The legend of King Arthur is one of the most intriguing and often questioned legends in history today. There are many who say that he never exixted, and many who point to historical documents to show that he was a king long ago while reporting on many of the battles he fought, and feats that he accomplished.
Arthur is thought to have been a legendary king of medieval Britain, and has been hailed as a hero in many exciting legends and romances. He is said to have been born in the town of Tintagel in Cornwall, England. He was the son of King Uther Pendragon and the Duke of Tintagel's wife, Igraine. The sorcerer, Merlin, is said to have arranged the decietful union of the two, and asked that the product of that union, Arthur, be turned over to him for nurturing and learning.
Following his upbringing with Merlin, Arthur went on to become the King of Britain. With the help and support of his advisor, Merlin, he held court at a place called Camelot as the leader of the group known as the Knights of the Round Table. The knights who comprised this order came from many areas to take part in this group, and rode out to accomplish great deeds and seek adventure with their leader, King Arthur. Their most notable mission was the quest of the Holy Grail, the cup said to have been used by Jesus at the Last Supper and used to catch His blood when the spear pierced His side after the crucifixion.
Little is known of the real King Arthur, though most historians agree that the Arthur of legend is probrably based on a British war-chief of the 6th century A.D. named Roman Artorlus. He was most likely the leader of the Romanized Britons in the battle against the Saxon war bands that invaded Britain from around 450 A.D. onwards. In the book of Complaints written by Gildas around the year 540 A.D., it says that the Saxons were defeated in a great battle on Mount Badon in about the year 500 A.D. Although Arthur isn't mentioned by name in that account, Nennius' History of the Britons, written in the early 9th century, says that Arthur was dux bellorum of the Battle of Mount Badon. The Cambian Annals, written in the early 10th century, says that Arthur defeated the Saxons at Mount Badon in 516, and also mentions the Battle of Camiann, in which Arthur and Medraut (Mordred) fell.
Monmouth's History is another history that includes Arthur, and has been described as the most successful work of fiction ever composed on the one hand, and condemned as an outrage of historical truth on the other. Monmouth tells in his history how King Arthur, whith his sword Caliburn, subdued the Scots and conquered Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and France. In later variations, Arthur's sword Caliburn becomes the sword Excalibur. According to the legend, Arthur and Merlin visted a lake, from which they witnesssed an arm rising from the water holding a sword. The sword belonged to the Lady of the Lake, who gave it to Arthur on their visit to the lake.
According to this history, Arthur's sister married the Duke of Lothian, and by him had two sons, Gawain and Mordred. Later stories tell that Arthur, not realizing that Loth's wife was his own sister, slept with her, and conceived Mordred. It was this that brought King Arthur and the Round Table to destruction, as prophesied by Merlin.
The story goes on to tell that Arthur married Guinevere, and by some accounts, is gifted with the Round Table, which seats 150, by his father-in-law as a wedding present. From there Arthur sent out the call for the bravest knights in all the land to come and be part of the band known as the Knigthts of the Round. The table was created round so that all the knights seated at it were seen as equal. There was no head or foot of the table. Legend also tells us that Arthur came to realize that his wife and one of his knights, Lancelot, were in love, but refused to admit it to anyone because of his friendship with Lancelot. It was when Mordred and Agravaine insisted on accusing Lancelot in front of the king, that the accusation of treason annd adultery became public. Arthur reluctantly gave leave to Mordred to seize Lancelot, but before he could do so, Lancelot escaped with some knights from the Round Table who sided with him. When Arthur took an army to France to figtht against Lancelot and his knights, many were killed on both sides. It was during this time, that Mordred, left behind rule England, seized the crown and Guinevere, who resisted. Upon Arthur's return to England, a great battle was started over Mordred's seizure of the throne. Arthur and Mordred fought each other, with Arthur killing Mordred with ta sword thrust. But the dying Mordred dealt a mortal blow to Arthur as well. The history states that Sir Bedivere helped Arthur away from the battle to a lake, and upon instructions form Arthur, cast Excalibur into the lake. Before the sword hit the water, the Lady of the Lake's arm arose to take the sword and then disappeared. The mortally wounded Arthur was then carried onto a fairy barge and taken away to Avalon, the land of immortal heroes. Legends also tell us that Arthur will return from Avalon to lead his countrymen in the time of their greatest peril.
There is a tradition that Glastonbury is the Isle of Avalon, where Arthur was taken to. In 1191, the monks of Glastonbury dug up an oak coffin located 16 feet underground which they claim to be Arthur's. The inscription on a lead cross found within the coffin reads: "Here lies buried the renowned King Arthur with Guinevere, his second wife, in the Isle of Avaln." It was said that written on the tomb was "here lies Arthur, the once and future king."
I believe that Arthur was alive at some point in history. The discovery of the coffin at Glastonbry is one proof that he did live at one time. There are many accounts of Arthur, his Round Table, and his great adventures, but no one seems to be able to agree on which legends are true. It is my conclusion that Monmouth's History is closest to the truth, with additions of fiction. Arthur has become someone that many look up to even today. There are many facts and stories circulating about King Arthur and his accomplishments. May King Arthur's legend live on.
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