Finding Arthur

[David Thorpe]

Well said Trefor, I dont think his book will sell many copies in Tintagel, Caerwent, South Cadbury or Glastonbury. It may however keep their residents warm through the cold winter by being burnt in the fireplace.

Interesting that you should mention Glastonbury. It is one of the conventional-wisdom candidates for being Avalon, despite the fact that it is not an island and never has been. The medieval writers walked a very fine line between the Church and the nobility and jumped through all manner of flaming hoops to save their own skins, with some ridiculous results. Thankfully, those threats have now abated, an objective analysis of the evidence can be conducted openly. That evidence clearly points to a real Arthur who was a highly celebrated warlord of the Scottish Highlands.

[David Thorpe]

You know, the greatest value of legend is in their teaching value and ability to bring societies together, and as such they're best left alone as they are.

... ...

Sometimes, we're better off not to know the facts.

I have read dozens of versions of the legends. They are entertaining reading. But I have always preferred to investigate the truth behind the obviously distorted fantasy. I would not have made a good clergyman.

[Grizzly]

Interesting that you should mention Glastonbury. It is one of the conventional-wisdom candidates for being Avalon, despite the fact that it is not an island and never has been. The medieval writers walked a very fine line between the Church and the nobility and jumped through all manner of flaming hoops to save their own skins, with some ridiculous results. Thankfully, those threats have now abated, an objective analysis of the evidence can be conducted openly. That evidence clearly points to a real Arthur who was a highly celebrated warlord of the Scottish Highlands.

David you raise an interesting point, I think the people of Glastonbury may heartily disagree with you. You only need to walk down the Main Street to see how the economy of the area is based upon Arthurian Legend. Indeed Glastonbury is a place I know very well having lived within a forty mile radius of it all my life.

It is indeed a well known fact that the Somerset levels is land that has been reclaimed from the sea, and indeed it was possible at one time to sail right up to the doorstep of Glastonbury. If it wasn't for the drainage channels that criss-cross the area the land would still be under water. Whether Glastonbury was the isle of Avalon will probably never be known, but the fact remains is that it could have been. So for that matter could any amount of numerous other places from Brittany in France to the Scottish lowlands.

There are no contemporary writings that survive that mention Arthur only romanticised writings from several centuries later. Bede who wrote about the history of the kings of England in the 9th century made no mention of him at all.

We all like to believe a little of the myth of legends, from King Arthur, the Loch Ness monster, Roswell to the abominal snowman I think we need to take all of them with an air of healthy scepticism and indeed they all make a very interesting course of investigation and discussion but to say that he has discovered the truth is somewhat stretching belief.

Incidentally here is a link to the Isle of Avalon -

http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/arthur/avalon.html

[ASinclair]

...It is not necessary for something to be fact for it to be true.

I quite agree, Padre. (Also, Don Juan DiMarco is one of my favorite films. )

[Grizzly]

David you raise an interesting point, I think the people of Glastonbury may heartily disagree with you. You only need to walk down the Main Street to see how the economy of the area is based upon Arthurian Legend. Indeed Glastonbury is a place I know very well having lived within a forty mile radius of it all my life.

It is indeed a well known fact that the Somerset levels is land that has been reclaimed from the sea, and indeed it was possible at one time to sail right up to the doorstep of Glastonbury. If it wasn't for the drainage channels that criss-cross the area the land would still be under water. Whether Glastonbury was the isle of Avalon will probably never be known, but the fact remains is that it could have been. So for that matter could any amount of numerous other places from Brittany in France to the Scottish lowlands.

There are no contemporary writings that survive that mention Arthur only romanticised writings from several centuries later. Bede who wrote about the history of the kings of England in the 9th century made no mention of him at all.

We all like to believe a little of the myth of legends, from King Arthur, the Loch Ness monster, Roswell to the abominal snowman I think we need to take all of them with an air of healthy scepticism and indeed they all make a very interesting course of investigation and discussion but to say that he has discovered the truth is somewhat stretching belief.

Incidentally here is a link to the Isle of Avalon -

http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/arthur/avalon.html

No doubt he will be writing further books on the true identity of Jack the Ripper, an interview with Elvis and how his neighbour kept a Sasquatch in his garage.

No doubt I will be castigated as a doubting Thomas, if so then I will happily bear that monicker until irrefutably proofed otherwise.

[Father Bill]

I have read dozens of versions of the legends. They are entertaining reading. But I have always preferred to investigate the truth behind the obviously distorted fantasy. I would not have made a good clergyman.

You have no idea how much I like to investigate the facts - and teach them from the pulpit too! I find them useful in untangling the truths.

[David Thorpe]

Simon, I'm sure that the Glastonbury economy will do fine when it becomes clearer that Arthur is actually buried on Iona, as evidenced by far more than only the "island" factor. There are still the legends regarding the Templars, Magdalene et al to keep the tourist trade hopping.

[LitTrog]

When it comes to the Tooth Fairy, my boy and I know different truths. I'll admit that his truth is more fun and wonderful, but I'm obligated as his parent to make sure my truth is reinforced by fact. If it wasn't, his poor pillow would be lumpy with the stinking detritus of a vanishing childhood. Eew.

Thanks for posting about the book, David--will make for some interesting reading. Me like it when smart people post things about stuff.

[Grizzly]

Absolutely David, I completely agree with you, Glastonbury will no doubt derive a healthy income from Arthur for many more years. As will all the other places connected with the legend. However as it can never be 100% corroborated I do think that we should perhaps leave that element of doubt so that we can have these excellent discourses.

Great topic by the way. Never thought I would be discussing the merits of King Arthur on a kilt forum.

[David Thorpe]

Great topic by the way. Never thought I would be discussing the merits of King Arthur on a kilt forum.

Thank you. Albeit likely before kilts, but I never suspected he was a Scot. And for the record, the real man was not a king, but the tanist to his father who was. His full name (in English) was Arthur Mac Aedan.