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Key words£ºKing
Arthur,
Guenevere, Lancelot,
Round Table |
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Genre£ºlegend |
Topic£ºGuenevere |
Words:970 |
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ESL, English,
Story, Tale, Legend, Folktale, Myth,
Fable, Learning, Teaching |
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Arthur was secretly seeing Guenevere,
daughter of King Leodegrance. |
How Arthur married
Guenevere
-Told by
Sir Roland
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Author£ºShaun
Flewellen |
Source£ºstudents.ou.edu
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Nation£ºEngland |
Date£º2008-9-7 |
(Queen Guinevere,
by William Morris. 1858)
¡¡
At
the age of twenty-eight, Arthur had finally found his path to
becoming a noble and respected king. Men throughout the country
honored him for his courage and for his leadership. Arthur had
gathered a very impressive collection of knights that served in
his court. Most notable of them all was Sir Lancelot.
Arthur still had an urge that all men feel. He felt lonely, for
he was without a queen. I (Sir
Roland) myself had already married your grandmother,
and Sir Kay was on his second wife. Arthur was last of the trio
to be without a wife. Although few people knew it, Arthur did
have a love. Arthur was secretly seeing Guenevere, daughter of
King Leodegrance.
King Leodegrance was a friend of Arthur's late father. Uther
Pendragon had even given Leodegrance the great round table,
which was said to hold one hundred and fifty knights with ease.
Arthur and Guenevere kept their young love secret from all,
except Kay and me. Arthur was fearful to bring Guenevere into
Camelot, because he did not want her to be harmed. Arthur still
had wars to fight and enemies who wanted him dead. He did wish
to bring his love into a place that saw so much war.
After many weeks, Sir Kay and I were finally able to convince
Arthur to marry Guenevere. They had been seeing each other for
nearly a year, and we both knew that he loved her. Arthur was
very excited when he finally made the decision to ask for her
hand in marriage. He ran out into the courtyard and proclaimed
to all his love for her.
"Knights, make ready for travel," Arthur said. "At tomorrow's
dawn we make our way to the land of Leodegrance. It is on that
day that I shall ask the Lady Guenevere for her hand in
marriage."
On the next day, Arthur, Kay, Lancelot, myself, and one hundred
of the greatest knights in Camelot made ready for a five hour
long voyage to the caste of Leodegrance.
"My lord, tell me about your future queen," Lancelot asked
Arthur.
"Lancelot my friend, she is the most beautiful women in God's
world," Arthur responded. "Her hair flows of the shades of
brunette and blond. Her eyes are the most beautiful of brown
that they could enchant a sorcerer. Her face and her smile make
the world sing a sweet melody of her beauty."
"It appears that you are deeply in love with this lady, my
lord," said Lancelot.
"Yes, my friend," replied Arthur. "I have never felt a love so
great. My heart beats harder each step we draw closer."
After a long journey we drew near the gates of Leodegrance's
kingdom. We were welcomed with open arms. Leodegrance was
pleased to see Arthur traveling to his kingdom.
"Full King for not even ten years and already you come begging
at my gate?" Leodegrance joked. "It is good to see you again,
friend. How can I be of service to you?"
"It is good to see you too, my lord," Arthur responded. "I
wonder if I my speak with your privately?"
What Arthur and Leodegrance said only they know. What I do know
is that the news to both was quite joyous. After talking and
negotiating for nearly two hours, they both slammed through the
doors laughing and drinking malt liquor.
"All gather round for a celebration," Leodegrance announced. "Guenevere,
come here. I have some news for you."
Arthur saw his love, and he completely melted. He told me later
that it felt like he was seeing her for the first time.
"Guenevere," Arthur said as he knelt on one knee, "I would like
you to honor me by being my queen."
This of course was most untraditional, as kings normally sent
for wives or had servants give the engagement announcement for
them. Arthur showed true compassion and love for Guenevere.
"My lord," Guenevere gasped, "I do not know what to say!"
"Well, say yes, of course," Leodegrance proclaimed.
"Yes," responded Guenevere. "Of course I shall marry you, for I
have loved you for many months now! I have known this day would
come since the first time you sat with my father."
"It is settled then," Arthur excitedly announced. "We shall be
married in Camelot on the Sunday after next. All citizens of
both kingdoms shall be invited. It will be the most joyous
occasion England has every seen."
Two days later we gathered our things to be on our way.
Guenevere would travel with us to become comfortable with her
new home. Before we left Leodegrance gave Arthur an unexpected
wedding gift.
"Arthur my lad," said Leodegrance. "I have no land or riches
that would be fit for a king like yourself. I do have a gift
that you may indeed enjoy."
Leodegrance walked Arthur to a draped object. He then removed
the drape to reveal the Round Table.
"As you may know, your father gave this to me. Damn good man he
was. One of the best men I ever knew. It would only be fitting
if this great table were to go to you, I think that is the way
your father would have wanted it."
"Thank you, my lord. This is a great gift, one that shall not
soon be forgotten. If ever you are in need of my services, my
arms are yours. Now I must be off. We shall see you in ten
days!"
"Very well, lad, I shall see you soon."
Ten days later Arthur and Guenevere wed. The round table was
placed in the huge banquet hall in King Arthur's Court. It would
serve as a table of equality. At Arthur's table no man was
better than the one who sat next to him. No man sat at the front
or the head. All were equal.
¡¡
(King Arthur and the
Knights of the Round Table)
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*The Round Table:
In the legend of King Arthur, the
Round Table was a mystical table in Camelot around which King
Arthur and his knights sat to discuss matters crucial to the
security of the realm.
Discussion£º
1. Who was Uther Pendragon?
2. Why did Arthur and
Guenevere kept their love a secret?
3. Why did King Arthur and
his knights go to the caste of Leodegrance?
4. What did Leodegrance
give Arthur a wedding gift?
5. Why was the Round Table
so special?
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