"
The nation produced sufficient iron, but a primitive steel [iron
with carbon added] was imported. It was scarce and expensive.
Steel was used for tools, instruments, weapons and armor. Ships
could carry about 300 people. Navigation was by simple charts that
included wind direction for different seasons and the direction of
north. The direction of the ship could be generally determined
when the sky was clear by the position of the sun during the day
or the north star during the night.
Plays about miracles wrought by holy men or saints or the
sufferings and fortitude of martyrs were performed, usually at the
great church festivals. Most nobles could read, though writing was
still a specialized craft. There were books on animals, plants,
and stones. The lives of the saints as told in the book "The
Golden Legend" were popular. The story of the early King Arthur
was told in the book "The History of the Kings of England". The
story at this time stressed Arthur as a hero and went as follows:
Arthur became king at age 15. He had an inborn goodness and
generosity as well as courage. He and his knights won battles
against foreign settlers and neighboring clans. Once, he and his
men surrounded a camp of foreigners until they gave up their gold
and silver rather than starve. Arthur married Guenevere and
established a court and retinue. Leaving Britain in the charge of
his nephew Modred, he fought battles on the continent for land to
give to his noblemen who did him service in his household and
fought with him.
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