“The Knights of the Round Table have been remembered as paragons of virtue and romance for over a thousand years. Whether or not they were real people is beside the point; they have become iconic figures of a distant age, speaking to us through stories and images that have been reinterpreted countless times.”
Historian Christopher Snyder in his book “The World of King Arthur”:
But who were these knights? Did they actually exist or were they simply a creation of medieval romance and literature?
The earliest references to King Arthur and his knights come from medieval Welsh literature, particularly the Mabinogion. In these stories, Arthur is portrayed as a great warrior and leader, but there is no mention of a Round Table or a specific group of knights.
It was not until the 12th century that the concept of the Knights of the Round Table became popularized in French literature, particularly in the works of Chretien de Troyes.
“Despite the numerous historical inaccuracies, the enduring popularity of the Knights of the Round Table attests to their enduring appeal and significance in the development of Western culture.”
Dr. Sarah L. Duff, Associate Professor of Medieval Literature at the University of Toronto.
In the medieval romance literature, the Round Table is said to have been created by Merlin, the great wizard.
It was designed to seat all of the knights as equals, with no one sitting at the head of the table. The number of knights at the table varied depending on the story, but it was usually said to be around 150.
The Knights of the Round Table were said to be the bravest and most chivalrous knights of the realm. They were bound by an oath to uphold the virtues of chivalry, including honor, loyalty, and bravery. The most famous of these knights were Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and Sir Galahad.
Despite the popularity of the Knights of the Round Table in literature and popular culture, there is no historical evidence that they actually existed.
The stories of King Arthur and his knights are considered to be works of fiction, although they may have been inspired by real historical figures and events.
There are some historians who believe that King Arthur may have been a real person, although his existence is still the subject of much debate. If Arthur did exist, it is unlikely that he would have had a specific group of knights who were bound by an oath to serve him.
Instead, he would have likely had a retinue of warriors who were loyal to him, but who may not have been bound by the same chivalric code as the Knights of the Round Table.
In conclusion, while the Knights of the Round Table are an iconic part of medieval literature and legend, there is no historical evidence to suggest that they actually existed. They may have been inspired by real historical figures and events, but they are ultimately a creation of medieval romance and fantasy. However, the ideals of chivalry that they embodied continue to inspire us to this day.