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Unraveling the Legend of King Arthur: Myth vs. Historical Evidence

King Arthur has captivated imaginations for centuries, yet the question of his historical existence remains elusive. Chronicles by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Nennius, and other sources mention Arthur, but hard evidence is scant. Myths often blend with facts, creating a gray area where Arthur's story resides. While some historians suggest he may have fought in battles like Badon Hill and Camlann, the true nature of his existence is debated. Explore the fabled locations tied to Arthur's legend, such as Tintagel and Glastonbury, as we sift through historical claims and legendary narratives.

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Unraveling the Legend of King Arthur: Myth vs. Historical Evidence

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Who is this guy Arthur, anyway?

  2. Facts • No hard evidence of a historical Arthur • Solely recorded in chronicles • Geoffrey of Monmouth • Nennius • Gallet (Breton) • Bonedd yr Arwr (Welsh) • Nearly all chroniclers claim Arthur as their own

  3. Myth vs. Fact • What’s the difference? • Myth has no proof • relies on faith much of the time • Fact has at least partial proof • Often myths are based on fact • Event or person is real • Becomes larger than life through retelling

  4. Myth vs. Fact • Myths based on fact • Jesus Christ • depending on your POV • Daniel Boone • Davy Crockett • Myths not based on fact • Paul Bunyan • Urban legends • Poodle in the microwave, etc.

  5. So Which Is Arthur? • Grey area • Some evidence of a historical figure • Battle of Badon Hill • defeated Germanic tribes • Battle of Camlann • death of Arthur • British ruler fighting in Gaul • British high or battle king

  6. Geographical Evidence Bamburgh Castle • Stonehenge • Tintagel • Arthur’s Seat • Cadbury Castle • Merlin’s Cave • Carleton • Glastonbury Abbey and Tor Arthur’s Seat Glastonbury Abbey Carleton Tintagel Castle

  7. Tintagel • Supposed place of Arthur’s birth • Geoffrey of Monmouth • Local legend

  8. Tintagel

  9. Tintagel

  10. Glastonbury • Supposedly founded by Joseph of Arimathea • Housed Holy Grail • Site of Avalon • Arthur’s burial place

  11. Glastonbury

  12. Glastonbury http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/see/360/glastonbury/index.shtml

  13. Carleton • Arthur’s chief city • According to Geoffrey • Central circle called “Round Table” • Current site • Roman amphitheatre • Roman buildings • bath houses • barracks

  14. Cadbury Castle • Associated with Camelot • John Leland, 16th century • Iron-age fort • Refortified near end of Roman Occupation

  15. When Did Arthur Exist (If Ever)? • Period between • 420 CE (Rome leaves) • 540 CE (Gildas) • Celts • Had a “high king” • may have been war king • Administered defense of Britain

  16. When Did Arthur Exist (If Ever)? • Superlative victory at Mt. Badon • Under Celtic High King • Stemmed (temporarily) Anglo-Saxon advance • Chroniclers associate with Arthur • May have instituted brief period of peace • Camelot era? • Time of leisure and development?

  17. Arthur’s Actions • Continent • British war leader definitely went to Gaul (modern France) • Fought Germans and/or Roman legions • Returned to Britain because of civil war • regent claimed high kingship for his own

  18. Arthur’s Actions • Corresponds to: • Arthur’s campaign against Lancelot • In “Lower Britain” • Probably Brittany • Mordred’s betrayal • Imprisoning Guinevere • Seizing kingdom • Arthur’s death

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