Worlds of Arthur: Facts and Fictions of the Dark Ages by Guy Halsall (PDF)

Description

King Arthur is probably the most famous and certainly the most legendary medieval king. From the early ninth century through the middle ages, to the Arthurian romances of Victorian times, the tales of this legendary figure have blossomed and multiplied. And in more recent times, there has been a continuous stream of books claiming to unlock the secret or the truth behind the “once and future king.”The truth, as Guy Halsall reveals in this fascinating investigation, is both radically different–and also a good deal more intriguing. Broadly speaking, there are two Arthurs. On the one hand is the traditional “historical” Arthur, waging a doomed struggle to save Roman civilization against the relentless Anglo-Saxon tide during the darkest years of the Dark Ages. On the other is the Arthur of myth and legend, accompanied by a host of equally legendary people, places, and stories: Lancelot, Guinevere, Galahad and Gawain, Merlin, Excalibur, the Lady in the Lake, the Sword in the Stone, Camelot, and the Round Table. The big problem with all this, notes Halsall, is that “King Arthur” might well never have existed. And if he did exist, it is next to impossible to say anything at all about him. As this challenging new look at the Arthur legend makes clear, all books claiming to reveal “the truth” behind King Arthur can safely be ignored. Not only the fanciful pseudo-historical accounts–Merlin the Magician, the Lady in the Lake–but even the “historical” Arthur is largely a figment of the imagination. The evidence that we have, whether written or archeological, is simply incapable of telling us anything detailed about the Britain in which he is supposed to have lived, fought, and died.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review “Written by our leading authority on Early Medieval Warfare this sweeping synthesis cuts through all the fantasy Arthuriana to the chaotic reality of the tumultuous years after the end of Roman Britain. With a fresh and incisive look at all the key sources, and a masterly and imaginative use of the archaeological evidence, Guy Halsall offers nothing less than a rethinking of what happened at the time of the Anglo-Saxon migrations. Readable, authoritative, and witty, this is an ambitious and wide ranging synthesis which will appeal to all who are interested in the history behind one of the world’s greatest collections of myths and stories, vividly recreating the fractured world out of which medieval Britain emerged. And while some may regret the loss of the Hollywood Arthur, Halsall shows us that behind that image is a reality which is no less fascinating.”–Michael Wood, historian, broadcaster, and author of In Search of the Dark Ages”An excellent book.”–McClatchys Newspapers “Halsall’s is a very good book aimed at the general public, but it is also a very original and thought-provoking book for specialists of the period, both historians and archaeologists…It is refreshing to see a distinguished historian take the time to explain in simple and suggestive terms (sometimes even picturesque) some quite difficult concepts and arguments: Halsall does have a talent for it, using charts, diagrams, maps, and chronologies that make the book a very friendly object to its reader…[H]is argument is a cogent and well-put one, delivered in clear and clever language, without jargon, and one should definitely read it…”–Speculum About the Author Guy Halsall has taught at the universities of London and York, where he has been a professor of history since 2003. His early specialism was in the history and archaeology of the Merovingian period (c.450-c.750), and he has since published widely on a broad range of subjects: death and burial, age and gender, violence and warfare, barbarian migrations, and humour. This investigation into the ‘worlds of Arthur’ brings him back to the study of early medieval British history and archaeology with which his scholarly training began.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This book is difficult to review in that it is really two books. It is also difficult to review because while the author’s ideas are fascinating, so much of the book is based on speculation, conjecture, and “take my word as an expert.”The first section of this work is devoted to destroying the notion that there is any evidence of a “historical” Arthur. This section is interesting. The author essentially pokes holes in every “historical Arthur” story out there. Mr. Halsall surveys the primary sources and then discredits them one by one: all the authors had political/religious agendas; “historical Arthur” traditions misread the sources; the sources use poor latin; the soruces contain scrivener’s errors or have material added by later scribes; the sources contain dating errors; the sources rely on unknown and unknowable “lost works” that undercut their legitimacy. Thus, Gildas, Bede, the drafters of the HB, are all insufficient to establish, with any certainty, that there was an Arthur. However Halsall cant get around the reference to Arthur in Y Goddodin, as so must ascribe this to a “later insertion.” Likewise, he has no real explanation for the sudden appearance of Arthur-like names. However, in the end, his conclusion is quite sound. There may have been someone of importance called Arthur; but the existing sources can tell us nothing of value about him.The second part of the book is Halsall’s revisionist history of the Saxon migration into Britain. He makes some very intriguing suggestions; however, most of his theories are (admittedly) speculation. Indeed, Halsall has a knack for doing precisely what he lambasts the “pseudo-historians” for doing in the previous section—selecting uses sources, referring to vague “oral traditions” and uncited appeals to “modern opinion”; “modern consensus.” It is particularly frustrating how, after lampooning the reliability of the written sources, Halsall is able to take bits and pieces from them to construct his own ‘pseudo-history.’The main thrust of Halsall’s revisionism is that the Saxon migration was not sudden; it was not one way; and it was much more complicated than traditionally presented. Essentially, he argues that Saxon federates were settled along the old Roman road running n/s by Magnus Maximus (who Halsall unconvincingly speculates is the basis for Vortigern). As Roman authority retreated, local garrisons formed power bases of later Saxon kingdoms. Local Roman-British aristocrats, deprived of imperial legitimacy, “went native” and adopted Saxon identities (and theoretically military services) to compensate. Gildas’ “saxon war” was more likely a series of civil wars involving local roman-British political leaders vying for power. There may have been a “revolt” of the Saxon federates when the resources to pay them dried up. I think this “alternate history” is entirely plausible; however, Halsall fails to prove his case. As mentioned, his theories are built on selective quotes from the primary sources, inconclusive archeological finds, supposition, and appeals to uncited “modern academic consensus.” It makes for a good story, but it is just that—a story.While this work is clearly intended for a more “popular audience” (hence the lack of notations), it assumes one is familiar with Gilas, Bede, and the other primary sources. Much of the work is a bombastic rebuttal to “pseudo-historians” and pot-shots at previous historical theories. The problem is the writing style—arrogant, academic obfuscation, e.g.: “From the foregoing, we have seen that the former consensus as to the migration model is not surprisingly short on support from the archeological record” instead of: “The archeological record does not entirely support the existing migration model.” As someone who is not unlearned (see what I did there), I nonetheless found this style to be frustrating at a minimum, and downright indecipherable at worst.A final note: In many places, Halsall discusses the abrupt end to villa life and contraction of the cities along with ceremonial burials (“materialistic inhumations” in Halsall-speak), yet he never convincingly links them together. He seems to say that because the aristocrats no longer had support from Rome, they needed to demonstrate their wealth and prestige via these burials. But, he never explains WHY there was a retreat from villa life and WHY, if there was a retreat, the ceremonial burials cluster around former villas. Indeed, he gives the impression that the local landowners moved shop (to where is not known; certainly not the cities), but then returned to bury their dead outside their old home.

