Virtual Season
Our Arthurian Inspiration
Warning: contains several spoilers for our Virtual Season.
The Singetagel Dragons
Tintagel is a well-known castle on the Cornish coast that is often associated with Arthurian legend, sometimes as Camelot and sometimes as the home of the Duke of Cornwall, husband to Arthur's mother Igraine.
The Singetagel dragons were inspired by the story of Tristan and Isolde. Tristan, or Tristram, was a Knight of the Round Table who was entrusted to deliver Isolde to his uncle, King Mark, for his bride. However, Tristan and Isolde drank a love potion and fell in love with each other. In one version of the story that we've read, Tristan was permitted to take Isolde out of Ireland only if he could prove he had killed a dragon that had been terrorising the area, which he did. Another suitor of Isolde found the dead dragon and took its head, but Tristan had cut out the tongue, so he was able to prove that he had been the one to kill it.
In episode one of our Virtual Season, 'Piston and Solder', King Mark becomes King Spark and is father to Princess Solder. Sir Piston is one of his knights, who wishes to marry Solder, but she is in love with Piston's squire, Wick. This is a very familiar situation to Flicker, so he helps to prove that Wick has killed the beast terrorising Singetagel by taking its tongue, before Sir Piston takes the head so he can try to claim the credit, Loungelot-style. As a result, Sir Piston is exiled from Singetagel, and Solder is allowed to marry the newly knighted Wick.
Sir Piston makes an appearance in episode seven, 'Loungelot of the Lake', as a vision in Sir Loungelot's quest. Sir Loungelot sees him as a beggar in his exile.
In episode eight, 'Poached Egg', Merle and Count Geoffrey attempt to steal Wick and Solder's first egg, and in episode eleven, 'Quest for Camelhot', it is announced that they have hatched a son, Ignatio.
Singetagel's unseen enemy, Lord Thomas de Nancy, was named in the same vein as Count Geoffrey; Sir Thomas Mallory, like Geoffrey of Monmouth, is known for being one of the first chroniclers of Arthurian legend.
Tintagel is a well-known castle on the Cornish coast that is often associated with Arthurian legend, sometimes as Camelot and sometimes as the home of the Duke of Cornwall, husband to Arthur's mother Igraine.
The Singetagel dragons were inspired by the story of Tristan and Isolde. Tristan, or Tristram, was a Knight of the Round Table who was entrusted to deliver Isolde to his uncle, King Mark, for his bride. However, Tristan and Isolde drank a love potion and fell in love with each other. In one version of the story that we've read, Tristan was permitted to take Isolde out of Ireland only if he could prove he had killed a dragon that had been terrorising the area, which he did. Another suitor of Isolde found the dead dragon and took its head, but Tristan had cut out the tongue, so he was able to prove that he had been the one to kill it.
In episode one of our Virtual Season, 'Piston and Solder', King Mark becomes King Spark and is father to Princess Solder. Sir Piston is one of his knights, who wishes to marry Solder, but she is in love with Piston's squire, Wick. This is a very familiar situation to Flicker, so he helps to prove that Wick has killed the beast terrorising Singetagel by taking its tongue, before Sir Piston takes the head so he can try to claim the credit, Loungelot-style. As a result, Sir Piston is exiled from Singetagel, and Solder is allowed to marry the newly knighted Wick.
Sir Piston makes an appearance in episode seven, 'Loungelot of the Lake', as a vision in Sir Loungelot's quest. Sir Loungelot sees him as a beggar in his exile.
In episode eight, 'Poached Egg', Merle and Count Geoffrey attempt to steal Wick and Solder's first egg, and in episode eleven, 'Quest for Camelhot', it is announced that they have hatched a son, Ignatio.
Singetagel's unseen enemy, Lord Thomas de Nancy, was named in the same vein as Count Geoffrey; Sir Thomas Mallory, like Geoffrey of Monmouth, is known for being one of the first chroniclers of Arthurian legend.
The Puce Knight
Episode two, 'Sir Hotbreath and the Puce Knight', is based on the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Green Knight challenged Sir Gawain to a duel and got him to agree that however the loser was defeated, the victor would allow the loser to do the same to him after one year. Gawain cut off the Green Knight's head; the Green Knight then put his head back on, congratulated Gawain on his victory and promised to fulfil his part of the bargain in a year's time. As a Knight of the Round Table, Gawain was true to his word, and presented himself to the Green Knight for beheading. The Green Knight revealed that Gawain had passed his test of chivalry by keeping his word.
