Leading UK historians challenge to Spielberg

Wilson and Blackett, the leading experts on the real historical King Arthur, are challenging filmmaker Stephen Spielberg whose planned celluloid Arthurian epic is to be set - incorrectly - in Somerset. Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport, brought up this issue in Parliament recently, arguing that Arthur was a Gwent (South Wales) King. "He's spot on," said Wilson this morning.

LEADING UK HISTORIANS CHALLENGE TO SPIELBERG

UK historians Alan Wilson and Baram Blackett are the worlds leading experts on the real, historical King Arthur ll, King of Glamorgan and Gwent, and are challenging Stephen Spielberg, the internationally acclaimed filmmaker.

"Spielberg is planning a film on King Arthur," said Alan Wilson today. "We have tried to contact him via his Dreamworks company, but, despite our efforts, we understand that his Arthur film will be set in Somerset." Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport, brought up this issue in Parliament recently. Flynn argued in the House of Commons that Arthur II was a Gwent King. "He's spot on," said Wilson this morning.

Massive loss to Wales

Filming in Somerset, and following the false theory that he was in the area (a known historical fake, dating to 1536) will mean a massive financial loss to Wales, Wilson said. "This will be another devastating blow to Wales. The authorities have consistently ignored this vital area of real Welsh history," he added. "We offered them the opportunity to engage with us over 20 years ago and conducted archaeological digs at major expense to our supporters after the Universities and other public bodies mistakenly described 6th Century Arthurian monuments as 'Norman'."

Massive Tourist Potential

Wilson's research partner, Baram Blackett, said, "The tourism potential in Arthurian South Wales has always been massive. When we visited Lord Jack Brooks in Westminster he estimated that our King Arthur discoveries could lead to thousands of jobs locally, an influx of tens of millions of tourists and massive sums of money coming into traditionally depressed areas. There has always been hostility because we made the Arthur discoveries and the Universities and funded bodies didn't." The reason that Stephen Spielberg may be looking to Somerset is because of the attitudes of these public bodies in Wales, Wilson and Blackett argue...

Wales has the real history and needs the injection of money generated by making a Hollywood-style King Arthur film. "Making such films is good news for cities; for instance, Liverpool went out of its way to encourage US filmmakers to use it as a location for films like The 51st State," said Blackett.

"This is a fundamental issue of truth version fiction, of jobs versus continued decline," he continued. "Were inviting Stephen Spielberg, for whom we have massive respect in terms of film-making, to listen to us; to learn the truth. Well help him with any historical information for his film project."

Background

In 1990, Wilson and Blackett employed the services of two highly respected and experienced archaeologists, Dr. Eric Talbot and Alan Wishart of Glasgow University, to lead a dig at St. Peters Super Montem church, which they own. During the excavations, which were authorised by Royal Commission for Ancient Monuments, several highly significant artefacts were discovered including an ancient axe, a knife and a small cross that read "Pro Anima Artorius" ("For The Soul Of Arthur").

These finds came after King Arthur II's memorial stone had been discovered at St. Peters. This was no surprise; St. Peter's Super Montem is an ancient and vitally important historical site. Other major Welsh kings are buried locally.

"This is why Spielberg needs to focus on the real sites...in South Wales," said Wilson.

Alan Wilson and Baram Blackett

They have been investigating the true history of King Arthur and the Khumric-Welsh dynasty for a total of nearly 70 years. Wilsons interest began in 1956 and Blackett joined him in 1976, when the Arthurian Research Foundation of Great Britain was started.

They have written the best-selling The Holy Kingdom (Bantam, 1999) with Adrian Gilbert and self-published underground classics including Arthur, King of Glamorgan and Gwent, Artorius Rex Discovered, Arthur and the Charters of the Kings and Arthur, The War King (a historical novel).

The men have lectured extensively in the UK, including Manchester and Jesus Colleges at Oxford University, and Alan Wilson gave the prestigious Bemis Lecture in Boston in 1993. Wilson and Blackett were also commissioned to produce a detailed genealogy of the Bush family by former President George Bush (senior).

Ends.

Contact Tim Matthews, on +44 1704 220246 and +44 7903 256530.
E-mail: TMMatthews99@aol.com
Website: http://www.kingarthur-online.co.uk