The common people, the descendants of the people Arthur had fought to defend, never lost faith in their champion. Indeed, their belief became more fervent: “If you do not believe me,” wrote a twelfth-century French theologian, “go to the realm of Armorica [to Brittany] which is lesser Britain, and preach about the market places and villages that Arthur the Briton is dead as other men are dead, and facts themselves will show you how true is Merlin’s prophecy, which says that the ending of Arthur shall be doubtful. Hardly will you escape unscathed, without being overwhelmed by the curses or
...more
