities usually repeated in each tale. Excalibur was given to Arthur through magical means, from Merlin or the Lady of the Lake . It was not forged in this world. Sometimes it was the same as the sword in the stone, but more than often was not. If there was a sword in the stone, Arthur usually broke it and Merlin arranged for Arthur to have a magic one (Lacy ï¿½Handbookï¿½ 337). In the earlier stories, Excalibur did not solely belong to Arthur, in later stories it did. Merlin warned Arthur not to lose the scabbard because of its magical protective powers. The scabbard was stolen by Morgaine or Morgan le Fay. In the end, before Arthur died, he told one of his knights, Bedivere or Girflet, to throw the sword back into the water.

This request was denied twice and then completed upon the third request. The Lady of the Lake took the sword back, and Arthur died (338). This is the basic outline of Excaliburï¿½s story. However each author, Monmouth, Chretien, the Vulgate and Post-Vulgate authors, Malory, Tennyson, and Bradley, added his or her own events that have culminated in the swordï¿½s legend. Geoffrey of Monmouth is credited for first including Arthurï¿½s sword in the legend ( Warren 21). Called Caliburn, it was, ï¿½the best of swords that was forged in the Island of Avalon ,ï¿½ (Brown ï¿½Bleedingï¿½ 30). Caliburn was first mentioned as Arthur prepared for battle against the Saxons, ï¿½He girded on his peerless sword, called Caliburn,ï¿½ along with the shield Pridwen and lance Ron (Monmouth 217). During the battle, Arthur realized his side was losing.

Unwilling to suffer defeat, ï¿½He drew his sword Caliburn, called upon the name of the Blessed Virgin, and rushed forward at full speed into the thickest ranks of the enemy. Every man whom he struck, calling upon God as he did so, he killed in a single blow. He did not slacken his onslaught until he had dispatched four hundred and seventy men with his sword Caliburn,ï¿½ (217). It was again mentioned in the fight against the Gauls. Arthur was fighting with Frollo and, ï¿½raised Caliburn in the air with all his strength and brought it down through Frolloï¿½s helmet and so on to his, which he cut into two halves,ï¿½ (225). In the battle against the Romans and Emperor Lucius, Arthur again drew Caliburn and led his warriors to victory, ï¿½Arthur dashed straight at the enemy. He flung them to the ground and cut them to pieces.

Whoever came his way was either killed himself or had his horse killed underneath him at a single blowï¿½Their armor offered them no protection capable of preventing Caliburn, which wielded in the right of this mighty King, from forcing them to vomit forth their souls with their life blood,ï¿½ (255). This sword was very symbolic of battle prowess, might, and Arthurï¿½s many victories. It was only mentioned in Monmouth in connection to battles and war, ï¿½like the Irish marvelous swords, Caliburn was drawn at the crucial moment in battle, and always brought victory,ï¿½ (Brown ï¿½Bleedingï¿½ 30). As a military weapon, Caliburn was used to incite others to military prowess and was powerful symbol of power ( Warren 57). While Chretien de Troyes does not mention Excalibur much, he is most noted for giving ownership of the sword to someone other than Arthur. In his Conte du Graal, ï¿½Escaliborï¿½ was Gawainï¿½s sword (Brown ï¿½Grailï¿½ 117).

As his writings came relatively early in Arthurian literature, second only to Monmouth, this was not considered a tradition breaking move. Gawain carried the sword, and it was, ï¿½the best sword that ever was, for it cut iron like wood,ï¿½ (Loomis 421). In the Vulgate and Post-Vulgate writings, the legend of Excalibur began to expand. While Excalibur was Arthurï¿½s sword, he gave it to Gawain when he was knighted in Merlin. In the prose Lancelot, Gawain lent Excalibur to Lancelot to use while defending Guinevere against the three barons of Carmelide. In the final book, Morte Artu, Gawain gave the sword to Arthur for his battle against Mordred. Arthur asked Girflet to cast the sword into the lake in the end, who did so on the third request (Williams 156). In the Vulgate Merlin, Excalibur was the sword in the stone, ï¿½Escalibor beginsï¿½ with a unique and divinely ordained destiny.

