Chivalrous knights, damsels in distress, and treacherous love surround the popular tale of King Arthur - but that's not all it's about. The new blockbuster, King Arthur, isn't about magic and romance. Instead, it tries to tell the real story of what happened thousands and thousands of years ago. So what really happened? Read on to find out!
King Arthur's Court - The Myth
King Arthur was a powerful man who ruled the castle of Camelot and commanded the Knights of the Round Table. The greatest knight was Lancelot, who later fell head over heels for King Arthur's leading lady, Queen Guinevere. Arthur sentenced Guinevere to death after discovering the affair, but she was rescued by her knight in shining armor. Arthur declared war on Lancelot, but was mortally wounded in battle. His body was never found, and peeps say he rests under a hill with his knights, ready to fight for their country.
King Arthur's Court - The Reality
Historians say Arthur wasn't a king, but a warrior who led his soldiers to victory. He was conceived during a war, and later died in battle when his jealous nephew killed him in order to overpower him. Although there are historical documents about Arthur and Guinevere, Lancelot never existed. He was created by writers whose imaginations of knightly adventures and courtly love got the best of them.
King Arthur's Court - Did U Know?
- The movie King Arthur, starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley, was initially rated R, but was changed to a PG-13 rating at the last minute.
- It's a more realistic portrayal of Arthur's story, and lacks the mystical elements of previous films.
- Owen, who plays Arthur, says making the movie was exhausting because they were on horseback for about 60% of the film.
