The Truth and the Legend
Welcome to the place where you will learn the truth about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table; Did he really exist, or did people just make him up? Here you will find out if any of the Arthurians had any real connection in history and where they originated from.
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The Royal Family
Her Welsh name was Gwenhwyfar, which probably means 'white spirit'. She may have some connections to Helen of Trory, as she was often compared with the famous woman and they had many similarities - both bought disaster to those who loved them and both were famed for their beauty.
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Some people believe that King Arthur is so inextricably tied up in Celtic Mythology that he must, in origin, have been, not a man at all, but a God. Arthur, in his earliest form, appears almost entirely mythical. He and his companions have superhuman strength and abilities, and consort with giants and other mythological creatures. In the early Welsh poem "Preiddeu Annwfn", Arthur visits the Celtic Underworld, Annwfn, and his adventures closely parallel those of the cauldron-seeking God, Bran the Blessed. Even in Geoffrey and Malory, upon being fatally wounded in battle, Arthur is carried to the mystical Avalon, apparently the Underworld home of the Celtic god, Afallach. Many legends around the country attest to Arthur's immortality. He sleeps in one of numerous caves waiting to return and lead his people.
The name Arthur itself appears to derive from the Celtic word Art, meaning "bear". He could have originally been a personification of an animal, like so many Celtic gods were. Many such gods had stellar associations and the constellation of Ursa Major or the Great Bear is sometimes known as Arthur's Wain even today.
Three Bear-Gods are known from the Celtic World. Strangely, they acted as both champion of bear-hunters and protectors of the beast itself. A male god, Artaios, was reverred in Beaucroissant in Isere, where he was identified with the Roman Mercury. In Britain there is scant evidence for the bear cult, though a number of small jet bear talismans from Yorkshire may have devotional associations. The god to which they probably relate, however, derives his name from the alternative bear word, matus (Gaulish) or math (Irish). Matunus appears to have had a shrine at Risingham, just north of Hadrian's Wall. Some theorists even claim Arthur was a late addition to the Celtic pantheon during a resurgence in pagan worship, or possibly a mythical hero, the offspring of a human and a bear. There is no evidence for either.
There has been centuries-old debate on whether there was ever a real Arthur. Archaeological evidence proved fruitless. Historical literary sources have been scant and totally unreliable. Distinguishing history from legend is like trying to find a needle in a hay-sack. There are several texts to read up on to help your find more about the legend of Arthur: Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia regum Britanniae (History of the British Kings), The Ruin of Britain by Gildas, Historia Brittonum by Nennius, Annales Cambriae (The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle) and Y Gododdin by Aneirin.
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Knights
Bedivere's early appearance in Arthurian tradition suggests he may well have been a real person. His Welsh name is Bedwyr and Welsh legend claims he had only one hand. Little is known of his family. He had a daughter named Enefog and a son, Amren. His father was Bedrawt. Bedwyr's Well, the Ffynnon Fedwyr could once be seen in Northern Gwynllwg, and Welsh tradition says he was buried at Alld Tryvan, which would appear to be Din-Dryfan. Due to Bedwyr's particular association, therefore, with the kingdoms of Morgannwg and Gwynllwg, it is likely that he was a member of the Royal House of Finddu. His recorded father, "Bedrawt" or Pedrod may have been Prince Pedr son of King Glywys Cernyw of Glywysing.
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In origin, Gaheris appears to have been a little known British character named Gwalchafed, a son of King Lot Luwddoc of Gododdin.
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Gawaine is often mentioned in early Welsh literature as Gwalchmai - the Hawk of May - where he is shown with the extraordinary ability to grow stronger towards midday before waning in the afternoon. In origin, Gawaine does appear to have been an historical King of Gododdin (Lothian), though his fluctuating strength may indicate that he embodies aspects of an ancient Solar deity as well. The beheading game theme (seen in the story of Gawaine and the Green Knight) is paralleled in the story of the Irish hero, Cu Chulainn, and some have argued that the two characters are identical.
Almost always, Gawaine was the fierce supporter of King Arthur, his uncle. His first appearance as Gwalchmei or Gwalchmai in the Welsh tale, called Culhwch and Olwen (c. 1100, in the Mabinogion) was short in detail, unlike the three Welsh romances that were written later in the mid-13th century (also part of the Mabinogion). In Geoffrey of Monmouth's work, called Historia regum Britanniae, he was called Gualguanus, as the fiery, reckless knight.
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Sometimes compared or connected with the handsome Irish warrior, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.
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Originally Sir Kai, he was known as one of Arthur's senior warriors. Medieval romance turned this figure into Sir Kay, Arthur's steward. In this tale he was Arthur's foster-brother and was said to have magical powers - he could go for nine days and nine nights without sleep and breathe for nine days and nine nights under water.
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In reality, he seems to have been an historical Prince of Dumnonia, apparently the son rather than the nephew of King Cunomor alias Mark. Though Cornwall may once have been joined to the Scilly Isles, this was long before Tristram's time; so, unfortunately, his Kingdom of Lyonesse, almost certainly never existed.
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Other People
His Welsh name was Myrddin and he appears to have been around for centuries, even to the extent of being involved in Stonehenge.
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Morgan Le Fay is thought to have originated from several Celtic goddesses, and her personality has changed throughout the legend - first the nasty half-sister of Arthur, then the magical, regal sorceress and guardian of Avalon that looks after Arthur in his death.
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