Did King Arthur Really Live?
The King Arthur described in the collection of stories and poems called the Arthurian Legend never really lived. During the 6th century, after the Romans had left Britain, a man named Arthur was the general who led the people of Britain against the Saxon invaders from Germany in the early 500s. Arthur achieved a number of great
In the first century, the Romans conquered Britain, and the people prospered for more than 400 years. They built beautiful homes with steamy baths and heating systems. They built great roads and bridges. They owned fancy vases, jewelry and silverware. (Many of those items can still be seen in the British Museum in London.) Then along came barbarians who tried to overthrow the land. Rome withdrew and left the Britons on their own. The Britons chose evil King Vortigern to rule the land. On one side of the kingdom, the Scots of Wales were causing trouble; and on the other side, the Saxons kept trying to invade. King Vortigern tried to form an alliance with the Saxons, but they turned on him and destroyed much of his kingdom, especially the fancy baths. The Saxons hated to take baths. The anxious Britons chose Ambrosius Aureliarius as king, and he promptly killed Vortigern and attacked the Saxons. Some legends say his second in command was the man we call Arthur. Others say Ambrosius was r
