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Legends about the mythical ruler of England, King Arthur, have been going around for nearly 1,500 years. ... While no one named "Arthur" has been documented to have been a king of England, there is very likely some historical figure behind this legend.
Arthurian Literature, the First Generations
The first mention of any historical figure which might be related to Arthur, is found in a chronicle left by St. ... In Gildass work, Arthur is not named per se, however, there is an Arthur-like figure, named Aurelius Ambrosius. ... King Vortigern (Gwrtheyrn or Gurthrigern) had trouble with the incursions of Picts to the north. ... The Saxons set themselves up as masters, setting the unwise British king Vortigern aside. ... This new High King of Britain led the Briton warriors & the few Romans who stayed behind with him against the invaders. ...
Later chroniclers, such as the monks Nennius & the venerable Bede, told a similar tale, but named the hero "Arthur" — possibly a Latinized version of an archaic Celtic term meaning "High King." Another chronicle, Annales Cambriae ("The Annals of Wales"), also mentions Arthur. ... In the early 12th century, the Welsh scholar Geoffrey of Monmouth compiled a long work, Historia regum Brittaniae ("History of the Kings of Britain"), which — in addition to adding many more details about the life & career of Arthur — tells how the Britons arrived in their land (they were refugee Trojans, led by Brutus or Bryttys, a son of King Priam of Troy), as well as the history of all the kings of Britain, to his time. The story of King Arthur is about in the middle of this long narrative. He introduced a number of facets into the story of Arthur, such as betrayal by his own men, & the addition of a mentor, Merlin (or Myrrddin). He also described Arthur (& in fact, most of the characters in his narrative) in terms of his own day — portraying them as kings, knights, etc.
Approximate Word count = 1594
Approximate Pages = 6.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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