During the summer of 2006 while reading a couple of medieval books about King Arthur, I began to wonder where the Arthurian stories originated. As this question continued to build momentum in my mind, I decided to research the topic to satiate my own curiosity. At my university library I found books about the historical basis of King Arthur that pointed me to other primary medieval sources. I pored over each of them and took notes about everything of interest I could find on this topic. Before long, what started as a few brief notes became many pages of notes. What was most striking to me was how much the earlier sources differed from the later Arthurian romances. The adaptations I was familiar with were clearly based on the later romances. But I realized I had never encountered any adaptation of the story of King Arthur that was consistent with the earliest references to him as a Christian hero and patriot who led the defense of his people against invaders. As I delved deeper, I came to understand that many of the later stories about Arthur incorporated foreign elements from other cultures, regions, and time periods. In my conversations with friends and acquaintances on this topic, I didn’t encounter anyone else who had heard about these earliest portrayals of Arthur as a great battle commander defending his people, just as I hadn’t before I delved into the subject.
The more I researched the topic the more interesting insights I had, and after compiling many pages of my findings over the course of months and years, I accumulated a considerable amount of content. Many writings from other researchers have been especially helpful in my study of this topic. I have included their most relevant observations in this text, with the appropriate citations. While some writings satisfy me in regard to particular facets of the Arthurian stories, I have not felt fully satisfied with the entirety of each’s conjectures about the origins of the stories of King Arthur. For that reason, I have undertaken this work to attempt to combine what I believe are the most probable explanations for each aspect of the Arthurian stories, including my own thoughts and insights, along with accompanying evidence. After putting much effort into this compilation, I wish to now share my research with others who may also have interest in this topic.
I’m not an academic, nor am I professional writer. I’m an amateur historian and independent researcher. My intent is to educate and inspire readers about the origins and significance of the earliest Arthurian references, and in doing so to contribute to a deeper appreciation of the culture and history of the early medieval inhabitants of the British Isles. The earliest story of Arthur is a fragmentary story of freedom and of faith that is sure to inspire and edify. Whether someone thinks Arthur may have existed or not, or whether someone agrees with my insights or not, this book is certain to better inform the reader on various aspects of the legend that they may not have considered before. My hope is that the reader will find something of interest in my compilation, and to find inspiration in the earliest story of Arthur, the renowned battle commander and greatest hero of the early medieval Britons.