![]() This study will begin with a brief outline of the history of the Arthurian legend in England, then move into an exploration of the political, propagandistic, literary, and theatrical use of the legend in the Tudor and Stuart regimes. Arthur, as an important part of Tudor and Stuart propaganda, was available for use in theatrical activities that upheld the regime, such as pageants and masques, but the royal propagandistic monopoly on his person made him unsuitable for use on the professional stage, which made do with the occasional reference and the portions of the Arthurian legend which did not include Arthur himself. As he became increasingly politicized, however, his story became increasingly dangerous. ![]() He is the subject of histories, chronicles, poetry, romances, ballads, and pageants. His story was of great interest to everyone from ancient chroniclers to early modern English royalty. No one seems to have been writing plays about King Arthur. ![]() There was, however, a conspicuous absence in this theatrical pageant of monarchy. Ancient kings were a favorite subject of the playwrights of early modern England.
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