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The climactic battle of the film is referred to as the battle of Badon. This would be Mons Badonicus or Badon Hill, the battle fought by the Britons, led by Arthur, against the Saxons. The Annals Cambriae date the battle of Badon Hill as being fought in 516 CE, although some historians point to a mistranslation of Gildas by Bede and place Badon Hill around 560AD. Bede's translation also points to this battle taking place 44 years after the arrival of the Saxons. Historians are undecided about the location of Badon Hill, but one of the strong contenders for location is near Bath. It seems certain that Badon Hill was fought in Southern England. Back to the film:
\nDate: Bishop Germanus tells Arthur that the Romans are preparing to leave Britain. The official ending of Roman occupation of Britain was 410 CE.
\nSaxons in England: The film has the Saxons making their first incursion into Britain and everyone is surprised when the news is first given ... so clearly that haven't been here 44 years already.
\nLocation: The Saxon incursions were first along the South Coast. Raids first occurred there and one of the Roman military titles in use was "Count of the Saxon shore". Hengest and Horsa first landed in Kent. The first Saxon kingdoms were those of Essex, Sussex, Middlesex and Wessex -- all in the south of the country. Yet in the film the Saxons land somewhere in Scotland and march south towards Hadrians Wall. Hmmmm!
\nAnd the Battle of Badon Hill in the film occurs at Hadrians Wall, hundreds of miles away from the most likely location of the real battle. |