h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I really enjoyed this entry - I'd love to know more about Arthur!

I was wondering though - I thought that Mordred was the son of Arthur and Morgause, sister of Morgan and mother of Gawain etc - and I'm really not sure about this bit - she may have been known as Elaine Lot? She was the King of Lot's wife...I dunno - I could easily be wrong

You know, I've no idea about that. AFAIK, the most simple retelling of the legend (as abridgers and Hollywood scriptwriters everywhere would have it) has Mordred being Arthur's bastard son, fathered upon Morgan. I suppose that this is an easy way to cut out superfluous characters like Morgause (not one I'm immediately familiar with, to be honest), although I guess the story works as well either way.

I suppose the essence of it is that (a) Mordred is Arthur's son, and (b) is Morgan's kin. Whether he is her son or nephew, he is linked to Morgan.

I'll have a bit of a think about this, and possibly rewrite the entry - It's supposed to be a dead simple 'starter' to Arthuriana.

Thanks; glad you enjoyed it.

TH White is the one that told me that (he did, I swear, came and whispered in my ear ) - he apparantly took all his stuff from 'Mort d'Arthur', which is some sort of big bible of Arthurian stuff, apparantly...so you're probably right, that they simplified the story down and cut out the extra characters. If you're interested, "The Once and Future King" is a great read - I don't know how 'factually' correct it is, but it's fairly comprehensive

In The Mists of Avalon, they have Mordred the son of Arthur and Morgaine. He is then fostered to Morgause.

Not that this is a subject close to my heart or anything...
According to most things I have read, Mordred was the son of Morgause, who was the wife of Lot of Orkney and the mother to Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain and Gareth. Gawain needs no explanation. Gaheris' only mention in a story was in The King's Damosel, probably derived from Chretian de Troyes, where him and Gareth rescue some woman's sister. There is tragedy involved because Gareth gets promised to the sister and he has fallen in love with the woman who Gaheris married.
Agravain is usually named as an accomplice when Guinevere gets kidnapped by Mordred.
Gareth is better known as Beaumains (Chretian de Troyes again)because of his large hands.
Mordred was allegedly conceived after the battle of Badon Hill.
For anyone who wants to know more, the two major books that shaped the legend are Le Morte D'Arthur by Mallory and Arthurian Romances by Chretian de Troyes. Both of them are heavy going, and there are any number of retellings that are easier to read.

Hi;

Thanks for reading my project! Have you read any of the other entries Taliesin and myself wrote? This one is just a basic 'Arthuriana 101' starter, but we go into much greater chronological and topical detail in the following:

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A532270

The Literary Roots of King Arthur - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A533341

The Medieval Development of Arthurian Literature - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A533350

Arthurian Literature from the Middle Ages to the Victorians - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A533369

Rex Futurus - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A539886

Thanks for clearing that bit about Mordred up and keeping me on my toes!

I also enjpoyed reading your "precis", very well written. I am currently listening to a long series of recorded lectures from the Teaching Company on King Arthur and Chivalry, very interesting legend. Good thing the Romans left, huh?

Absolutely! What did the Romans ever do for us, eh?

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed reading it - you've made my morning, sir.

One of the best Monty Python bits ever ... right up there with "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition" ...

Madsash is right according to Malory. Also Morgause and Morgan were sisters, both daughters of Igraine by her first husband, Duke Gorlais. Her second husband was Uther and their child was Arthur. Morgause was glam, Morgan was witchy, and their other sister, Elaine, was bland.