King Arthur - historical facts

A rthur is a Celtic heroe and as such he should be taken. His historical origins are, as might be expected, hidden beneath a veil of myths. Legends tell us, that he was the son of king Uther Pedragon and Igraine of Cornwall. His birth was made possible by magic woven by Merlin the sorcerer who lateron became his adviser in all matters. Historical research doesn't allow him any such romantic heredity. It mentions neither known parents, nor a magician as adviser, nor a troup of knights in bright armour. But what we do know is at least as remarkable:

Battle between Arthur and Mordred (14. Century)

A s far as we know, Arthur was born some time during the fifth or sixth century in Wales, the Midlands or in Cornwall and he was not only a great king but a great commander in chief aswell with the title of "Dux Britannorum" Duke of Britanny. In this function he commanded the armies of several different minor kings and chieftains, who had reclaimed the country for themselves after the last remnants of the Roman dominion had vanished a century ago.

As Arthur dies he returns his sword to the lady of the lake

S ome big battles are mentioned, in which Arthur, who carries a shield with a picture of Sait Mary on it, leads his warriors against the Saxons so successfully, that what started off as an invasion turned out to become a more or less peaceful settlement after all. The invaders withdrew to certain parts of he country where they setteled down, cultivated the land and engaged in mixed marriages after some time. This was the origin of the English population - a mixture of Saxons and Celts that stayed unchanged up to the eleventh century, when the Normans arrived.

Text extracts from "The Elements of the Arthurian Tradition" by John Matthews

Ich danke herzlich für die Grafiken - thanks for the Grafiks

Source file (Last modification: 14.5.99)

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