ABSTRACT Debate still rages over the possible existence of the historical figure that fueled the ... more ABSTRACT Debate still rages over the possible existence of the historical figure that fueled the legends of King Arthur. This paper seeks to establish the validity of a historical figure that could have been remembered as "Arthur" by examining Post-Roman Britain and the one historical event that connects the hero to reality: the battle of Mons Badonicus, or Mount Badon.
The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of au... more The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of authors, chroniclers, and minstrels having wrought what was once a blurry Romano-British warrior into a mighty English monarch and emperor, surrounded by the finest men who ever existed. To Arthurian researchers and enthusiasts, names such as Wace, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Malory, Tennyson and even Mark Twain spring to mind. Few, however, realize that one of England's most important authors, John Milton, attempted to create his own Arthurian epic, before changing his focus to Satan's war in Heaven in "Paradise Lost". This article attempts to reconstruct what Milton intended for Arthur and his knights of renown, as well as to understand why he ultimately abandoned the Matter of Britain for the Matter of Heaven
In an effort to demonstrate the relevance of the Middle Ages in modern society, this paper examin... more In an effort to demonstrate the relevance of the Middle Ages in modern society, this paper examines the development of the Charter of Liberties and the Charter of the Forest, two documents that over time would be combined into Magna Carta. The author traces the growth and influence of Magna Carta on British and American politics from 1215 to the present day, examining what "natural rights" and "liberties" are granted to "free men" by the Great Charter and its descendants.
The legend of the pseudo-historical King Arthur is an inherent part of the culture, identity, ind... more The legend of the pseudo-historical King Arthur is an inherent part of the culture, identity, indeed the very soul, of the English people. His legend is so enduring and relevant to virtually every generation that chroniclers since the Twelfth century have strived to give him historical validity, piecing together whatever folklore they could find, and using poetic license to fill in the gigantic gaps. The names of those who have kept and continued the Matter of Britain, from Nennius and Geoffrey of Monmouth to Tennyson and even Steinbeck, are wrapped into an ongoing cultural and literary tradition. One name, however, fits subtlety and awkwardly into the Arthurian literary tradition. John Milton, political writer and poet most famous for Paradise Lost, owes much of his inspiration to classical and Christian sources, as well as the Arthurian cycle. Milton’s personal notes, along with references within his own works, indicate that before choosing to immortalize the Fall, Milton intended...
This conference paper examines the historical battle of Mons Badonicus in the sixth century, and ... more This conference paper examines the historical battle of Mons Badonicus in the sixth century, and it's ties to the semi-mythical figure of Arthur, as well as the equally vague historical figure of Ambrosius of Aurelianus.
The paper examines the development of European proto-colonialism during the Crusades (1096-1297),... more The paper examines the development of European proto-colonialism during the Crusades (1096-1297), drawing parallels between the nature of Latin European settlement and the modern writings of Edward Said and Albert Memmi.
This study goes beyond the popular depiction of the Scots as tartan-clad Highlanders and rebel ro... more This study goes beyond the popular depiction of the Scots as tartan-clad Highlanders and rebel rousers, examining the tradition of the Scots separating themselves from other kingdoms, nations, ethnic groups, and even fellow Scots. Either through warfare, political maneuvering, or cultural influence, the truest element of the Scottish identity involves the very act of drawing borders to separate one's identity from the rest of the world.
The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of au... more The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of authors, chroniclers, and minstrels having wrought what was once a blurry Romano-British warrior into a mighty English monarch and emperor, surrounded by the finest men who ever existed. To Arthurian researchers and enthusiasts, names such as Wace, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Malory, Tennyson and even Mark Twain spring to mind. Few, however, realize that one of England's most important authors, John Milton, attempted to create his own Arthurian epic, before changing his focus to Satan's war in Heaven in "Paradise Lost". This article attempts to reconstruct what Milton intended for Arthur and his knights of renown, as well as to understand why he ultimately abandoned the Matter of Britain for the Matter of Heaven.
One of the great turning points in political and social history occured on a field near Runnymead... more One of the great turning points in political and social history occured on a field near Runnymeade in 1215, when John of England put his seal to a charter granting liberties to every free land-holding man in England. Originally meant to pacify his rebellious barons, this Charter of Liberties and the Charter of the Forest have been the driving force of revolutions, civil wars and unending political debates in Britain and the United States.
How did the privileges demanded by a handful of angry English nobles become the basis for constitutions and modern natural rights, such as habeus corpus? This paper traces Magna Carta's evolution from Runnymede across the Atlantic to the floor of Congress and the Supreme Court, while analyzing the relevance of the Great Charter's tenants on current issues.
ABSTRACT Debate still rages over the possible existence of the historical figure that fueled the ... more ABSTRACT Debate still rages over the possible existence of the historical figure that fueled the legends of King Arthur. This paper seeks to establish the validity of a historical figure that could have been remembered as "Arthur" by examining Post-Roman Britain and the one historical event that connects the hero to reality: the battle of Mons Badonicus, or Mount Badon.
