Effect of Arthurian legend on sense of English/Welsh national identity?

[isil-helyanwe.livejournal.com]

Hi, this is my first time posting in this comm, and I haven't been a member all that long, so if I'm breaking any rules, please tell me and I'll be glad to delete this. :)

I'm writing a 5000 word essay for school and I want to explore either:

a) the effect which Arthurian mythology had on the sense of national identity, both in the medieval era and beyond or

b) how Arthurian mythology affected concepts of kingship (perhaps mainly focusing on the period of the Wars of the Roses).

Of course, the first is a far broader topic, and by 'Arthurian mythology', I would really be cheifly focusing on Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur more than anything else.

This is kind of a large thing to ask, but I'm really stuck at where to begin, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what I could research, where I could find good information or how to tackle this - frankly rather daunting - question. Or really anything that you think could help.

Thanks so much.
 

Comments

[custodianiseed.livejournal.com]

Malory created his book after assimilating many sources, from all over England and France. Unifying into a national myth - very much the sort of thing that nationalism aims to do. Although I doubt he did it on purpose.

[isil-helyanwe.livejournal.com]

That's a very interesting point, thanks.