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King Arthur: History and Legend
The saga of King Arthur and his court is the most enduringly popular mythic tradition of Western civilization. For over 1,500 years, the Arthurian narrative has enthralled writers, artists, and a limitless audience spanning the Western world and beyond - and its appeal continues unabated in our time. No other heroic figure in literature compares with King Arthur in terms of global popularity and longevity; now, each year sees literally thousands of new versions of the story appear across diverse media, from fiction writing and visual arts to film and popular culture. Delve into the historical mystery behind the figure of Arthur, and discover the magnificent breadth of these epic tales.
These 24 spellbinding lectures reveal the full scope of the Arthurian tradition, from its beginnings in post-Roman Britain to its extraordinary trajectory across the centuries and its latest incarnations in modern times. Your pathfinder in this world of mythic adventure and romance, Professor Armstrong, is one of the world's leading Arthurian scholars and the current editor-in-chief of the academic journal Arthuriana. Demonstrating both encyclopedic knowledge and an infectious passion for the subject, she leads you in tracing how the myth developed across time, clarifying many misunderstood aspects of the narrative, such as the origins of the Round Table and the figure of Merlin, the illicit love between Lancelot and Guenevere, and the varied manifestations of the magical Holy Grail. You'll discover how the legend was appropriated and assimilated by differing cultures, and how each writer and artist in the tradition reflected and commented, through the Arthurian narrative, on the concerns of their own time and place. The result is an illuminating look at one of the most engaging, entertaining, and influential legendary traditions the world has ever known.
Listening Length: 11 hours and 59 minutes
These 24 spellbinding lectures reveal the full scope of the Arthurian tradition, from its beginnings in post-Roman Britain to its extraordinary trajectory across the centuries and its latest incarnations in modern times. Your pathfinder in this world of mythic adventure and romance, Professor Armstrong, is one of the world's leading Arthurian scholars and the current editor-in-chief of the academic journal Arthuriana. Demonstrating both encyclopedic knowledge and an infectious passion for the subject, she leads you in tracing how the myth developed across time, clarifying many misunderstood aspects of the narrative, such as the origins of the Round Table and the figure of Merlin, the illicit love between Lancelot and Guenevere, and the varied manifestations of the magical Holy Grail. You'll discover how the legend was appropriated and assimilated by differing cultures, and how each writer and artist in the tradition reflected and commented, through the Arthurian narrative, on the concerns of their own time and place. The result is an illuminating look at one of the most engaging, entertaining, and influential legendary traditions the world has ever known.
Listening Length: 11 hours and 59 minutes
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 8, 2015
31 people are currently reading
603 people want to read
About the author
Dorsey Armstrong
23 books264 followersDr. Dorsey Armstrong is Associate Professor of English and Medieval Literature at Purdue University, where she has taught since 2002. The holder of an A.B. in English and Creative Writing from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from Duke University, she also taught at Centenary College of Louisiana and at California State University, Long Beach. Her research interests include medieval women writers, late-medieval print culture, and the Arthurian legend, on which she has published extensively, including the 2009 book Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur: A New Modern English Translation Based on the Winchester Manuscript and Gender and the Chivalric Community in Sir Thomas Malory's Morte d'Arthur, published in 2003. In January 2009, she became editor-in-chief of the academic journal Arthuriana, which publishes the most cutting-edge research on the legend of King Arthur, from its medieval origins to its enactments in the present moment. Her current research project-Mapping Malory's Morte-is an exploration of the role played by geography in Malory's version of the story of King Arthur.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
October 16, 2023
This is my jam.
And you can truly tell that Dorsey Armstrong lives and breathes Arthurian legend. She's not just an expert, she's a superfan.
And I learned a lot from her.
What I was mostly interested in was learning who or what these stories came from, and whether or not they were based on any sort of a real-life person or kingdom.
The short answer is KINDA.
And the kinda is pretty fascinating to me because (while this isn't a universal consensus) there are some scholars, Armstrong included, who think that there is an odd little snippet in the time after Rome started to fall apart where someone turned back the invaders for a few decades in part of Briton.
