Arthur, also known as Arthur of Britain, may have been a Briton-Roman leader who led the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century.
Arthur, also known as Arthur of Britain, may have been a Briton-Roman leader who led the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. 
Although his story belongs mainly to folklore and literature, it has been suggested that Arthur may have been a real person or, at least, a legendary character based on a real person. The first reference to Arthur is found in Celtic literature, in Welsh poems such as And Gododdin. However, the first complete account of the character's life is found in the "Historia Regum Britanniae" (History of the Kings of Britain), by Geoffrey of Monmouth. According to Monmouth, Arthur was a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire in the British Isles. Figures such as Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, and his advisor, the wizard Merlin, appear in his story, as well as elements such as the sword Excalibur. It also mentions Arthur's birth on Tintagel, as well as his final battle against Mordred on Camlann and his subsequent retreat to the island of Avalon along with the fairy Morgana, Merlin's student. Beginning in the 12th century, Arthur was the central character of a set of legends known as the Matter of Brittany. Chrétien de Troyes added other essential elements to his legend, among them the figure of Lancelot of the Lake and the Holy Grail. The legend of King Arthur has survived for centuries and lives on to this day, both in literature and other media. Of all the versions of the story, the most read of the ancient ones is "The Death of Arthur", by Thomas Malory.
Although his story belongs mainly to folklore and literature, it has been suggested that Arthur may have been a real person or, at least, a legendary character based on a real person. The first reference to Arthur is found in Celtic literature, in Welsh poems such as And Gododdin. However, the first complete account of the character's life is found in the "Historia Regum Britanniae" (History of the Kings of Britain), by Geoffrey of Monmouth. According to Monmouth, Arthur was a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire in the British Isles. Figures such as Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, and his advisor, the wizard Merlin, appear in his story, as well as elements such as the sword Excalibur. It also mentions Arthur's birth on Tintagel, as well as his final battle against Mordred on Camlann and his subsequent retreat to the island of Avalon along with the fairy Morgana, Merlin's student. Beginning in the 12th century, Arthur was the central character of a set of legends known as the Matter of Brittany. Chrétien de Troyes added other essential elements to his legend, among them the figure of Lancelot of the Lake and the Holy Grail. The legend of King Arthur has survived for centuries and lives on to this day, both in literature and other media. Of all the versions of the story, the most read of the ancient ones is "The Death of Arthur", by Thomas Malory.
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