The Medieval Quest for Arthur

The Medieval Quest for Arthur examines how medieval communities treated Arthurian legend as a subject for investigation, debate and political use. Robert Rouse and Cory Rushton consider the places and objects linked with the king’s supposed historical presence, including Winchester as Camelot, the Round Table, Arthur’s crown and traditions surrounding Dover and Glastonbury Abbey.

The book also considers alleged graves, weapons, seals and other Arthurian relics, asking how such claims acquired authority and meaning. Rather than presenting medieval people as uniformly credulous, it highlights disagreements over Arthur’s existence and material remains. The concluding discussion follows 16th-century antiquarian John Leland and subsequent attempts to identify the surviving traces of Arthur and his court.