A prominent scholar explores King Arthur's historical development,
proposing that he began as a fictional character developed in the ninth
century According to legend, King Arthur saved Britain from the Saxons and
reigned over it gloriously sometime around A.D. 500. Whether or not there
was a real King Arthur has all too often been neglected by scholars; most
period specialists today declare themselves agnostic on this important
matter. In this erudite volume, Nick Higham sets out to solve the puzzle,
drawing on his original research and expertise to determine precisely when,
and why, the legend began. Higham surveys all the major attempts to prove
the origins of Arthur, weighing up and debunking hitherto claimed
connections with classical Greece, Roman Dalmatia, Sarmatia, and the
Caucasus. He then explores Arthur's emergence in Wales--up to his rise to
fame at the hands of Geoffrey of Monmouth. Certain to arouse heated debate
among those committed to defending any particular Arthur, Higham's book is
an essential study for anyone seeking to understand how Arthur's story
began.