King Arthurs Camelot Castle | King Arthur | Tintagel | North Cornwall King Arthur's page is sponsored by Camelot Castle Hotel in Tintagel The above view was taken from Camelot Castle Hotel at Tintagel in North Cornwall. King Arthur's Castle is shown above. Both the mainland and the island are shown. If you look you can see Arthur's profile clearly defined in the cliff face of the Castle Island. Castle cove at Tintagel is shown below at high tide. Merlin's cave is located to the left of the picture right on the tide line. Below left, is a close up of Merlin's cave entrance at high tide. Below right is a shot across from Barras showing the beach and the island bridge. At low tide you can walk through the cave and if you look closely you will find a hidden seam where the smugglers used to hide. It is well worn now, but you can still hide and not be seen by all the people who traverse the cave. Below is an aerial shot of Castle Island. In the centre is a fresh water well.

If you look closely at the right hand bottom corner of the picture, you can see the impressions of a civilisation that once dwelled here long before the island became such a grand and opulent location. Slaughter bridge is famous for being the location of Arthur's last battle. There is an interesting alternative name for Slaughterbridge, that of ï¿½Slovens bridgeï¿½. It is possibly a corruption of ï¿½Sloe-vaen, from loe, a tumulus, and vaen, a stone, preceded by is ï¿½ under, or below ï¿½ . (JIRC 1850: 39) The JIRC suggests that the stone may have stood upon the ï¿½follyï¿½ mound above where it now lies. In 823AD there was an actual known battle in this area between the Saxon King Egbert and the Cornish Britons. Camelford had a chancery chapel established so that a priest, could say masses for the souls of the slain. Castle Cove Timelapse Here is where it all began. Castle Island at Tintagel in North Cornwall. The Legendary birthplace of King Arthur.

Can you see the profile of King Arthur in the cliff face? Several years ago a new footbridge replaced the old bridge after it fell to the sea. St Knightons Keive (St Nectan's Glen) above. St Knightons Keive is said to be the place were men became Knights by passing through the lower circle to be reborn again cleansed in the pool below. The Keive itself was seen has a potent Pagan symbol of Gaia and has been a place of reverence since before the times of Christ. The 6th century ï¿½Arthurï¿½s Stoneï¿½ is inscribed with ogham and latin. The stone is alleged to mark the spot near Slaughterbridge, where King Arthur fell mortally wounded after the battle of Camlann. 24. Mordrede Below are a couple of picture of Dozmary Pool on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Arthur was carried away over Dozmary pool in the vessel of the Lady of the Lake. King Arthur - The Mythology and the Legend. King Arthur King Arthur is an important figure in the mythology of Great Britain, where he appears as the ideal of kingship both in war and peace.

He is the central character in the cycle of legends known as the Matter of Britain, which portrays him as a leader of the Sub-Roman Britons during the Saxon invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries. Originally celebrated as a culture hero by the Brythonic peoples, by the 12th century his fame had spread to the Briton's relatives in Brittany, and from there to France, Anglo-Norman England, and the rest of Europe. King Arthur remains a household name throughout the Western World today. There is disagreement about whether he, or a model for him, ever actually existed, or whether he is a mythic figure who has been given a historicised setting.[1] His title of 'King' is disputed: in the earliest mentions and in Welsh texts, he is never given the title 'King'. An early text refers to him as Dux Bellorum ('Duke of Battles'),[2] and medieval Welsh texts often call him ameraudur ("emperor" in the pre-Medieval sense of the Latin imperator, i.e. "commander"). The historicity of the King Arthur legend has long been debated by scholars.

One school of thought believes that Arthur had no historical existence, that he originally was a half-forgotten Celtic deity that devolved into a personage, citing parallels with the following: a supposed change of the sea-god Lir into King Lear;[1] with the Kentish totemic horse-gods Hengest and Horsa, who were historicised by the time of Bede's account and given an important role in the 5th century Anglo-Saxon conquest of eastern Britain;[1] with the founder-figure of Caer-fyrddin, Merlin (Welsh Myrddin);[1] or with the Norse demigod Sigurd or Siegfried, who was historicised in Nibelungenlied by associating him with a famous historical 5th century battle between Huns and the Burgundians.[1] Supporters of this theory often instance the Welsh etymology of Arthur's name as derived from "bear", proposing the bear-god Artio (Proto-Celtic artos) as the precedent for the legend;however, these particular deities are known to have been worshipped by the continental Celts, and are not documented among the Britons.Another view holds that Arthur was an auth

entically historical personage, a Romano-British leader fighting against the invading Anglo-Saxons sometime in the late 5th to early 6th century.The late historian John Morris made the alleged reign of Arthur at the turn of the 5th century the organising principle of his history of sub-Roman Britain and Ireland under the rubric The Age of Arthur: A History of the British Isles from 450ï¿½650 (1973), even though he found little to say of an historic Arthur, save as an example of the idea of kingship, one among such contemporaries as Vortigern and Cunedda, Hengest and Coel.