Sir Gawain's counterpart, Sir Gasflame, was unable to take on the Puce Knight as he had already been killed by the Hog-in-the-Bog (who, as it turns out, was just trying to feed her children) before the commencement of the TV series. Instead, Sir Hotbreath met the Puce Knight on his travels (some time during Series 2), and arranged to be beheaded one month from their battle.
The Puce Knight returns to help the dragons of Camelhot defeat Count Geoffrey in episode thirteen.
Episode two, 'Sir Hotbreath and the Puce Knight', is based on the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Green Knight challenged Sir Gawain to a duel and got him to agree that however the loser was defeated, the victor would allow the loser to do the same to him after one year. Gawain cut off the Green Knight's head; the Green Knight then put his head back on, congratulated Gawain on his victory and promised to fulfil his part of the bargain in a year's time. As a Knight of the Round Table, Gawain was true to his word, and presented himself to the Green Knight for beheading. The Green Knight revealed that Gawain had passed his test of chivalry by keeping his word.
Sir Gawain's counterpart, Sir Gasflame, was unable to take on the Puce Knight as he had already been killed by the Hog-in-the-Bog (who, as it turns out, was just trying to feed her children) before the commencement of the TV series. Instead, Sir Hotbreath met the Puce Knight on his travels (some time during Series 2), and arranged to be beheaded one month from their battle.
The Puce Knight returns to help the dragons of Camelhot defeat Count Geoffrey in episode thirteen.
Lady Igrange
The name of Princess Flame's mother, revealed in episode three, 'Flame's Quest', was inspired by the name of King Arthur's mother, Lady Igraine (an alternative is Ygerna). She was tricked into conceiving Arthur with King Uther when Merlin changed him to the likeness of her husband, the Duke of Cornwall. Nothing like this has happened to Lady Igrange in our Virtual Season; she experienced problems of a quite different nature!
The name of Princess Flame's mother, revealed in episode three, 'Flame's Quest', was inspired by the name of King Arthur's mother, Lady Igraine (an alternative is Ygerna). She was tricked into conceiving Arthur with King Uther when Merlin changed him to the likeness of her husband, the Duke of Cornwall. Nothing like this has happened to Lady Igrange in our Virtual Season; she experienced problems of a quite different nature!
Sir Agraflame
Sir Agravaine was a Knight of the Round Table, brother to Gawain and ally of the duplicitous Mordred, hence our Sir Agraflame - the titular character in episode four - is evil and Sir Gasflame's brother. In the end, Agraflame is bound to Merle the Wizard in servitude, as revealed in episode eleven, 'Quest for Camelhot'.
Sir Agravaine was a Knight of the Round Table, brother to Gawain and ally of the duplicitous Mordred, hence our Sir Agraflame - the titular character in episode four - is evil and Sir Gasflame's brother. In the end, Agraflame is bound to Merle the Wizard in servitude, as revealed in episode eleven, 'Quest for Camelhot'.
Scorchred
Mordred was the evil son and/or nephew of King Arthur; most legends agree that he was the product of a trick by Arthur's embittered half-sister, Morgan Le Fay, to bear him an evil child. In our Virtual Season, Allfire's half-sister is mentioned as being Scorchred's mother in episode seven, 'Loungelot of the Lake', and this is elaborated on in the Christmas special (scroll down to 'Volcana Le Flay' for more).
It is revealed in 'Loungelot of the Lake' that Merle had a bet on with the Lady of the Lake as to whether Loungelot would be the most perfect of all knights, or betray Allfire with the Queen (neither one wins this bet). Merle once intended to use Scorchred to reveal Griddle's infidelity, as Mordered does to Lancelot and Guinevere in many versions of the legend. Of course, Griddle is (essentially) faithful, so Merle attempts to use Scorchred to expose a love affair between Flicker and Flame instead.
In episode thirteen, 'The Princess and the Squire, Part 2', Merle sends Scorchred to annoy Count Geoffrey by interfering with his plans. Scorchred attempts to secure his inheritance from King Allfire, first by suggesting marriage to Princess Flame, and then by killing her. Of course, Flicker manages to kill him first.
Mordred was the evil son and/or nephew of King Arthur; most legends agree that he was the product of a trick by Arthur's embittered half-sister, Morgan Le Fay, to bear him an evil child. In our Virtual Season, Allfire's half-sister is mentioned as being Scorchred's mother in episode seven, 'Loungelot of the Lake', and this is elaborated on in the Christmas special (scroll down to 'Volcana Le Flay' for more).
