Arthur (dates unknown)

Bronze statue of Arthur, legendary king of the 6th century Britons c.552 AD. ©

It is possible that the legendary Arthur is based on a historical figure, a Romano-Britain who fought the invading Anglo-Saxons in the fifth and/or sixth century and who first appears in Welsh literature. According to the ninth-century historian Nennius, this Arthur defeated the Saxons at Mount Badon in 518 and died at Camlan in 537.

The Arthur of legend is first characterised in the Welsh Mabinogi, a collection of medieval tales, and it is this literary character who is associated with the founding of the Round Table at Camelot and the search for the Holy Grail. The legend also states that Arthur will return when his country needs him. Other early references to Arthur occur in two 12th century works, a Life of St Gildas and the chronicles of Geoffrey of Monmouth.