The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of au... more The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of authors, chroniclers, and minstrels having wrought what was once a blurry Romano-British warrior into a mighty English monarch and emperor, surrounded by the finest men who ever existed. To Arthurian researchers and enthusiasts, names such as Wace, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Malory, Tennyson and even Mark Twain spring to mind. Few, however, realize that one of England's most important authors, John Milton, attempted to create his own Arthurian epic, before changing his focus to Satan's war in Heaven in "Paradise Lost". This article attempts to reconstruct what Milton intended for Arthur and his knights of renown, as well as to understand why he ultimately abandoned the Matter of Britain for the Matter of Heaven
In an effort to demonstrate the relevance of the Middle Ages in modern society, this paper examin... more In an effort to demonstrate the relevance of the Middle Ages in modern society, this paper examines the development of the Charter of Liberties and the Charter of the Forest, two documents that over time would be combined into Magna Carta. The author traces the growth and influence of Magna Carta on British and American politics from 1215 to the present day, examining what "natural rights" and "liberties" are granted to "free men" by the Great Charter and its descendants.
The legend of the pseudo-historical King Arthur is an inherent part of the culture, identity, ind... more The legend of the pseudo-historical King Arthur is an inherent part of the culture, identity, indeed the very soul, of the English people. His legend is so enduring and relevant to virtually every generation that chroniclers since the Twelfth century have strived to give him historical validity, piecing together whatever folklore they could find, and using poetic license to fill in the gigantic gaps. The names of those who have kept and continued the Matter of Britain, from Nennius and Geoffrey of Monmouth to Tennyson and even Steinbeck, are wrapped into an ongoing cultural and literary tradition. One name, however, fits subtlety and awkwardly into the Arthurian literary tradition. John Milton, political writer and poet most famous for Paradise Lost, owes much of his inspiration to classical and Christian sources, as well as the Arthurian cycle. Milton’s personal notes, along with references within his own works, indicate that before choosing to immortalize the Fall, Milton intended...
This conference paper examines the historical battle of Mons Badonicus in the sixth century, and ... more This conference paper examines the historical battle of Mons Badonicus in the sixth century, and it's ties to the semi-mythical figure of Arthur, as well as the equally vague historical figure of Ambrosius of Aurelianus.
The paper examines the development of European proto-colonialism during the Crusades (1096-1297),... more The paper examines the development of European proto-colonialism during the Crusades (1096-1297), drawing parallels between the nature of Latin European settlement and the modern writings of Edward Said and Albert Memmi.
This study goes beyond the popular depiction of the Scots as tartan-clad Highlanders and rebel ro... more This study goes beyond the popular depiction of the Scots as tartan-clad Highlanders and rebel rousers, examining the tradition of the Scots separating themselves from other kingdoms, nations, ethnic groups, and even fellow Scots. Either through warfare, political maneuvering, or cultural influence, the truest element of the Scottish identity involves the very act of drawing borders to separate one's identity from the rest of the world.
The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of au... more The myths of Arthur and his exploits have developed over the last 1600 years; with hundreds of authors, chroniclers, and minstrels having wrought what was once a blurry Romano-British warrior into a mighty English monarch and emperor, surrounded by the finest men who ever existed. To Arthurian researchers and enthusiasts, names such as Wace, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Malory, Tennyson and even Mark Twain spring to mind. Few, however, realize that one of England's most important authors, John Milton, attempted to create his own Arthurian epic, before changing his focus to Satan's war in Heaven in "Paradise Lost". This article attempts to reconstruct what Milton intended for Arthur and his knights of renown, as well as to understand why he ultimately abandoned the Matter of Britain for the Matter of Heaven.
One of the great turning points in political and social history occured on a field near Runnymead... more One of the great turning points in political and social history occured on a field near Runnymeade in 1215, when John of England put his seal to a charter granting liberties to every free land-holding man in England. Originally meant to pacify his rebellious barons, this Charter of Liberties and the Charter of the Forest have been the driving force of revolutions, civil wars and unending political debates in Britain and the United States.
How did the privileges demanded by a handful of angry English nobles become the basis for constitutions and modern natural rights, such as habeus corpus? This paper traces Magna Carta's evolution from Runnymede across the Atlantic to the floor of Congress and the Supreme Court, while analyzing the relevance of the Great Charter's tenants on current issues.
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Papers by Ryan R Hatch
How did the privileges demanded by a handful of angry English nobles become the basis for constitutions and modern natural rights, such as habeus corpus? This paper traces Magna Carta's evolution from Runnymede across the Atlantic to the floor of Congress and the Supreme Court, while analyzing the relevance of the Great Charter's tenants on current issues.
How did the privileges demanded by a handful of angry English nobles become the basis for constitutions and modern natural rights, such as habeus corpus? This paper traces Magna Carta's evolution from Runnymede across the Atlantic to the floor of Congress and the Supreme Court, while analyzing the relevance of the Great Charter's tenants on current issues.