King Arthur may be Ethelbert?

In our paper "Who Was Arthur" we surveyed 34 Arthur candidates which we had selected as more likely candidates from a big list of all possible Arthur candidates of others and/or of ours. We concluded that the 4 or 5 best candidates were Ambrosius, Vortimer, Ethelbert, Maelgwn's uncle, or maybe Riothamus? Of these 5 chief candidates only Ethelbert and Riothamus are properly historical figures, and of these two Ethelbert is the only one with very many similarities. So let us do a fuller survey of the similarities between Arthur and Ethelbert to try determine whether they can or can't be the same person. Though I'm not really sure myself if Arthur is Ethelbert or not, since on the one hand it seems somewhat likely but on the other hand seems abit doubtful for some reasons.

Ethelbert:
Is an historical king. He is mentioned in the ASC.
Arthur:
Is a semi-legendary semi-historical king. He doesn't occur by name in Gildas, Bede or the ASC.
Ethelbert is one of the only few candidates for Arthur in the ASC (Atilla, Patrick, Vortigern, Benedict, British king Natanleod, Ethelbert).

Ethelbert:
He was in Kent (also overlord of East Anglia, Essex, Wessex).
Canterbury and Kent have a British/Welsh/Celtic names and associations.
Arthur:
Collingwood & Jackson & Evans agree that the HB's words seem to imply that Arthur fought "specifically Kentishmen" because the 12 battles come just after mention of Octa.
8 of Arthur's 9 battle sites in the ND might match 8 of the 9 Saxon Shore forts in the ND? In this theory the middle 5 of the 9 battle sites are in Kent.
Or Arthur's battles might match Vortimer's battles which were also in Kent.
Or Arthur's battles may match the battles in Kent, Sussex and Wessex in the ASC (440s to 500s).
Kentish place names in traditional Arthurian sources include Chislehurst (local tradition), Thanet (HRB's Badon aftermath chapter), Rutupi (HRB), Dover, Canterbury, Appledore (local tradition). Riculf/Raculf in the HRB might match Regulbium/Reculver.
Wheeler's salient/gap of Britons in the Essex & London area in south-east confirms that the Britons were near Kent in Arthur's times.

Ethelbert:
His name is Aedelbriht/Aedelberht/Aethelberht/Ethelbert.
Augustine was prior of monastery of St Andrew in Rome.
Arthur:
His name is Arthur/Artus/Artorius.
Similar name Arthuret/Arfderydd/Arddrydd/Armterid and/or Eliffer/Elifert 573 (AC).
Both:
Both names Arthur and Aethelbert are somewhat similar (interchanging the l & r, and transposing the th and l/r, or interchanging the d & r, or interchanging the meanings of the elements). They may even be more similar if we consider the identification of Sigurd with Sigibert.
Or Ethelbert's name is also similar to Gwrthefyr/Vortimer (and/or Vortipore) whose name is similar to Arthur.
Or the name Arthur and Andrew (or Andred) are similar?

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert's name means "noble + bright".
Arthur:
Among the numerous suggested possible meanings of the name Arthur/Artus/Artorius is the meaning "noble one". (Compare the similar meanings of the names of Roger Godberd and Robin Hood in our ebook on these two persons seemingly being the same.)
"Famed Arthur of Gwerthrynion".

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert died 21 yrs after his baptism (Bede).
53 minus 32 yrs = 21 yrs in the 560 entry of the ASC.
Wibbandune 568 to Woddesbeorg 591 = 22 yrs?
Arthur:
22 yrs between Badon 516/518 and Camlan 537 (AC).
Arthur reigned in peace for 12 yrs (HRB/DGB).

