King Arthur: Knight Templar or Timeless Legend?
Absolutely not. The very notion of King Arthur being a Knight Templar is an anachronism, a historical impossibility. The Knights Templar were a military order founded around 1119 AD during the Crusades, centuries after the period in which Arthurian legend is typically set (5th-6th centuries AD). To imagine Arthur as a Templar is akin to picturing Julius Caesar using an iPhone – fascinating, perhaps, but factually inaccurate. Arthurian legends, while complex and debated, predate the formation of the Knights Templar by hundreds of years.
Unpacking the Legend: Arthur and His Knights
While King Arthur himself never could have been a Knight Templar, his story has fascinated people for centuries. He is known for his Knights of the Round Table and uniting the peoples of his land. Though his end was tragic, he remains a beloved figure, his story even painted in the halls of the British Parliament. Arthur’s legend begins with Uther Pendragon, his father.
The Knights of the Round Table (Welsh: Marchogion y Ford Gron, Cornish: Marghekyon an Moos Krenn, Breton: Marc’hegien an Daol Grenn) are the legendary knights of King Arthur’s fellowship. They first appeared in the Matter of Britain literature in the mid-12th century.
Separating Fact from Fiction: Templars and Arthur
The enduring allure of both Arthur and the Templars often leads to these kinds of imaginative connections. However, understanding their distinct historical contexts is crucial. The Arthurian cycle developed over centuries, incorporating Celtic mythology, folklore, and the political anxieties of different eras. The Knights Templar, on the other hand, emerged from a specific historical need: to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
The Knights Templar and the story of King Arthur are both intriguing subjects. However, any direct association between the two is purely the realm of historical fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about King Arthur and the Knights Templar
1. Who were King Arthur’s knights actually called?
They were primarily known as the Knights of the Round Table. This brotherhood represented equality and unity, with each knight having a seat at a circular table, signifying no one was above another.
2. How many knights served under King Arthur?
The number varies in different versions of the legend. Some accounts mention 150 knights, while others focus on a smaller, more elite group. King Leodegrance gave King Arthur 100 knights when he gave him the Round Table as a dowry for his daughter. The wizard, Merlin, filled 28 seats, and King Arthur named two knights.
3. What is the historical basis for the Arthurian legends?
The extent of Arthur’s historical basis is hotly debated among historians. Some believe he may have been a Celtic war leader who fought against the Anglo-Saxon invasions of Britain in the 5th or 6th century. Others see him as a purely mythical figure, a composite of Celtic heroes and folklore.
4. Which knights are most prominently featured in the Arthurian legends?
Key figures include Sir Lancelot, known for his prowess and tragic affair with Queen Guinevere; Sir Gawaine, known for his strength and chivalry; Sir Galahad, the purest knight who achieves the Holy Grail; Sir Percival, another Grail seeker; and Sir Bedivere, who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake.
5. Which knights betrayed King Arthur?
The most significant betrayal comes from Sir Lancelot‘s affair with Queen Guinevere. Additionally, Mordred, often portrayed as Arthur’s illegitimate son or nephew, plays a role in Arthur’s downfall. Mordred discovered Guinevere and Lancelot and brought the news to his father.
6. Who is considered the purest knight in Arthurian legend?
Galahad, the son of Lancelot and Elaine, is widely regarded as the purest knight. He is the only knight deemed worthy of achieving the Holy Grail.
7. Was King Arthur Celtic, Roman, or something else?
Arthur is generally considered a Celtic figure. He is associated with the Brythonic Celts of Britain who resisted the Anglo-Saxon invasions. Some scholars suggest his legend incorporated Roman elements, reflecting the enduring influence of Roman culture in post-Roman Britain.
8. Is there any evidence of King Arthur’s bloodline today?
There is no definitive evidence to support the claim that descendants of King Arthur exist today. Claims of royal lineage from Arthur have been made, but they remain largely unsubstantiated and rely on genealogical interpretations of dubious historical accuracy.
9. Did King Arthur have royal blood?
Supposed direct lineage from King Arthur has been professed by some English monarchs, especially the ones of Welsh descent, among them the 15th-century King Henry VII (through Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon), who even named his first-born son after Arthur, and the 16th-century Queen Elizabeth I.
10. Is there concrete evidence that King Arthur was a real person?
No conclusive archaeological or historical evidence has been found to definitively prove King Arthur’s existence. The earliest accounts of Arthur are literary and legendary, lacking the corroborating evidence required for historical certainty.
11. Do the Knights Templar still exist today?
The original Knights Templar order was officially dissolved by the Pope in the 14th century. However, various modern organizations claim to be descended from or inspired by the Templars. These groups often engage in charitable work, historical research, and fraternal activities.
12. What are the Knights Templar called today?
Under his protection, Templar organizations simply changed their name, from “Knights Templar” to the reconstituted Order of Christ and also a parallel Supreme Order of Christ of the Holy See; both are considered successors to the Knights Templar.
13. Who are considered possible modern descendants of the Knights Templar?
One prominent theory suggests that the Freemasons may be spiritual or symbolic descendants of the Knights Templar. While direct links are unproven, both share elements of secrecy, ritual, and symbolism.
14. What language did King Arthur and his knights speak?
The language of Arthurian Britain would have been Brythonic, a Celtic language ancestral to Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. Arthurian Britain was before the Germanic invaders came and made the place England (Angle-land).
15. Where can I learn more about the Arthurian legends and their impact on education?
Explore the role of storytelling and learning through games at the Games Learning Society website. You can visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore how legends like King Arthur’s can be used to engage and educate learners of all ages.
The allure of linking historical or legendary figures to secret societies often arises from a desire to find hidden meanings and connections. While such speculations can be entertaining, it’s vital to maintain a critical perspective and differentiate between fact and fiction.