The romances about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are probably the best-known legends in the Western world. The true fascination of the Arthurian legend lies in the fact that their hero is not a myth but an actual historical figure who lived on the island of Britain in times that were full of threats. With the crumbling of the Roman Empire, the people of Britain found themselves conducting a desperate defense of their island against barbarian invaders. Author Christopher Hibbert brings those troubled times vividly to life, building a fascinating picture of the sixth-century British warrior who was to become the legendary King Arthur.