This episode examines the earliest mentions of Arthur, Merlin, Guenevere and other figures. We discuss Gildas's De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae, Nennius's Historia Brittonum, the Annales Cambriae, the Welsh Triads and "Pa Gŵr yw y Porthor?"

Art: Title page of Britannicarum gentium historiae antiquae scriptores tres : Ricardus Corinensis, Gildas Badonicus, Nennius Banchorensis (1757), edited by Charles Bertram.

The story of Culhwch and Olwen comes from the Welsh tradition, and it a great example of the kinds of legends and folktales that grew up around Arthur as a Celtic culture hero.

Art: Kulhwch has audience with Hawthorn, chief of giants (Ysbaddaden Bencawr). Charles Squire, Celtic Myth And Legend Poetry And Romance. London: Gresham Publishing Company, 1910. No illustrator credit.

This episode looks at the Geoffrey of Monmouth’s 1136 text on the history of the kings of Britain, the first work to describe Arthur’s life in detail. We also take a quick look at Caradoc’s The Life of Gildas.

Art: Uther Pendragon, from Matthew Paris, Abbreuiatio chronicorum, BL Cotton MS Claudius D VI (1255).

Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Vita Merlini tells the story of Merlin, a king and seer who retreats to the wilderness when his brothers are killed at the battle of Arfderydd.

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Art: Aubrey Beardsley, from Thomas Malory, The Birth Life and Acts of King Arthur, of His Noble Knights of the Round Table, Their Marvellous Enquests and Adventures, the Achieving of the San Greal and in the End Le Morte Darthur with the Dolourous Death and Departing out of This World of Them All. London: J. M. Dent, 1893.

This episode looks at the Roman de Brut by Norman poet Wace and the English poem Brut by Layamon. Both follow from Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae. We also take a look at Gerald of Wales, and his account of the discovery of the Arthur and Guinevere's tomb at Glastonbury Abbey.

Art: Wace, by John Everett Millais, ca. 1860-1870, intended for a book by John Sullivan.

Erec and Enide is the first of Chretien de Troyes' romances, and we see the focus shift away from Arthur himself to the brave deeds and relationship drama of his knights and their ladies.

Art: King Arthur chasing the White Stag, from Chrétien de Troyes' Erec et Enide, BnF, Manuscrits, Français 24403 fol. 119 (ca. 1275).

Geraint and Enid is a Welsh version of Erec and Enide. This episode takes a look at how the story changed between the two versions.

Art: Geraint, son of Erbin, by Howard Pyle, in The Story of the Grail and the Passing of King Arthur. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1924.

Chrétien de Troyes' romance Cligès follows two stories: the story of the Greek knight Alexander and his love Soredamors, and then the story of their son Cligès, who falls in love with his uncle the Emperor's wife. With more internal monologue than just about any other romance, Cligès acts as a kind of discourse on love.

Art: Chrétien de Troyes, artist unknown. FromTrès plaisante et très récréative hystoire du très preulx et vaillant chevalier Perceval Le Galloys, jadis chevalier de la Table ronde (1530). Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Marie de France was one of the most popular writers of Breton lais in the 12th century, and some of these mention King Arthur or Arthurian characters. Like romances, Marie's lais are written in rhyming octosyllabic meter, but they are shorter, more like short stories than novels. This episode looks at the lais of "Lanval", "Chevrefoil", "La Fresne", "Equitan", "Guigemar", "Eliduc" and "Yonec", and considers what they say about love and relationships.

Art: Marie de France, by Richard of Verdun, in BnF, Arsenal Library, Ms. 3142 fol. 256 (ca.1300). Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Alongside Perceval, Chretien's story of Lancelot was the most influential of his romances on later Arthurian lore. This narrative introduces Lancelot and the adulterous relationship with Queen Guinevere that will eventually undo Arthur's kingdom. The story itself, however, is simply a knightly adventure of romance, enchantment, and impractical bridge design.

Art: Lancelot crossing the sword bridge. Illuminated manuscript made for Jacques d'Armagnac, duke of Nemours, from the workshop of d'Evrard d'Espinques. (ca. 1475).