Around 500 AD was when this Celtic Arthur type figure emerged, but unfortunately, 410 - 600 was a dark age for Briton when it comes to written history, so there's little to go on.
But it is notable that in the middle of the 6th century four royal houses in Briton named their firstborn sons Arthur.
Heeeey. That's pretty cool, right?
The rest of the book covers SO MANY of the important Arthurian works, up to and including modern-day movies.
And through everything, Armstong is just fangirling. My favorite part of the whole lecture is where she unashamedly admits that she acted like a complete tourist in Glastonbury at the Chalice Well, including dipping her feet in and paying for the plastic chalice full of Grail water, that she promptly drank.
This is my second time listening to one of her speak about medieval stuff and I think she's a complete delight.
Having said that, this isn't a regular audiobook with a professional narrator. It's a Great Courses lecture, and you're listening to the person who teaches the subject give those lectures. And Armstrong's excitability over the material causes her to stumble over words on occasion. So it's exactly like listening to a professor talk to her students.
I don't have a problem with that at all, but it's something to consider if that sort of thing bothers you.
Highly Recommended.
And you can truly tell that Dorsey Armstrong lives and breathes Arthurian legend. She's not just an expert, she's a superfan.
And I learned a lot from her.
What I was mostly interested in was learning who or what these stories came from, and whether or not they were based on any sort of a real-life person or kingdom.
The short answer is KINDA.
And the kinda is pretty fascinating to me because (while this isn't a universal consensus) there are some scholars, Armstrong included, who think that there is an odd little snippet in the time after Rome started to fall apart where someone turned back the invaders for a few decades in part of Briton.
Around 500 AD was when this Celtic Arthur type figure emerged, but unfortunately, 410 - 600 was a dark age for Briton when it comes to written history, so there's little to go on.
But it is notable that in the middle of the 6th century four royal houses in Briton named their firstborn sons Arthur.
Heeeey. That's pretty cool, right?
The rest of the book covers SO MANY of the important Arthurian works, up to and including modern-day movies.
And through everything, Armstong is just fangirling. My favorite part of the whole lecture is where she unashamedly admits that she acted like a complete tourist in Glastonbury at the Chalice Well, including dipping her feet in and paying for the plastic chalice full of Grail water, that she promptly drank.
This is my second time listening to one of her speak about medieval stuff and I think she's a complete delight.
Having said that, this isn't a regular audiobook with a professional narrator. It's a Great Courses lecture, and you're listening to the person who teaches the subject give those lectures. And Armstrong's excitability over the material causes her to stumble over words on occasion. So it's exactly like listening to a professor talk to her students.
I don't have a problem with that at all, but it's something to consider if that sort of thing bothers you.
Highly Recommended.
June 21, 2017
These Great Courses are truly living up to its name. In just under 12-hours of enjoyable listening, I’ve gained so much more enlightenment about the history and legend of the once and future king. The historical context of the Arthurian legend was discussed with just enough details for one to understand the whys and the hows of the emergence of such a pivotal and legendary figure in the medieval ages.
From listening to this course, I was able to appreciate and believe that there is not one single legend that is as prevalent and omnipresent across the centuries and all possible medium as the Arthurian Legend. The numerous re-imagining of the story of King Arthur and his knights, and their quests for the Holy Grail, from medieval texts and media in the Middle Ages, not only in Britain, but in France, Germany, the Netherlands and even Scandinavia. We also have medieval art in Italy and Spain. Then there are Arthurian operas and even an American treatment in the hands of Mark Twain. Needless to say, in the 20th century and beyond, the number of books, comics, TV series and movies and even songs inspired by the legend of King Arthur has reached a figure in the region of thousands.
Fun fact: Excalibur is not the sword in the stone.
From listening to this course, I was able to appreciate and believe that there is not one single legend that is as prevalent and omnipresent across the centuries and all possible medium as the Arthurian Legend. The numerous re-imagining of the story of King Arthur and his knights, and their quests for the Holy Grail, from medieval texts and media in the Middle Ages, not only in Britain, but in France, Germany, the Netherlands and even Scandinavia. We also have medieval art in Italy and Spain. Then there are Arthurian operas and even an American treatment in the hands of Mark Twain. Needless to say, in the 20th century and beyond, the number of books, comics, TV series and movies and even songs inspired by the legend of King Arthur has reached a figure in the region of thousands.
