While nosing thru some books, I found this interesting "Time Line". Although most people I know who are knowledgeable about the Arthurian material turn up their noses at Amber Wolfe's "The Arthurian Quest: Living the Legends of Camelot" I enjoyed the book for its innocence and magic. Anyway, here is the time line, which the author describes as "a general outline of the approximate times and factors that were instrumental in the developement of the Camelot legends." I hope it at least provides a different view.

1500 BC - AD 500: The Celtic Expansion, particularly into the British Isles.
A. Celtic natural and spiritual philosophies especialaly that of the guardian Lort of Light and the deities of Nature spread westward across Europe.

100 BC - AD 600: The merging of Roman, Celtic and Christian philosophies both during and after Roman rule.
A. The brief united peace of Britain celebrates Arthur.
B. The stories of Arthur emerge in the oral traditions.

AD 600-1100: The restrictive opporession of Eastern Orthodoxy begins in 900 to influence Europe, and then Britain.
A. The Arthurian legends remain underground, or under the veil of accepted doctrines.

AD 1100-1300: The Courts of Love and Chivalry Emerge in France
A. The Norman conquest of England gives rise to the Arthurian troubadours.
B. Reaction to Orthodox oppression brings a flowering of romance, personal value and respect for the rights of love and choice.

AD 1300-1500: The Dark Times & the Reformation
A. Orthodox reaction to the ideas of Courtly Love and Chivalry changed some of the legends. Sides are drawn in this medieval "media" war.
B. Religious persecutions result from the clash between natural, Celtic philosophies and arbitrary structures of Eastern thought.
C. Divisions in religion were first sign of choice. (even in chaos)

AD 1500-1800: The Renaissance and Ages of Revolutionary Explorations
A. The Light of European consciousness re-emerged.
B. Printing presses and more freedom of expression allowed greater expansion of the Arthurian legends.
C.New lands, new nations, new independences, and new rights continue emerging.

AD 1800-present: The New Renaissance, expanded reason, consciousness, and awareness begin.
A. Ecological awareness reconnects people to Nature.
B. Global consciousness connects people to each other, to others' mythologies and philosophies - and to their own.
C. Greater spiritual expansion and explorations of Self lead to a new acceptance of the many Ways of Light. An Age of Light draws from a clear horizon. Another cycle is progressing.