Famous medieval British heroes

King Arthur is a legendary hero probably based on the historical figure of a Roman general who fought against the invading Saxons in the 5th or early 6th century A.D. in Britannia. Arthur makes up a relevant figure of the literary and folklore songs of the "Matter of Britain" during the Middle Ages. The first appearances are in poetic sources such as Y Gododding, the writings of Gildas and pseudohistorical accounts of Annales Cambriae and Historia Brittonum. King Arthur became into an international in the "Historia Regum Britanniae" (12^th century) by Geoffrey of Monmoth an imaginative and fanciful account of the kings of Britain where he appears either as a great warrior defending Britain from human and supernatural enemies or as a magical figure of Welsh folklore related with the Underworld. In the work of Geoffrey of Monmouth the events often served as the starting point for later stories. Geoffrey depicted Arthur as a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire over Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul. There appears many characters, elements and events including Arthur's father Uther Pendragon, the wizard Merlin, Arthur's wife Guinevere, the sword Excalibur, Arthur's conception at Tintagel, his final battle against his son Mordred at Camlann, and his final rest in Avalon.

In the 12th-century another French writer named Chrétien de Troyes added Lancelot and the Holy Grail to the story, began the genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant topic of medieval literature. In these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur to other characters, such as various Knights of the Round Table (Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Kay, Sir Gawain, Sir Tristan, Sir Percivale, etc). Arthurian literature became popular during the Middle Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the legend lives on, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media.   

Browse the websites: 

www.kingarthursknights.com,  

www.britannica.com/topic/Round-Table-Arthurian-legend           

Youtube: The Search for King Arthur (by National Geographic).

Robin Hood: He was an heroic outlaw in British folklore and according to legend he was highly skilled archer and swordsman, he was wearing always Lincoln green garments and “used to rob from the rich and give it to the poor” alongside his band of Merry Men living in the Sherwood Forest and its surroundings. It appeared for the first time in copies of narratives ballads and in the 15^th century appear references to rhymes of Robin Hood in the poem “Piers Plowman” in 1373. There is manuscript from late 1540 name Robyn Hode and the Monk, later in 1500 it was published A Gest of Robyn Hode a sort of “ thriller”and in 1503 appeared a comic version in Roby Hode and The Potter where he is cunning and shrewd.

The characters along with the protagonist are the Sheriff of Nottingham and his soldiers and henchmen, Little John and Will Scarlet and later appeared Maid Marion and Friar Tuck. There are plays of Robin Hood in the late 15^th century and he was seen as supporter or friend of the King Richard Coeur de Lion and suffering the misrule of the King John Without Land or accompanying the legendary king to Third Crusade. He appeared at the beginning as a yeoman or commoner though it became more aristocratic with the turn of the centuries and it was played in fairs and festivities especially during the May Day in France (pastorelles named “Jeu de Robin et Marion” in 1280) or Britain (in Exeter appeared a manuscript with the Robin Hood games in 1426). In the earliest texts Robin is rougher edged than in his later incarnations. In "Robin Hood and the Monk", he is quick tempered and violent, though in a "A Gest of Robyn Hode" he helps an unfortunate knight and later in the same ballad Robin Hood states his intention of giving money to the next traveller to come down the road if he happens to be poor. He becomes more gallant progressively with Lady Marian seeking her love to marry  her as the ultimate goal.