Fun fact: Excalibur is not the sword in the stone.
March 4, 2016
While learning about medieval English history these past couple months, I was struck by how influential the legend of King Arthur seemed to be to medieval kings, from Henry II to Edward III to Henry VII. And although King Arthur is still a ubiquitous figure to this today, I realized that I didn't actually know that much about his legend besides the few movies and books I watched and read as a kid. So I went searching for the definitive King Arthur story...only to find that there isn't one...not really.
But before I got too dejected, I found this amazing lecture series that satisfied my initial curiosity and has inspired me to explore the legend even further. From the history behind the legend's origin to its many developments and adaptations over the past 1,000 years, this series hits all the highlights (including a mention of Ready Player One as a Percival-Grail quest story!). I definitely recommend this series if you're looking to increase your Arthurian knowledge and understand how the legend has changed over the centuries.
But before I got too dejected, I found this amazing lecture series that satisfied my initial curiosity and has inspired me to explore the legend even further. From the history behind the legend's origin to its many developments and adaptations over the past 1,000 years, this series hits all the highlights (including a mention of Ready Player One as a Percival-Grail quest story!). I definitely recommend this series if you're looking to increase your Arthurian knowledge and understand how the legend has changed over the centuries.
May 1, 2016
Creo que ya me puedo recibir de ermitaña.
Tanta caballería junta se me ha subido a la cabeza. Voy a terminar como Don Quijote.
Tanta caballería junta se me ha subido a la cabeza. Voy a terminar como Don Quijote.
July 3, 2021
I loved every moment of this.
This covers the Arthurian legend from 6th century to the 21st.
The historian presenting this believes that there was a historical Arthur but makes alliances for other opinions.
Well worth the 12 hr investment
This covers the Arthurian legend from 6th century to the 21st.
The historian presenting this believes that there was a historical Arthur but makes alliances for other opinions.
Well worth the 12 hr investment
July 31, 2022
Dorsey Armstrong is my absolute favourite Great Courses lecturer. Her energy spills out of her lectures to charge her readers with everything they need to fall in love with her topics. Black Plague? I'm in. King Arthur? Oh ... I am so in. And when she's busy filling us with all the information that is packed into her brain, she's also saying all the right things to make us want to go on, to learn more, to blow our minds open.
Her King Arthur: History and Legend lecture was exactly what I hoped she'd deliver, but much more than I thought she could. I wanted her to excite me, which she did, but I had no idea she could make me fall in love with Arthur's legend, which she also did. I've never been the biggest Arthur fan, but then I never really knew how far and how wide the Arthur legend stretched, and what Armstrong taught me was that Arthur's legend stretches far, wide and overlaps many cultures and traditions.
She made me excited for the past, the present and the future of Arthur and Arthurian research. And I was just dilettanting my way around this lecture. I'm glad I took the time, though, and ... honestly ... any time spent with Dorsey Armstrong in my ears is time well spent.
Her King Arthur: History and Legend lecture was exactly what I hoped she'd deliver, but much more than I thought she could. I wanted her to excite me, which she did, but I had no idea she could make me fall in love with Arthur's legend, which she also did. I've never been the biggest Arthur fan, but then I never really knew how far and how wide the Arthur legend stretched, and what Armstrong taught me was that Arthur's legend stretches far, wide and overlaps many cultures and traditions.
She made me excited for the past, the present and the future of Arthur and Arthurian research. And I was just dilettanting my way around this lecture. I'm glad I took the time, though, and ... honestly ... any time spent with Dorsey Armstrong in my ears is time well spent.
February 14, 2016
very informative and engrossing. Turns out I knew less than I thought I did about Arthurian legends. Now I am filled with knowledge! Cannot recommend enough.
September 29, 2025
There is something absolutely magnetic about all things Arthurian. No other legend in history continues to be reinterpreted and expanded on like King Arthur and his knights. But where the truth lies among so many versions and offshoot tales is the big question, and that curiosity led me here.
