Who was King Arthur?
Legendary King of a tribe in ancient England
also known as Arthur Pendragon.
It is disputed whether he existed at all and
many real events are said to be woven into the one story for mythological
effect. Much of the story as known today is taken from Geoffrey
of Monmouth's imaginative "Historia Regum Britanniae"
which was published in 1138. i.e. many centuries later. Most of
the main elements of the "Arthurian Legend" come from
this book such as his father being Uther Pendragon, the existence
of the wizard Merlin, his birth at Tintagel, Guinevere and the
sword Excalibur. The story of Sir Lancelot and the Knights of
the Round Table was added to the myth in the twelfth century by
the French writer Chretien de Troyes.
Date and Place of Birth:
Sixth Century AD thought to be around 465.
Said to be Tintagel, Cornwall.
Family Background:
Father said to be Uther Pendragon. Thought
to come from the warrior class.
Education:
No formal education.
Chronology/Biography to background of King Arthur:
63 AD: Joseph
of Arimathea is said to have arrived in Glastonbury, Somerset
bringing with him the Holy Grail which was allegedly a cup or
bowl which held the blood and sweat of the crucified body of Jesus
Christ.
184 AD: First
appearance of the name Artorius in Britain. Lucius Artorius Castus
was the commander of a group of Sarmatian conscripts who were
stationed in Britain and who went to Gaul to put down a rebellion.
One theory is that Castus's heroic deeds in Gaul are the basis
for some of the later traditions of "King Arthur".
396 AD: Stilicho,
the Roman general in charge of Britain began transferring Roman
military authority to the local British chieftains.
397 AD: Stilicho
beats off an attack from the Saxons, Picts and Irish.
406 AD: Most of
the Roman army in Britain had by now been recalled to fight in
Gaul and Italy to defend Rome and the rump of the army that was
left began to mutiny. Marcus was made Emperor in Britain but was
assassinated before he could take up his role.
407 AD: Constantine
the third was seen by the remaining Roman troops as Emperor but
he continued to withdraw men back to the continent.
408 AD: Major
attacks on Britain by the Saxons, Picts and Scots.
409 AD: Outright
civil war as Britons begin expelling all Roman officials and fighting
against the invaders themselves.
410 AD: Britain
becomes independent of Rome for the first time.
King Arthur's Knight's of the Round Table hanging in the
Great Hall of Winchester Castle.
This dates from the late Thirteenth Centruy in the reign of King
Edward the First.
(© Anthony Blagg)
420 AD: Britain
is ruled by a series of minor local tyrants.
440 AD: Civil
war again is rife as the ruling Council fails to deal effectively
with invasions from the Picts.
445 AD: Vortigern
becomes effective leader of Britain.
450 AD: Hengest
arrives in Britain and is welcomed by Vortigern. This event is
known as "The coming of the Saxons".
457 AD: Death
of Vortigern.
516 AD: Victor
at Battle of Mons Badonicus. A 9th-century Latin historical work
called "The Historia Brittonum" attributed by some to
Nennius, a Welsh cleric, The book outlines twelve battles that
Arthur is supposed to have fought against the Saxons which culminate
in the Battle of Mons Badonicus, or Mount Badon.
537 AD: Supposedly
killed at the Battle of Camlann with the Knight Mordred.
Marriage:
To the Lady Guinevere.
Date and Place of Death:
537 AD Battle of Camlann,
Age at Death:
Unknown. (possibly 62).
Site of Grave:
Allegedly at Glastonbury
Abbey ruins, Glastonbury, Somerset, England.
Places of Interest:
CORNWALL:
Tintagel Castle (supposed realm of Merlin the
Magician).
Dozmary Pool (Lake where sword Excalibur is
said to have come from).
Camelford, or Sutton Mondis, site of last battle.
SOMERSET:
Cadbury Castle (supposed site of Camelot)
Glastonbury Abbey. (supposed burial place).
WILSTSHIRE:
Amesbury Abbey. Supposed site of the death
of Guinevere.
