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Tales of King Arthur and his legendary sword, Excalibur, were influential in medieval times and have captivated us for centuries. However, the question remains: was King Arthur a real historical figure or merely a hero of Celtic mythology? Historians have long debated the legitimacy of the legendary king, but there is still no conclusive evidence.
Let’s delve into history and myth to uncover the truth behind the Arthurian legends.
The Existence of King Arthur: Fact or Fiction?
King Arthur is a legendary king of Britain from the period after the fall of the Roman Empire. He appears in medieval romances and stories as the leader of the knightly fellowship of the Round Table.
Many of these tales involve his famous sword, Excalibur, which protected the king and his knights in battle. The legend likely originated in parts of northern Britain inhabited by Celts or in Wales.
Assumptions that Arthur was a real leader who led British armies against Saxon invaders in the 6th century comes from the works of early historians Gildas and Nennius.
The 6th-century historian Gildas credited the Battle of Mount Badon victory to Ambrosius Aurelianus.
By the 9th century, however, the historian Nennius attributed this victory to Arthur, a claim not made by his predecessor.
An illustration of King Arthur as depicted in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae – Credits: Manuscrits France
Later authors, especially Geoffrey of Monmouth, were inspired by Nennius. His work, History of the Kings of Britain (also known as Historia regum Britanniae), served as the foundation for the Arthurian legend. Although Monmouth presented his work as a historical account, contemporary historians regard it as a pseudohistory of Britain due to the inaccuracies in his version of events.
The Historia Brittonum ascribed 12 victories to Arthur, who is described as dux bellorum, meaning leader of war. Historians cannot confirm that King Arthur existed, but his figure may be based on a real leader, chieftain, or general in the 5th or 6th century who defended his land against foreign invaders.
The Excalibur—Often Confused with the Sword in the Stone
Arthur receives Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, a key moment in Arthurian legend – Credits: The Camelot Project, University of Rochester
Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, given to him by the mysterious priestess known as the Lady of the Lake, sometimes called Nimue. Excalibur’s special property was its scabbard, which protected its bearer from all wounds. As long as Arthur carried it, he could not be defeated in battle. While most tales portray Excalibur as belonging solely to the king, some of Arthur’s knights, including his nephew Gawain, also used it.
Arthur draws the magical sword from the stone – Credits: The Camelot Project, University of Rochester
Excalibur is often confused with the unnamed sword that young Arthur drew from a massive rock, where it had been magically embedded by the magician Merlin. A prophecy stated that the man who could withdraw the sword would become Britain’s king, so many tried and failed until Arthur succeeded, proving his birthright and royalty. Later, Arthur broke this sword in combat, and he was given Excalibur by the Lady of the Lake.
Unveiling the Origins and History of Excalibur
The origins of the Excalibur can be traced through the evolution of its name and early Welsh legends.
The Evolution and Etymology of Excalibur
Excalibur derives its name from Welsh Caledfwlch, also known in Breton as Kaledvoulc’h and in Cornish as Calesvol. Caledfwlch is found in early Welsh literature, particularly in Culhwch and Olwen, one of the earliest Arthurian texts. Geoffrey of Monmouth later Latinized the name to Caliburnus, sometimes spelled Caliburn. In Old French texts, it evolved into Escalibor and eventually became Excalibur.
The name Excalibur acquired the meaning cut steel. In Chrétien de Troyes’ Perceval: The Story of the Grail, the Escalibor is described as the finest sword, capable of cutting through iron as easily as wood. This interpretation led some to believe that the French term Escalibor implied the ability to cut through iron, steel, and wood. Eventually, Sir Thomas Malory adopted the idea that Excalibur’s name meant cut steel.
The Influence of Caladbolg on Excalibur
The Excalibur is believed to have originated from the Caladbolg sword wielded by the Irish hero Fergus mac Róich in Irish mythology. Also known as caladbou, Caladbolg translates to hard fighter and was famously used by Fergus to cleave the tops off three hills in Ireland’s county Meath, shaping them into the flattened hills we see today.
The Welsh Caledfwlch and the Irish Caladbolg share phonetic similarities, leading some to speculate that they are related. However, some scholars propose that both terms were originally generic names for sword, and that Caledfwlch eventually became associated with King Arthur’s legendary sword in British tradition.
Excalibur—A Reflection of Celtic Beliefs and Tradition?
Sir Bedivere throws Excalibur into the lake, as depicted in Arthurian legend – Credits: The Camelot Project, University of Rochester
The Arthurian legend was inspired by Celtic tradition, incorporating many of its concepts. Excalibur, given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake, had to be returned to its origin during his final battle when he was wounded. The Celts revered nature, worshipping their gods at sacred sites like lakes and rivers, and conducted rituals involving sacrificial offerings of weapons, often casting them into lakes.
Illustrating the moment when Morgan steals Excalibur’s scabbard from Arthur – Credits: The Camelot Project, University of Rochester
Excalibur, with its scabbard, made Arthur invincible in combat. When Arthur’s sister Morgan (also known as Morgause) stole the scabbard, Arthur became vulnerable. In Celtic tradition, weapons were seen as extensions of the warrior’s abilities, much like Excalibur was to King Arthur. Celtic myths frequently attribute supernatural powers to the weapons of warriors, kings, and gods.
A reconstruction of a Celtic burial mound containing a wagon filled with weapons, tools, cauldrons, drinking horns, and precious goods, belonging to a chieftain or prince – Credits: World History
In ancient Celtic religion, there was a belief in an afterlife in the Otherworld. Mark Cartwright, a historian and editor of World History Encyclopedia, noted that Celtic burials often include objects indicating the deceased were prepared for a journey and “would need these items when they reached their ultimate destination.”
Depicting King Arthur’s departure with the three queens after his passing – Credits: The Camelot Project, University of Rochester
After King Arthur’s death, a magical boat appeared to take him to the mystical island of Avalon. According to legend, he would be healed there and eventually return to lead Britain in its time of need. Avalon shares similarities with the Celtic Otherworld, which the Celts regarded as a realm of happiness, order, and plenty.
Illustrating King Arthur’s rest in Avalon – Credits: The Camelot Project, University of Rochester
Conclusion
The debate has persisted for centuries, yet it remains uncertain whether the figure of Arthur was based on a historical person. The idea of King Arthur as a great ruler was probably influenced by legends surrounding great leaders of the time. Regardless of whether Arthur existed or not, his story and the legend of his sword, Excalibur, only grew stronger over the centuries.
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As a history enthusiast, Abigail loves learning about the events that shaped the world. She’s particularly interested in the rise and fall of empires, accounts of war and conquest, and ancient and classical history. Apart from being a writer, she also dabbles in fashion modeling and acting.
Juliana has been writing for nearly thirty years and concentrates on Tudor and Medieval history. She has written for Tudor Dynasty, Tudor Writing Circle, Historian Matt Lewis, and others. Juliana currently writes for Pen and Sword Publishers and is the author of several books, including Medicine in the Middle Ages and A History of Insanity and the Asylum.
