King Arthur And His Knights At Camelot
by Camelot is the fabled home of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Some place the location of the fortress in Winchester, England, but others claim that Arthur ruled from the north of England around the area known as Arthuret, in the county of Cumbria, close to the border with Scotland. Historians and archaeologists have long tried to solve the mystery, without success.
The old Arthurian tales depict the King in different ways. Some say he was a roving warrior who fought battles throughout his country, while others tell stories of a powerful chieftain with no permanent home, or court.
It wasn’t until the twelfth century that he became associated with particular places and courts in various parts of Britain. Stories abounded at this time and Arthur is mentioned several times in The Welsh Triads which are the ancient books of Wales, as being in Celliwig which is in Cornwall. Other books of the period mention Arthur’s Court at Caerleon in Wales.
Chretien who wrote ‘Lancelot’ tells of Arthur leaving Caerleon and moving to Camelot which was a truly splendid and magnificent court .
Image via Wikipedia
This became the most popular story and other romantic writers gradually built on the tale until Arthur’s Camelot became Arthur’s seat of government. The problem here is that Chretien described the splendour of Camelot but never gave its location and this has led many people to claim that it was simply his invention.
In his book ‘The Birth Life And Acts of King Arthur’ (1927), Thomas Mallory claims to have located Camelot and that it is the City of Winchester.
Image via Wikipedia
At the end of the 1960’s near to the village of South Cadbury, archaeologists uncovered an Iron Age hill fort and they were hopeful that this would turn out to be the site of Camelot because Tudor historians had already indicated that this might be the case. It’s steep sides were defended by five huge ramparts enclosing a plateau of about 18 acres. The site had been inhabited from Neolithic to Late Saxon times and many artifacts were excavated but there was nothing there to indicate a connection with King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Image by freeparking via Flickr
Some have focused on the word ‘Camel’ and searched along the River Camel (Cornwall) for a likely spot where Camelot may have been built and others have looked into Roman place names for a clue.
Despite all this the mystery remains. Was there ever such a place as Camelot and if so, where was it located?
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Post CommentKate Smedley
On March 28, 2009 at 5:46 am
The stories and myths of King Arthur and Camelot fascinate me so I enjoyed this a lot. Congratulations on the publishing of your book by the way, very much deserved.
BC Doan
On March 28, 2009 at 6:58 am
I enjoy this very much, and like Kate, any thing about King Arthur fascinates me..
Glynis Smy
On March 28, 2009 at 8:12 am
I too am a fan of the tale of Arthur (and Louie LOL).
The fantasy and reality of the subject is so interesting. Good read, thanks.
Daisy Peasblossom
On March 28, 2009 at 8:36 am
Very interesting. The mythology of Camelot has become so much a part of our culture, actually finding it might be a bit of a let-down.
Judy Sheldon
On March 28, 2009 at 10:06 am
Congrats on another book! I have already forwarded your link out to friends and family and wish you the best!
I think I agree with Daisy on this one. The mystique could be ruined if we actually knew the “whole” story. The imagination can be so magical.
Betty Carew
On March 28, 2009 at 2:02 pm
My favorite story Louie, what a wonderful read you did an excellent job on this.
Tabitha Hergest
On March 28, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I, too, found it interesting, and being as the story is part of my Brythonic Keltic culture, I thought I might comment. I loved the build up of the story from wandering warrior through to mediaeval story via the Welsh triads, and it is good to see the possible sites for Camelot getting the exposure they deserve. If I might, however, make one or two suggestions; firstly, you might look north, for Uriens is named in the Arthurian legends – and there was a Uriens, who was the last Brythonic King of Rheged, near the border regions of Scotland. Also, if you are interested, look also to the Brythonic Gods and Goddess for there, I believe, you will find the real meaning of Arthur’s story.
Notwithstanding my running off at the keyboard, a first class piece: but then can we expect anything different?
Inna Tysoe
On March 28, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Well done!
Thank you for this–I have been following the attempts to find Camelot with some interest (my personal opinion is that Camelot became associated with Arthur long after the latter’s death) and you still taught me a couple of things.
Inna
Lex92
On March 28, 2009 at 9:18 pm
thanks Louie!! I never knew any of this about King Arthur…I never knew there was so much speculation on him!
Susan Keeping
On March 29, 2009 at 9:11 am
Excellent article. I’ve always been a fan of King Arthur. Camelot is a nice idea…
Timothy P Stavert
On March 29, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Hi Louie
I am gradually working my way through your material and I admit that I have always been a fan of the King Arthur legend. He was the prime example of British Bravery during those times. Whether he existed or not and the sorcery of Merlin added the mystery to the medievil age. Whether any truth in his existance will ever be proven, I indeed hope so.
I know I do not have to say whether this was well written.
It is a topic I will also read about or watch on TV.
Nice One!
Tim
Sandra Tapia
On March 31, 2009 at 12:23 am
My boy just soaked this up! This was very enlightening. What’s not to love about King Arthur?
Coal Hill Johnny
On April 1, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Great article, I’ve been studying King Arthur with my kids so this was very timely.
Payge
On August 30, 2009 at 2:32 pm
great article on one on my favorite things in the world,,the dark ages and the mystery about Camelot and Arthur. Im not so sure I would want the mystery solved if the castle or the players in it really existed or didnt exist.I have more fun reading abouit it and using my writers imagination what I think is the real story.Possibly even creating my own version of that time period when I am ready.