If he existed, his power base would probably have been in the Celtic areas of Wales, Cornwall and the West Country, or the Brythonic 'Old North' which covered modern Northern England and Southern Scotland. However, controversy over the centre of his supposed power and the extent and kind of power he would have wielded continues to this day. In this vein, some scholars have noticed a pattern in Arthur's story that is echoed by historical kings, such as Alfred the Great. Both Arthur and Alfred are characterized as benevolent leaders who protect their local people from multiple invasions. The common idea, popularized by 20th century novelist Susan Cooper, is to the effect that invasions came one after another, to be beaten back by "Dukes of Battle" (Dux Bellorum) who could rally the people behind them.

One of the more famous records claiming Arthur's historical reality, the "history" by Geoffrey of Monmouth,[1] contains little trustworthy historical fact, and many scholars are tempted to agree with William of Newburgh, who wrote around 1190 that "it is quite clear that everything this man wrote about Arthur and his successors, or indeed about his predecessors from Vortigern onwards, was made up, partly by himself and partly by others, either from an inordinate love of lying, or for the sake of pleasing the Britons." Two sources of information on Arthur are available, through archaeology and through texts. The archaeology of sites can reveal names only through inscriptions. The so-called "Arthur stone" discovered in 1998 in securely dated 6th century contexts among the ruins at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, a secular, high status settlement of Sub-Roman Britain, created a brief stir. There is no other archaeological evidence for Arthur, though sites and places have been identified as "Arthurian" since the 12th century.

A number of unidentifiable historical figures have been suggested as the historical basis for Arthur, ranging from Lucius Artorius Castus, a Roman officer who served in Britain in the 2nd century; Roman usurper emperors like Magnus Maximus; and sub-Roman British rulers like Riothamus, Ambrosius Aurelianus, Owain Ddantgwynand Athrwys ap Meurig. The origin of the name Arthur is itself a matter of debate and is very much connected to the debates concerning his historicity. Some, like the above, see it as derived from the Latin 'Artorius', a Roman family name meaning 'plowman' which became 'Arturius', among other variants, in Roman inscriptions. The 5th to 6th century Welsh art (arth is a later form) means 'bear'. Thus, theories for the Welsh origin of the name Arthur have been proposed. One has art + ur, 'man of the bear' or 'bear-man', thus giving us Artur. Also, the Latin form of Arthur appears as Arturus in the earliest writings, never Artorius.

The supposition of the Latin '-us' could suggest the original name was the Welsh Artur. Yet "Artorius" in its later forms when pronounced in Celtic languages could have yielded "Arthur" as well as "Arturus", both of which forms do occur in the medieval literature. Toby D. Griffen, a scholar from the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, among others, links the name Arthur to Arcturus, the brightest star in the constellation Boï¿½tes, and the third brightest in the night sky. The word Arcturus is in Classical Latin, and would have been Arturus in the Late Latin of the 5th ï¿½ 6th century. Griffen and others believe that Arthur might not be derived from a Latin original such as Artorius, as proponents of the above theories suspect, but could have been a nom de guerre used by or an epithet bestowed upon the leader who fought against the Saxons. Griffen goes on to state that the star Arcturus was associated with the Great Bear.

Its position in the sky, near Ursa Major, led people to call it the 'guardian of the bear', and it was regarded as the leader of the other stars in Boï¿½tes. In Welsh, the conveniently similar Artur (or possibly Arturos) meant 'bear-man'. If the man we call Arthur used Arturus (and Artur[os]) as his nom de guerre(s), its meaning(s) would have been easily understood by both the Romano-British and native British alike; a stout bear-like defender against the invaders.[3] In similar manner, if a capable war leader exhibited astonishing ability, speakers of Saxon might have understood his nom de guerre to mean "Ar Thur," or the Eagle of Thor, the god of thunder. Phillips and Keatman argue for their variant of the nom de guerre theory in their book, King Arthur: The True Story. For them, the name has two components. The first would be the Welsh art meaning bear, and the second a repetition in Latin, ursus, making the original name "Artursus". According to their theory this name was a title rather than the name of a person.

In any case, the name Arthur and its variants was used by at least four leaders who lived after the traditional dates of Arthurï¿½s battles, suggesting to Griffen and others that it was not used as a personal name until ï¿½theï¿½ Arthur himself did so. This idea is reinforced by the fact that Arthur's father is named Uther, phonetically similar to Arthur. The creator of the familiar literary persona of Arthur was Geoffrey of Monmouth, with his broadly fictionalized Historia Regum Britanniae written in the 1130s, widely copied and read by the English, as well as Europeans at large. All the textual sources for Arthur are divided into those that preceded Geoffrey and those that followed him, and could not avoid his influence. Arthur first appears in Welsh literature. In a surviving early Welsh poem, The Gododdin (ca. AD 594), the poet Aneirin (ca. 535ï¿½600) writes of one of his protagonists: "Like a wild boar's fury, was Bleidig ab Eli's, yet he was no Arthur, and he fed black ravens, on Cattraeth's walls".

