Legendary Figure from World Literature (1600 CE or Earlier)

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Legendary Figure from World Literature (1600 CE or Earlier)
I. Introduction
The name “King Arthur” is well-known throughout the world. This name speaks of the virtuous ruler of the serene kingdom known as Camelot, where honorable Knights of the Round Table fought fervently for their damsels, slaughtering dragons. This legend is reported to have existed for nearly fifteen centuries and is still popular to date. Thousands of literary pieces have been chronicled, movies have been shot, and more research is being conducted. But really, who was King Arthur and what is so significant about his existence that we still recall these legends?
II. Discussion
No direct evidence exists confirming that King Arthur was real. Nonetheless, it is believed that King Arthur is a collection of various legends created by several authors at separate times. It is further believed that King Arthur may have been a British military head who repelled a Saxon incursion during the fifth and sixth centuries AD. King Arthur was first mentioned in 830CE in the “History of the Britons” by an author known as Nennius. Two centuries later, a more detailed narrative appeared in Geoffrey Monmouth’s “The History of the Kings of Britain.” In his book, Geoffrey outlined King Arthur’s life, from his birth in Tintagel to his demise.
After Henry II wedded Eleanor of Aquitaine in the twelfth century, the legend of King Arthur grew in popularity in the courts of France, taking on romantic and spiritual tones. The tales of King Arthur became more deep-rooted in the British minds. In 1509CE, Henry III took the throne and made orders...