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A prominent scholar explores King Arthur’s historical development, proposing that he began as a fictional character developed in the ninth century

According to legend, King Arthur saved Britain from the Saxons and reigned over it gloriously sometime around A.D. 500. Whether or not there was a “real” King Arthur has all too often been neglected by scholars; most period specialists today declare themselves agnostic on this important matter. In this erudite volume, Nick Higham sets out to solve the puzzle, drawing on his original research and expertise to determine precisely when, and why, the legend began.

Higham surveys all the major attempts to prove the origins of Arthur, weighing up and debunking hitherto claimed connections with classical Greece, Roman Dalmatia, Sarmatia, and the Caucasus. He then explores Arthur’s emergence in Wales—up to his rise to fame at the hands of Geoffrey of Monmouth. Certain to arouse heated debate among those committed to defending any particular Arthur, Higham’s book is an essential study for anyone seeking to understand how Arthur’s story began.

Review

"Fascinating, authoritative analysis"--PD Smith, The Guardian

"This is a thoughtful and patient, rational and fair-minded book, which critically examines various theories about the starting point for the Arthur myth." --Dan Jones, The Sunday Times

"A leading medievalist takes a clear-eyed look at the evidence for the existence of the legendary Arthur."--The Sunday Times 'Best Paperbacks of 2021'

"Higham [has] . . . extraordinary erudition."--D. A. Meier, Choice

"Likely to be the definitive text on the legendary warrior for the foreseeable future. With his profound knowledge of the rules of historical narrative and patient but forensic analysis of the evidence, Higham's riveting book brings the historical Arthur to what may be his last, decisive battle."--Max Adams, author of In the Land of Giants

"A very intelligent book which presents the facts and invites you to draw your own conclusions about this legendary British monarch. If King Arthur didn't exist, he should have done and Nicholas Higham's book shows us why. A superb read: scholarly yet accessible. Highly recommended."--Francis Pryor, author of Britain B.C

"This book provides an outstanding, and deeply informed, overview of the various 'King Arthurs' in history. Accessible and well-written, it is also a significant contribution to the debate around the historical origins of Arthur."--Anne Lawrence-Mathers, author of The True History of Merlin the Magician

About the Author

N. J. Higham is professor emeritus in history at the University of Manchester. He is the author or co-author of many distinguished works including The Anglo-Saxon World.

Review:

4.0 out of 5

80.00% of customers are satisfied

5.0 out of 5 stars The realities and myths associated with King Arthur

A.A. · 14 January 2024

One of the best account of the realities and myths associated with King Arthur

4.0 out of 5 stars It is a historian's book about King Arthur

G.C. · 7 June 2021

The one thing I found misleading is the title which think should be King Arthur : a fiction as the book really ends up doubting he existed at all. Having said that I found the book a very good explanation of modern historians view of King Arthur

5.0 out of 5 stars A very thorough examination of the evidence

G.G. · 27 November 2021

The conclusion was disappointing, but not unexpected. It is a great story, but the historic evidence is so thin. So few contemporary records.

3.0 out of 5 stars Should be “The Discrediting of All Research”

R.W. · 9 October 2021

Like many non-specialist historians I was dimly aware that there was negligible evidence of the existence of Arthur even as a an echo of a historical figure. I did not need this exhaustive and exhausting book to investigate every improbable origin for the romances and disprove them. How many Aunt Sallys did he need to find to bulk out his text?

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for Arthurian scholars

M. · 15 August 2021

Higham has been described as the ‘King Arthur assassin’ owing to his previous works on the legendary king which argue strongly against Arthur being a historical figure at all.To those readers familiar with his previous book (King Arthur: Myth-Making and History, 2002) this will come as no surprise; this new book being a more detailed selective examination of points raised in that earlier book.Significantly, in Part I, over one hundred pages is spent on the Roman officer Lucius Artorius Castus, the Sarmatian Connection and the Nart Sagas. This controversial theory is promoted by some as the origins of the Arthurian legend. At least here Higham presents the other side of the argument and the reader is free to make up their own mind of course.The second part of the book discusses the 'British' Arthur and a lengthy discussion of the Historia Brittonum (aka Nennius) and Annales Cambriae (Welsh Annals) which of course contain the earliest references to Arthur's battles.Essential reading for Arthurian scholars.

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read look at whether there was a real King Arthur

P. · 15 October 2018

This book is less concerned with the development of the Arthurian legends (Chretien, Malory, Tennyson et al) than with the specific question of whether ‘King’ Arthur actually existed. Professor Higham reviews the various claims to have identified the real Arthur against the evidence available and presents his conclusions. Written by a respected historian, this is a scholarly work (the endnotes and bibliography take up 77 of the 380pp) but the style is accessible and it makes for an enjoyable read. Admittedly there are no surprises here – Professor Higham adopts the same position he did in “Myth Making and History” – but it is nice to have an up-to-date summary of all the evidence in one volume. Downside: way too much space (half the book) is given to debunking the Sarmatian and Greek (Arcturus) theories. While interesting in themselves, I would rather have had more on the British sources.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for those who 'believe' but for those who want to know evidence

A.F. · 11 August 2019

A bit over-academic perhaps, but I enjoyed reading this book. All you'll really want to know about evidence for Arthur's existence. Spends rather too long on some fairly easily dismissable ideas in the first few chapters - but still interesting.

2.0 out of 5 stars Some underlining

J.H. · 7 March 2023

Some underlining. Not Very Good.

The real deal.

S.O. · 17 September 2020

Not quite as good as Caitlyn/Thomas Green's book in my opinion, but nevertheless a 5/5 dive into the "what is" and "what isn't"es of Arthurian history and legend, from a real expert.

Interesting read - spoiler in review

F.S. · 31 December 2018

The author does a great job of analyzing all the contenders for a historical Arthur. I was quite saddened to have to agree with his conclusions because, like many, there is a power in believing in this dark age hero who stood out from all the other warriors, leaders, and kings who lived and died during that time. Despite the lack of real proof, I still have a lingering hope that further evidence is yet to be uncovered. I still find it difficult to fully believe that such an obscure name as Arthur was plucked out of nowhere and developed into such a savior, when there must have been many more well known characters to choose from? It can be argued that this is exactly the reason he was chosen, but it feels far too uncomfortable that one covered in such few surviving written accounts would be so elevated. Could it be an oral tradition which did indeed survive for centuries that caused his rise or was there indeed a written work, long disappeared? It still feels there is a work to be uncovered and given the early Norman focus on rising Arthur from virtually nothing to hero and king, perhaps there is a book waiting to be found tucked away in a Normandy library. This reader hopes so...

Interesting and college level

C.J. · 18 April 2019

I was hoping for a more relaxing read--it was too deep, put me to sleep.

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King Arthur: The Making of the Legend

Name: King Arthur: The Making of the Legend
Brand: Yale University Press
SKU: K0300254989
Price: 8.54 BHD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4 (11 reviews)

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