Merlin series, 2008-2012

[Ian]

You have to consider though that there is no definitive Arthurian source material.  The different Arthurian legends don't even necessarily agree with each other (Arthur obtained Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake... or was it the Sword in the Stone... see what I mean?).  So I don't really see a problem with the Merlin TV series taking liberties with creative license to create their own narrative.  I watched the whole series as it aired, and thoroughly enjoyed its charm. 

[Sir Nate]

You have to consider though that there is no definitive Arthurian source material.  The different Arthurian legends don't even necessarily agree with each other (Arthur obtained Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake... or was it the Sword in the Stone... see what I mean?).  So I don't really see a problem with the Merlin TV series taking liberties with creative license to create their own narrative.  I watched the whole series as it aired, and thoroughly enjoyed its charm. 

Stop using the no definitive story card Ian.
The sword in the stone was caliber, it broke someway or another then Arthur received Excalibur from the lady in the lake.
Lol I have no real argument to put forward.
I guess I really like the T.h. Version. Or le morte de Arthur.
Oh well. It's just a new perspective.
I'm just being biased.

[Ian]

 

[Sir Wolf]

watery tarts....

i actually like the roman type version vs saxons of the stories

[Sir Edward]

I think in most of the original stories, the sword in the stone actually was not Excalibur.

The Arthurian legends are similar to the Robin Hood legends, in that most of the original romances were not connected, except by the main character (Arthur, Robin Hood). Many of the supporting characters may only have been in one or two stories each, and often not together.

In the case of the Arthurian legends, most of the modern versions of it are based (to varying degrees) on Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" (The Death of Arthur), a late 15th century compilation, since that's one of the largest attempts to consolidate it into a coherent story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Morte_d%27Arthur

[Sir Nate]

I think in most of the original stories, the sword in the stone actually was not Excalibur.

The Arthurian legends are similar to the Robin Hood legends, in that most of the original romances were not connected, except by the main character (Arthur, Robin Hood). Many of the supporting characters may only have been in one or two stories each, and often not together.

In the case of the Arthurian legends, most of the modern versions of it are based (to varying degrees) on Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" (The Death of Arthur), a late 15th century compilation, since that's one of the largest attempts to consolidate it into a coherent story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Morte_d%27Arthur

Ha I pulled the not Excaliber card. Get it! Pulled!
Anyway, I think the oldest known tale involving Arthur and his knights is actually Gawain the green. Which I think is over 200 years older than le morte d Arthur.

[Sir Edward]

Technically all of the stories predate Le Morte d'Arthur by quite some time. Malory was compiling stories that had existed for centuries, most of which were in an oral tradition long before being written down. Because of this, we don't know how old any of them truly are.

[Sir William]

I think my favorite Arthurian version to date is Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles, set in 5th C Britain, as it is with Sir Wolf.  Cornwell has such a grasp on language that his descriptions literally blossom in the mind's eye but it isn't just what you see; you can almost hear the slam of the shield wall, smell the grunting of the unwashed masses of pushing, reaching men, the clash and rattle of swords, axes and spears on shield rims and shield bosses and helms, taste the desperation as this one or that one lifts his arm for one great blow...and then you hear it.  Thunder, in the distance as the hooves of 50 mounted warriors come charging out of the mists, swords glinting in the sunlight, bellowing in challenge...Arthur has arrived.

Of course, he does it way better...the characters are all pretty realistic for the most part, the story is the one we're all familiar with, just in a different period in time and without all of the shiny pageantry that is Malory's and de Troyes' Camelot.  In fact, there is no Camelot, and Arthur is not the King.  Intrigued yet?

[Don Jorge]

Technically all of the stories predate Le Morte d'Arthur by quite some time. Malory was compiling stories that had existed for centuries, most of which were in an oral tradition long before being written down. Because of this, we don't know how old any of them truly are.

This. Malory was published as an Arthurian Anthology.

[Sir Nate]

I actually have a theory on the myth of Excalibur.
Alright as you all know titanium when mixed with iron is the strongest metal.
Well you also know that many times Cornwall is associated with the Arthurian legends. And merlin did give uther the sword.
Well titanium was discovered at cornwall.
Say merlin was a smith, yet also very book smart. 
Merlin finds this metal, does his stuff and finds it is even stronger than there finest Iron.
Someone important finds them and asks for a sword to conquer there enemy's. Excalibur is born! 

[Sir Wolf]

i often wonder if its a iron vs bronze age definition or something there abouts.

[Sir Brian]

I actually have a theory on the myth of Excalibur.
Alright as you all know titanium when mixed with iron is the strongest metal.
Well you also know that many times Cornwall is associated with the Arthurian legends. And merlin did give uther the sword.
Well titanium was discovered at cornwall.
Say merlin was a smith, yet also very book smart. 
Merlin finds this metal, does his stuff and finds it is even stronger than there finest Iron.
Someone important finds them and asks for a sword to conquer there enemy's. Excalibur is born!

Here is a quote and link to a randomly Googled Iron forging forum.

http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/1598-titanium/] [url]http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/1598-titanium/[/url]

Ti makes low grade knives and swords (read the article on it over at swordforum.com) a good high carbon steel will out preform it for that use---*unless* you need something extremely resistant to corrosion or with low magnetic signature that will still have some sort of edge on it---like a dive knife.

Ti absorbs O2 while being forged and will become quite brittle after a while so you forge it as fast as possible. (especially in thin sections)

Apparently it results in a brittle blade which is not very good and would not allow the flex a properly tempered steel blade gets you. 

[Sir Nate]

So steel is the greatest.

[Sir Brian]

For offering the right flexibility and hardness to take and hold an edge, yes!

[Sir William]

The flexibility and durability required to cut through armored soft targets suggests that, at least for now, steel is the best medium for crafting such a tool.  Previous iterations of course did not have access to the quality of steel we do today due to modern manufacturing techniques.

Edit: got ninja'd by Sir Brian lol