Ever since Geoffrey of Monmouth in the twelfth century there has been an effort to show that the Arthur of Celtic legend was based on an historical figure. In this re-examination of all the early literature Thomas Green argues that all such attempts involve special pleading. Thus, far from being an historical figure mythicized, Arthur emerges as a mythical and/or folkloric figure historicized. The evidence reveals that he was essentially the defender of Britain from all threats, with an intimate connection with the Underworld. Looking at the latest research into Celtic and Indo-European deities, the author concludes with the suggestion that Arthur may well have been a local deity, the product of a pre-Christian mythology. This is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Arthur.
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Valuable to anyone studying the Arthurian legend... vigorous and comprehensive --Speculum, the Journal of the Medieval Academy of America
Concepts of Arthur is that rare thing: a book that offers an original and refocused view of the nature of Arthur --Arthuriana, the Journal of Arthurian Studies
'Concepts of Arthur' is an inspiring read which does not disappoint those who want a satisfying contextualising of disparate evidence.
--Pendragon, the Journal of the Pendragon Society
Concepts of Arthur is that rare thing: a book that offers an original and refocused view of the nature of Arthur --Arthuriana, the Journal of Arthurian Studies
'Concepts of Arthur' is an inspiring read which does not disappoint those who want a satisfying contextualising of disparate evidence.
--Pendragon, the Journal of the Pendragon Society
About the Author
Thomas Green is a post-graduate researcher at the University of Oxford and a part-time history teacher.He lives in Louth, Lincolnshire.This is his first book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This excellent, academic work left me feeling rather sad. It is an in-depth look at Arthur as a purely folkloric, topographic character or even minor deity. Green's arguments, methodology and references to others work on the subject are first class and his arguments compelling.
What made me sad was the thought that, having read just about every piece of Arthurian literature in search of the historical figure behind the legendary Arthur, he may never had been one. He may simply have been a mythical figure who became historicized in the 9th century before being turned into a legend.
I would recommend everyone seriously interested in this subject to buy this work, along with N J Higham's Arthurian book. If, after reading these, you still think there was a human figure behind this legendary monarch, then read other works. This is definitely not for those who `believe' in a historical Arthur.
What made me sad was the thought that, having read just about every piece of Arthurian literature in search of the historical figure behind the legendary Arthur, he may never had been one. He may simply have been a mythical figure who became historicized in the 9th century before being turned into a legend.
I would recommend everyone seriously interested in this subject to buy this work, along with N J Higham's Arthurian book. If, after reading these, you still think there was a human figure behind this legendary monarch, then read other works. This is definitely not for those who `believe' in a historical Arthur.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of Britain's leading experts on Arthuriana, Tom Green has written the definitive study on the fact and fiction of the legendary Dark Age monarch in Concepts of Arthur. He brings together an overwhelming mass of evidence from primary sources and contemporary scholars that examines, and for my money, conclusively answers The Big Arthur Question: was Arthur an historical figure later enlarged into fiction, or a fictional Celtic folk hero later endowed with an historical existence owing to the almost total lack of actual historical detail from the 500-600 AD period. Green's research is refreshingly free from the shameless subjectivity that has plagued so many writers on this topic, from the ardent but inadequate amateur, to the supposedly professional academic. Green simply looks for evidence to answer the question, he does not clutch at non-existent straws hoping to prove the existence of the historical Arthur every English Romantic desperately wants and needs there to be. In particular, Green examines the rich heritage of Arthur in Celtic legend and the part it played in creating the Arthur we know today. Written in a crisp, spare style pleasingly free of Academic verbosity, this book is a must-have for anyone who has ever felt an interest in the "one true King" of Dark Age Britain.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Tom Green's excellent study follows a growing scholarly trend to treat the hypothesis of an historical Arthur seriously, even if it means ultimately demolishing the case for a genuine hero of the same name. Nick Higham, for example, showed how the 9th-century 'Historia Brittonum' (attributed to Nennius) was put together with a particular political agenda in mind and so must not be relied on to accurately reconstruct post-Roman British history.
Unlike Higham (who accepted that there might possibly have been some Arthur-type warlord at the core of the Nennian construct) Green argues, I think persuasively, that there never was such a prototype historical figure but that the earliest sources (some contemporary with and others predating Nennius) make it clear, first, that Arthur was a mythological figure, defender of Britain from giants, monsters, witches and the like; and, secondly, that it is Nennius who first historicizes Arthur by pitting him against human adversaries (namely, the Saxons) and attributing to him a selection of mythological and genuinely historical battles. Those who instinctively felt that Arthur was more an archetypal hero than a flesh-and-blood warrior may now feel more vindicated.
If I have a criticism it's this: that Green's dense discussion frequently repeats itself, perhaps reflecting the fact that much of his material appeared as scholarly papers online. This is a shame as his message and arguments, while needing to be academically rigorous, also deserve to be more generally accessible. If potential readers can stick with it, 'Concepts of Arthur' is an inspiring read which does not disappoint those who want a satisfying contextualising of disparate evidence.
By the way, if you've come expecting discussions about Lancelot and Guinevere, Merlin, Camelot, the Sword in the Stone and the Lady of the Lake, forget it: most of these motifs (in the form that most of us are familiar with) belong to later medieval accretions and the fantasies of modern popular culture.
Unlike Higham (who accepted that there might possibly have been some Arthur-type warlord at the core of the Nennian construct) Green argues, I think persuasively, that there never was such a prototype historical figure but that the earliest sources (some contemporary with and others predating Nennius) make it clear, first, that Arthur was a mythological figure, defender of Britain from giants, monsters, witches and the like; and, secondly, that it is Nennius who first historicizes Arthur by pitting him against human adversaries (namely, the Saxons) and attributing to him a selection of mythological and genuinely historical battles. Those who instinctively felt that Arthur was more an archetypal hero than a flesh-and-blood warrior may now feel more vindicated.
If I have a criticism it's this: that Green's dense discussion frequently repeats itself, perhaps reflecting the fact that much of his material appeared as scholarly papers online. This is a shame as his message and arguments, while needing to be academically rigorous, also deserve to be more generally accessible. If potential readers can stick with it, 'Concepts of Arthur' is an inspiring read which does not disappoint those who want a satisfying contextualising of disparate evidence.
By the way, if you've come expecting discussions about Lancelot and Guinevere, Merlin, Camelot, the Sword in the Stone and the Lady of the Lake, forget it: most of these motifs (in the form that most of us are familiar with) belong to later medieval accretions and the fantasies of modern popular culture.
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