⭐As others have noted, this is not a book about Arthur. And it is about the “worlds of Arthur” only in so far that Halsall is out to destroy the traditional world of Arthur — the assumed political and military context in which the traditional historical Arthur operated. This quote sums it up:”In this context [i.e. the one Halsall has proposed], an ‘Arthur’ figure heading the forces of a postimperial realm with heroic, notable, but short-lived effects looks far from implausible. The problem is that any such figure — one, say, who led ‘Saxon forces’ fighting for a ‘Roman’ state in the south or midlands of the island, fighting rivals [everywhere else] — would have no place in the type of histories that were envisaged and ideologically necessary in the 8th century and later. He would not fit the model of ‘Britons versus Saxons’. … All that might have left ‘our’ Arthur with nowhere to go except into legend.”The problem I have is that Halsall’s reconstructed context of 5th-6th century Britain is only one possible scenario. It fits some evidence well, but other evidence (Gildas, a contemporary and local writer!) poorly. He tries (with ill-judged rhetoric, I think) to make fun of historical Arthur enthusiasts like Geoffrey Ashe, but then presents his own theories as if they are beyond reasonable doubt. Yes, his theories are founded in his great knowledge of archaeology and late antique history, but they are still theories, and to me seem as tendentious as Ashe’s (for example), just in the opposite direction.Nevertheless, for any one interested in the historical Arthur or 5th-6th century British history, this is certainly worth reading. He has a lot of interesting analysis and ideas that will challenge how you think.

