"Diu Crone" and the Medieval Arthurian Cycle

Creates a foundation myth: Camelot is transformed from its initial state of factionalism, sexual betrayal and lack of morale under an inexperienced king to one of law, order and security symbolised by the supreme resourcefulness shown by Gawain in the unflinching service of Arthur, his liege lord.

Neil Thomas is Reader in German in the School of Modern European Languages in the University of Durham.

Introduction - the problem
text, intertext, polemic
Arthurian enigma
the formation of a saviour
visions of apocalypse and salvation
the Grail quest
the Arthurian crown. Appendix: summaries of analogues.