Historic Figures of the Arthurian Era : Authenticating the Enemies and Allies of Britain's Post-Roman King

Separating fiction from history in a matter that has long vexed historians, the author demonstrates in an earlier McFarland book that the true King Arthur was a Celtic king of post-Roman Britain who lived in the late fifth and early sixth centuries. In an effort to further authenticate the Celtic Arthur as the legendary king, the author examines here the roles of six major figures of the period A.D. 383-518: Vortimer, Vitalinus, Cunedda, Cerdic, Octha, and Mordred. Through an extensive analysis of Arthur's 12 battles listed in the Historia Brittonum, this work explores both the influences of the High King's allies, and the shifting allegiance of those Britons who joined with Arthur's enemies. A battle list provides possible geographic locations for each of the battles, including a new site for Arthur's fateful battle at Camlann.