It is not possible, though, to determine if this passage is a later interpolation on the current manuscripts of the poem, or not. The following poems attributed to Taliesin are possibly of a similarly early date: The Chair of the Sovereign, references "Arthur the Blessed"; The Treasures of Annwn, mentions "the valour of Arthur", as well as, "we went with Arthur in his splendid labours"; and the poem Journey to Deganwy contains the passage, "as at the battle of Badon, with Arthur, chief holder of feasts, his tall blades red from the battle all men remember". Another reference to Arthur is in the Historia Britonum, attributed to the Welsh monk Nennius, who is said to have written his compilation of early Welsh history around the year 830. In this work, Arthur is referred to as a "leader of battles" rather than as a king. Two separate sources within this compilation of Nennius' list twelve battles that he fought, which culminate, in 516, with the Battle of Mons Badonicus, where he is said to have single-handedly killed 960 men.

The Annales Cambriae of the 10th century, suggests that Arthur was slain at the Battle of Camlann, dated to 537. Arthur makes appearances in a number of well known vitae ("Lives") of 6th century saints, most of them written at the monastery of Llancarfan in the 12th century. For example, in the Life of Saint Illtud, from internal evidence apparently written around 1140, Arthur is said to be a cousin of that churchman. Many of these appearances portray Arthur as a fierce warrior, and not necessarily as morally impeccable as in later romances. According to the Life of Saint Gildas (died ca. AD 570), written in the 11th century, by the monk, Caradoc of Llancarfan, Arthur killed Gildas' brother Hueil, a pirate on the Isle of Man. Around 1100, Lifris of Llancarfan writes in his Life of Saint Cadoc that Arthur was put to task by the man of the book to which Arthur paid little due, Cadoc.

Cadoc gave protection for a man who killed three of Arthur's soldiers, and Arthur took a herd of cattle as wergeld for his men. Cadoc delivered them as demanded, and when Arthur had possession of the animals, they were made to transform into bundles of ferns. Such episodes serve to portray a holy man besting a man of sins. Similar incidents are described in the late medieval biographies of Carannog, Padern, Goeznovius, and Efflam. Arthur appears in the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen, a narrative usually associated with the Mabinogion. Culhwch visits Arthur's court to seek his help in winning the hand of Olwen. Arthur, who is described as his kinsman, agrees to the request, and the hero fulfils the demands of Olwen's giant father Ysbaddaden, which include the hunt for the great boar Twrch Trwyth described at length by the author. This may be related to legends where Arthur is depicted as the leader of the Wild Hunt, a folk-loric motif that is also recorded in Brittany, France; Galicia, Spain; as well as Germany.

Roger Sherman Loomis has listed a number of these instances (Loomis 1972). Gervase of Tilbury in the 13th century and two 15th century writers assign this role to Arthur. Gervase states that Arthur and his knights regularly hunt along an ancient trackway between Cadbury Castle and Glastonbury (which is still known as King Arthur's Causeway [4], and that he with his company of riders may be seen by the moon-light in forests of Britain or Brittany or Savoy. Loomis alludes to a Scottish mention in the 16th century, and that many of these beliefs were still current in the 19th century at Cadbury Castle, and in several parts of France. Later parts of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein, or, Welsh Triads, mention Arthur at length, as well as locate his court, in Celliwig, in Cornwall.

Celliwig was identified with Callington by the Cornish antiquarians, but, Rachel Bromwich, an editor, and the author of the book Trioedd Ynys Prydein: the Welsh Triads, matched it with Kelly Rounds, to say a hill fort, in the parish of Egloshayle. Excalibur In Robert de Boron's Merlin, Arthur obtained the throne by pulling a sword from a stone. In this account, this act could not be performed except by "the true king," meaning the divinely appointed king or true heir of Uther Pendragon. This sword is thought by many to be the famous Excalibur and the identity is made explicit in the later so-called Vulgate Merlin Continuation, part of the Lancelot-Grail cycle. However, in what is sometimes called the Post-Vulgate Merlin, Excalibur was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake sometime after he began to reign.

