About this episode

This episode explores the historical and literary significance of Arthurian legends in the context of sixth-century Britain.

Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- In the sixth century, the island of Britain was quite possibly the most miserable place on earth. A decades-long combination of civil war, imperial neglect, seaborne savagery, and the great freeze of 536 contributed to a level of deprivation beyond all living memory. But although the Britons had lost their paved roads, well-oiled trade networks, Latin school system, and even their land, they still held onto their hope. They called this hope Arthur. This episode of Gladio Free Europe is the first in a series on the Arthurian cycle, the body of legends and literature that would become medieval Europe’s most significant popular culture. Starting with the unanswerable question of the historic Arthur of the sixth century, Liam and Russian Sam explore the emergence of Britain’s most recognizable literary icon and most valiant king. This episode of Gladio Free Europe situates Arthurian literature in its various contexts, from Welsh and Breton oral traditions deeply rooted in the stories of the ancient Celts to the French-language courtly literature of High Middle Ages. Together, these various ancient and medieval influences combined to…

People in this episode

Host: Liam

Guest: Russian Sam

Topics covered

• Arthurian legends
• medieval literature
• chivalric romance
• historical context
• Celtic traditions
• literary influence

Keywords

• Arthur
• Britain
• medieval
• literature
• Celtic
• chivalric romance
• Geoffrey of Monmouth
• Thomas Malory

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gladio Free Europe

Books & works: Le Morte Darthur

Places: Britain

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