Legend has it that after Galahad died, the other two knights watched The Holy Grail rise into heaven, never to be seen again. The goal of every knight was to be pure so he could drink from the coveted cup one day. (Ackerman. Holy Grail, 283-284) As previously stated, the affair between Guinevere and Lancelot was the beginning Knight 6of the end for Arthur and Camelot. When Lancelot fled to France, the knights were divided in whom they would support, Arthur or Lancelot. Sir Gawain sided with Arthur because Lancelot had killed two of his brothers. (Lanier, 247) When Gawain and Arthur left to go after Lancelot, Sir Mordred was left in charge of the kingdom. (Ackerman. Round Table, 495) It was while Arthur was fighting a war with Lancelot that Mordred took over the kingdom. (Lanier, 250-254) Sir Mordred seized Arthur's throne and began a reign of terror. When Arthur and Gawain heard of the takeover they immediately returned. War broke out over the kingdom. It was during one of the battles that Mordred and Arthur fought each other. Arthur killed Mordred but was wounded in doing so. (Ackerman. Round Table, 495) Many believed that King Arthur would recover, but a few days later he died. (Ackerman. King Arthur, 757) As a result of the death of King Arthur the group of men known as the Knights of the Round Table began to gradually get smaller until they were no more. This sad end to this group of men became known as the end of chivalry and the end of knighthood. (Ackerman. Round Table, 495) The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table may be just that-a legend. But there are some facts that may prove some of these men actually lived, though not exactly the way they are described in the legend. There is no doubt that the Arthurian Legend still lives in the...
