Colin Snow
In Arthurian folklore, the tale of a sleeping king or giant known as Icy Sedgwick is a prevalent narrative. The story typically involves an ordinary labourer, often a farmer, who discovers a secret door in a hillside leading to a cave where Arthur and his court lie asleep. To wake Arthur, the labourer must interact with a sword and a horn in a specific manner. If unsuccessful, Arthur remains asleep and the entrance to his lair is lost. This legend has been associated with various locations, including castles in England, Wales, and Scotland, and has inspired poems and literature. The belief in King Arthur as a King in the Mountain or a sleeping hero waiting to be awakened in his country's time of need has captivated imaginations for centuries.
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What You'll Learn
Using music or natural light to wake them up
Music and natural light can be very effective tools to wake up a sleeping person, especially when compared to the traditional jarring alarm clock.
Music
Music can be a soothing way to wake someone up, reducing the sensation of sleep inertia, a state of low mood, low energy, and poor thinking skills that can occur right after awakening. A 2020 study found that people preferred to be roused from their sleep by music, which helped them feel more alert and energetic.
The right song or style of music can be especially helpful for those who often wake up feeling groggy or annoyed by the beeping sound of an alarm clock. Songs that start mellow, build gradually, and have a pleasant and engaging feel can ease a person into waking up naturally. Music with a gradual tempo increase, ideally between 100 and 130 beats per minute, can enhance arousal levels and improve mood.
Additionally, music with a strong beat can help prepare the body to move and get out of bed. A song with a lively tempo and a strong beat on beats two and four can be particularly effective as it naturally aligns with the heartbeat, creating an invigorating rhythm.
Natural Light
Natural light plays a key role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle, and our bodies are highly dependent on it to wake up naturally and gently. Exposing the sleeping person to natural light can help suppress melatonin, the sleep-facilitating hormone, while increasing serotonin levels, which promote alertness and wakefulness.
To use natural light effectively, you can open the blinds or curtains slightly to let in the morning sunlight. If the person wakes up before sunrise or during darker winter months, you can try using a light box, which emits bright light to simulate a sunrise effect. Alternatively, sunrise alarm clocks, such as the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light, can gradually emit light to mimic a natural sunrise, providing a soothing and gentle way to wake up.
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Using a phone alarm or text message
Waking a sleeping person with a phone alarm or text message is a convenient method, as many people keep their phones near their bed when they sleep. There are several ways to go about this:
Firstly, you can try texting them a simple "Good morning!" People who are wired to respond to a text, even when sleepy, may appreciate this approach. Alternatively, you can set an alarm on their phone, which will work even if their phone is on silent mode. You can also try using a social alarm app, which allows you to customize fun alarms and reminders to wake the person up. Apps like Galarm, Snoozle, and WakieChat are specifically designed for this purpose. With Galarm, you can set reminders for tasks and send alarms with notes, photos, and links attached. Snoozle allows you to record and send voice memos as a fun alternative to standard alarm tones. WakieChat's "social alarm clock" feature connects people in the same region and language to give each other wake-up calls while keeping their numbers hidden.
If you're looking for a more innovative solution, you can try an app like Alarmy, which creates wake-up challenges that must be completed before the alarm turns off. Another option is to use smart light bulbs that gradually increase in brightness, mimicking a sunrise and providing a gentle way to wake someone up. Additionally, you can try placing an alarm on the other side of the room, forcing the person to get up to turn it off. This method is more effective when combined with a loud alarm sound.
Lastly, consider the type of sound used for the alarm. A 2020 study found that people preferred being woken up by music compared to a standard alarm clock tone. Finding the right song or style of music can be especially helpful for those who often wake up feeling groggy or annoyed by traditional alarm sounds.
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The legend of the sleeping king, Arthur
The legend of King Arthur, the sleeping king, is a well-known folklore trope found in many legends and tales. This trope, known as the "King in the Mountain", portrays Arthur as a king sleeping in an underground space, often a cave or mountain, until his country, Britain, needs him again. The legend says that Arthur was taken to Avalon, where he sleeps with his knights and Excalibur by his side, awaiting a summons to arise and defend his nation in a time of crisis.
