Through History, there have been some figures, men and women, who have surpassed the boundaries of recorded time and galloped all the way through into the realm of legend. None has been more discussed and adored than Arthur, or at least, the warlord who provided the inspiration for the Arthurian Cycle and became the immortal symbol of a nation and one of the greatest heroes mankind has created. Who was he? What did he do during the age of his leadership? We don’t know for sure. Did he exist at all? Even this is a much-disputed subject. And yet, most of us hardly care whether Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, Guinevere, Morgan actually walked on this Earth. It wouldn’t make any difference, they have achieved immortality until mankind exists no more. Still, the questions about Arthur and everyone associated with him are still going strong and, even though some small secrets have been uncovered, the mystery remains. This very interesting book by Daniel Mersey tries to provide some clues for the historical basis of King Arthur and describes the way he inspired Literature, Music, Art and Cinema.

Mersey traces Arthur’s roots all the way back to the Roman times, from Julius Caesar’s campaign in Britain, the decline of the Romans in the Albion, the disputes between the warlords, the coming of the Christian religion. What impressed me most was the number of tales created on Arthur and his knights that have their roots on many different countries. I didn’t know, and I admit I could never imagine, that there are tales from Greece and Cyprus, dating back to the 8th century AD, which contain references to Arthur, Lancelot and Gawain, while stories centered on Morgan and Mordred can be found in a number of countries of the Balkan region.

Mersey refers to the most important Medieval biographers and their contribution to the creation and spreading of Arthur’s saga, along with the influence of Chretien De Troyes and Thomas Malory on turning Arthur and his Knights into a tale alive through hundreds of centuries. There is a very interesting chapter focusing on the impact of Arthur as a Celtic hero, his role as a figure of power, peace and benevolence in Wales, Ireland and Scotland, and even further. We move on to the different candidates of Arthur’s actual identity and the many ways in which his stories have inspired some of the best moments in Art and Cinema.

The book closes with references to today’s research and questions about Arthur, Camelot and the legendary quest for the Grail and the Round Table, the symbols of justice, equality and prosperity. Will we ever know for sure who this great man was? Will we achieve to discover the end of the myth and the beginning of History? The odds are against it, but I think that each one of us has a personal view about Arthur in their minds, and this is how the legend goes on. Mersey’s contribution in the quest for answers is one of the best.

P.S. And I, for once, tend to believe that Arthur is sleeping in his cave, but our world is too frustrating for him to wake up... ( )