In answer to the baronsï¿½ prayers for a king after Uther dies, a sword lodged in an anvil appears in a stoneï¿½ And this was the sword that he had taken from the stone. And the letters that were written on the sword said that it had the name Escalibor. And this is a Hebrew name that manes in French ï¿½cuts iron and steel and woodï¿½ and the letters tell the truth,ï¿½ (Warren 202, 193). In the Morte Artu, Excalibur was, for the first time in Arthurian legend, returned to the lake and its maker (Williams 150). Sir Thomas Maloryï¿½s Le Morte DArthur gave sole ownership of Excalibur to Arthur and continued upon the story created in the Vulgate and Post-Vulgate writings. Arthur pulled a sword from the stone, but broke it. Merlin arranged for him to get a better sword from the Lady of the Lake .

Malory wrote they rode to a lake, ï¿½And in the midst Arthur was ware of an arm clothed in white samite, that held a fair sword in that handï¿½. ï¿½That is the Lady of the Lake,ï¿½ said Merlin, ï¿½And within that lake there is a great rock, and therein is a fair palace as any on earth, and richly beseen. And this damosel will come to you anon; and then speak ye fair to her that she may give you that sword.ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½Well,ï¿½ said the damsel, ï¿½Go ye into yonder barge and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you; and I will ask my gift when I see my time.ï¿½ So King Arthur and Merlin alit and tied their horses onto two trees, and so they went into the barge; and when they came to the sword that the hand held, then King Arthur took it up by the handles and bore it with himï¿½ï¿½ (Malory 29-30).

Merlin told Arthur about the scabbard and its protective power. He said the scabbard would keep the wearer from losing blood and Arthur should be careful not to lose it. Merlin even told Arthur the scabbard would be stolen by a woman he trusted, ï¿½But always he warned the King to keep well his sword and the scabbard, for he told him how the sword and the scabbard should be stolen by a woman from him, that he most trusted,ï¿½ (Malory 58). Arthur, however, did not take heed and Morgan le Fay stole the scabbard from his bedside. She threw the scabbard into a lake, where it sunk to the bottom and could not longer be of use to Arthur, ï¿½She rode unto a lake thereby and said, ï¿½Whatsoever come of me, my brother shall not have this scabbard.ï¿½ And then she let throw the scabbard in the deepest of the water. So it sank, for it was heavy of gold and precious stones,ï¿½ (41, 71-72). Thus when Arthur charged into battle against Mordred, he was mortally wounded.

Dying, Arthur ordered Bedivere to throw Excalibur back into the lake, ï¿½Therefore,ï¿½ said King Arthur unto Sir Bedivere, ï¿½take thou here Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder waterï¿½s side; and when thou comest there, I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou seest thereï¿½,ï¿½ ( 514). Twice Bedivere hid the sword and lied to Arthur. After a third command from Arthur, Bedivere finally, ï¿½went unto the waterï¿½s side; and there he bound the girdle about the hilts, and threw the sword into the water as he might. And there came an arm and a hand above the water and took it and clutched it, and shook it thrice and brandished, and then vanished with the sword into the water,ï¿½ (515). Maloryï¿½s sources for Le Morte DArthur were the Vulgate and Post-Vulgate cycle writings, therefore his additions to the story followed the pattern set forth by those authors.

Tennysonï¿½s tale of Excalibur is very similar to Maloryï¿½s. In Idylls of the King, Arthur received Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake under Merlinï¿½s guidance. In the final fight with Mordred, Arthur struck Mordred, but was also struck himself, ï¿½And one last act of knighthood shalt thou see/Yet, ere I pass.ï¿½ And uttering this the King/Made at the man: then Mordred smote his liege/Hard on the helm which many a heathen sword/had beaten thin; while Arthur at one blow/Striking the last stroke with Excalibur/Slew him, and all but slain himself, he fell,ï¿½ (Tennyson 292).