In some variations of the legend, a herdsman or a labourer discovers a secret door in a hillside or a cave and finds Arthur and his court asleep within. The labourer must interact with a sword and a horn in a specific way to wake Arthur, and if he fails, Arthur and his court resume their slumber. Common sites associated with this legend include Richmond Castle in Yorkshire, Cadbury Castle in Somerset, and Sewingshields Castle in Northumberland, as well as various sites in Wales and Scotland.
The idea of Arthur as a sleeping king is not the only version of his legend. In early Arthurian literature, Arthur refers to his predecessor, Brân the Blessed, who had his head placed on a mound overlooking Britain for protection. Arthur wishes to do the same, and in some legends, he and Brân overlook and protect Britain together.
The sleeping king trope is not unique to King Arthur and can be found in legends and folklore from various cultures and traditions. Examples include Fionn mac Cumhaill, Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, Ogier the Dane, King David, and Constantine XI Palaiologos, among others. These stories often involve legendary heroes sleeping in remote dwellings, accompanied by armed retainers, waiting to be awakened when their nations need them.
The legend of the sleeping King Arthur has captured the imagination of people for centuries and continues to be a popular theme in folklore and literature.
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The 'King in the Mountain' trope in Arthurian folklore
The 'King in the Mountain' is a folklore trope found in many legends and folktales. It is also known as 'king under the mountain' or 'sleeping hero'. The trope is a legendary form of "Faux Death", where the hero is not really dead but asleep and awaiting a signal to return. The story usually involves a legendary hero resting in a remote location, often accompanied by armed retainers.
In Arthurian folklore, the 'King in the Mountain' trope is associated with King Arthur, who, according to legend, was taken to Avalon to sleep until he was needed by the people of Britain. In some variations of the tale, a herdsman discovers a cave on the mainland where Arthur sleeps with his knights and Excalibur by his side. In other versions, the herdsman finds only Arthur's knights or Sir Lancelot and Guinevere, sleeping and waiting for the return of the "Once and Future King".
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The Sleeping Knight at Richmond, Sewingshields, and Cadbury Castles
The legend of the sleeping knight is associated with several castles in the United Kingdom. Richmond Castle, Sewingshields Castle, and Cadbury Castle have all been linked to the legend of King Arthur and his knights, who are said to be sleeping in a cave beneath these castles, awaiting the call to defend England in her darkest hour.
Richmond Castle, maintained by English Heritage, is said to be built over a cave where King Arthur and his knights lie sleeping in their tombs. Similarly, Cadbury Castle in Somerset is also associated with the legend of King Arthur and his sleeping knights. Local tradition, first recorded by John Leland in 1542, holds that Cadbury Castle was King Arthur's Camelot, serving as the base for the historical Arthur.
The idea of sleeping knights waiting to rise and defend their country is a romantic and enduring legend. While the historical accuracy of these tales may be questionable, they have captured the imaginations of many. The notion of a sleeping army, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice, is a powerful symbol of protection and hope.
While there may be no literal truth to the legend of the sleeping knight at these castles, it is interesting to consider the underlying themes and their relevance to modern society. The idea of a sleeping army can be seen as a metaphor for the potential for greatness that lies dormant within us all, waiting to be awakened and called into action when needed.
Perhaps the legend of the sleeping knight serves as a reminder that we all have the capacity for heroism and that the spirit of chivalry and defence of our homeland is always present, even if it lies dormant during times of peace.
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Frequently asked questions
The story is related to Arthurian folklore, where King Arthur is known as the "King in the Mountain". In this tale, Arthur is sleeping in an underground space, waiting to be awoken when his country needs him.
According to the legend, a labourer must find a secret door in a hillside leading to a cave where Arthur and his court are asleep. There is usually a sword and a horn present, and the labourer must interact with them in a specific way to wake Arthur.
If the labourer fails to wake Arthur and his court, they will resume their slumber. The labourer will find himself back outside and unable to locate the entrance again.
