Let me introduce you to historical fiction author,
Tim Walker.
Arthur Rex Brittonum (‘King of the Britons’) is an action-packed telling of the King Arthur story rooted in historical accounts that predate the familiar Camelot legend.
Britain in the early sixth century has reverted to tribal lands, where chiefs settle old scores with neighbours whilst eyeing with trepidation the invaders who menace the shore in search of plunder and settlement.
Arthur, only son of the late King Uther, has been crowned King of the Britons by the northern chiefs and must now persuade their counterparts in the south and west to embrace him. Will his bid to lead their combined army against the Saxon threat succeed? He arrives in Powys buoyed by popular acclaim at home, a king, husband and father - but can he sustain his efforts in unfamiliar territory? It is a treacherous and winding road that ultimately leads him to a winner-takes-all clash at the citadel of Mount Badon.
Tim Walker’s Arthur Rex Brittonum picks up the thread from the earlier life of Arthur in 2019’s Arthur Dux Bellorum, but it can be read as a standalone novel.
What inspired you to start writing?
Thanks for inviting me to your book blog, Jamie. My creative writing journey began in earnest in 2013, as a therapeutic activity whilst undergoing and recovering from cancer treatment. My love of history and historical fiction novels guided me to writing an historical fiction novella, Abandoned, following a visit to the nearby site of a former Roman town, publishing in 2015 (revised and extended in 2018). This would become book one in a series, A Light in the Dark Ages. The aim of the series was to connect the end of Roman Britain to elements of the Arthurian legend, presenting an imagined history of Britain in the fifth and early sixth centuries. Now there are five books in the series, published between 2015 - 2020. The last two books cover the imagined life of a real, historical King Arthur, Arthur Dux Bellorum (2019) and Arthur Rex Brittonum (2020).
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
After I had published book three, Uther’s Destiny (2018), I was faced with a dilemma – should I roll up my sleeves and write my own story of Uther’s son, Arthur, and enter the world of the Arthurian legend? I was somewhat intimidated by the prospect, owing to the number of authors who had already entered this popular territory. There seemed to me to be two strands – those who embraced the romantic Middle Ages King Arthur, he of the shining armour, Camelot, the Holy Grail and the knights of the round table; or the gritty 5th - 6th century warlord, located in the post-Roman world where the Anglo-Saxons were busy colonising coastal areas and steadily moving inland.
My choice had already been made for me by my approach in the earlier books – it would be the latter – a believable quasi-historical Arthur, organising and leading Briton resistance to the spread of the Anglo-Saxons. And so, I continued from where Uther’s Destiny finished, with a teenager Arthur having gone along with Merlyn’s trick and pulled the sword Excalibur from the stone. Arthur Dux Bellorum (2019) picks up the story of the young Arthur from there. 2020’s Arthur Rex Brittonum (‘King of the Britons’) covers the latter half of Arthurs life, leading up the harrowing final battle at Camlann.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
“The character of Arthur is unknowable,” says historian John Morris in his ‘Age of Arthur’. So, I had to imbue my Arthur with character traits and foibles – he cannot be perfect and so he makes mistakes. He is a man, like any other, except he learns that he is the illegitimate son of the late king, Uther Pendragon (although Uther later marries his mother). He is led by the influential Merlyn, a healer, adviser to kings and some say, a sorcerer, who tells Arthur he must fulfil his destiny and complete his father’s work of uniting the Briton tribes against Anglo-Saxon colonists. Arthur falls out with Merlyn, but adopts his vision as his goal. He has inherited his father’s strong will and stubbornness, and learns to fight with lance and sword. He leaves his first wife for the guile and beauty of Guinevere, but this starts a process of self-doubt that ultimately undermines his decisions and weakens him. Arthur is human.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
I would love to see my version of Arthur brought to the little or big screen! I would cast a Welsh, Scots or Irish actor as Arthur, to capture the Celtic fringe look. Perhaps Johnathan Rhys Meyers as Arthur. Merlyn could by played by Johnathan Pryce. Jessica Brown Findlay (of Brave New World fame) would sizzle as Guinevere.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I would like readers to enjoy it primarily as an adventure story set in the misty Dark Ages – the black hole in British history. I have mixed in some real historical characters - names of regional kings and chiefs, and of the Anglo-Saxons kings, and referred to events in Roman Europe, to give it as real a sense of historical setting as is possible. Whether Arthur was a real historical figure remains to be proven, but I hope in time archaeologists and historians will find evidence that Arthur existed in a given location at a given time. Until then, I invite my readers to join me in believing that Arthur was a real, heroic British leader, whose achievements helped shape post-Roman Britain.
Buy this Book
Arthur Rex Brittonum (2020) has been short-listed for the Historical Book of the Year (early Medieval period) Award in the Coffee Pot Book Club Awards 2020. Although in a series, it can be read as a standalone, as it covers the latter half of Arthur’s life.
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