It is revealed in 'Loungelot of the Lake' that Merle had a bet on with the Lady of the Lake as to whether Loungelot would be the most perfect of all knights, or betray Allfire with the Queen (neither one wins this bet). Merle once intended to use Scorchred to reveal Griddle's infidelity, as Mordered does to Lancelot and Guinevere in many versions of the legend. Of course, Griddle is (essentially) faithful, so Merle attempts to use Scorchred to expose a love affair between Flicker and Flame instead.
In episode thirteen, 'The Princess and the Squire, Part 2', Merle sends Scorchred to annoy Count Geoffrey by interfering with his plans. Scorchred attempts to secure his inheritance from King Allfire, first by suggesting marriage to Princess Flame, and then by killing her. Of course, Flicker manages to kill him first.
Sir Charash, King Hot and Toasting-Forkney
Sir Gareth was Sir Gawain's younger brother, who came to Camelot to be knighted, but was accidentally sent to the kitchen as the kitchen boy. This amusing mix-up earned him the title 'Sir Gareth of the Kitchen'.
Sir Charash is first mentioned in episode four, 'Sir Agraflame', as Sir Agraflame and Sir Gasflame's brother. In episode nine, 'Sir Charash of the Kitchen', Charash comes to Camelhot at the invitation of Sir Blaze, his cousin (it is mentioned in Series 1 of the actual show that Sir Gasflame was Sir Blaze's cousin). Charash is mistaken for the new kitchen boy, which in the end gives him the opportunity to save King Allfire's life and earn his knighthood.
In this episode, it is revealed that the father of Agraflame, Gasflame and Charash is King Hot of Toasting-Forkney, the brother of Sir Herman the Near-Sighted. He was inspired by King Lot of Orkney, the father of Agravaine, Gawain and Gareth, and a cousin to Uther and Arthur (this may have inspired Sir Gasflame's family connection with Sir Blaze in the TV series).
In episode ten, 'Memories', Queen Griddle suggests that Sir Charash might marry Princess Flame. She becomes particularly keen on this idea when it is confirmed in episode eleven, 'Quest for Camelhot', that he is now the heir of Toasting-Forkney, after Sir Agraflame's fate is revealed. In episode twelve, 'The Princess and the Squire, Part 1', Sir Charash returns to Camelhot as a Knight of the Square Table, wearing the label that shows he is heir to his family's estate.
In episode thirteen, 'The Princess and the Squire, Part 2', Sir Charash mentions that on his way to inform King Allfire of the success of the dragons' mission, he was waylaid 'off-screen' by a demon disguised as a beautiful woman. This was inspired by a test that Sir Galahad faced on his quest for the Holy Grail. By maintaining his chastity, Galahad helped to prove that he was pure enough to find the Grail. Sir Charash's adventures with this demon are not revealed, as everyone has much more important things to think about!
Sir Gareth was Sir Gawain's younger brother, who came to Camelot to be knighted, but was accidentally sent to the kitchen as the kitchen boy. This amusing mix-up earned him the title 'Sir Gareth of the Kitchen'.
Sir Charash is first mentioned in episode four, 'Sir Agraflame', as Sir Agraflame and Sir Gasflame's brother. In episode nine, 'Sir Charash of the Kitchen', Charash comes to Camelhot at the invitation of Sir Blaze, his cousin (it is mentioned in Series 1 of the actual show that Sir Gasflame was Sir Blaze's cousin). Charash is mistaken for the new kitchen boy, which in the end gives him the opportunity to save King Allfire's life and earn his knighthood.
In this episode, it is revealed that the father of Agraflame, Gasflame and Charash is King Hot of Toasting-Forkney, the brother of Sir Herman the Near-Sighted. He was inspired by King Lot of Orkney, the father of Agravaine, Gawain and Gareth, and a cousin to Uther and Arthur (this may have inspired Sir Gasflame's family connection with Sir Blaze in the TV series).
In episode ten, 'Memories', Queen Griddle suggests that Sir Charash might marry Princess Flame. She becomes particularly keen on this idea when it is confirmed in episode eleven, 'Quest for Camelhot', that he is now the heir of Toasting-Forkney, after Sir Agraflame's fate is revealed. In episode twelve, 'The Princess and the Squire, Part 1', Sir Charash returns to Camelhot as a Knight of the Square Table, wearing the label that shows he is heir to his family's estate.
