King Arthur - Myth Making and History [Hardcover]

N.j. Higham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415213053 | ISBN-13: 978-0415213059 | Publication Date: September 1, 2002 | Edition: 1ST

This seminal new study explores how and why historians and writers from the Middle Ages to the present day have constructed different accounts of this well-loved figure.

N. J Higham offers an in-depth examintaion of the first two Arthurian texts: the History of the Britons and the Welsh Annals. He argues that historians have often been more influenced by what the idea of Arthur means in their present context than by such primary sources

King Arthur: Myth-making and History illuminates and discusses some central points of debate:

*  What role was Arthur intended to perform in the political and cultural worlds that constructed him?
* How did the idea of King Arthur evolve? 
* What did the myth of Arthur mean to both authors and their audiences?

King Arthur: Myth-making and History is fascinating reading for anyone interested in the origins and evolution of the Arthurian legend.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This thought-provoking volume is worth reading' - Guy Halsall, THES

'Higham's survey is an admirably measured and wide-ranging contribution.' - Ecclesiastical History

About the Author

N.J. Higham is reader in History at the University of Manchester and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. His recent publications include The Death of Anglo-Saxon England (1997), The Convert Kings (1997) and Edward the Elder (2001) for which he is co-editor.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1ST edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415213053
• ISBN-13: 978-0415213059
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much needed and extremely important., September 3, 2002

By 

Mark Howells (Puyallup, Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: King Arthur - Myth Making and History (Hardcover)

If you're still seeking the Holy Grail of an "historical Arthur", don't bother with this book. You won't find any theories about a sub-Roman war band leader here. This is a scholarly work about the Arthurian legend that does not seek to "prove" that Arthur, the man, actually existed.

This book is about whence came the IDEA of Arthur. The author does review the extremely limited original sources which mention Arthur and then works to explain what the purpose was behind the idea of Arthur. Who needed him as a symbol? How did they use Arthur for their own dynastic advancement?

The author focuses on the pre-Galfridian (pre-Geoffrey of Monmouth) Latin texts which mention Arthur. He provides historic contextual background to explain where these works were written, why they were written, and who their intended original audience was.

Once the original purpose for the idea of Arthur is established, the book then reviews the rise and fall and rise again of the Arthurian legend from the French troubadours to the Tudor kings on through the Victorians and up to the present day cults of Camelot.

An excellent and fast read for the general public about a scholarly topic that has been much neglected.