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert was a king of Kent.
Arthur:
Arthur is a king of Britain/Loegria/England in some sources.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert held the imperium over other Anglo-Saxon provinces.
Arthur:
Arthur is supposed to have been (Roman) emperor.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert was the 3rd Bretwalda "Britain ruler" or overlord or Octarch of the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy from 590s/601/604.
Arthur:
Arthur was High King of Britain in the HRB/DGB.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert was the 3rd Bretwalda "Britain ruler" and held the imperium over other Anglo-Saxon provinces.
Bretwalda had a definite role of military leadership.
Bretwalda usually included holding the military command of other kingdoms.
"Redwald conceded to him (Ethelbert) the military leadership of his people". (Or an alternative reading is that Redwald retained ducatus, or military command of his people, or control of his own troops, or military independence.)
"Anglo-Saxon invasion may have involved military coordination of different groups within the invaders, with a leader who had authority over many different groups"
"Gregory urges Aethelberht to spread Christianity among those kings and peoples subject to him"
Arthur:
Arthur was dux bellorum "war leader" of the kings of the Britons.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert is great great grandson of Hengist/Hengest.
Arthurian:
Book of Hergest.
Ambrosius & Uther buried at Stonehenge.
Augusel/Angusel/Lancelot.

Ethelbert:
The symbol of Hengist &/or the Jutes of Kent is a White Dragon or White Horse.
Arthurian:
Pendragon (Natanleod, Uther, Arthur).
Gwyn Dragon (Y Gododdin).
Gwen Pendragon.
Red Dragon vs White Dragon.

Ethelbert:
Kentish manufacture before 600 included glass beakers and jewelry.
(There is a glass vessel at Dover, and a glass vessel at Burgh, Great Yarmouth.)
Arthur:
Holy Grail.
Glass vessels were used by the Britons in the 6th century.

Ethelbert:
Mellitus (London).
St Mildred of Thanet.
Merefin 'the holy child'.
Arthur:
Merlin.
Camelot may be from melyn "yellow".
Mervin/Mermenus (HB).

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert "sat in a chair surrounded by his warriors" when listening to Augustine.
Arthur:
Arthur sits at Round Table with 12/24/150 knights and the siege perilous.

Ethelbert:
Battle of Wibbandun(e) "Wibbas Mount" 568/"581-588"/"590" variously supposed to be Wimbledon or Worplesdon or "it is not known where this was". Oslaf/Oslake was slain at this battle.
Arthur:
Battle of Badon/Vadon where Arthur defeated the Saxons, it is not known where this was. Osla was at this battle.
Synod of victory 569 in the AC.
Battle of Guinnion.

Ethelbert:
West Saxons stirred up civil war against Ethelbert in 568 (ASC, Ethelwerd).
Arthur:
Mordred caused civil war and battle of Camlann 537/539.
Civil war and battle of Arthuret 573.

Ethelbert's time:
Great slaughter on both sides at Battle of Woddesbeorg 591, where Ceawlin was driven from his kingdom (ASC, Ethelwerd). (Some old sources thought that this battle might have been at Woodbridge nearby the Sutton Hoo ship burial. Though others locate it at Wemborow or Wanborough or Adam's Grave, Alton Priors.)
Arthur:
Battle of Camlann 537 (AC) or 576 (Hergest) where both sides lost many warriors, identified by some with Slaughter Bridge, after which Arthur was taken to Avalon in a boat/ship. (The plague at time of Camlann could be the plague of Gregory in 590-604?)
Battle of Badon/Vadon where Arthur defeated the Saxons.
The battle in the Y Gododdin may date to 538, 570, Raith 596 (Wiki), Catraeth 598 (Wiki), Catraeth 600 (Wiki), 638, 668 (Ulster).
The battle of Arthuret has date 593 in Hergest.

Ethelbert:
The battle of Beandune/Bampton 614 ad / 5618 am, with 2040/2046 slain.
Arthur:
Arthur's battle of Badon "516/518" (AC), with 470/940 slain.

Ethelbert:
Abingdon manuscript of the ASC.
Arthur:
Badon.

