In Search of King Arthur: Looking at Evidence

How can we find out the truth about King Arthur - or anyone else in history?

It is not enough to believe a story just because we want it to be true. We have to look at different kinds of evidence and decide. Sometimes what we find may make us change our mind.

What kinds of evidence?

Eyewitness accounts

The person was there and saw it happen. Are they reliable? Do they tell only one side of the story?

Written records

How did they know - do they tell us? How long after it happened was this written? Have the facts been changed or added to?

Archaeology

Have things been discovered at the place where it happened that support the story? Archaeology can tell us about places, what happened there and when - but rarely who led the army or built the building.