As in Malory, Arthur again commanded his knight Bedivere to return Excalibur to the lake, ï¿½I am so deeply smitten throï¿½ the helm/That without help I cannot last till morn./Thou therefore take my brand Excalibur/Which was my pride: for thou rememberest how/In those old days, one summer non, an arm/Rose up from out the bosom of the lake/Clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful/Holding the sword ï¿½ and how I rowï¿½d across/And took it, and have worn it, like a king/And, wheresoever I am sung or told/In aftertime, this shall be known:/But now delay not: take Excalibur/And fling him far into the middle mere/Watch what thou seest, and lightly bring me word,ï¿½ (293).After disobeying twice, Bedivere finally did as he was asked, ï¿½and strongly wheelï¿½d and threw itï¿½So flashï¿½d and fell the brand Excalibur/But ere he dipt the surface, rose an arm/Cloth

ed in white samite, mystic, wonderful/And caught him by the hilt, and brandishï¿½d him/Three times, and drew him under in the mere,ï¿½ (296).

Tennyson wrote during the nineteenth century, by that time the legend of Excalibur had evolved into a set pattern of mystical origins, protective powers in the scabbard, battle prowess, and a final return to the Lady of the Lake . Tennyson did not evolve Excaliburï¿½s tale further, but rather followed Maloryï¿½s footsteps. Marion Zimmer Bradleyï¿½s The Mists of Avalon was written in 1982. It is a modern approach to Arthurian literature and twists the tale slightly. Excalibur was a powerful sword forged on the Isle of Avalon. It had a scabbard with protective powers. Unlike previous authors, however, Bradley explains the creation of Excalibur from the Avalon point of view. Viviane, the Lady of the Lake , still presented Arthur with the sword, but in a much different way than a hand reaching out of a lake. Viviane had Morgaine prepare the scabbard, ï¿½When that sword is carried into battle, it must be circled with all the magic we have.

You are to fashion a scabbard for the sword, Morgaine, and set into it every spell you know, that he who bears it into battle shall lose no blood,ï¿½ (Bradley 227). Morgaine took on the task and spent three days crafting a scabbard and enchanting it with the protection of the Goddess, ï¿½Goddess! Great Raven! Blood has been shed upon this scabbard, so that none need be split upon it when it is carried into battle,ï¿½ (228). Bradley also describes the otherworldly smiths who forge the sword, ï¿½Fallen to earth in a falling star, a clap of thunder, a great burst of light; dragged still smoking to be forged by little dark smiths who had dwelled on the chalk before the ring stones were raised; powerful, a weapon for a king, broken and reforged this time into the long, leaf-shaped blade, tooled, and annealed in blood and fireï¿½She had been told the name of the sword. Excalibur, which meant cut steel. Swords of meteorite iron were rare and precious,ï¿½ (230).

Within the stories mentioned, Monmouthï¿½s, Maloryï¿½s, and the othersï¿½, this is the first time a description of the making of the sword and scabbard is given. Bradleyï¿½s book focuses on Avalon, this point of view therefore is coherent with her overall work. The other major change Bradley makes is the way in which Arthur receives Excalibur. Arthur was brought to Avalon by the Merlin. Viviane offered him the sword, not from the bottom of a lake, but from an underground location on the Isle. She did, like in Malory, request something from the king before giving him the sword, ï¿½The light flared on gold and jewels in cup and platter, the long spear, the crimson and gold and silver threads of the scabbard. And from the scabbard, Viviane drew forth the long, dark blade. Dimly, stones glinted in its hilt. ï¿½The sword of the Sacred Regalia of the Druids,ï¿½ she said quietly.