⭐This man has a lot to say, but his writing style is surely murky. He clearly wants to show everyone how bright he is, and his iesearch proves it. His ability, mellowed by a few more decades will allow him to mature into an enjoyable and accessible scholar. Lots of information here. He certainly proves that fact that Arthur, as we know him never existed, but it is a real effort to dig that information out.

⭐The post Roman and Pre Willam period in British history is a tough one to get one’s arms around, and I was hoping this would help me. Sadly it did not, as this is a stream of consciousness book with simply too many words. It may be the publisher’s fault, asking for a 300 page book when, it the target was 100 pages, I suspect it would have been brilliant. Maybe other readers will have better luck that I.

⭐If like scare quotes, Halsall is your guy. Guy Halsall is a “professor” of “history” and gets “very upset” about all of the “disinformation ” out there about “King Arthur”, his “armies”, and his “battles”. It is high time someone came along to set the record straight about this burning issue. And if you are one his students, then for cryin’ out loud never, ever miss one of his lectures. He is one the world leading scholars on early medieval “Anglo-Saxon” history–it is quite an honor to be there. However, be aware–never speak to him about “Germanic” invaders without providing the scare quotes.

⭐This book breaks down all the King Arthur myths, but in doing so gives a good insight into the reality off Dark Ages in Britain.

⭐A must ready for anybody interested in Arthur, late Roman Britain and the Adventus Saxonum. This is a balanced and scholarly account of the source material.

⭐Interesting scholarly read on exactly what the archeological evidence for the existence of Arthur really is.

⭐Some interesting facts and a good alternative version of how the Angles, Jutes and Saxons got onto these shores, basically a good book. But like some other reviews have already pointed out, I got the feeling the author was a tadge angry.At the end of the day if Arthur existed or not is really matterless.Those such as Bernard Cornwell who write (very good in Mr Cornwall’s case) fictional books around Arthur will continue to do so, and no doubt they will be bought in there droves, by folk I would like to think will understand it is a work of fiction, even if they are from a non academic background!Those who believe Arthur was real, complete with armour plated romantic knights, wizards and magic swords will also believe this despite any evidence to the contrary, and will lap up books claiming to be the real truth despite the best efforts of by Mr HalsallWith all legends most folk only want to believe in the romantic myth not the mundane truth.

⭐A very down to earth book, the author makes a very valid point at the start of the book that the fall of Roman Britain has not had enough attention paid to it, this has lead me to read a number of books on Arthur’s Britain in an effort to find more out about this period of our history. I have no problem with the idea that there was someone in that period called Arthur [or The Bear] but it’s the time period I’m really interested in, and this book give a very good acount of that time

⭐Great book. Summarises and critiques the various theories and literary sources about King Arthur and the native Britons in the Anglo-Saxon period. Don’t be put off by the populist title, there is something here for beginners and people more experienced in the subject. Halsall assesses the various theories around the fact and fiction of King Arthur and debunks many of the more out there theories as well as other books that claim to have ‘the answer’. The book is also really easy to sit down and read unlike many quite dry text books

⭐quick delivery ,book was as expected. made me a happy buyer

⭐excellent research

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