Origin of the Arthurian Legends

Arthurian tradition traces the evolution of King Arthur from early medieval chronicles and Welsh legends to the great romances of Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chrétien de Troyes, and Malory. Over centuries the story expanded across Europe, shaping one of the most influential mythic cycles in Western literature.

King Arthur was a British war leader in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. Over time, legend transformed him into a great king, the ruler of Camelot, and the seeker of the Holy Grail. His story has inspired centuries of poetry, romance, and cultural imagination, making him one of the most enduring figures of Western legend.