The History of Merlin and King Arthur: The Earliest Version of the Arthurian Legend
In this TV movie, actors (Merlin) and Bradley James (Arthur) embark on a road trip across Wales and Britain to explore the roots of the Arthurian legends.
: They examine the History of the Kings of Britain , written by Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1136, which is widely considered the source of the modern legend. 8.7 The Real Merlin & Arthur
Most specialists today view Arthur as a mythological figure, but several historical candidates have been proposed: Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
Historians generally agree that the legendary versions of Arthur and Merlin are —amalgamations of several real-life figures from the "Dark Ages" (roughly 5th–6th century A.D.). Who Was the "Real" King Arthur? The History of Merlin and King Arthur: The
: The pair travels from Cardiff to Mold and across the Welsh landscape to consult experts and visit historical sites.
: The documentary highlights that while the TV series is a fantasy, the legends themselves were based on centuries of Welsh folklore and early chronicles that were later "modified" for medieval audiences. The Historical Figures Historians generally agree that the legendary versions of
The search for the "Real" Merlin and Arthur typically leads to two distinct places: the 2009 documentary featuring the stars of the BBC series Merlin and the actual historical candidates that may have inspired these legendary figures.