Search Results: Excalibur

Excalibur is the sword of King Arthur in Sir Thomas Malory's iconic work Le Morte D'Arthur published in in 1485 CE. The sword was originally introduced in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (1136 CE) as Caliburnus (or...

Sir Thomas Malory (c. 1415-1471 CE) was an English knight during the War of the Roses (1455-1487 CE) best known for his highly influential work of medieval literature, Le Morte D'Arthur regarded as the first novel in English, the first in...

King Arthur is among the most famous literary characters of all time. The Arthurian legend of the Knights of the Round Table, Camelot, the Quest for the Holy Grail, the love affair of Lancelot and Guinevere, and the wizard Merlin have informed...

Knights were the most-feared and best-protected warriors on the medieval battlefield, while off it, they were amongst the most fashionably dressed and best-mannered members of society. To reach this elevated position, however, became more...

The Arthurian legend begins with the Welsh cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth (c. 1100 - c. 1155 CE). Earlier history writers such as Gildas, Bede, and Nennius had already established the existence of a British war-chief who defeated the Saxons...

King Arthur's sword Excalibur from the 1981 Film 'Excalibur'. (London Film Museum)

The legends surrounding King Arthur and his knights have charmed and intrigued people for centuries and their popularity continues in the present day. As with any famous figure, however, the question arises as to whether the legend is based...

An illustration of King Arthur drawing the enchanted sword Excalibur from the sword. From the Vulgate Cycle manuscript (1316 CE) in the British Library, London.

An illustration by the 19th century CE artist Walter Crane depicting Sir Bedevere throwing King Arthur's sword Excalibur back into the lake from whence it came.

An illustration from the legends of King Arthur showing the king and Merlin approach the Lady of the Lake who will give him his sword Excalibur. (From King Arthur's Knights: The Tales Retold for Boys and Girls by Henry Gilbert, Edinburgh...