The Great Courses lectures are more than a laudable source of academia, they are interesting and entertaining. This is my second by Dorsey Armstrong, who is a wonderful speaker and possibly the world's foremost authority on King Arthur. This Audible Audio is highly recommended just to hear Armstrong's command of languages, if for no other reason. I've looked for a list of all those she's fluent in, and couldn't find one, but the fact she seems to have French, Gaelic, Welsh and some dead Middle English mastered is mind blowing. There is a 186-page PDF accompanying the lecture, with illustrations.
What's real, and what's fiction? Well, that's what the course is for. Evidence, real evidence, is scant. Also, the characters and their stories vary depending on the writer and the time period and geography, whether the focus is courtly love or religious quest. Armstrong takes us from 5th century Britain to Monty Python, and all twelve hours are informative and worth your time.
Do you want a taste? Arthur was real. And Excalibur was not the sword in the stone.
The Great Courses lectures are more than a laudable source of academia, they are interesting and entertaining. This is my second by Dorsey Armstrong, who is a wonderful speaker and possibly the world's foremost authority on King Arthur. This Audible Audio is highly recommended just to hear Armstrong's command of languages, if for no other reason. I've looked for a list of all those she's fluent in, and couldn't find one, but the fact she seems to have French, Gaelic, Welsh and some dead Middle English mastered is mind blowing. There is a 186-page PDF accompanying the lecture, with illustrations.
What's real, and what's fiction? Well, that's what the course is for. Evidence, real evidence, is scant. Also, the characters and their stories vary depending on the writer and the time period and geography, whether the focus is courtly love or religious quest. Armstrong takes us from 5th century Britain to Monty Python, and all twelve hours are informative and worth your time.
Do you want a taste? Arthur was real. And Excalibur was not the sword in the stone.
September 20, 2020
I considered myself an Arthur aficionado, but I was surprised by how much literature there was before what I thought was the “first.”
I will look for more of these lecture series on disc.
I will look for more of these lecture series on disc.
July 12, 2024
Armstrong is at her best when discussing medieval texts and their political contexts.
March 11, 2019
Great information and Armstrong was really engaging.
10/10
10/10
September 7, 2025
Another of The Great Courses very educational and the narrator was very knowledgeable and I came away with more recommendations for further reading.
June 25, 2023
King Arthur is perhaps the most famous legend in the western world. He has been the subject of thousands of books, plus comic books, movies, television series, songs, and millions more daydreams. In this Great Courses book, Dorsey Armstrong starts by taking you through the historical sources of Arthur—both as a possible actual person and as a developing legend. She charts how each character comes into the story and shows how the legend spreads throughout the world. Perhaps the best part was when she got into the modern tellings and retellings of Arthur where she discusses a lot of films, books, and comics the reader is probably familiar with.
July 9, 2020
This was great! (I viewed this as video + audio on Great Courses.) I learned a lot. Dorsey Armstrong is a great lecturer --- knows her stuff thoroughly and presents it clearly. There is convincing evidence that there really was originally a guy named Arthur who did some amazing stuff! The historical Arthur was never a "king," just a very powerful warlord. But when he lived England was truly in a "dark age" with few surviving records, except the legends. So in an odd way, the history of Arthur represents the same kind of general problem that surrounds the historical Jesus.
She then details the history of the evolution of the stories, the Round Table, the knights, the Holy Grail, everything, and takes it in all of the permutations it has gone through in France, Germany, Scandanavia, and even Italy. (And last but not least, England.) But almost none of the well-known aspects of the King Arthur legend applied to the "historical Arthur": no castles, no knights, no armor, no Round Table.
There are many different strands of the Arthur legend, and a lot of them are different from each other. In one version which may actually be historical, Arthur marries Guinevere, then she dies, and he marries another woman also named Guinevere. Sometimes Lancelet rescues Guinevere and there's no suggestion of romantic love between then, just Lancelot's loyalty to Arthur. Did you know that "quest maidens" were a thing? Maidens, that is, whose sole purpose in the story was to be in distress and give the knight something to do.
