History Channel special on King Arthur

[WebbPA]

The way they have hyped this I though they had discovered the Holy Grail.  2 hours of "let's explore the myth".  I suppose they paid Patrick Stewart a ton of money to narrate it but did  anyone learn anything?

[Wing Nut]

Actually, yes I did.  I had never really understood that period of England's history, or who the Saxons or the Normans were.  I didn't know who William the Conquerer was, though I had heard of him.  Now I do.  I had certainly never heard of Hadrian's Wall, Badon Hill, the massacre at Stonehenge, or many other references that you Brits must take for granted.  All in all, I found it to be fascinating and informative.

[denishc]

[quote]Actually, yes I did.

[Hagar]

the massacre at Stonehenge, or many other references that you Brits must take for granted.

Never heard of that one myself. I wouldn't believe all they tell you on the History Channel. http://www.anima.demon.co.uk/stonehenge/

If it follows the usual Hollywood tradition this new King Arthur film will bear very little resemblance to history.

[denishc]

[Hagar]

[quote] Being a dumb Yank, I didn't know that Saxons were not native to the British Isles.

[denishc]

....& finally the Normans in 1066.

 Were these "Normans" descendants of Brits driven out by the Saxons?

[Hagar]

Were these "Normans" descendants of Brits driven out by the Saxons?

No. I believe the Normans were of Viking ancestry & settled in a small area of France. This was known as the "Duchy of Normandy". The invaders very quickly adopted the religion, customs, and language of the surrounding French population. The duchy was run more like an independent kingdom rather than being part of France. By the 11th century it was one of the most powerful regions of western Europe.

[denishc]

 Thanks again for the info Hagar.

[Woodlouse2002]

Well, even though I didn't watch the documentry i've read enough about King Arthur to believe most of it is true. If you read the transcrips by Geoffry of Monmouth then you will find that King Arthur ruled soon after the romans left and a centuarys before the Angles, saxons and Vikings showed their faces. Arthur is believed to be the tribal chief that took over command of the country when the romans buggered off back to italy and is the one who kept the picts at bay for a few years. However, even though we don't know this for certain as it was the dark ages, I believe its highly possible that Arthur existed. Afterall, the romans were likely to leave one man in charge, of if they didn't one was highly likely to take charge.

Now for those who care, Arthurs last battle, was supposedly fought in Cornwall, near what is now Looe. Looe pool is the body of water where Excalibur was thrown by Sir Galihad after Arthur was mortally wounded in his showdown with Mordred and Arthure himself was supposedly buried either in the land of Lyonesse (the land ruled by Sir Tristen) or on one of the islands of the Scilly isles (there are two islands there that bear his name big arthur and little arthur).

[Wing Nut]

According to this version, the Normans were Britons driven out of England by the Saxons, but they were driven to Northeastern France (Normandy?).  They then returned to England and used the Arthur legend to rally the remaining Britons in England to push the Saxons out.

[Hagar]

[quote]According to this version, the Normans were Britons driven out of England by the Saxons, but they were driven to Northeastern France (Normandy?).

[Woodlouse2002]

I wasn't saying that Arthur was a Cornishman. In fact i'd be very suprised if he was. All i'm saying is that he died in cornwall and is most likely buried somewhere in the region.

[Hagar]

As I said, take your pick. None of this was documented at the time. As you pointed out earlier it was the Dark Ages.

Arthur's Burial

Atherstone
Controversial last resting place of one of two King Arthurs according to Blackett & Wilson.

Glastonbury Abbey
Popular Tradition says Arthur was buried at Glastonbury. Or did the monks make it all up?

Mynydd-y-Gaer
Caer Caradoc of legend according to Blackett & Wilson. Discovery point of their famous 'Arthur Stone'.

Arthur's Sleeping Place

Alderley Edge
Merlin was the Wizard of Alderley in Cheshire & Arthur sleeps nearby.

Caerleon
One of the many Arthurian traditions from the town says Arthur still sleeps nearby.

Craig-y-Ddinas
Dramatic rock formation in Glamorganshire where Arthur sleeps.

Eildon Hills
Beautiful rolling hills, in the Scottish Borders, hiding King Arthur's secret cave.

Forest of Paimpont
The heart of Breton Arthurianism, where the great man still sleeps in a secret cave.

Ogof Arthur
Mysterious cave off the dramatic Anglesey coast where Arthur lies sleepily hidden.

Ogof Llanciau Eryri
"Cave of the Young Men of Snowdon," where Arthur & his knights repose.

Richmond Castle
Yorkshire cliff-top stronghold below which Potter Thompson discovered the sleeping Arthur!

Sewingshield Crags
Runaway ball of wool finds the sleeping King along Hadrians Wall!

[Woodlouse2002]

Funny how none of them mention the Scilly's or Lyonesse.