According to many sources, Arthur broke the sword pulled from the stone while fighting King Pellinore, and thus Merlin took him to retrieve Excalibur from the lake (as cited in many novels including Howard Pyle's King Arthur and His Knights, King Arthur and the Legend of Camelot, and indeed most modern Arthurian literature). In this Post-Vulgate version, the sword's blade could slice through anything, including steel, and its sheath made the wearer invincible in that the wearer could not die so long as they bore the scabbard. Some stories say that Arthur did indeed pull the sword from the stone (Excalibur), giving him the right to be king, but accidentally killed a fellow knight with it and cast it away. Merlin told him to undertake a quest to find another blade, and it was then that Arthur received his sword from the hand in the water, and named it Excalibur, after his original sword. The first appearance of the sword named Caliburn is in Geoffrey of Monmouth, who asserted that in battle against Arthur "nought might armour avail, but that Caliburn would carve their souls from out them with their blood.".

The Alliterative Morte Arthure, a Middle English poem, gives mention of Clarent, a sword of peace meant for knighting and ceremonies as opposed to battle, which is stolen and then used to kill Arthur. The legend of King Arthur has remained popular into the 21st century. Though the popularity of Arthurian literature waned somewhat after the end of the Middle Ages, it experienced a revival during the 19th century, especially after the publication of Alfred Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King. The subsequent period saw the creation of hundreds, perhaps thousands of books, poems, and films about King Arthur, both new works of fiction and analyses of the relevant historical and archaeological data. A spoof on Arthurian mythology, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, was made in 1975. Excalibur is the mythical sword of King Arthur, sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain. Sometimes Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone (the proof of Arthur's lineage) are said to be the same weapon, but in most versions they are considered separate. The sword was associated with the Arthurian legend very early.

In Welsh, the sword is called Caledfwlch. The name Excalibur came from Old French Excalibor, which came from Caliburn used in Geoffrey of Monmouth (c. 1140) (Latin Caliburnus). There are also variant spellings such as Escalibor and Excaliber (the latter used in Howard Pyle's books for younger readers). One theory holds that Caliburn[us] comes from Caledfwlch, the original Welsh name for the sword, which is first mentioned in the Mabinogion. This may be cognate with Caladbolg ("hard-belly", i.e. "voracious"), a legendary Irish sword (see below). Another theory (noted in The New Arthurian Encyclopedia, 1995) states that "Caliburnus" is ultimately derived from Latin chalybs "steel", which is in turn derived from Chalybes, the name of an Anatolian ironworking tribe. This is noted and used by the historian Valerio Massimo Manfredi in his novel The Last Legion (2002: the English translation has Calibian instead of the intended Chalybian).

According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, Excalibur was originally derived from the Latin phrase Ex calce liberatus, "liberated from the stone". In Malory, Excalibur is said to mean "cut-steel", which some have interpreted to mean "steel-cutter". In surviving accounts of Arthur, there are two originally separate legends about the sword's origin. The first is the "Sword in the Stone" legend, originally appearing in Robert de Boron's poem Merlin, in which Excalibur can only be drawn from the stone by Arthur, the rightful king. The second comes from the later Post-Vulgate Suite du Merlin, which was taken up by Sir Thomas Malory. Here, Arthur receives Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake after breaking his first sword in a fight with King Pellinore. The Lady of the Lake calls the sword "Excalibur, that is as to say as Cut-steel," and Arthur takes it from a hand rising out of the lake. As Arthur lies dying, he tells a reluctant Sir Bedivere (Sir Griflet in some versions) to return the sword to the lake by throwing it into the water.

Bedivere thinks the sword too precious to throw away, so twice only pretends to do so. Each time, Arthur asks him to describe what he saw. When Bedivere tells him the sword simply vanished underwater, Arthur scolds him harshly. Finally, Bedivere throws Excalibur into the lake. Before the sword strikes the water's surface, the hand reaches up to grasp it and pull it under. Arthur leaves on a death barge with the three queens to Avalon, where as his legend says, he will one day return to save Britain from a threat. Malory records both versions of the legend in his Le Morte d'Arthur, and confusingly calls both swords Excalibur. The film Excalibur attempts to rectify this by having the Lady of the Lake only repair the sword after it is broken. Uther Pendragon - The father of King Arthur. Uther Pendragon is a legendary king of sub-Roman Britain and the father of King Arthur.

A few minor references to Uther appear in Old Welsh poems, but his biography was first written down by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), and Geoffrey's account of the character was used in most later versions. He is a fairly ambiguous individual throughout the literature; he is described as a strong king and a defender of the people. Uther, through circumstances (and Merlin's help) tricks the wife of his enemy Gorlois, Lady Igraine and sleeps with her. Thus Arthur, "the once and future king," is an illegitimate child. This act of conception ironically occurs the very night Uther's troops dispatch her Gorlois. This theme of illegitimate conception is repeated in Arthur's siring of Mordred on his own sister Morgause in the later prose romances. It is Mordred who will eventually mortally wound King Arthur in The Last Battle. Uther is best known from Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (1136) where he is the youngest son of King Constantine II.

