How Medieval Writers Crafted Christian Myths: King Arthur, St George, and Beowulf

An article featured in TheCollector delves into the beginnings of King Arthur and St George, illustrating how medieval authors crafted these tales from remnants of history, pagan customs, and biblical themes. King Arthur, a central character in Christian lore, represents a blend of historical personas following the Anglo-Saxon invasion circa 500 AD. In the 1100s, Geoffrey of Monmouth introduced figures like Merlin, while Sir Thomas Malory's 1485 work, 'Le Morte D'Arthur', unified these narratives. The legend of St George, as detailed in Jacobus de Voragine's 'Golden Legend', likely takes inspiration from St Theodore Tiron's story. Additionally, 'Beowulf', composed in the 800s and preserved in a single manuscript from around 1000 AD, intertwines biblical and historical elements. Medieval historians frequently amplified local legends, shedding light on their societies.