Ethelbert:
British Church/chapel of St Martin, Canterbury.
St Martin's Portico, St Peter & St Paul, Canterbury.
(St Martin le Grand, Dover.)
Arthur:
Arthur &/or Merlin/Myrddin/Carmarthen has been linked with Ares/Mars and St Martin in papers by Mintz and by myself.
Arthur candidate LAC is also linked with St Martin.
Cadwallon II is buried above the church of St Martin in London in the HRB/DGB.

Ethelbert:
Archbishop of Canterbury (Augustine, Laurentius).
Arthur:
Some King Arthur stories mention "archbishop of Canterbury" (though I don't know if this is in early traditional sources?)
Dubricius (arch)bishop of the city of Legions was chief bishop of Britain.

Ethelbert:
Redwald was "at Aethelbert's court".
Canterbury was Ethebert's "metropolis" or seat. (Though Bede doesn't say he had a palace there.) Some relate the names Canterbury and Kent to cant "crooked".
Arthur:
Arthur's court/seat/capital and 'Round Table' was at Camelot which is identified with "Cadbury" in later local tradition. Some relate the name Camelot to cam/cant "crooked".
Arthur died at Camlann, which name some relate to cam/cant "crooked", and which place some think was close to Camelot.
Arthuriburgum/Etterby.

Ethelbert:
Canterbury.
Arthur:
Excalibur/Caliburn.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert is associated with the 44 yrs of Columba in the ASC 560 entry.
Arthur:
Arthur is associated with Badon which is associated with the 43/44 yrs of Gildas in the DEB.
Columba 560 minus 44 is Badon 516 (AC).

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert reigned or lived for 53/56 yrs (560-616, ASC).
Ethelbert became king in 560 (ASC).
Five score winters (Palgrave)?
(Pentecost also mentioned in 627 in the ASC.)
(A footnote in Bede's EH also says "50 years later" after Augustine the language of the Franks was regarded in as a barbara loquella in England.)
(2nd battle of Badon 665 is 50 years after Beandune 614 just before Ethelbert's death in 616/618.)
Wibbandune 568 is 50 yrs after Badon 516/518 of the AC.
Arthur:
Arthur's battles are in section 50 or 56 of the HB (before or after the life of Patrick). (Though some assert that the life of Patrick between sections 50 & 56 is a late insertion/addition, and the battles section can only be 56 if the Patrick sections are not an insertion.)
"50 yrs halt after Badon" (Wiki)?

Ethelbert:
His name means "noble + bright".
Ethelbert's code of laws 602/603.
"the king also was responsible for law and order, and avoiding blood feuds by enforcing the rules on compensation for injury was part of the way the king maintained control."
Ethelbert said to Augustine "your words are fair...".
Arthur:
magnanimous (HB).
munificence, generosity (HRB).
politeness (HRB).
code of courtliness (HRB).
code of chivalry/conduct (French Romances).
Arthur reigned in peace for 12 yrs (HRB).
A "king of great praise", "one of the most praiseworthy sovereigns of the whole world, the most generous, ... and the most merciful" (24 kings document).
(Compare: "did all and every one of them live orderly", "laws of truth & justice", "virtues" (DEB).)

Ethelbert:
daughter Aethelburg/Aethelburh.
Arthur:
Arthuriburgum/Etterby.

Ethelbert:
"Items 77–81 in the code have been interpreted as a description of a woman's financial rights after a divorce or legal separation."
"Eadbald outraged the church by marrying his stepmother."
Arthur:
Arthur & Guinevere & Lancelot.
Mordred/Melwas abducts Guinevere (HRB/DGB, Sts Lives, Modena Archivolt).

Ethelbert:
His wife's chaplain Liudhard/Liuthard.
Laurentius (616, ASC).
Arthur:
Guinevere's affair with Lancelot.

Ethelbert:
His wife was Bertha or Aldeberge (daughter of Ingoberga).
(His descendant Domne Eafe.)
Arthur:
His wife was Winlogee/Guinevere/Guanhumara.
Both:
The names Aldeberge or Ingoberg and Guinevere are vaguely similar (esp if Ald might match alb "white"?)