His eldest brother Constans succeeds to the throne on their father's death, but is murdered at the instigation of his adviser Vortigern, who seizes the throne. Uther and his other brother Aurelius Ambrosius, still children, flee to Brittany. After Vortigern's alliance with the Saxons under Hengist goes disastrously wrong, Aurelius and Uther, now adults, return. Aurelius burns Vortigern in his castle and becomes king.With Aurelius on the throne, Uther leads his brother's army to Ireland to help Merlin bring the stones of Stonehenge from there to Britain. Later, while Aurelius is ill, Uther leads his army against Vortigern's son Paschent and his Saxon allies. On the way to the battle, he sees a comet in the shape of a dragon, which Merlin interprets as presaging Aurelius's death and Uther's glorious future. Uther wins the battle and takes the epithet "Pendragon", and returns to find that Aurelius has been poisoned by an assassin. He becomes king and orders the construction of two gold dragons, one of which he uses as his standard.

He secures Britain's frontiers and quells Saxon uprisings with the aid of his retainers, one of which is Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. At a banquet celebrating their victories, Uther becomes obsessively enamoured of Gorlois' wife, Igerna (Igraine), and a war ensues between Uther and his vassal. Gorlois sends Igerna to the impregnable castle of Tintagel for protection, while he himself is besieged by Uther in another town. Uther consults with Merlin, who uses his magic to transform the king into the likeness of Gorlois and thus gain access to Igerna at Tintagel. He spends the night with her, and they conceive a son, Arthur; but the next morning it is discovered that Gorlois had been killed. Uther marries Igerna, and they have another child, a daughter called Anna. She later marries King Lot and became the mother of Gawain and Mordred (in later romances she is called Morgause, and is usually Igerna's daughter by her previous marriage).

Uther later falls ill, but when the wars against the Saxons go badly he insists on leading his army himself, propped up on his horse. He defeats Hengist's son Octa at Verulamium (St Albans), despite the Saxons calling him the "Half-Dead King." However, the Saxons soon contrive his death by poisoning a spring he drinks from near Verulamium.Geoffrey based some members of Uther's family on historical figures. Constantine is based on the historical usurper Constantine III, a claimant to the Roman throne from 407ï¿½411; Constans is based on his son. Aurelius Ambrosius is based on the legendary Welsh figure Ambrosius Aurelianus, though his connection to Constantine and Constans is an invention. It is less likely, however, that Uther ever existed outside of Britain's mythical history. Merlin Merlin is best known as the wizard featured in Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures.

Geoffrey combined existing stories of Myrddin Wyllt (Merlinus Caledonensis), a northern madman with no connection to King Arthur, with tales of Aurelius Ambrosius to form the figure he called Merlin Ambrosius. Geoffrey's version of the character was immediately popular, and later writers expanded the account to produce a fuller image of the wizard. His traditional biography has him born the son of an incubus and a mortal woman who inherits his powers from his strange birth.[1] He grows up to be a sage and engineers the birth of Arthur through magic. Later Merlin serves as the king's advisor until he is bewitched and imprisoned by the Lady of the Lake. Merlin, from the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493) For more in depth information about the legendary Ruler follow the link below. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License . Wikipedia Camelot Castle Hotel Tintagel Castle Tintagel Castle Dog Friendly For a magical day out take the family to Tintagel Castle. Its wonderful location, set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, offers dramatic views, and its fascinating ruins and stunning beach cafe make it a perfect day trip.

Throughout the year, a packed events programme provides great family fun including Tales of King Arthur, Castle of Legend and Easter Adventure Quest! Visit for details. Tintagel Castle is steeped in legend and mystery; said to be the birthplace of King Arthur, you can still visit nearby Merlin's Cave. The castle also features in the tale of Tristan and Isolde. With a history stretching as far back as the Romans, Tintagel Castle is one of the most iconic visitor attractions in the south west. The History of Tintagel Castle Joined to the mainland by a narrow neck of land, Tintagel Island faces the full force of the Atlantic. On the mainland itself, the gaunt remains of the medieval castle represent only one phase in a long history of occupation. Even before Richard, Earl of Cornwall, built his castle in 1233, Tintagel was already associated in legend with the conception of King Arthur by Uther Pendragon, the result of his seduction of Queen Igraine. Indeed Richard's castle was probably deliberately built to reinforce his connections with Arthur and the ancient rulers of Cornwall.

This Arthurian connection was later renewed by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in his Victorian 'Idylls of the King'. After a period as a Roman settlement and military outpost, Tintagel became a trading settlement of Celtic kings of Cornwall during the 5th and 6th centuries. Legend has it that one of these was King Mark, whose nephew Tristan fell in love with Yseult (or Isolde). Their doomed romance is part of Tintagel's story. The remains of the 13th century castle are breathtaking. Steep stone steps, stout walls and rugged windswept cliff edges encircle the great hall, where Richard, Earl of Cornwall, once feasted. There are many myths and unanswered questions surrounding Tintagel. The site has an amazing capacity to surprise, even after years of investigation. In 1998, excavations were undertaken under the direction of Professor Chris Morris of the University of Glasgow, on a relatively sheltered and small site on the eastern side of the island, first excavated in the 1930s.

