King Arthur, Camelot, and the Round Table.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
In Geoffrey of Monmouth's account, what does Merlin reveal beneath Vortigern's failing tower?
The red dragon stands for the Britons and the white for the Saxons, turning their fight into a prophecy.
In Geoffrey's History of the Kings of Britain, Merlin disguises Uther as whom to enter Tintagel?
Geoffrey's story links Uther's disguise at Tintagel directly to Arthur's conception.
In Malory's Le Morte Darthur, which brothers die during Lancelot's rescue of Guinevere?
Gareth and Gaheris attend unarmored, making their deaths the wound Gawain cannot forgive.
In Malory's Le Morte Darthur, who gives Arthur the sword Excalibur?
Malory's lake-given Excalibur replaces the sword Arthur pulled from the stone after that first weapon breaks.
In Malory's Le Morte Darthur, what proves young Arthur's claim to the throne?
Malory places the sword in an anvil atop a stone, where only the rightful king can pull it free.
In later Grail romances, which sacred meal does the Round Table echo?
The prose Merlin links Arthur's table to the Last Supper and Joseph of Arimathea's Grail Table.
In the Historia Brittonum, what role does Arthur hold while fighting beside British kings?
The text credits Arthur with victories over the Saxons from the River Glein to Mount Badon.
In Malory's Le Morte Darthur, who traps Merlin beneath a stone?
Malory's Lady learns Merlin's enchantments from him before using that magic to seal him under stone.
Geoffrey of Monmouth says Arthur's sword Caliburn was forged at which place?
Geoffrey's Caliburn predates the Lady of the Lake tradition; his text ties its forging to Avalon.
In Chrétien's Story of the Grail, what does the grail carry to the Fisher King's father?
Chrétien describes a shining serving vessel; later romances recast the Grail as Christ's sacred cup.