Are the tales of the knights of the round table and King Aurthur based in fact?

Question

Was there a Camelot, and an Excalibur, and Merlin

Answer 1

yes.

Answer 2

Yes; Camelot is a corruption of Camalaudinum, the Roman name for the Gaidelgge chief city and cultural center, which they turned into a fort, after their third invasion of the Isles. Excalibur was a myth based on the importation of iron smelting technology, in which the folk with the iron swords/armor seemed untouchable, by the bronze weapons in use at the time. Merlin was a figure of the old Druethae, who was absorbed by the Celtic church, after St. Padraig slew Mortrim, the last of the Dark Druids. The Round Table was a symbol of the first King's Council which actually had any power, as no one could claim a place of honor at a round table. Arthur is mentioned in Roman archives of the first invasion, in the reign of Julius Caesar, as "Rex Magnus Britourum", and is listed as the primary cause of the failure of the first invasion. So basically, yes they were real, just not all at the same time.

Answer 3

Arthur and his knights are based upon alot of historical leeway on the actual life of Arturos, a 5th century anglo-saxon king. He was responsible for keeping the raiders out of the country and solidifying most of the country. The original story of Arthur, as its known today, was only written around 11AD by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Tintagel Castle exists, but Camelot is not yet proven. Excalibur is not yet proven, nor is Merlin. There is rumour that Arthur's burial location [or perhaps Arturos'] has been found near Glastonbury Tor.

Answer 4

Yes, but it wouldn't have been stone castles and knights in shining armor. Arthur would have been the title of a war lord--most war lords used the titles of animals, such as the Boar of Cornwall, and "Artos" is Latin for "Bear." "Lancelot," or "L'Ancelot" in the Old French (who wrote most of the later versions) would translate to Anguselsus in Latin, or "The Angus" in Celtic. Since the head of a Scottish clan would have been "The (insert name of clan)," "Lancelot" would have been the head of the clan of Angus. He also says that he is the third king so named--there were three kings in a row named Angus in Scotland at the time of Arthur. Also, a merlin is a small type of hawk, so Merlin would also have been a title. Finally, "Camelot" has also been spelled Carmelot, and similar spellings, in the earliest references. It could be a misspelling of the earlier "Caer Mallot." "Caer" is castle in Celtic, and the mallot, or hammer, was the traditional weapon of the king, so it would have meant "Castle of the King." Mind you, there were no stone castles at the time in England, only earthworks, and no metal armor, only leather (if that). They came in the time of the Old French, so the French superimposed that, as well as their belief in chivalry, on their legends of Camelot.

Finally, the legendary Round Table was probably just that, too. The French liked to make fun of the Brits, and so they mistranslated Celtic words to make the stories seem even stranger. The word "tableau" would mean either table or building, and since there are so many round buildings in England, it would be more likely that Arthur would meet with his soldiers inside a round building. Also, the word for "bed" also means "altar," so Guinevere and Lancelot were probably sacrificing something (hence the blood) on an altar. As non-Christians in a Christian court, that would have been shocking, but forgivable. If it had been a bed, that would have been the end of them on the spot.

Answer 5

I think some of it is true, some of it is legend. On the History or Travel Channel a few years ago I watched a show where they discovered a large round table (though not as large as the legends say) someplace in England. There was some speculation based on some evidence that it could be the actual "Round Table" where they sat. It was a cool show, but I don't remember much about it.

Answer 6

Arthur isn't a Saxon; contained in the legends he FOUGHT the incoming Saxons. If he in truth lived he became probably a dismal a lengthy time period Romanised Briton. His call is Welsh through how, as is Guinevere (Gwenhwyfar), Merlin (Myrddin), Bedivere (Bedwyr) etc. He could not be a viking as they did not attain Britain for numerous hundred years after Arthur's time. he's probably a real individual, lost contained in the mists of time, who has amassed legends of different Arthurs or darkish Age heroes to him, whichhave all ended up less than the umbrella of 'memories of King Arthur.' another Arthurs who would have contributed to the legend: Arthur of the Pennines Arthur of Scotland artwork of eire Mac Erca-Irish figure whose mythical feats tournament up with maximum of Arthur's Artorius Castus (Roman stationed on Hadrian's wall some hundred years formerly Arthur's era) Maximus emperor of the West-Romanised Spaniard stationed in Britain. very universal. Fought a chilly conflict in Brittany that has the very similar description as one in each of Arthur's There are others too! It has even been surmised that the legend has grown round a mythological figure, probably a bronze age bear god or demi god. genuinely the Arthur in Welsh mythology is surrounded through a band of gods, not knights, and they frequently wrestle supernatural beings. it really is exciting that Geoffrey, who wrote most of the early Arthur memories, mentions Stonehenge numerous situations, even with it being an abandoned ruin lengthy formerly Arthur's time. He also seems to understand some issues about it that he shouldn't were in a position to understand.

Answer 7

Many theories are abound of King Arthur. It is said that he ruled near Cornwall at Tintagel Castle. Tests have shown that the building (castle) that is now there doesn't equate with the alleged time of his existence. However, there are foundations under the castle that are much much older and have not been tested. I do believe there was an Arthur, but not in all the hyped up stories.

You can try reading 'Witches, Druids and King Arthur' by Ronald Hutton

Answer 8

The legend of the knights of the round table is a christianized version of the pre-Christian Celtic mythology of northern Europe. Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot are believed to have been Gods to the ancient Celtic peoples. However due to the lack of artifacts and the variances between the Celtic tribes, there is dispute over thier godly status.

Answer 9

No. They are based on legend.

"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" was a tale written in the 10th or 11th century. Sir Gawain is one of the knights of the round table. This story was a work of fiction baed on the legends of King Arthur.

Answer 10

There may be some truth to the figures in this tale, but they are all misrepresented. Arthur was most likely the son of Uther Pendragon who was a Roman general. If you look at your history, you will see that the Romans were occupying Britian at the time. Arthur himself became a Centurion when he defeated his rival (later known as Duke of Cornwall) in Wales. Read all about it on the internet.

Answer 11

Merlin came from Bostcastle which is witches county much like East Anglian Anglo Saxon Pagans.