New Table
The fellowship of the Round Table under King Arthur, distinguished in Italian tradition from that of Uther Pendragon.
Introduction#
In Italian Arthurian literature, a distinction is made between the Tavola Vecchia (“Old Table”) and the Tavola Nuova (“New Table”). These terms refer respectively to the knightly fellowship under Uther Pendragon and the later Round Table established by King Arthur.
Alternative Names | Tavola Nuova
Old and New Fellowship#
The Old Table, associated with Uther, is described as a company of warriors defined by strength and boldness.
The New Table, formed under Arthur, reflects a different ideal. It is characterized by: justice, courtliness, and chivalric virtue.
This distinction presents Arthur’s court not merely as a continuation, but as a refinement of what came before.
The contrast between the two tables suggests a shift in values within the tradition—from raw martial power to a more ordered and ethical form of knighthood. Rather than introducing a new object, the Tavola Nuova represents a transformation in the meaning of the Round Table itself.
Sources#
La Tavola Ritonda | c. 1325-1350
