Did King Arthur really exist?
For nearly a thousand years, people have been inspired and entertained by stories, poems, songs, paintings, and tapestries about King Arthur, who has become the subject of one of the largest literary bodies in the world. However, the physical evidence has been so scant that it seems to be systematically erased over the centuries. Even so, abundant truths have been preserved in books, and more recently in movies, of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the Holy Grail. All of these contain elements of truth and clues for those looking for historical facts behind the legends.
The body of Merlinius Ambrosius Dubricius, identified by historian Norma Lorre Goodrich in her book Merlin since the man best known throughout history as “Merlin” was, according to Goodrich, discovered on Bardsy Isle by the Bishop of Llandaff. Goodrich maintains that Merlin’s body was taken to the cathedral founded by Merlin in Llandaff, Wales. Geoffrey of Monmouth, author of one of the first stories of King Arthur and acquaintance of the 12th century Bishop of Llandaff himself, began his famous History of the kings of Great Britain in 1120, the same year the bishop discovered the body. Geoffrey attributed its source to “a very old book written in the British language” (The history of the kings of Great Britain, by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Bishop of St. Asaph, translated by Lewis GM Thorpe.) Coincidentally, Geoffrey was appointed Archdeacon of Llandsaff (sp) in 1140.
Since Geoffrey of Monmouth, fiction and non-fiction writers have researched and written about King Arthur, inspiring readers to search for evidence that can prove the existence of this ancient king and his legendary kingdom. At least three of these writers have made discoveries and written on evidence that can still be seen by those conducting their own search for the grail today.
Sir Walter Scott was a prolific poet and novelist. Historical fiction, a genre he helped create and popularize, reflected his keen interest in Scottish history, and his research led to some important discoveries. He convinced the Prince Regent, later George IV, to search Edinburgh Castle for Scottish honors, the Scottish royal garb that had disappeared over a hundred years earlier. Later the Honors were found. Sir Walter used to escort his friends at sunset to Calton Hill in Edinburgh to see underneath the ancient weathered Salisbury Crags sculptures that he thought were reminiscent of King Arthur.
A distinctive sculpted image that may be among those seen by Scott is still visible. It looks like “man with helmet”. This image was recently rediscovered by Kaye Hennig, author of King Arthur Lord of the Grail, who believes that it was created by the famous Merlin as a monument to the true King Arthur. This giant head can still be seen quite clearly in the late afternoon on the Salisbury Cliffs, right across the parking lot from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The late Dr. Norma Lorre Goodrich was Emeritus Professor of French and Comparative Languages at Claremont Colleges in California and the author of four Arthurian books: King Arthur; Geneva; The Holy Grail; Y Merlin. His research located the territory of the “royal” Arthur in the border area of what is now southern Scotland. She believed that the cave located on the Whithorn Peninsula, now called Saint Ninian’s Cave, is Merlin’s famous burial cave described by legends as being created at the request of his Lady of the Lake, Niniane. At this site, Goodrich described seeing a burial niche high up on the left side of the cave ruins.
Dr. Goodrich and thousands of other visitors to this cave site over the centuries failed to identify the remains of ancient art. Cave sculptures and vestiges of cave paintings are still visible. The faded images and paintings of larger-than-life standing figures in ceremonial attracts and large and small chiseled faces of helmeted warriors and beautiful ladies bear a striking resemblance to the descriptions of the legendary ancient Arthurians. Towering over everything, forty feet above the cave floor, he is a rugged crowned head with a red beard, strong shoulders, and a gray cloak. On the right shoulder is still another symbol, a giant heart-shaped shield pierced by a legendary sword.
Those seeking stone sculptures of mythological or historical figures have been conditioned to seek sculptures created in the style of Greek or Roman sculptors, art that was created in marble that allowed the artist to produce highly recognizable human likenesses. The cave stone on the Whithorn Peninsula is brittle, cracked and not well suited to sculpture. Craftsmen could cut and chip stone within the limitations of the rock and the tools used to create a likeness, but would then be forced to stop when the rock broke in the wrong direction. Unlike the realistic images of American presidents carved into a cliff in the Black Hills, these ancient sculptures appear quite basic and crude. However, the intention of Merlin and his artists seemed very clear to the couple who discovered the images. Visitors planning their hike to Whithorn Cave when the afternoon sunlight casts shadows will find these to be the best conditions for viewing the sculpted stone figures and images.
This recent discovery by author Kaye Hennig and her photographer husband, Terrance, provides dramatic new evidence that may help secure legendary Arthurians a place in history. Beyond that, the symbols seen in this ancient art could help explain how the Arthurians were lost and could provide clues to unravel the mysteries surrounding the legends of the Holy Grail. The couple believe that ancient art was created within this burial cave to serve as a record of King Arthur and his Merlin and as memorials to the notables of their legendary lost kingdom.