ï¿½Swear now to me, Arthur Pendragon, King of Britain, that when you come to your crown, you will deal fairly with the Druid as with Christian, and that you will be guided by the sacred magic of those who have set you on this throne,ï¿½ (Bradley 235). After much debate, Arthur agreed to Vivianeï¿½s request and was granted the sword. Another interesting development in Excaliburï¿½s tale happened not in legend, but in accord with a discovery in the twelfth century. Around 1190, monks at Glastonbury claimed to have discovered and dug up Arthurï¿½s grave (Ditmas 26). In 1191, King Richard I the Lion Hearted presented Tancred of Sicily with a sword he proclaimed to be Excalibur (Lacy ï¿½Handbookï¿½ 338).The temporal proximity of these two events suggested they were related. In Sicily at the time, William II had married Joanna of England (Richardsï¿½s sister). William died soon after, leaving no son.

The heir was his aunt Constance, who was married to the German Henry of Hohenstauffen. His German background was unpopular with the Sicilians, therefore the throne was instead occupied by Tancred of Lecce. Tancred had Joanna imprisoned. Richard demanded her release and the return of her dowry, however Tancred returned her and a bedroom set only. The two quarreled and eventually called a truce. Richard presented Tancred with a sword, ï¿½which the British call which sword was the sword of Arthur, former noble king of England ,ï¿½ (Ditmas 27). This account was attested to by both Benedict of Peterborough and Roger of Hoveden. Perhaps the monks at Glastonbury had notified Richard of the discovery of the grave and sent some ancient sword to him. There was no recorded account of any sword being found in the grave. Perhaps Richard simply wished to pass on a gift he knew Tancred would recognize and respect (27). Most scholars agree this sword was a ruse, not only due to lack of evidence, but also due to the prestige of Excalibur and its legend.

Surely no ruler would give away such a priceless relic, ï¿½To give away Excalibur would be to give away all of England ,ï¿½ (Peterson 54). Among the various characterizations, Excalibur was usually attributed two magical powers, a glowing light and its protective scabbard. It was also said to be unbreakable and extremely sharp through magical enforcement (Day 28, Peterson 52). Especially in older tales, Excalibur shines and blazes when it is drawn or used, ï¿½When Arthur drew it from the scabbard, it ï¿½cast a great light as if two torches had been kindled thereï¿½,ï¿½ (Loomis 422). Its most important power rested in the scabbard however.

In Maloryï¿½s Le Morte DArthur, Merlin asked of Arthur, ï¿½Whether like ye better the sword or the scabbard?ï¿½ ï¿½ï¿½I like better the sword,ï¿½ said Arthur.ï¿½ Merlin replied, ï¿½Ye are the more unwise, for the scabbard is worth ten of the sword; for while ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall lose no blood be ye never so sore wounded. Therefore keep well the scabbard always with you,ï¿½ (Malory 30). The scabbard was clearly more precious than the sword; it could protect its wearer from any wound. However, despite Merlinï¿½s many warnings, Arthur lent out the scabbard several times (he only lent the sword once) and it was eventually stolen by Morgan le Fay (Peterson 52). This led to Arthurï¿½s fatal wounding in his battle with Mordred and eventually his death. Excalibur, from its many Celtic, Welsh, even Latin origins, has developed through centuries of stories and authors into a legend and a powerful symbol.

Excalibur was a sword, but it was also the weapon of Britain ï¿½s most renowned king. Perhaps its popularity is based in the kingdom it represents. It was wielded by the creator of an empire, a brotherhood of knights, and a chivalrous court at Camelot. ï¿½For many, Excalibur symbolizes everything that is noble and valiant from Arthuriana. Its mysterious origins and power only add to the allure of the mythï¿½Every great hero had a weapon to avenge, protect, or hunt withï¿½the sword itself stands for more than what it is. Excalibur has transcended the simple description of a gilded long sword and become a symbol of the strength, pride, and power of an age long passed, yet attainable once again,ï¿½ (Peterson 52, 54). Bibliography Bradley, Marion Zimmer. The Mists of Avalon. London

Question: In Arthurian legend, who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake?
Answer: Sir Bedivere