Stories of King Arthur

If you love writing stories then this one's for you.

In days of old people would gather around flickering fires to listen to stories about a great king called Arthur, a king who was wise, brave and good. In modern times he is the star of many a book, film and TV programme.

Left: this amazing Anglo-Saxon helmet was found at Sutton Hoo. Do you think King Arthur might have worn one like it?
© The British Museum.

The stories say the king was a brave warrior and wise leader. They talk of his Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, Lancelot, Guinevere and the famous sword in the stone.

Did you know those stories were first told back in Anglo-Saxon times?

Historians have been arguing for years over whether Arthur really existed. Some believe a real king has been turned into a storybook hero over time. Others think he was imaginary, made up by storytellers.

Right: these golden rings once belonged to an Anglo-Saxon king and his daughter, a queen. Maybe your story could be about golden treasure like these?
© The British Museum.

Can you imagine what it would have been like to live in the times of King Arthur?

Why not write a King Arthur story of your own?

You could imagine you are one of the famous knights, called to a meeting at the round table. Or might you be Guinevere, the King's lady love?!

Perhaps you could be King Arthur himself, or Merlin, trying to protect the newborn Arthur.

Your story might be set in modern times, about someone who finds evidence of the real King Arthur and solves the mystery once and for all.

If you send your story in to us we'd love to read it and will do our best to publish it in Show and Tell. How about drawing or painting a picture to go with it too?

Our address is on the Get in Touch page.

You can find more Anglo-Saxon treasures from The British Museum on their Children's Compass website.