I found the 19th and 20th century stuff, especially all the cool art work from the pre-Raphaelites and Wagner's operas, to be especially interesting. I had seen "The Lady of Shallot" painting by Waterhouse before when I was much younger. I thought the painting was terribly romantic and immediately developed a crush on the figure in the painting, without knowing what it depicted or knowing of its connection to the whole King Arthur legend. And, now I have put watching "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" on my watch list.
She then details the history of the evolution of the stories, the Round Table, the knights, the Holy Grail, everything, and takes it in all of the permutations it has gone through in France, Germany, Scandanavia, and even Italy. (And last but not least, England.) But almost none of the well-known aspects of the King Arthur legend applied to the "historical Arthur": no castles, no knights, no armor, no Round Table.
There are many different strands of the Arthur legend, and a lot of them are different from each other. In one version which may actually be historical, Arthur marries Guinevere, then she dies, and he marries another woman also named Guinevere. Sometimes Lancelet rescues Guinevere and there's no suggestion of romantic love between then, just Lancelot's loyalty to Arthur. Did you know that "quest maidens" were a thing? Maidens, that is, whose sole purpose in the story was to be in distress and give the knight something to do.
I found the 19th and 20th century stuff, especially all the cool art work from the pre-Raphaelites and Wagner's operas, to be especially interesting. I had seen "The Lady of Shallot" painting by Waterhouse before when I was much younger. I thought the painting was terribly romantic and immediately developed a crush on the figure in the painting, without knowing what it depicted or knowing of its connection to the whole King Arthur legend. And, now I have put watching "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" on my watch list.
September 8, 2019
Okay, so maybe it's cheating to count a Great Course, but it was on Hoopla under audiobooks, and here on Goodreads so it counts towards my reading goals! This was one of my top listening experiences this year. I've been dabbling in Arthuriana and collecting books to read but didn't know where to get started. And now, this has made me so excited to consume all of it! Who knew that I would be fascinated by comparisons of medieval literature and their development and influences over time? I was riveted and kept trying to steal away to put in my headphones and read just a little more. I would love to be in Professor Armstrong's courses. Judging by this, she is a fantastic lecturer and so passionate about her subject in the way that becomes contagious and has made me obsessed with chasing the Grail of Arthuriana too.
December 20, 2022
This Great Courses offering is rich and detailed, and is told with confidence, clarity, and earnestness. Dr. Armstrong is the type of university professor I wish I’d had more of during my own time in school.
I’ve learned a great deal about Arthur’s beginnings in the fifth century, and the evolution of his legend over time and international borders. The fact that new characters and stories were added over hundreds of years of telling and retelling is an incredible phenomenon on its own. It’s mind-blowing that the Arthur narrative that exists in the popular imagination today has been crafted by writers in Wales, England, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and more. Somehow, the Arthur story was and is ubiquitous, drawing fascination from various peoples.
All modern versions of Arthur largely owe gratitude to Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. This is essential to know, but the amount of transformations the Arthurian stories went through before that moment in 1485 was incredible.
There is a lot of information here, but it never feels overwhelming, and it is consistently compelling. Well worth a listen or two for those who have always been curious about Arthur, but who may not know the details of how stories of the man came about and evolved over time.
I’ve learned a great deal about Arthur’s beginnings in the fifth century, and the evolution of his legend over time and international borders. The fact that new characters and stories were added over hundreds of years of telling and retelling is an incredible phenomenon on its own. It’s mind-blowing that the Arthur narrative that exists in the popular imagination today has been crafted by writers in Wales, England, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and more. Somehow, the Arthur story was and is ubiquitous, drawing fascination from various peoples.
All modern versions of Arthur largely owe gratitude to Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. This is essential to know, but the amount of transformations the Arthurian stories went through before that moment in 1485 was incredible.
There is a lot of information here, but it never feels overwhelming, and it is consistently compelling. Well worth a listen or two for those who have always been curious about Arthur, but who may not know the details of how stories of the man came about and evolved over time.