High-status imported Mediterranean pottery of the 5th and 6th centuries was found, as well as some fragments of fine glass believed to be from 6th or 7th century Málaga in Spain. Even more remarkable was a 1,500 year-old piece of slate on which remained two Latin inscriptions. The second inscription reads: 'Artognou, father of a descendant of Coll, has had (this) made.' Who exactly Artognou was continues to be the subject of lively speculation. Dogs welcome on leads Press Release 5 TINTAGEL - KING ARTHUR COUNTRY ARTICLE IN 'CORNISH LIFE' MAGAZINE ON CAMELOT CASTLE HOTEL With its towering cliffs and wild seas Tintagel has always been a dramatic place but never more so than now. For when John Mappin and Ted Stourton bought the old King Arthur's Castle Hotel and turned it into Camelot Castle it was the beginning of something that might ultimately change the world.

Built in 1899 by architect Silvanus Trevail the enormous granite hotel stands facing into the wind while waves crash relentlessly against the cliffs and seagulls fly round the forlorn ruins of another, older, castle further along the peninsula. This is the medieval Tintagel Castle - said to be the birth place of the legendary King Arthur - and both castle and king have inspired countless artists, writers and poets down through the centuries. And now it is inspiring many more because Mappin and Stourton have turned their own castle with its 65 bedrooms into a haven where artists can stay free of charge as ï¿½artists in residenceï¿½ , to tap into the mythological and natural beauty "free from any evaluation or invalidation.ï¿½ "In other words," Mappin says, "Artists can stay here for as long as they wish, (at Camelotï¿½s discretion) no conditions imposed. In fact an artist is anyone who says they are one - writer, musician or whatever discipline - who is trying create a high quality of communication.

We have had artists in residence from Africa, from Australia, indeed they arrive here from all over the world." John and Ted, bought the place for and undisclosed sum three years ago. They believe that the creative force of Camelot is strongly positive and that it is bringing peace to a world which sorely needs it. At the same time they know that the creative force of artists can be enhanced if they are given a chance to be in the right surroundings. "The energy at Tintagel is unique. It is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the country but it is the mythology clinging to it that makes it a magnet for artists of all sorts and always has done. Tennyson wrote Idylls of the King on the cliffs in front of Camelot Castle.

Turner painted here, J B Priestley and A A Milne wrote here and Elgar composed his Second Symphony in Room 103." Famous sportsmen, film stars and top supermodels have all stayed here and most recently Liam Gallagher brought his whole family as artists in residence to spend New Year's Eve at Camelot Castle with his wife Nicole Appleton of All Saints, while Kate Winslet of Titanic fame bought the cottage just below the hotel - and shares a ghost with them, that of a Victorian engineer who used to look after the hotels' electrical supply. But Tintagel is just the beginning of a huge project. The Mythological Hotels Group. For John and Ted intend to create Mythological Hotels all over the world and to host ï¿½artists in residenceï¿½ wherever there is a location with strong associated mythology. "Each country has its own myths and these myths are extremely important. They were used to educate people in a pre-literate society. In fact mythology is one of the greatest aphrodisiacs known to man. That is, in the true sense of the word, ï¿½aphrodisiacï¿½ which means, ï¿½that which inspires loveï¿½.

To inject love through the alignment of mythological vectors and the production of beauty is a very positive undertaking. So our next project will be in Cyprus at the Temple of Aphrodite, another will be at Troy in Turkey, followed by another at Delphi in Greece." John and Ted are both accomplished and respected artists in their own right. John, a songwriter and composer has just finished an album called "Ripples of Peace" which he created with an ongoing "Ripples of Peace" exhibition of sculpture and paintings by Ted Stourton. "The 500 meter sculpture on the Tintagel headland is made from 20 tonnes of Cornish Granite and is interactive. You listen to the music while ï¿½walking the ripplesï¿½," says Stourton. Many say that Stourton is becoming one of the greatest living painters in Britain today, and possibly is already the leading proponent of abstract-realism. Over 2400 of his original paintings have ended up in collectors hands the last 24 months alone. His work is immensely popular both in England and the US.

