I've just finished reading The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell (first book of the Warlord series/a novel of Arthur) and I enjoyed it very much. So much that I actually decided to read more about the Arthurian era. I'm interested in both the historical events and the life and customs of people. Experts in history, where shall I start? All informative answers are highly aprreciated!
2006-10-24 05:25:34 · 20 answers · asked by Iseult 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Ok, thanks for all the answers but I'd like you to give me some more appropriate reference and more about history than the myth and legends cos I have that.
2006-10-24 05:41:00 · update #1
Some of you gave me some very funny answers. I loved them!
2006-10-24 05:44:34 · update #2
there are LOADS of books on arturian legend try this site http://www.kingarthurbooks.com/
it's GREAT and has everything i've wanted to know it comes V highly reccomended
2006-10-24 05:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by arthur d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only two historical references to arthur were by Nennius in his history of the britons and by the monk Gildas. These references are rather scant yet seem to be the main sources of Geoffrey of monmouth's mainly fictional historia britonnum from which we get the essentials of the arthurian myths. I think the welsh "book of rhyderrach" has a early story of Arthur in it aswell.
P.S Bernard Cornwell's warlord series is a seriously good read, try his new books about Alfred the Great
2006-10-25 11:48:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you just want to learn about Roman Briton then finding books and info is fairly easy,if you are looking to find out about the legend of Arthur ,then I would suggest you start Arthuriuos Castas
(sp) a Roman British leader in the 2nd century AD ,Probably Welsh .He is the most likely person to be where the whole Arthurian legend began .
Other than that I believe Tintagel (the supposed Camelot) is open to the public so you may get some info there .I would avoid Glastonbery though ,it's just a place for invented Celtic stories
2006-10-24 05:45:37 · answer #3 · answered by Haydn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only semi-plausible authentication places Arthur in the period immediately after the end of the Roman occupation( early 5th century.There is a suggestion that he or his father"wore the purple", (a Roman of some lower administrative rank) and either may have been working for or with the Roman military or `civil service`. The true Arthur, possibly a Romano-British war leader has some plausible historical chance of being factual. The fictional Arthur, Merlin, and magic swords are a medieval concoction traceable to various `grail romances`. The true Arthur is elusive, the other one is showing at a cinema near you! Try "Arthur`s Britain" -Leslie Alcock, out of print but available from web booksellers - a history of Arthur's era. Sorry no Dragons!
2006-10-24 10:37:38 · answer #4 · answered by ED SNOW 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As suggested by one of the answers, you need to start with the base source, Le Morte D'Arthur, by Mallory. There is an author named White who wrote several books on Arthurian legend.
I started reading folklore and legend about 30 years ago and got caught up in the Arthurian thing. I enjoyed that quite a bit. I don't think you will ever find him, he is in the Crystal Cave, you know, but hunting is fun.
2006-10-24 06:26:34 · answer #5 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well a search on 'The Dark Ages' will reveal a lot of interesting sites, however if you go to the link provided I think it will provide a good starting place, particularly the list of 'Sources' for the site.
Enjoy, good period of history, especially as much of it is still open to interpretation, personal view and comment. No body really knows as there is not much written evidence.
2006-10-25 23:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no solid evidence of the existence of King Arthur, but he represents one of the last strongholds of the Romanized Christian Britons that held out against the saxon invadors - just before the Dark Ages started for Brittain.
2006-10-24 05:56:02 · answer #7 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should start with the Authority on Arthurian Legend,
Mallory and L'Morte D'Arthur[ Or the Death of Arthur]
2006-10-24 05:55:48 · answer #8 · answered by ralf5@btinternet.com 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try Avalon, however you may not find your way back. Might i suggest you seek out a film called Excalibur Nigel Terry plays Arthur and is one of the best films if not the best on the subject, the music is also very good. It as been on telly several times and is on VHS and possibly DVD. Good luck in your "Quest"
2006-10-24 05:40:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could just lay back and close your eyes and dream of knights in shining armor and Ladies in waiting.
That is a simple way - you could go to your local library and ask the head Liberian and they will help you - or if you live near a college or small university you could talk to the History department for help.
2006-10-24 05:31:36 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so many places to begin i mean the legendary tintagel in cornwall with its castle is an impressive area to begin they even have a round table attraction there with all the info to the links of the area i think the castle belongs to english heritage . also in cornwall dozmary pool legend has it this was where the excalibur was thrown who knows? also links to glastonbury tor in somerset where he was supposed tobe buried also in camarthen in wales there is a king arthur hill!!! good luck a good question
2006-10-24 05:39:24 · answer #11 · answered by MARTIN G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