Ethelbert:
Augustine.
(Legio II Augusta at Rutupi/Richborough.)
Arthur:
Augusel/Angusel/Lancelot (HRB/DGB).
Augustodunum (HRB).
Kalends of August (HRB).

Ethelbert:
sister Ricole (ASC).
Arthur:
sister Anna/Anne (HRB).

Ethelbert:
Ethlebert was the 1st christian Anglo-Saxon king of Britain (ca 597-598/601).
The pre-Augustine Ethelbert "was evidently not entirely hostle to his wife's (Christian) faith".
Arthur:
Was supposed to have been a christian (carried Mary &/or Cross at Guinnion &/or Badon for 1 or 3 days, in HB & AC).

Ethelbert:
"churches were established".
Arthur:
"he erected many religious houses and monasteries, and gave them endowments and salaries" (24 kings document).

Ethelbert:
Genealogical/dynastic sequence of
Hengist - Oeric/Oisc/Eisc - Octa - Eormenric - Ethelbert - Eadbald - 2 sons; or,
Hengist - Octa - Ossa - Eormenric - Ethelbert - Eabdald - 2 sons (HB); or,
Ochta/Eic - Hengist - Eormenric - Ethelbert - Eadbald - 2 sons (HRB); and,
00 Vortigern - 0 Hengist/Horsa - 1 Aelle - 2 Ceawlin - 3 Ethelbert - Redwald (EH, ASC).
Arthur:
Genealogical/dynastic sequence of
Constantine/Constans - Ambrosius & Uther - Arthur - Mordred - 2 sons; and
Arthur - Constantine & Conan & Vortipore & Cuneglas & Maelgwn (DEB, HRB).
Both:
Constantine & Constans resemble Hengist & Horsa in name and nature (both invited to come from France to Britain to fight Scots/Picts).

Ethelbert:
His father is Eormenric/Ermenric/Irminric (or Yormon).
Ermenric's parentage is not certain.
Arthur:
His father is Uther/Uter Ben/Pendragon.
His uncle/predecessor is Ambrosius/Emrys.
His foster father was Ector.
His battles are a 2nd campaign after the 1st campaign of Vortimer.
Arthur was brought up by Merlin/Embres-guletic in later sources.
Emrys/Merlin had no father in the HB/HRB.
Arthur has been corresponded by some with Athrwys ap Meurig/Mouric/Mavricus.
Both:
The name Eormenric is maybe similar to Vortimer or Ambrosius / Emrys-Wledig / Embres-guletic / Merlin or Uther/Uter or Meurig or Ector?

Ethelbert:
"If the king is drinking at a man's home, and anyone commits any evil deed there, he is to pay twofold compensation."
Arthur:
Arthur's banqueting hall.
The drinking at Eidyn (Y Gododdin).

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert died in 616 or 618 ad or 5618 am.
Arthur:
Badon was in 516/518 ad.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert's grave/tomb is in St Martin's portico in the church of St Peter & St Paul in Canterbury.
('Fred' the skeleton in St Martin le Grand, Dover.)
Arthur:
Arthur sleeps/rests in Avalon which some identify as being Glastonbury.
Cadwallon II is buried above the church of St Martin in London in the HRB/DGB.

Ethelbert:
His name is Ethel-bert.
His wife is Bertha.
Arthur:
He is supposed to sleep/rest at Berth in Baschurch.

