King Arthur: Myth-Making and History

Rating:
Summary: Much needed and extremely important.
Review: If you're still seeking the Holy Grail of an "historical Arthur", don't bother with this book. You won't find any theories about a sub-Roman war band leader here. This is a scholarly work about the Arthurian legend that does not seek to "prove" that Arthur, the man, actually existed.

This book is about whence came the IDEA of Arthur. The author does review the extremely limited original sources which mention Arthur and then works to explain what the purpose was behind the idea of Arthur. Who needed him as a symbol? How did they use Arthur for their own dynastic advancement?

The author focuses on the pre-Galfridian (pre-Geoffrey of Monmouth) Latin texts which mention Arthur. He provides historic contextual background to explain where these works were written, why they were written, and who their intended original audience was.

Once the original purpose for the idea of Arthur is established, the book then reviews the rise and fall and rise again of the Arthurian legend from the French troubadours to the Tudor kings on through the Victorians and up to the present day cults of Camelot.

An excellent and fast read for the general public about a scholarly topic that has been much neglected.

Rating:
Summary: Much needed and extremely important.
Review: If you're still seeking the Holy Grail of an "historical Arthur", don't bother with this book. You won't find any theories about a sub-Roman war band leader here. This is a scholarly work about the Arthurian legend that does not seek to "prove" that Arthur, the man, actually existed.

This book is about whence came the IDEA of Arthur. The author does review the extremely limited original sources which mention Arthur and then works to explain what the purpose was behind the idea of Arthur. Who needed him as a symbol? How did they use Arthur for their own dynastic advancement?

The author focuses on the pre-Galfridian (pre-Geoffrey of Monmouth) Latin texts which mention Arthur. He provides historic contextual background to explain where these works were written, why they were written, and who their intended original audience was.

Once the original purpose for the idea of Arthur is established, the book then reviews the rise and fall and rise again of the Arthurian legend from the French troubadours to the Tudor kings on through the Victorians and up to the present day cults of Camelot.

An excellent and fast read for the general public about a scholarly topic that has been much neglected.