In Search of King Arthur: |
ARCHAEOLOGY AND ARTHUR |
| Glastonbury, Somerset |
Remains of a small Saxon church and monastery have been found on Glastonbury Tor, and some earlier wooden buildings may date back to Arthur's time. A small church made of cob stood on the site of nearby Glastonbury Abbey. Historians believe that the discovery of the remains of King Arthur and Guinevere here in 1191 was a fraud to make money from pilgrims. |
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| Cadbury Castle, Somerset | Cadbury castle is a big hill fort that has often been used from pre-Roman to late Saxon times. Excavations show that impressive dry stone walls and timber halls were built in Arthur's time, to resist the Saxon invaders. There is nothing to prove Arthur was ever there, (stories linking Cadbury and Arthur are no older than 1542) but it is the right age. |
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| Tintagel Castle, Cornwall | Recent excavations show there to have been a high status palace at Tintagel during the Dark Ages (Arthur's time). It may have been the summer home of the Kings of Cerniw and Dumnonia. There is no way of knowing if Arthur came here - stories linking Arthur and Tintagel are no older than 1139. |
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| Badbury Rings, Dorset | Badbury Rings is a hill fort built in the Iron Age and probably fell to the invading Romans in 43AD at the same time as nearby Maiden Castle. It has never been excavated by archaeologists and the only link with Arthur is that its name is similar to that of the place of his greatest victory at Mons - Badonicus (Mount Badon). |
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