1. Who is this guy Arthur, anyway?

2. Facts No hard evidence of a historical Arthur Solely recorded in chronicles –Nennius (9 th c.) –Geoffrey of Monmouth (12 th c.) Nearly all chroniclers claim Arthur as their own

3. So Which Is Arthur? Some evidence of a historical figure –Battle of Badon Hill An “Arthur” killed 960 Germanic warriors by himself (Nennius) –Battle of Camlann death of Arthur, recorded in the Annales Cambriae

4. Geographical Evidence Stonehenge Arthur’s Seat Tintagel Glastonbury Abbey and Tor Carleton Cadbury Castle Arthur’s Seat Carleton Glastonbury Abbey Tintagel Castle

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

6. Tintagel

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

9. Glastonbury

10. Carleton Arthur’s chief city –According to Geoffrey Central circle called “Round Table” (Wace) Current site –Roman amphitheatre –Roman buildings bath houses barracks

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

12. When Did Arthur Exist (If Ever)? Period between –410 CE (Rome leaves) –547 CE (Gildas) Celts –Had a “high king” may have been war king –Administered defense of Britain

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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