Arthur: Warrior and king
A pseudo-historical search for a pseudo-historical king
King Arthur is one of the most widely recognised, and yet least knowable, figures in British history. Unfortunately Arthur: Warrior and King does nothing to get us closer to the truth. The book claims to reveal the real Arthur to us down to his hair colour, but fails to convince us he ever existed at all. Many literary and historical sources on the life of Arthur are quoted but their interpretation is troubling. For example, a poetic reference to Arthur sweeping his foes from the field like a wave must, the author insists, point to him unleashing an actual flood in battle.
Author Don Carleton Publisher Amberley Publishing Price £20 Released Out now
“It is not even an entertaining read. Lengthy sections deal in tedious detail with place-name etymologies that leave the reader equal parts bored and confused”
Surmises such as this are piled ponderously up to increasing heights of incredulity.
It is not even an entertaining read. Lengthy sections deal in tedious detail with place-name etymologies that leave the reader equal parts bored and confused.
We are also treated to cameo appearances by the Loch Ness Monster, Mary Magdalene building the first church in Britain (or the world!), and a comet causing a natural disaster. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proofs but the evidence presented here is always prefaced with an “if”, a “may”, or a “perhaps”. Lurking in the background are glimpses of life and warfare in the 6th century which would make an interesting study. This is not it.
King Arthur is not returning from Avalon to rescue us in our time of need. If he was he would have come back to prevent the publication of this book.