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Bronze statue of Arthur, legendary king of the Britons  © A mythical king of the Britons in ancient times, who may be based on an historical figure.

It is possible that the legendary Arthur is based on a historical figure, a Romano-Britain who fought the invading Anglo-Saxons in the fifth or sixth century and who first appears in Welsh literature. According to the ninth century historian Nennius, this Arthur defeated the Saxons at Mount Badon in 518 AD and died at Camlan in 537 AD.

The Arthur of legend is first characterised in the Welsh 'Mabinogi', a collection of medieval tales, and it is this literary character who is associated with the founding of the Round Table at Camelot and the search for the Holy Grail. The legend also states that Arthur will return when his country needs him. Other early references to Arthur occur in two 12th century works, a Life of St Gildas and the chronicles of Geoffrey of Monmouth.