still under construction
last updated 8th July 2008
also just to let you know that it is not actually being put together in any particular order so beware
Arthur Pendragon was the illegitimate son of Uther Pendragon of Tintagel and was actually a "Lord" rather than a King.
Briton at that time, circa 500AD was tribal and Arthur would have been a leader of one of these "tribes" originally.
His rise to greater power coming mainly from his ability to unite the tribes against a common foe, starting locally and later, when the country was invaded by the Saxons, more widespread.
Despite the stories of Arthur being given a Viking style funeral, i.e. sent out to sea on a burning raft, and Guinevere being banished to France there are two graves at Glastonbury Abbey which are claimed to be those of Arthur and Guinevere.
It is also said that Arthur will return when England needs him.
He is often referred to as:
Of course it could be argued that:
As he was attempting to save Briton from the invaders that drove the natives into what is now Wales, why would he want to come back to save "the invaders".
Most of history has unfortunately been rewritten by Hollywood and it's fairytale images.
It would be nice to think that Arthur and Guinevere really did live in the sort of Castle that is portrayed in the movies but the truth of the matter is that there was neither the time or any other resources available to build such a thing in the times of Arthur.
There is also of course the fact that if such a building had existed that the site would have been identified by now.
Many places claim to be the site of Camelot, probably the most famous of these being Cadbury Castle in Somerset which although not very well excavated to date does fit the correct period.
This is the site of an ancient hill fort and is relatively near to Glastonbury.
It is however an extremely difficult place to get to and therefore inconvenient for trade or visitors.
Another site and one which I believe is more likely to be the true site of Camelot is the Roman fort at Caerleon, South Wales.
This lies on the River Usk, just north of Newport and at the time of Arthur would have been recently vacated by the Romans.
The Usk is still wide and tidal at this point and would therefore have been ideal for trading purposes and convenient for visiting dignitaries.
It would also have been more secure than a hill fort.
Legend has it that the Round Table was given to Arthur by Guinevere's father as part of his dowry and there have been several variations on the design with the most popular being similar to the one which is hung on the wall of the Great Hall in Winchester.
Basically a solid round table divided up with a segment for each of the Knights.
The table that is hung in the Great Hall in Winchester has been shown (by carbon dating) to have been constructed in the 14th Century, and repainted in its present form to depict the Tudor King, Henry VIII.
The inscription round the centre of the Table is:
S galahallt S blubrys S kay S launcelot deulake S lacotemale tayleS Ectorde marys S gauen S lucane S dagonet S p cyvale S plomyd S degore S Iyonell S lamorak S brumear S trystram delyens S born de ganys S lybyus dyscovyS garethe S safer S Alynore S bedwere S pelleus S mordrede |
It is then a matter of speculation as to whether the depiction of Henry was commissioned by himself or if the artist was merely attempting to court royal favour.
The idea of there actually being a "table" is highly unlikely as this would be extremely impractical for council or governmental type meetings.
Guinevere's father apparently owned land around Caerleon, including the site of the old Roman amphitheatre.
It is more likely that he would give land to a man as powerful as Arthur, a commodity much more useful than a piece of furniture, and that this Amphitheatre was to become the Round table of the legends.
The Knights would then be able to sit around the galleries of the theatre while the proposals and entertainments, etc. could be conducted from the "floor".