Plans are afoot for ï¿½The Ripples of Peaceï¿½ to be copied and recreated in the Saudi Arabian desert, the planned sculpture is so vast that it will be visible from the moon. Other artists are being invited to copy the Ripples of Peace symbol in many media and Ripples of Peace sculptures are manifesting in all sorts of locations. Huge global interest in the concept, the sculpture and ï¿½The Ripples of Peace Albumï¿½ is emerging. Johnï¿½s song ï¿½Inner Truthï¿½ is becoming a tool as a worldwide anthem and guidon (standard) for peace. But is there not a danger that self-styled "artists" will come flocking to sponge on Camelotï¿½s generosity? ï¿½It is important to understand that the project is not intended to be philanthropic. It is in fact an extremely practical program and essential to the survival of mankind.ï¿½ Explains Mappin. ï¿½The amount of beauty being produced in the world at any one time has a symbiotic link and in fact exists in direct ratio to the sanity of mankind.

If as individuals we do not assist in the production of aesthetics then our world and indeed our own universe declines and dwindles.ï¿½ ï¿½There is a descending spiral and an ascending spiral of life. People choose which spiral they assist.ï¿½ ï¿½No-one has taken advantage of us so far, in fact the artists that have stayed here have greatly assisted our expansion as they contribute to the goodwill of Camelot and its word of mouth. The plan is that within five years as we acquire more mythological locations we shall be able to help more than 20,000 artists each year." ï¿½Imagine the delight of someone who comes here from the inner cities in Britain or indeed abroad and taps into what we have here. We believe that artists deserve a chance and that it is up to us as individuals to give them that chance.ï¿½ ï¿½Imagine how far and to whom their Ripples can reach.ï¿½ For further details Camelot Castle, Tintagel, Cornwall PL34 ODQ.

Tel 01840 770202 More Details of Camelot Castle Hotel Tintagel Castle was said to be the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur who, if he really existed, was probably a Romano Celtic chieftain and not the medieval king of the stories. Beyond is the dramatic Victorian Camelot Castle built in 1899 by architect Silvanus Trevail for the original hotelier a Mr Hardy. The Great Hall has columns of peach marble brought over from the Dolomites. No expense was spared in the building of the hotel which was the second most popular in Victorian England. The impressive fireplace is surrounded by Minton tiles . The Camelot has a Concert Grand piano - a Straad dating from 1830 used by Noel Coward - in the Great Hall. John Mappin is songwriter and composer and has just finished an Album "Ripples of Peace" which is "a unique type of music, a completely new sound." The Arthurian Bar, was designed and created in red by Patrick Rundle, the previous owner for 47 years, whom John describes as a very creative and very imaginative man, one of the most remarkable men I have ever met.

The fireplace in the Great Hall is surrounded by original Victorian Minton tiles. The Castle has a wealth of oak panelling, sweeping staircases and stone and marble fireplaces. John has always been fascinated by the stories of King Arthur and the Round Table and as a schoolboy at Winchester he saw the ancient wooden table which hangs in the Law Courts and which is said to be the "original". Now he has had a reproduction made in oak. King of the Castle. John Mappin and Ted Stourton bought the old King Arthur's Castle Hotel for and undisclosed sum three years ago and has turned it into Camelot, a haven for artists of all descriptions. Tintagel Castle. Cornwall. Said To Be The Birthplace Of King Arthur And Merlin's Cave. Pictures, Photos, and Images for Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Twitter Report image LoveThisPic is a place for people to come and share inspiring pictures, quotes, DIYs, and many other types of photos. The user 'Skywalker678' has submitted the Tintagel Castle. Cornwall. Said To Be The Birthplace Of King Arthur And Merlin's Cave. picture/image you're currently viewing. You have probably seen the Tintagel Castle.

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Said To Be The Birthplace Of King Arthur And Merlin's Cave. Facebook Images, Tintagel Castle. Cornwall. Said To Be The Birthplace Of King Arthur And Merlin's Cave. Photos for Tumblr. King Arthur's Realm in Cornwall | Bay Retreat Villas Cornwall is steeped in myth and history – Hurler’s Stone Circles, Bodmin Bodmin Moor Bodmin Moor Dozmary Pool in Bodmin is said to be the location of the famous Excalibur. Arthur was also allegedly returned here, wounded, after his defeat at nearby Slaughter Bridge. He was then taken to the Isle of Avalon, which some believe are the Scilly Isles. King Arthur’s Hall and King Arthur’s Bed are also situated on Bodmin Moor. Located near to St Breward and Trewortha Tor respectively, the names have been passed down throughout the centuries. Other Cornish locations for King Arthur Camelford – one of two alleged locations of Camelot, the other being Tintagel. Bossinney Mound – north east from Tintagel, this is where the legendary round table is said to be buried.

