Many readers, even hundred of years ago, did not take the tale of King Arthur as "pure fiction" (15) and Ashe asserts that these readers were "more right than wrong" (15) in their assumptions. It is likely the story is true in some respects. In many ways, the man was a hero larger than life, which makes many skeptics call into question his existence. Ashe states that many even believed Arthur was a god, "euhemerized as a human warrior" (Ashe Origins). Many scholars believe a king by the name of Arthur actually did exist but they also acknowledge that many of the grandiose stories attached to him are romanticized. However, there seems to be enough factual history to satisfy most scholars that Arthur did exist. In regard to the mythical Arthur, Ashe notes that because the figure has been romanticized, does not mean the figure cannot exist. He points to the American legend Davy Crockett who is noted for "fantastic feats" (Ashe) that are clearly not true yet the man did exist. When broken down in its simplest form, Arthur is a Roman name, a variation of the name Artorious. His mention in the Historia Brittonum gives credibility to him as an authentic historical person. Another text supporting the case for this man to exist is the Annales Cambriae. These texts are historical documents, not pieces of fiction and there mention of King Arthur supports the fact that a man by this name did exist. Sheila Brynjulfson writes that even with all of this, the identity of the man is "elusive" (Brynjulfson). Blaenau Gwent Borough reports the many instances in which a real Arthur is mentioned. These include works from Edward Lhuyd, a custodian for the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. In his extensive research, he found several places that support the existence of a real King Arthur. Many of his findings reveal places that have been named after the king, such as Maes Arthur and Ti Arthur...
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