• The Legend of King Arthur

If King Arthur lived–who was he really? Dig into these questions at this fun and fascinating lecture exploring the real Celtic history connected to the legend of King Arthur!  Did King Arthur really exist? How can we tell? Does it really matter? This lecture will trace the myths, legends and historical fragments relating to this most famous British warrior-hero, made famous in medieval romance literature as the ruler of Camelot, but whom many believe was a real historical figure who fought the Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. The question of Arthur’s historicity has provoked intense debate among historians, archaeologists and popular historians, raising important questions about historical methodology in general. Moreover, Arthur’s identification as a quintessentially Celtic hero has made him an iconic figure in the resurgence of native Welsh, Cornish and Scottish cultures, and the continued popularity of Arthurian books, movies, and TV shows testifies to his broad contemporary appeal. In this brief lecture, we will peel back through the layers of historical record, examining the earliest written sources we have for a possible living, breathing Arthur, exploring some of the scholarly arguments for and against his existence, and asking why his legend continues to define the cultural identity of many in Britain, America and beyond. Dr. Rayne Allinson received her BA and MA from the University of Melbourne, and her PhD from the University of Oxford. She is currently Assistant Professor of History at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Her first book, “A Monarchy of Letters: Royal Correspondence and English Diplomacy in the Reign of Elizabeth I” (Palgrave MacMillan, 2012) explored the political and cultural history of Early Modern Europe, although her teaching also encompasses the Medieval and Ancient worlds. For several years she has taught an undergraduate course entitled “King Arthur: Myth, History or Legend?”. She is currently writing a biography of the Scottish politician William and Maitland, the Machiavellian secretary to Mary Queen of Scots. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:30PM. Information about cancellations, refunds, and exchanges can be found on our Ticket Policy page. CAF members enjoy discounted lodging at the Best Western Plus Skagit Valley Inn. To make a reservation, please contact the hotel directly at 360-428-5678 and let them know you are booking under the Celtic Arts Foundation rate.