King Arthur: The Truth Behind the Legend

The story of the Arthurian legend, based on the 'Sarmatian hypothesis' which contends that the legend has a historical nucleus in the Sarmatian heavy cavalry troops stationed in Britain, and that the Roman-British military commander, Lucius Artorius Castus is the historical person behind the legend.

The legend of King Arthur is one of the greatest in English folklore, and tales of brave, chivalrous knights rescuing damsels in distress never fail to thrill and delight audiences of all ages. Even now, King Arthur is more popular than ever, and this program will take you on a fantastic journey of discovery to explore this beloved legend. From the ragged, dramatic cliffs of Tintagel in Cornwall, where it's claimed Arthur was born, to the peaceful serenity of Glastonbury Abbey, where visitors can stumble upon King Arthur's grave, this truly is a remarkable story. Search for the magical ancient island of Avalon, uncover the hill where Arthur and his knights lie sleeping, and piece together the colourful cast of characters that surrounded England's favourite king. Whatever your interest in King Arthur, the intoxicating mix of mythology and fact will prove utterly irresistible.

King Arthur returns home after fighting the Roman Empire. His illegitimate son has corrupted the throne of Camelot and King Arthur must reunite with the wizard Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table to fight to get back his crown.

The legend of King Arthur spans centuries and has inspired countless novels and films. But who was King Arthur, and what was his real legacy? Through reenactments and historical images, this A&E production explores the romance, adventure and politics of the noble ruler of Camelot. He inspired the Knights of the Round Table and fought to defend England, only to be betrayed by the one he loved most, his own Queen Guinevere.

Having failed in their quest for the Holy Grail, the knights of the Round Table return to Camelot, their number reduced to a mere handful. Seeing a rift developing between Lancelot and Mordred, Arthur urges his knights to bury their differences and become friends. However, the King is unaware that Lancelot is having an affair with his queen, Guinevere. Lancelot is torn between his duty to his king and his love for the queen, whilst Mordred is determined to use his infidelity to destroy him.

Patrick Stewart narrates the investigation into the true origin of Britain's King Arthur and his fabled heroes, and whether or not Camelot exists in some forgotten corner of England.

The film chronicles Perceval's knighthood, maturation and eventual peerage amongst the Knights of the Round Table, and also contains brief episodes from the story of Gawain and the crucifixion of Christ.

After reclaiming Kaamelott from Lancelot's tyrannical rule, Arthur spares his life, defying Celtic gods. Knights must prove themselves for Table Round seats while Arthur faces new threats as king.

With exclusive access to a major new excavation, Alice Roberts discovers what King Arthur's Britain was like, including surprisingly modern connections we all share with our past.

The legend of King Arthur is one of the most evocative stories in British mythology. We think of the romantic King, with his beautiful wife Guinevere by his side and the trusty sword Excalibur in his hand. The truth, we discover, is very different. The story was written in the medieval period but it was set hundreds of years earlier - in the Dark Ages. The programme finds evidence that a real 6th Century warlord actually did exist, and that many of the most famous chapters of the story - such as the round table, the sword in the stone, Camelot - may well have been inspired by real places and events. Hosted by Richard Harris.