this important event, but about 830 a Welsh monk Nennius compiled a history and he does say that Arthur is responsible for the victory at Badon that turned the tide against the Saxons. Evidence suggests that many Saxons left the country following this time. This is supported by the fact that Saxon population and place names occur in Belgium and France at the time that their numbers dwindle in Britain. Those Saxons who remained in Britain were confined to small areas in the southeast -- this is evidenced by the fact that only in these areas for the period of the early sixth century is there archaeological evidence of Saxon graves, but for the same period are not found elsewhere in Britain (Morris, 1973, 136).
It seems clear that Arthur's defeat of the Saxons at Badon secured a peace for Britain that lasted during his lifetime and for a while beyond, and so he was perceived as a hero by his contemporaries and the next few generations. It is interesting that prior to this time there is no record of any Arthurs in Britain, likely the name was a derivation of Artorius, but in the sixth century there was a sudden and widespread use of the name Arthur, and it would certainly seem that Arthur the commander and warrior, the great hero, spawned such a trend (Morris, 1973, 116).
The Cambrian Annals provide the only account of Arthur's death, saying merely, "the Battle of Camlann, where Arthur and Medraut fell" and is indicated as being twenty-one years after Badon, which would be about 515 (Morris, 1973, 140). Arthur had united most of Britain, and while he lived peace had prevailed. But the golden e
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