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 Stonehenge Tintagel Arthur’s Seat Cadbury Castle Merlin’s Cave Carleton Glastonbury Abbey and Tor Bamburgh Castle Arthur’s Seat Carleton Glastonbury Abbey Tintagel Castle

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

8. Tintagel

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

11. Glastonbury

12. 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