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As the Encyclopedia Americana observes,31 the figure of Arthur rests in all probability upon a historical basis. In the Historia Britonum of Nennius, mention is made of a certain Arthur who was 'dux bellorum' alias 'war leader' of the Britons against the Saxon invaders. His most brilliant achievement is stated to have been the British victory at Mount Badon (early in the sixth century). This testimony is substantiated by the work of Gildas, an ecclesiastic of the sixth century Celto-Brythonic Church in 520 A.D.
The Encyclopaedia Britannica gives four sources for the historical Arthur. They are: the Historia Britonum of Nennius; William of Malmesbury's Annales Cambriae and his Gesta Regum; Caradoc of Llancarfan; and Geoffrey of Monmouth.
