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====The Knights of the Round Table====
[[File: Knights Three.jpg|200px300px|thumb|left|A medieval depiction of the Round Table]]
The Round Table was according to the sources a large circular table and was so big that up to 150 knights could be seated at it. The table was round, unlike the typical rectangular version because there was to be no knight who sat at the head of the table. It was a symbol of equality and represented the fellowship of all the knights. According to the Arthurian cycle, the table was a gift to Arthur and his Queen Guinevere from her father, who was also a monarch.<ref> Sutcliff, Rosemary. The sword and the circle: King Arthur and the knights of the round table (London, Random House, 2013), p 167</ref> There were 100 knights in attendance on Arthur but there was room at the table for up to fifty more.
As was his custom the ruler of Camelot asked the advice of the magician Merlin, with regard to selecting more knights who would serve him and protect his realm. The wizard was to select the knights based on their nobility and their record of chivalry. Merlin assembled the required number and he ordained that they should treat each as brothers. Each knight had their own particular place at the table. One chair was left unfilled and that was to be destined for a great knight, this was ultimately revealed to be Sir Galahad. The number of knights varied from story to story. The group of noble warriors is charged by Arthur with keeping peace in the land, protecting the weak, and they were expected to abide by a stern code of chivalry.<ref> Sutcliffe, p 145</ref>
After their formation they slay may dragons and monsters making the land safe and also subdue the enemies of Arthur. The adventures of the heroes inspired some great literature such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The knights vow to go on a quest to retrieve the Holy Grail, the cup from the Last Supper, and their subsequent adventures are portrayed in many medieval works. The works vary but several of the knights, including Galahad, secured the grail. Despite their chivalrous code, the majority of the knights were killed on a variety of battlefields or searching for the grail. The dead were replaced by new members but some sources present them as inferior in character and bravery to the original band. Only a handful of knights survived the terrible Battle of Camlann, which left Arthur mortally wounded. The brotherhood of warriors effectively ended after the battle and the handful of survivors became monks or wanders .<ref> Syr Gawayne; a collection of ancient romance-poems, by Scottish and English authors: relating to that celebrated knight of the Round Table (London, J. R. and JE Taylor, 1839)</ref>. There is no more mention of the Round Table, but it was presumably destroyed when Camelot was sacked and razed to the ground by the treacherous King of Cornwall. The stories of the Knights of the Round Table have proven enormously influential and helped to spread ideas of chivalry and courtly-love in the Medieval period.
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====Winchester Round Table====
Winchester Castle is one of the greatest castles in England and it played a very important part in English history. It was originally built by William the Conqueror and later rebuilt by Henry II, the ruler of the Angevin Empire. In the Great Hall, there is a round oaken table hanging on the wall, which is brightly painted. This was reputed to be the original Round Table, of the loyal warriors of Arthur, and around which they agreed to search for the Holy Grail.
====Arthur and his warband====
The origin of the Arthurian legend is in the Dark Ages, when as we have seen warlords carved out their own kingdoms and fought endless wars. Now an examination of Romano-British and Celtic culture can help us to understand the inspiration for the story about the gallant knights. Arthur was based on one or more Brythonic warlords, who would have had an elite group of fighters.<ref>Sutcliffe, p 17</ref>. They would typically be high-born warriors who had been trained since childhood in the art of war. These may have been sub-kings or chieftains and they often helped him to administer his territory. These elite warriors would have been similar to the ‘sworn swords’ who had pledged to fight for their lord or king and often acted as his personal bodyguard. They were the companions of the monarch and expected to die for their ruler.
====Warriors from folklore?====
====References====
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[[Category:British History]] [[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Historically Accurate]] [[Category: History of the Middle Ages]]
