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King Arthur

Who was the post-Roman warlord who inspired the legend of King Arthur?
ILLUSTRATION: JEAN-MICHEL GIRARD/WWW.THE-ART-AGENCY.CO.UK, GETTY X1

There are few characters from history or legend so widely celebrated as King Arthur, a medieval celebrity famous the world over. He is the archetypal doomed hero - a brave and chivalric warrior who fought against the forces of evil, establishing a great kingdom and presiding over a golden age, betrayed by those he held most dear. His story has been told, retold and elaborated upon for hundreds of years. A new Hollywood epic, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is about to hit the cinemas, reimagining the tale for a new generation and rebooting the franchise yet again. But who was Arthur? Was there a real warlord on whose life the legend is based, or is he a mere fantasy?

Charles Hunnam as Arthur in the new film, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
ALAMY X2, BRIDGEMAN IMAGES X1, WARNER BROS PICTURES X1
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BBC History Revealed Magazine
March 2017
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