March 8, 2021
After watching a 21st century big-screen film about King Arthur, I was curious to know how much of the story was based on the traditional legend of this Once and Future King. In ignorance, I began looking for “the story” and found that it couldn’t be pinpointed to just one work of literature. So, when I found this discourse I went for the sparks notes version of Arthurian Literature and was not disappointed! This lecture series was entertaining, educational, and easy to enjoy.
Beginning at... the beginning, I suppose, the discourse divides the legend of King Arthur into centuries and geographical locations. It was fascinating to learn a little about the evolution of such an enduring tale. I really had no idea the permeance through history, but as the Professor reviewed different works inspired by the legend, I realized I had just been taking all those references for granted- they are so prevalent, it’s like we don’t notice them anymore and just accept them as normal references in our society! By the end of the 24-part discourse, I was inspired to research art, to read poems by Tennyson, and put Arthurian legend destinations on my bucket list. I would really like this discourse in physical form for reference when my memory fails me.
Beginning at... the beginning, I suppose, the discourse divides the legend of King Arthur into centuries and geographical locations. It was fascinating to learn a little about the evolution of such an enduring tale. I really had no idea the permeance through history, but as the Professor reviewed different works inspired by the legend, I realized I had just been taking all those references for granted- they are so prevalent, it’s like we don’t notice them anymore and just accept them as normal references in our society! By the end of the 24-part discourse, I was inspired to research art, to read poems by Tennyson, and put Arthurian legend destinations on my bucket list. I would really like this discourse in physical form for reference when my memory fails me.
September 3, 2018
A very satisfying overview that includes everything from what scholars believe is the history of the real Arthur to all the major works of fiction written over the centuries through the present day, everything from Malory's L'morte d'Arthur to the DC comic series Camelot 3000. Prof. Armstrong also discusses how other countries interpreted and developed the myth, the works of painters, how people like Wagner made operas/musical dramas from them, and even the brilliance of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
April 22, 2018
I had no clue how complex and diverse the literary history of King Arthur has been. Dorsey Armstrong is a very good lecturer and I enjoyed this course which introduced me to all sorts of things.
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
July 20, 2018
I bought this lecture set not because I am a fan of King Arthur but because I am curious about the origins of the legend and I know Professor Armstrong is an exceptional lecturer. The first few lectures provided that information of the origins handily and I could have happily stopped. I kept on listening because Armstrong is such an engaging lecturer that I looked forward to learning even more than I set out to. It is very likely I will listen to this set again.
September 2, 2021
I learned a lot.
August 4, 2023
Brilliant lecture series about the Arthurian Legend with plenty of history, literary analysis, and contextual discussion. Very well done.
March 19, 2025
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית ואנגלי, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/king...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/king...
November 21, 2017
I would love this so much more if it included basic history for Arthurian beginners and by assume all listeners know a bit about the legend.
July 11, 2020
I watched the video version of this Great Course. It was indeed great, featuring a professor, Dr. Dorsey Armstrong, who is highly knowledgeable, well-versed in ancient languages, and skilled in presenting her knowledge. The King Arthur story cycle has continued over 1,500 years and shows no signs of losing popular appeal. The course takes viewers from the very beginning, with Roman rule in Britain and the Saxon invasion, through the story's various incarnations down the centuries in different countries until the present day. It includes not only written versions, but artistic, dramatic and cinematic interpretations, and visits to Arthurian sites. Totally engrossing and mind-expanding!
December 21, 2021
One of the best Great Courses I’ve listened to so far. What’s not to like? You’ve got the history of the real King Arthur and an overview of the Arthurian literature up to the modern day, all told by an energetic and fun professor.
October 7, 2019
Very good group of 24 lectures for those truly interested in Arthurian history, past and present. Learned a lot I never knew or even imagined. Post University study. Professor Armstrong is an extraordinary storyteller.
January 21, 2016
5 stars for the first half, which is extremely informative and interesting. 3 stars for the second half which is more anecdotal, idiosyncratic and uneven, in spite of interesting bits of info here and there.
November 27, 2016
Dynamite. My first Great Courses audiobook, and this was extremely fun and informative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews