King Arthur
Legend says that Arthur, king of the Britons, won the throne by
pulling a sword- the famous Excalibur - from a stone This was a feat that only the the king was able to achieve Arthur roled during a period of peace and prosperity in Britain. Some folk tales say that if Britain is in danger Arthur will return with his knights to defend the nation Beowulf was a Scandinavian warrior and the hero of
Beowulf, the Beowulf
oldest poem in the English language. Beowulf was loyal to his king and also extremely brave. He killed Grendel the ogre Grendel's mother and finally a fearsome dragon, which cost him his own life.
Paul Bunyan
The lumberjack Paul Bunyan is a famous character in American folklore. It is said that he was so enormous, he created the Grand Canyon by dragging his pick behind him and his giant footsteps formed the lakes of Minnesota. The legend came from stories told by the lumberjacks of the northern United States.
El Cid
El Cid really did exist and many legends have grown up around him. He was also known as El Cid Campeador (meaning my lord, the champion). His real name was Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar and he was a Spanish nobleman who was born in about 1040 and died in 1099. El Cid is a national hero in Spain because he is seen as a brave and accomplished warrior who fought to take control.
of Spain from the Muslims. Legend suggests that El Cid fought for both sides at different times.
St George
St George was a soldier for the Roman Empire who refused to take part in the Empire's persecution of Christians. He was executed for treachery and became a Christian martyr. Later, King Edward Ill made him the patron saint of England. St George is the hero of a legend in which he slays a man-eating dragon that was guarding a city's water supply. The city's inhabitants were so grateful that they converted from paganism to George's Christianity.
Heracles/Hercules
According to Greek and Roman mythology, Hercules was born with superhuman strength. By the time he reached adulthood he had killed a lion. Hercules had a jealous stepmother, who drove him to madness. While in this state, Hercules killed his wife and children. In order to regain his honour, Hercules had to perform 12 difficult tasks.
St George St George was a soldier for the Roman Empire who
refused to take part in the Empire's persecution of Christians. He was executed for treachery and became a Christian martyr. Later, King Edward made him the patron saint of England St George is the hero of a legend in which he slays a man-eating dragon that was guarding a city's water supply. The city's inhabitants were so grateful that they converted from paganism to George's Christianity.
Heracles/Hercules
According to Greek and Roman mythology, Hercules was bom with superhuman strength. By the time he reached adulthood he had killed a lion. Hercules had a jealous stepmother, who drove him to madness. While in this state, Hercules killed his wife and children. In order to regain his honour, Hercules had to perform 12 difficult tasks.
Robin Hood
The Robin Hood of folklore was an English nobleman whose land was seized while King Richard the Lionheart was away fighting in the Crusades (1188-92). He became an outlaw in Sherwood Forest and led a band of Merry Men (and Maid Marian, his true love). They robbed the nobility who travelled through the forest and passed on the valuables they stole to the poor and needy. Robin Hood was a master of disguise and many stories describe how he dressed as somebody else in order to trick his enemies or rescue his friends.
Thanks for this excellent write-up again. I have watched so many movies that portrays King Arthur attributes and I must confess he must have been a good man. I wish I knew him personally.