The Legend of King Arthur
Interesting information about legend of King Arthur of England
The Legend of King Arthur - Who was King Arthur?
Who was King Arthur? We associate Arthur with the Knights of the Round Table, with the Code of Chivalry and courtly love and with a place called Camelot and a magician called Merlin. If Arthur was not a king in the Middle Ages did Arthur rule England during the Dark Ages ( 410 AD - 1066 AD )? The name of King Arthur does not appear in records detailing the Dark Ages Kings of England either! It is therefore not possible to provide an accurate biography of the life and history of Arthur - we can only create a biography from his legend. But the Dark Ages got its name due to the fact that documented records of the era were scarce. Was there a great man who lived in the Dark Ages who gave rise to the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table?
King Arthur The Real King Arthur
The History of King Arthur - The One, True King of the Britons
The legend of Arthur is not based on real historical evidence, nor can it be verified with hard and fast facts. The legend of King Arthur was based on the books written by the clerics of the Medieval era or the Middles Ages. The stories found in many Welsh legends and Celtic Myths about Arthur and the Arthurian Legend provide the Welsh people with a claim to the sovereignty of the whole kingdom of Britain. Arthur is referred to as "the one, true King of the Britons".
How did the Legend of King Arthur Start?
The main source of information about King Arthur and the Arthurian Legend was written by a Welsh cleric called Geoffrey of Monmouth. Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote a fictional book called Historia Regum Britanniae - the History of the King's of Britain in 1136. Other stories about Arthur and the Arthurian Legend were written in the 'Black Book of Caernarvon' (Welsh: Llyfr du Caerfyrddin). This book was written, in Welsh, in 1250 and contained stories and poems relating to the heroes of Britain in the Dark Ages including those connected with the Arthurian legend of Arthur and Merlin. Other books entitled Historia Brittonum by Nennius, the Annales Cambriae, the Chronicon Anglicanum and the Welsh Mabinogion also make references to the Arthurian Legend and King Arthur. Fiction was slowly being perceived as fact.
The Romantic Legend of King Arthur
The romantic legend of Arthur was fuelled by the Troubadours, jongleurs and Minstrels of the Medieval era of the Middle Ages. The stories of the valiant Arthur, great knights, Camelot, chivalrous deeds, great battles and fair ladies were spread from court to court all over Europe by the troubadours. The image of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table took on the the clothes and fashion of the Medieval era. Jousting in tournaments were also incorporated. Fiction was again turning into fact. And we have an answer as to why we associate King Arthur with the Middle Ages.
Making a Legend of King Arthur - The One, True King of the Britons
The Kings of England during the Middle Ages turned these myths and legends to their advantage and Fiction was turned into Fact for political purposes. The Arthurian legend and the legend of King Arthur had highly significant influence on the actual history of England and Wales. These legends and myths about Arthur "the one, true King of the Britons" were used by Kings of England to authenticate their claims to the both the Welsh and English thrones! King Edward I (Longshanks) used these Arthurian legends and myths about King Arthur when he conquered Wales. Connections between Caernarvon, Arthurian Legend, Merlin, Prophecies and even Stonehenge were made in an attempt to give King Edward a 'legitimate claim' to the Welsh throne. The Tudor Kings of England used the same ploy! These Kings of England used the stories from Arthurian Legend and the Legend of King Arthur to give them credibility. It was convenient for them to turn the stories and myths about Arthur and the Arthurian Legend into hard facts!
Merging History with the Legend of King Arthur
The Arthurian stories and the Legend of Arthur was clearly used by Medieval politicians to strengthen the claims of Middle Ages Kings to both the English and Welsh thrones - the legend of King Arthur had a huge influence on the course of actual English and Welsh history. It is easy to see how much influence, advantage and credibility could be gained by these Kings to connect their lineage to King Arthur "the one, true King of the Britons", his realm of Camelot and the prophecies of Merlin the Wizard. The connections with these Arthurian legends and myths provided the Medieval people with:
- Ancient Prophecies from the Arthurian legends about King Arthur ( arrangements were made by the King of era to be seen to fulfil such prophecies)
- The people of England liked the lend and myth connections to the old Religions and life before the Normans conquered England - The magicians and wizards and the Druids.
- The connection to King Arthur - The legend of a King whose rule was based on Honour, Honesty, Loyalty, Chivalry and Valour
- The 'one, true King of the Britons' prophecy increased the Middle Ages Kings credibility, especially in Wales
- A romantic story and legend of love, fair ladies, brave knights and triumphant battles - good publicity for any king of the Middle Ages
- The King Arthur legend provided a link to Christianity, the crusades and the search for the Holy Grail
- Any 'proof' of their lineage to ancient Kings gave Middle Ages Kings justification for their sovereignty
The Legend of King Arthur
Some interesting facts and short biography information about the Legend of King Arthur. Additional details, facts, history and information about the famous Medieval Kings of the Middle Ages and important events during their times can be accessed via the Middle Ages Sitemap and the section detailing the life and times of the Kings of the Middle Ages.