Ethelbert:
The prophecy of Augustine in the ASC 607 entry?
Arthurian:
The 150 yrs prophecy in the DEB of Gildas.
The prophecy of Merlin (HRB/DGB).
The prophecy of Berchan.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert became king in 560 at 8 yrs old (born 552).
Ethelbert was 15 yrs old at battle of Wibbandune in 568 in the ASC.
Ethelbert was 13 when Columba came in 565 in one ASC version.
11 yrs from 596/597 to 606 (Ethelwerd).
Arthur:
Arthur became king at 12 yrs old.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert was born in 550/552/560 and reigned 560/565/589/590-616/618.
Ethebert's daughter married Edwin.
Arthur:
Arthur's battles were before or until Ida (547-560/584) in the HB.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert married a daughter of the king of the Franks (around about 560/565/567/570s/580).
Kent had "strong ties with the Continent".
"Ermenric's name provides a hint of connections to the Franks
there is abundant evidence of strong connections across the English Channel. There was a luxury trade between Kent and the Franks, and burial artefacts found include clothing, drink, and weapons that reflect Frankish cultural influence. The Kentish burials have a greater range of imported goods than those of the neighbouring Anglo-Saxon regions, which is not surprising given Kent's easier access to trade across the English Channel. In addition, the grave goods are both richer and more numerous in Kentish graves, implying that material wealth was derived from that trade. Frankish influences also may be detected in the social and agrarian organization of Kent."
Frankish influence 510-570 / early-late 6th century.
Ethelbert's law code compared to the Lex Salica of the Franks.
Arthur:
Arthur has a number of connections with Gaul/France.
Arthur crossed over to Gaul/France two times in the HRB/DGB.
French Romances. Boron. Troyes.
Breton Lais.
Arthur had access to south & east coastal ports: the Porter (PG), ship Pry(d)wen, "Dover", "Rutupi" (HRB), Riculf/Raculf (HRB), Hamo's Port (HRB), Gaul/France (HRB).

Ethelbert:
"The Franks would have thought of Ethelbert as an under-king."
"There is no record that Aethelberht ever accepted a continental king as his overlord."
"Evidence for an explicit Frankish overlordship of Kent comes from a letter written by Pope Gregory the Great to Theuderic, king of Burgundy, and Theudebert, king of Austrasia. The letter concerned Augustine's mission to Kent in 597, and in it Gregory says that he believes 'that you wish your subjects in every respect to be converted to that faith in which you, their kings and lords, stand'."
"It also has been suggested that Liudhard, Bertha's chaplain, was intended as a representative of the Frankish church in Kent, which also could be interpreted as evidence of overlordship."
"Goods from Kent are found in cemeteries across the channel and as far away as at the mouth of the Loire."
Arthur:
The Roman general/procurator/emperor Lucius Tiberius/Hiberius in Gaul/France sent Arthur and the Britons a demand for tribute. Arthur and the Britons decided to reject the demand and crossed over to Gaul/France to defeat Lucius (HRB/DGB).
"British legion near Orleans 530"?
"Legion of Britons at St Dalmas / Loire in 536"?

Ethelbert:
"Goods from Kent are found in cemeteries across the channel and as far away as at the mouth of the Loire."
Arthurian:
King Logiore (Life of St Patrick, HB).
Logres, Loegria (HRB).
"Legion of Britons at St Dalmas / Loire in 536"?
Arthur candidate Riothamus was near the Loire: "the Britons stationed beyond the Loire should be attacked".

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert is mentioned in Gregory of Tours.
Arthur:
Arthur of the HB is supposed to match Riothamus of the HF of Gregory of Tours.

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert's grave is in the church of St Peter & St Paul in Canterbury.
He is also connected with St Paul's in London.
Arthur:
Arthur seemingly may be connected with the name Peter or Patern or Patrick, and/or Paul sinc these names are prominent in Arthurian sources. Eg:
Arthur map Petr (Dyfed/Deisi).
St Petroc of Devon/Cornwall.
Arthur occurs in the Vita Padarn/Patern(us).
Arthur's battles come just before or after Patrick's life in the HB.
"I Paternus known as Arthur" in the Artognou Tintagel inscription.
Cadwaladr called "Peter" (ASC, HRB).
"St Peter & Paul escort pope Leo the great at meeting with Attila" or "St Peter & Paul attend Leo & Attila" (anonymous chronicler of medieval period, & Raphael).
Pol Aurelian de Leon (Breton).
Pavloc in Sutton Hoo inscription.
Pabo Post Prydain in the Men of the North.
Count Paul in a Riothamus source.
Peblig (24 kings & 33 cities document).
Relics of Paulenan (Vita Gurthiern, Saints Lives)?
Poulentus master of soliders, earth swallowed up (Vita Iltud)?
Paulinus/Polin Esgob/Pawl Hen (HB, AC, confounded with Rhun son of Urien or Maelgwn).
The -pore of Vortipore's name is similar to Pol/Paul (DEB, HRB/DGB).

