English mythology is the collection of myths that have emerged throughout the history of England,

sometimes being elaborated upon by successive generations, and at other times being rejected and
replaced by other explanatory narratives. These narratives consist of folk traditions developed in
England after the Norman Conquest, integrated with traditions from Anglo-Saxon mythology, Christian
mythology, and Celtic mythology. Elements of the Matter of Britain and Welsh mythology which relate
directly to England are included, such as the foundation myth of Brutus of Troy and the Arthurian
legends, but these are combined with narratives from the Matter of England and traditions from English
folklore.

King Arthur was a legendary British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led
the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. The details of
Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and his historical existence is
debated and disputed by modern historians. The sparse historical background of Arthur is gleaned from
various sources, including the Annales Cambriae, the Historia Brittonum, and the writings of Gildas.
Arthur's name also occurs in early poetic sources such as Y Gododdin.

Beowulf is a legendary Geatish hero in the epic poem named after him, one of the oldest surviving
pieces of literature in the English language.

Alfred the Great 'Elf-counsel' or 'Wise-elf'; between 847 and 849 – 26 October 899) was King of
Wessex from 871 to c. 886 and King of the Anglo-Saxons from c. 886 to 899. He was the youngest son of
King Æthelwulf of Wessex. His father died when he was young and three of Alfred's brothers reigned in
turn. Alfred took the throne after the death of his brother Æthelred and spent several years dealing with
Viking invasions. He won a decisive victory in the Battle of Edington in 878 and made an agreement with
the Vikings, creating what was known as Danelaw in the North of England. Alfred also oversaw the
conversion of Viking leader Guthrum to Christianity. He successfully defended his kingdom against the
Viking attempt at conquest, and he became the dominant ruler in England.

Godiva, Countess of Mercia; (died between 1066 and 1086), in Old English Godgifu, was an English
noblewoman who, according to a legend dating at least to the 13th century, rode naked – covered only
in her long hair – through the streets of Coventry to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation that her
husband imposed on his tenants. The name "Peeping Tom" for a voyeur originates from later versions of
this legend in which a man named Thomas watched her ride and was struck blind or dead.

Sceafa was an ancient Lombardic king in English legend. According to his story, Sceafa appeared
mysteriously as a child, coming out of the sea in an empty skiff. The name also appears in the corrupt
forms Seskef, Stefius, Strephius, and Stresaeus.

Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently
featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In
some versions of the legend, he is depicted as being of noble birth, and in modern time he is sometimes
depicted as having fought in the Crusades before returning to England to find his lands taken by the
Sheriff. In the oldest known versions he is instead a member of the yeoman class. Traditionally depicted
dressed in Lincoln green, he is said to have robbed from the rich and given to the poor.

Brutus, or Brute of Troy, is a legendary descendant of the Trojan hero Aeneas, known in medieval
British history as the eponymous founder and first king of Britain. This legend first appears in the
Historia Brittonum, an anonymous 9th-century historical compilation to which commentary was added
by Nennius, but is best known from the account given by the 12th-century chronicler Geoffrey of
Monmouth in his Historia Regum Britanniae. Notwithstanding this, he is not mentioned in any classical
text and should not be considered historical.