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THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR
Arthur was the first born son of King Uther Pendragon and heir to the throne. However these were very troubled times and Merlin, a wise magician, advised that the baby Arthur should be raised in a secret place and that none should know his true identity.As Merlin feared, when King Uther died, there was great conflict over who should be the next king. Merlin used his magic to set a sword in a stone. Written on the sword, in letters of gold, were these words: "Whoever pulls out this sword of this stone is the rightwise born king of all England." Of course all the contenders for the throne took their turn at trying to withdraw the sword, but none could succeed. Arthur, quite by chance, withdrew the sword for another to use in a tournament. Following this he became King.
He gathered Knights around him and fought back against the Saxons who, since the Romans left Britain, were slowly but surely taking the country over. After many great battles and a huge victory at Mount Badon the Saxons' advance was halted.
Arthur's base was at a place called Camelot. Here he built a strong castle. His knights met at a Round Table. They carried out acts of chivalry such as rescuing damsels in distress and fought against strange beasts. They also searched for a lost treasure, which they believed would cure all ills - this was the 'Quest for the Holy Grail'.
Under the guidance of Merlin, Arthur had obtained a magical sword from The Lady Of The Lake. This sword was called 'Excalibur" and with this weapon he vanquished many foes.
Queen Guinevere, Arthur's beautiful wife, brought romance to the story while his equally beautiful half sister Morgan le Fay added a dark side.
Unfortunately, as peace settled over the country things turned sour within the court of Camelot and civil war broke out. In the final battle at Camlan both Arthur and Mordred, Arthur's traitorous nephew, were mortally wounded. Arthur was set upon a boat and floated down the river to the isle of Avalon. Here his wounds were treated by three mysterious maidens. His body was never found and many say that he rests under a hill with all his knights - ready to ride forth and save the country again.
Merlin the Wizard
There is no historical evidence that Merlin the Wizard existed. The Arthurian legends were based on the books written by the clerics and poets of the Medieval era or the Middles Ages. These legends and myths about "the one, true King of the Britons" - King Arthur - and the mystical magical and prophetic world of Merlin were used by Kings of England to authenticate their claims to both the Welsh and English thrones!
Who was Merlin the Wizard?
There are many magical legends which surround Merlin the magician and wizard. Merlin was enchanted by the Lady of the Lake and became the guardian of the young Arthur. He appeared as an old, wise man, giving his wisdom to four successive British kings. He was known as the Wild Man of the Woods during which time he learned to talk to the animals. Merlin was reputed to be a mystical Druid, a Celtic priest, Merlin the Wizard, Merlin the Sorcerer, Merlin the Magician a man who possessed the knowledge and secrets of the ancients. The mystical advisor to King Arthur at Camelot. The population knew, and believed, the old legends and myths about Merlin and he was especially revered as a great prophet.
VOCABULARY
a heir to the throne – następca tronu
to set a sword in a stone – umieścić miecz w kamieniu
Rightwise king- prawowity król
a contender – zawodnik, rywal
quite by chance- całkiem przez przypadek
the Saxons’ advance was halted – natarcie Saksonów zostało zatrzymane
to carry out acts of chivalry – dokonywać rycerskich wyczynów
to vanquish – rozgromić, pokonać
to turn/ go sour – popsuć się
traitorous – zdradziecki
prophetic – proroczy
to authenticate claims to – poświadczyć prawdziwość
to enchant – oczarować, rzucić czar na
to be revered as – być szanowanym, czczonym za
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