King Arthur: History and Legend

Studying images of the Arthurian legend and their relationship to historical reality; tracing the history of post-Roman Britain; the large-scale invasions of the Anglo-Saxons; evidence that a single individual rose up to lead his people.

Investigating archeological and historical evidence that supports the existence of an Arthur-like figure in early Britain; studying the site of Cadbury Castle, the center of operations of a leader who thwarted the Saxons; the supposed tomb of Arthur.

Exploring some of the most significant early witnesses to the Arthurian legend; studying accounts of Arthur's exploits and death in Latin texts and the Welsh Annales Cambriae; how texts from the 11th and 12th century C.E. embellished the legend.

How Arthur became a cultural touchstone in early Welsh history; key references to the Arthurian saga in the Black Book of Carmarthen and the Triads of the Island of Britain; the portrayal of Arthur in the tales of the Mabinogion.

The importance of Geoffrey of Monmouth's "The History of the Kings of Britain"; the political nature of the text; notable elements and characters; how Geoffrey established the basics of the Arthurian legend as they are currently known.

The contributions of the Anglo-Norman scribe Wace, who translated Geoffrey of Monmouth's text into Old Northern French; the English cleric Layamon, who created the first comprehensive account of Arthur in English; comparing Wace and Layamon's works.