"King Arthur"

Ashish Patel

September 7, 2004

Period 2

“King Arthur”

King Arthur has been known as a mysterious ruler of Britain. King Arthur was known as a man who expelled foreigners, brought peace to his country, and ruled his kingdom based on justice, law, and mortality. It has been rumored that he held his court at Camelot and had a meeting place called the Knights of the Round Table. The real King Arthur is believed to be a famed war leader of the Britons who helped drive out foreigners. The real King Arthur was a leader on the battlefield.

King Arthur is believed to be a nickname for the man who has come to be known as King Arthur. King Arthur was not the real name of the man. His real name was Artorius (“Artifacts”). Artorius lived during the fifth century (“Legend”). For example, Genghis Khan was a Mongol conqueror, but his real name is not lost. It is Genghis Khan’s title that still lives today in society. In 460 A.D., Ambrosius was facing battle with the Picts, the Irish, and the Angles. Ambrosius requested that his kingdom get help from the Votadini people. It is believed that King Arthur was of this tribe and is documented in Nennius’ writing about the battle against the Saxons. The only problem is that Nennius fails to mention him by name (“Arthur”).

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Few places give great detail about the life of King Arthur. This is mainly due to the fact that many of the artifacts were made of wood. Wood can decompose rapidly making it nearly impossible for tracing the artifacts. Tintagel castle is believed to be the place of King Arthur’s conception and birth. According to the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth, the Archbishop of London offered the throne to Constantine. Constantine ruled peacefully and had three sons. Constantine was murdered by a Pictish assassin. A nobleman manipulated the eldest son of Constantine and managed to gain control of Britain. Eventually other rulers followed, but Arthur was born soon after. Due to excavating expeditions, archaeologists have found pottery dishes, bronze artifacts, and other items. These items make the Tintagel Castle a plausible site for a flourishing kingdom to help make the case of a ruler (“Artifacts”).

Glastonbury Abbey also holds a key to King Arthur. It is believed to be the legendary location of Arthur and Guinevere’s burial tomb. In 1191, monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to have found the grave of King Arthur. The “claims” were not taken seriously until 1278. King Henry II ordered the grave to be exhumed and a man’s body was found with a cracked skull due to a heavy blow. This helps back up the notion of King Arthur being a fighting warrior. A female skeleton was also found along with the original lead cross. The remains were moved to the main Abbey church and mysteriously disappeared (“Artifacts”).

King Arthur did exist as a human being. Writings, from various authors, have helped add intrigue to the mysterious figure known as King Arthur. King Arthur was a warrior who has had archeological findings help define him as a person. From Tintagel Castle to Glastonbury Abbey, artifacts strongly support parts of the legend of King Arthur. The findings help give us little insight, but no new proof comes along with the findings. Without more specific artifacts and literary accounts, the true identity of King Arthur will never be known, but we have been given a little insight into the real King Arthur.

Works Cited

“Arthur.” Shropshire’s Secrets. <http://www.shropshirepromotions.co.uk/shropshire%

20Secrets/SS-5.html.> 30 August 2004.

“Artifacts.” University of Idaho. <http://www.uidaho.edu/student_orgs/arthurian_legend/

england/arch/.> 4 September 2004.

“Legend.” Dickson College. <http://www.dicksonc.act.edu.au/Showcase/ClioContents/

Clio3/kingarthur.html.> 30 August 2004.