Arthur is mentioned again by William of Malmesbury in early 12th century, who maintained that he was the hero of many Welsh fables, but Arthurian romances owe most of their notoriety to Geoffrey of Monmouth and his Historia Regum Britanniae, published circa 1139. Here Arthur is identified as the son of the British king Uther Pendragon, and his counselor Merlin is introduced.
The Historia Regum Britanniae also mentions the isle of Avalon, where Arthur went to recover from wounds after his last battle, and it tells of Guinevere's infidelity and the rebellion instigated by Arthur's nephew Mordred.
Much of Geoffrey’s material was gathered from folktales and contains historical and chronological inaccuracies. King Arthur was most likely based on a figure from around 500 AD or earlier, whose life and deeds became interwoven with romance mythology. According to Celtic lore, Arthur helped stave off invasions by Angles and Saxons, Germanic tribes that subsequently conquered Britain in the fifth century.
Various scholars have favored the view that Arthur was a leader in the north, in the south-west, in Wales or throughout Britain. The truth of the matter is that we cannot be certain.
In conclusion, if King Arthur indeed lived, he did so at a time when British history was hardly documented at all, a time of historical shadow-lands of which all manner of tales and fables could be told without fear of contradiction. Nonetheless, more Arthurian novels and movies continue to be turned out continuously for the delectation of a voracious public. Whether as outlandish fantasies or as profound archetypes of the unconscious mind, the Arthurian characters continue to stimulate and inspire us, for they have a enchanting fascination that is timeless.
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