In episode thirteen, 'The Princess and the Squire, Part 2', Sir Charash mentions that on his way to inform King Allfire of the success of the dragons' mission, he was waylaid 'off-screen' by a demon disguised as a beautiful woman. This was inspired by a test that Sir Galahad faced on his quest for the Holy Grail. By maintaining his chastity, Galahad helped to prove that he was pure enough to find the Grail. Sir Charash's adventures with this demon are not revealed, as everyone has much more important things to think about!
Volcana Le Flay
Morgana or Morgan Le Fay was Arthur's half-sister, and daughter to the Duke of Cornwall and Lady Igraine or Ygerna. As Morgana was the mother of Mordred, Volcana is the mother of Scorchred in our Virtual Season. She is introduced in the double-length Christmas Special, 'Once, and the Future'. Although Allfire is not Scorchred's father, as Arthur was Mordred's, there is a reference to this idea in the story (Merle makes the suggestion; Volcana rejects it). Morgana was a sorceress who learned her magic from Merlin; Volcana is able to do just a little magic, which she has learnt from Merle. Like Morgana, she has grievances against her half-brother, resents the means of his conception (quite understandably, I should say), and attempts to advance her own son. As a child, Volcana nicknamed Allfire 'Wart', the same nickname given to the young Arthur when he was in the care of Sir Ector.
Morgana or Morgan Le Fay was Arthur's half-sister, and daughter to the Duke of Cornwall and Lady Igraine or Ygerna. As Morgana was the mother of Mordred, Volcana is the mother of Scorchred in our Virtual Season. She is introduced in the double-length Christmas Special, 'Once, and the Future'. Although Allfire is not Scorchred's father, as Arthur was Mordred's, there is a reference to this idea in the story (Merle makes the suggestion; Volcana rejects it). Morgana was a sorceress who learned her magic from Merlin; Volcana is able to do just a little magic, which she has learnt from Merle. Like Morgana, she has grievances against her half-brother, resents the means of his conception (quite understandably, I should say), and attempts to advance her own son. As a child, Volcana nicknamed Allfire 'Wart', the same nickname given to the young Arthur when he was in the care of Sir Ector.
Fluether Pendragon and Lady Yburna
King Uther was Arthur's father. He was essentially a good king, but he had a flaw: his lust for the Lady Igraine or Ygerna, the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. In our Christmas Special, Ygerna becomes Yburna, mother to Allfire and Volcana. Merle helps the entirely horrible King Fluether to seduce Yburna, just as Merlin helped Uther to seduce Ygerna.
King Uther was Arthur's father. He was essentially a good king, but he had a flaw: his lust for the Lady Igraine or Ygerna, the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. In our Christmas Special, Ygerna becomes Yburna, mother to Allfire and Volcana. Merle helps the entirely horrible King Fluether to seduce Yburna, just as Merlin helped Uther to seduce Ygerna.
Smoulderous Gard
Dolorous Gard was a castle that Lancelot freed from an evil enchantment after lifting a tombstone that bore his name and foretold his victory. In our Christmas Special, Smoulderous Gard is the childhood home of Volcana and Allfire, and the enchantment over it is directly linked to Volcana's misery. It is Sir Loungelot's squire Crackle who finds his name on the tombstone and breaks the curse, but he agrees to let Loungelot retire there and make the place his home, just as Lancelot made Dolorous Gard his home. The prophecy names Crackle's father as King Pan of Candlewick, which was inspired by the name this legend gives to Sir Lancelot's father, King Ban of Benwick. When he received Arthur and Guinevere as guests, Lancelot changed the name from Dolorous Gard to Joyous Gard. Loungelot changes Smoulderous Gard to Enjoyous Gard, because obviously he wants people to enjoy themselves when they visit him.
Dolorous Gard was a castle that Lancelot freed from an evil enchantment after lifting a tombstone that bore his name and foretold his victory. In our Christmas Special, Smoulderous Gard is the childhood home of Volcana and Allfire, and the enchantment over it is directly linked to Volcana's misery. It is Sir Loungelot's squire Crackle who finds his name on the tombstone and breaks the curse, but he agrees to let Loungelot retire there and make the place his home, just as Lancelot made Dolorous Gard his home. The prophecy names Crackle's father as King Pan of Candlewick, which was inspired by the name this legend gives to Sir Lancelot's father, King Ban of Benwick. When he received Arthur and Guinevere as guests, Lancelot changed the name from Dolorous Gard to Joyous Gard. Loungelot changes Smoulderous Gard to Enjoyous Gard, because obviously he wants people to enjoy themselves when they visit him.