Slaughter Bridge – a stone dated from the 6th century marks where the decisive battle of Camlann is said to have taken place between Arthur and Mordred. The battle ended the Fellowship of The Round Table. Arthur killed Mordred but received a fatal wound from his opponents poisoned sword. St Nectan’s Glen – north of Tintagel and said to be where Arthur received a blessing before embarking on his quest for the Holy Grail. Castle Killibury – a small ancient hill fort known as ‘Kelly Rounds’ just off the road near Wadebridge and Camelford may be where 11th century writers refer to as ‘Kelliwic,’ where King Arthur held court. Nuts & Bolts King Arthur's Tintagel 'birthplace' dig finds royal seat - BBC News BBC News King Arthur's Tintagel 'birthplace' dig finds royal seat 3 August 2016 Close share panel Image copyright English Heritage Image caption Archaeologists have discovered what are believed to be the walls of a 6th Century royal residence The royal residence of 6th Century rulers is believed to have been discovered at the legendary birthplace of King Arthur.

Archaeologists have unearthed walls about 1m (3ft) thick at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall in the first excavation of a five-year English Heritage project. It is thought the walls formed part of the seat of the rulers of the early medieval kingdom of Dumnonia. Winn Scutt from English Heritage said it was a "very dense settlement". "It's a complex of buildings and many people since the 1980s have argued that it's a royal centre, and that it's the royal centre of the kingdom of Dumnonia", the properties curator said. "We haven't found any others, so it's quite possible that this was the centre, and maybe they were static." Image copyright English Heritage Image caption The excavations at Tintagel Castle are part of a five-year project organised by English Heritage Some of the buildings had been excavated in the 1930s by the British archaeologist Ralegh Radford who had thought they formed part of a monastery, Mr Scutt said. He added the excavations did not tell us "anything" about King Arthur, the legendary ruler who was conceived at Tintagel Castle according to the 12th Century writer Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Discoveries at the site also include large amounts of pottery from the eastern Mediterranean used for olive oil and wine, as well as Merovingian glass and fine Phocaean tableware from the west coast of Turkey. Image copyright English Heritage Image caption Other findings at the site include large amounts of pottery and glass from the eastern Mediterranean Mr Scutt said the richness of the discoveries made Tintagel "one of the most important sites in western Europe". "It isn't just a trading centre to move olive oil around, they're actually indulging in it, they're feasting here", he said. English Heritage has appointed Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU) to carry out the excavations which form the first major research project of the area since the 1990s. Tintagel archaeologists unearth royal palace believed to be King Arthur's birthplace | Daily Mail Online Has the real birthplace of King Arthur been found?

Archaeologists unearth Dark Age royal palace - just where legends said he was born - but which had already vanished by the time they were written down Excavations have been taking place at the 13th century Tintagel Castle for five years In medieval tradition, King Arthur is believed to have been conceived and born at Tintagel in Cornwall Researchers have found 3ft (1 metre) thick palace walls and more than 150 fragments of pottery at the site The walls were built in the sixth century - around the time that the legendary king may have lived 1000+ images about king arthur...tintagel castle, cornwall, UK on Pinterest | Castle homes, Cornwall and Caves Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, England, is steeped in legend and mystery; it is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur and Merlin's Cave can be found nearby. See More Tintagel Castle | English Heritage English Heritage Explore Tintagel's History Immerse yourself in history, myths and stunning scenery at Tintagel, a place inextricably linked with the legend of King Arthur.

For centuries this dramatic castle and coastline has fired the imaginations of writers, artists and even the brother of a king. Now it's your turn to be inspired. Finds of pottery, early coins and two Roman inscribed pillars suggest activity on the headland. 450-650Trading Centre Tintagel is a rich and important site, trading with the Mediterranean world. The headland is covered with many small rectangular buildings. Find out more about the history of Tintagel 7th centuryThe Island Abandoned The site seems to have been abandoned for over 500 years. 1138Legend of King Arthur Geoffrey of Monmouth writes his History of the Kings of Britain. His legendary King Arthur is conceived at Tintagel by Uther Pendragon and Igerna, wife of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. Learn more about Tintagel in history and legend 1225-33Castle Built Henry III's brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall, begins building himself a castle. He buys the land once the castle is finished. Read a description of Tintagel Castle 1337The Black Prince The castle's great hall is subject to constant erosion, possibly causing a partial collapse.

Edward the Black Prince, 1st Duke of Cornwall, reworks the hall into smaller buildings. 1480Stuff of Legends Although the castle is little used, legends continue to flourish. Antiquary William Worcestre names Tintagel as the place of Arthur's birth, as well as his conception. 1600Desertion The site is largely deserted, despite a survey recommending that the headland be strengthened against possible foreign landings. 1650King Arthur’s Castle References to King Arthur's Castle become a tangled mixture of local folklore and literary legends. 1930sExcavations Archaeologist Ralegh Radford proves through his discovery of pottery fragments that Tintagel was once part of a Dark Age trading network that reached across the Mediterranean world. 1983Island Fire A major fire destroys the turf over a wide area. 1990sModern Research Excavations on the island's eastern side confirm that the rectangular huts, great ditch and imported pottery date from the 5th and 6th centuries.

Question: Which Cornish castle is said to be the birth place of King Arthur?
Answer: Tintagel