King Arthur. Camelot. Camelot is a castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur.
Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and eventually came to be described as the fantastic capital of Arthur's realm and a symbol of the Arthurian world. The stories locate it somewhere in Great Britain and sometimes associate it with real cities, though more usually its precise location is not revealed. Most scholars regard it as being entirely fictional, its geography being perfect for romance writers; Arthurian scholar Norris J. Lacy commented that "Camelot, located no where in particular, can be anywhere".[1] Nevertheless arguments about the location of the "real Camelot" have occurred since the 15th century and continue to rage today in popular works and for tourism purposes. Early appearances[edit] A un jor d'une Acenssion / Fu venuz de vers Carlion / Li rois Artus et tenu ot / Cort molt riche a Camaalot / Si riche com au jor estut. [3]
Lady of the Lake. Lady of the Lake is the titular name of the ruler of Avalon in the Arthurian legend.
She plays a pivotal role in many stories, including giving King Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin, and raising Lancelot after the death of his father. Different writers and copyists give her name as Nimue, Viviane, Elaine, Niniane, Nivian, Nyneve, and Evienne, among other variations.[1] Excalibur. Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain.
Sometimes Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone (the proof of Arthur's lineage) are said to be the same weapon, but in most versions they are considered separate. The sword was associated with the Arthurian legend very early. In Welsh, the sword is called Caledfwlch; in Cornish, the sword is called Calesvol. Forms and etymologies[edit] Caledfwlch appears in several early Welsh works, including the poem Preiddeu Annwfn and the prose tale Culhwch and Olwen, a work associated with the Mabinogion and written perhaps around 1100.
In Chretien de Troyes's Perceval, Gawain carries Escalibor and it is stated, "for at his belt hung Excalibor, the finest sword that there was, which sliced through iron as through wood"[4] ("Qu'il avoit cainte Escalibor, la meillor espee qui fust, qu'ele trenche fer come fust.
Merlin. Merlin reciting his poems, as illustrated in the French book from the 13th century "Merlin", by Robert de Boron.
Geoffrey's rendering of the character was immediately popular, especially in Wales.[1] Later writers expanded the account to produce a fuller image of the wizard. Merlin's traditional biography casts him as a cambion: born of a mortal woman, sired by an incubus, the non-human from whom he inherits his supernatural powers and abilities.[2] The name of Merlin's mother is not usually stated but is given as Adhan in the oldest version of the Prose Brut.[3] Merlin matures to an ascendant sagehood and engineers the birth of Arthur through magic and intrigue.[4] Later authors have Merlin serve as the king's advisor until he is bewitched and imprisoned by the Lady of the Lake.[4]
Guinevere. Guinevere /ˈɡwɪnɨvɪər/ was the legendary Queen consort of King Arthur.
In tales and folklore, she was said to have had a love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot.
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne (Irish pronunciation: [ˈdʲiəɾˠmˠədʲ uə ˈd̪ˠʊvʲnʲə]) or Diarmid O'Dyna (also known as Diarmuid of the love spot) is a son of Donn and a member of one of the most famous Fianna in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology.
He is most famous as the lover of Gráinne, the intended wife of Fianna leader Fionn mac Cumhaill in The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne. Aonghus Óg or Aengus is Diarmuid's foster father and protector. Diarmuid was an outstanding young hero, he single-handedly slew 2600 warriors in a battle and he saved Fionn and the Fianna. Legend[edit] Famous weapons[edit] Aengus owned a highly lethal sword named Moralltach, the Great Fury, given to him by Manannán mac Lir. Vicious curse[edit] His father, Donn, was a warrior of the Fianna. Magical love spot[edit] Diarmuid, while hunting one night, met a woman who was the personification of youth. Loathly Lady and Cup[edit] His quest for the healing cup nearly ended at an impassable river. Pwyll.
The Fionavar Tapestry. The Fionavar Tapestry is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Guy Gavriel Kay, set partly in our own contemporary world, but mostly in the fictional world of Fionavar.
It is the story of five University of Toronto senior law and medical students, who are drawn into the 'first world of the Tapestry' by the mage Loren Silvercloak. Once there, each discovers his or her own role and destiny in the framework of an epic conflict. The books are illustrated by Martin Springett. Characters[edit] The Five[edit] Drawn by magic from our world and thus strangers to Fionavar, each of them finds a new role and a new destiny during their adventures in Fionavar.
Kevin Laine (Liadon) - witty, bright, outgoing.