King Arthur
Whether King Arthur existed or not is doubtful. But if King Arthur did exist, then he would have lived sometime between 400 AD and 600 AD, a time of turmoil in Britain following the Roman withdrawl. And a time when written literature did not exist, therefore events during this period are only known about from folklore passed down several generations before being written down, or from modern archeology giving insights from excavations of sites.
Most of the early legends of King Arthur come from Welsh sources, between the 8th and 10th century.The earliest tale where King Arthur had more active role in early Welsh literature come from Culhwch and Olwen (before AD 1100), one of eleven tales in the Mabinogion. Other tales found in the Mabinogion were composed of later date from Dream of Rhonabwy and the three Welsh romances: Geriant, Owein and Peredur. These tales are similar to those found in Chretien de Troyes' three King Arthur romances – Erec, Yvain and Perceval, which may have been composed earlier than the Welsh versions.
Most of the early legends of King Arthur come from Welsh sources, between the 8th and 10th century.The earliest tale where King Arthur had more active role in early Welsh literature come from Culhwch and Olwen (before AD 1100), one of eleven tales in the Mabinogion. Other tales found in the Mabinogion were composed of later date from Dream of Rhonabwy and the three Welsh romances: Geriant, Owein and Peredur. These tales are similar to those found in Chretien de Troyes' three King Arthur romances – Erec, Yvain and Perceval, which may have been composed earlier than the Welsh versions.
