From The Sword in the Stone to Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table, Lancelot, Guinevere and Galahad, the stories and characters of the Arthurian Legend have become an iconic part of British culture. But how is it that a king, who may have reigned in the 5th century AD, continues to fuel the imaginations of a contemporary audience?

The details of Arthur’s story have been pieced together throughout the ages, initially with Geoffrey of Monmouth’s 12th-century Histories of the Kings of Britain, but the truth of this and other writings has been disputed for generations, to the point where the question is legitimate: did Arthur really exist?

Despite this, the story of Arthur has become the source of cultural endeavours from opera to film and from poetry to novels. So, what are the facts that form the legend and what does it tell us about Britain today?

Our panel, featuring writer, Kirsty Logan, and Arthur expert, Raluca Radalescu, will explore why the Arthurian Legend has stood the test of time, consider what it can tell us about modern British cultural identity and remind us of a rich, enduring literary heritage filled with bravery, chivalry and romance.

About The Speakers

Kirsty Logan

Kirsty Logan is a professional daydreamer. She is the author of two novels; The Gloaming and The Gracekeepers, and two story collections; A Portable Shelter and The Rental Heart & Other Fairytales. Kirsty lives in Glasgow with her wife and their rescue dog.

Raluca Radulescu

Professor Raluca Radulescu is Co-director of the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Bangor and University of Aberystwyth. She is President of the British Branch of the International Arthurian Society and Editor of the Journal of the International Arthurian Society.

 

About The Chair

Remona Aly

Remona Aly is a journalist, commentator and broadcaster. She writes for The Guardian, is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 2’s Pause for Thought and is a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Something Understood. Remona was also Deputy Editor of emel, a British Muslim lifestyle magazine.