Ethelbert:
St Augustine synod at "Chester" and/or "Augustine's Ac/Oak on borders of the Wiccii & the West Saxons" ("in Severn valley in nw Wessex", 603, Bede) linked with the "city of the Legion" (602, AC, or 607, ASC).
Arthur:
Battle of the city of the legion (which may match Rutupi/Richborough).
City of Lions/Lyonesse.

Ethelbert:
Conflict between Jutes/Kentish and Saxons before 449 and in 568.
Arthur:
Conflict between Britons/Welsh and Anglo-Saxons.
(In history often the earlier waves of invaders become merged with the natives.
Canterbury and Kent have a British/Welsh/Celtic names and associations.)

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert's law code "composed after the Roman manner".
Ethelbert listed in the Roman Martyology.
Ethelbert commemorated in the Roman Catholic church.
He is also venerated in the eastern orthodox church.
Arthur:
St Patrick came from Rome.
Aurelius/Ambrosius had Roman blood.
Arthur may have had some Roman blood.
Arthur might be from Roman name Artorius.
Kay/Caius is a Roman name.
Arthur defeated Roman general/proconsul/emperor Lucius (HRB).
Arthur is supposed to have campaigned as far as Rome.
Arthur was supposedly (Roman) emperor.
The city of the legion was "2nd Rome" (24 kings document).
Cadwaladr went to Rome (ASC, HRB).

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert reigned/lived for 56 years (ASC).
Arthur:
"Arthur king of the kings of the island of Britain ... wrought 12 notable battles against the Saxons and the Picts; in the 1st of them he was vanquished... in the other contests he was victorious ... although he was an old man" ('The History of Gruffydd ap Cynan').

Ethelbert:
"Englishmen who, for the first time, heard the cry of Alle(l)uia raised in their land".
Arthurian:
The Halleluyah Victory of Germanus 421?

Ethelbert:
Ethelbert was just "a man of Kent" before he was king.
Arthurian:
Arthur only became king after drawing the sword from the stone/anvil.

Ethelbert:
Was an "illustrious sire" (ASC 640)?
Arthur:
Is a very famous character.

Ethelbert references:
ASC.
Bede EH
Bambrough 'Who Was Arthur'
Coins
R Castleden
Ethelwerd.
Ethelbert's Law Code
Greg of Tours HF
Geoff of Monmouth HRB/DGB
Kentish Royal Legend / Pa Halgan / Vita St Mildrid
Letters of pope Gregory the Great
Nennius/Mark HB
Nelson's Dictionar of Dates
On Resting Places of the Saints / Secgan
Roman Martyrology
Statue at Canterbury Cathedral
Statue in Rochester Cathedral.
Stain Glass Window in Chapel of All Souls College in Oxford
Sculpture in Canterbury Cathedral
Vita of pope Gregory the Great
Wilmot-Buxton
Wikipedia.

Arthur references:
Aneirin 'Y Gododdin'.
Arthurnet
Arthurian Infopedia
ASC (not mention Arthur himself)
Bede EH (not mention Arthur only Badon)
Bambrough 'Who Was Arthur'
Boron
Breton Lais
JC Cooper Brewer's Book of Myth & Legend
Dream of Rhonabwy.
French Romances
Gildas DGB (not mention Arthur only Badon)
Geoff of Monmouth HRB/DGB
Leon Mintz
Malory Morte d Arthur
Nennius/Mark HB
Pa Gur
Saints Lives
C Troyes
24 Kings document
Vita Patern
Wace
Welsh Annals
Welsh Triads
Wikipedia.