Source For The Arthurian Legend
There are two entries in the Annals on King Arthur, one on Medraut (Mordred) and one on Myrddin (Merlin). These entries have been presented in the past as proof of the existence of Arthur and Merlin, although that view is no longer widely held. Some say it is interesting to note that all the other people mentioned in the chronicle are real and this argument is often offered as evidence for the historicity of Arthur, Merlin and Mordred; however, given that the entries, or at least the insertion of the names of Arthur and Merlin, could have been added arbitrarily as late as 970, long after the development of the early Arthurian myth, it cannot be taken as a particularly conclusive argument.
Entries on Arthur, Medrod and Merlin (Myrddin):
- Year 72 (c. AD 516) The Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ on his shoulders for three days and three nights and the Britons were victors.
- Year 93 (c. AD 537) The Strife of Camlann in which Arthur and Medraut fell Text in brackets not in MSS. B or C.
- Year 129 (c. AD 573) The Battle of Arfderydd (Armterid, A; Erderit, B; Arderit, C) Text in brackets found only in MS. B.
Read more about this topic: Annales Cambriae
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