P h o to R .

IVeé be r, B os c a s tl e ]

K I NG A RT H U R S
’
C A ST L E A N D E "E C UT I O N RO C K ,

T I NT A G E L
"
F ro n ti s pi e c e
T HE L O ST LAN D

O F K I N G A RT H U R

BY

j . C UM I NG WALT E RS

v
O n t h e o n e h a n d w e h a e t h e m a n A rt h u r, on th e

o th er i s a
g re a t e rA
rt h u r, 3 m o re co o s s a l l
g u e , o f wh i c h fi r
v p k
w e h a e , s o t o s e a , b u t a t o rs o , re s c u e d ro m t h e w re c f k
o f th e C
e l t ic P
a n th e on —P x o rz s so a RHY S
. .

“ Th e rei s t ru t h e n o u g h t o m a k e h im f a m ou s b e si des

th a t w h i c h i s a u o u s —BA c 0 N
fb l ”
. .

\ l l
\

"TE EN
1
WI TH SI (I LL US TRA TI ON S

2
L O ND O N

C H A PM AN A N D H ALL .
,

I 9 9
0
DA

.
5
AWN

R A
I CH RD C A
L Y S ON S , LM
I I T ED,

B RE A D S T RE E T H I L L, E. c . , A N D

A
B UN G Y , S UFFOL K
 FO R E WO R D

W I T HIN a s m all ar e a in th e W e s t C o untry may

b e f o und t h e principal plac e s m e nti o n e d in th e
writ te n ch r o nicl e s o f King Arthur —plac e s wi th
s trang e l o n g hi s t o ri e s and o f natural char m In .

th e s e pag e s an i m pr e s s i o ni s t vi e w is giv e n o f th e
r e gi o n o nc e call e d C a m e l i rd and Ly o nn e s s e We
a .

hav e v ntur d int o b y way s s e ld m e nt e r e d and

e e -
o ,

we tru t t o hav e gath e r e d a fe w d e tail s which

s

m y a no t b e wh o lly with o ut int e r e s t in th e i r plac e .

Fact s re m e a g r e ab o ut King Arthu r and r o m ance

a ,

has s o ov e rlaid r e ality that h i s r e al m s eem s ow n

t o b e v e ritabl y a part o f fai ry land -

I n this
.

r e s p e ct th e j o urn e y i s p ro fi tle s s s av e tha t by

, ,

taking Mal o ry a s a guid e we re le d to a fe w

, a

d e lightful and half f o rg o tt e n l ocali ti e s o u t o f th e

-

o rdinary r o ut e fr o m which r o m anc e has ot b ee n

, n

wh o lly disl o dg e d and wh e re traditi o n s urviv e s

and is s tr o ng .
 C ON T EN T S

CH A P.

I . OF T HE K IN G AND HI S C H R O NI CL E R S
II . O F LY O N N E SS E A ND C A ME L I A RD

I II . OF A RTH UR (T H E K ING A N D ME R L IN
T HE E N C H A NT R E

IV . TINTAG L
OF E

V O F CA R L O N U O N U
. E E -

P -

SK

V I F H R O UND TA L
.
‘

O T E B E AN D K IN G
R HUR ATTL S
A T
’
s B E

VI I . OF CA ME LO T AN D A L M E S B U RY

V I II . OF ST K NI G HTO N S K I E VE
.
’
AND THE

H OLY G R A I L 1 83

I " O F CA ME L F O RD A ND
. T HE LA ST B ATTLE 1 94

" O F GLA S T O N B UR Y A N D
. T HE P A SSI N G O F
A RTH U R
 LI ST O F I LL U S T R AT I O N S

K ing A rthur C a tl and E x uti n R k ’

s s e ec o oc ,

Tintag l e Fr f p
'

on zs
'

zece

T h R ky Vall y Tintag l
e oc e ,
e

M rlin C a v Tintag l
e
’
s e, e

K i g A rth r C a tl Tintag l
n u
’
s s e, e

T h E l phant R k B
e e i y C v oc ,
oss n e o e

B arra H ad Tintag l
s e ,
e

T h R ky Vall y Tintag l
e oc e ,
e

S t K ni g ht n K i v T intag l
’
. o s e e, e

S t Kni g ht n Gl n ’
. o s e

M uth f R ky Vall y d L g I land Tintag l

o o oc e an on s , e

S t M i ha l T w r Gla t o nb ur y ’
. c e s o e ,
s

T h O l d P il g ri m I Gla t n b ur y ’
e e s nn, s o

ph C hap l Gla t n b ur y A b b y
’
St J. os e s e ,
s o e

W ll C ath dral
e s e

T h A b b y B arn Gla t n b r y
e e , s o u

R in f St J ph C ha p l Gla t n b ur y
’
u s o . o se s e ,
s o
T H E LO ST L A N D O F K I N G
A RT H U R

CHAPTE R I
OF T HE K ING AN D HI s C H R O NI C L E R S
Wh t a a n eno rm ou s ca m e ra O b s cu r
a ma g nifi ri T e s ra di
ti "H
-

on o t
r w i th h m
w a h in g g o s n the u an M m ry i
e o , n e

h m u an I m g i ti wh l v w r h i p d ll th t l i
a na on , en o e o s a n a a es
—C "
, ,

i th h m
n e u H rt
an th r t
ea , o r g it
a re e e yl
o enc u a e ar e.

N O pr e t e nc e can b e m ad e that a c om pl e t e o r
e xhau s tiv e hi s t o ry O f King Arthur i s giv e n in thi s

and th e f o ll wing chapt e r s O nly part s o f h i s

o .

s t o r y and part s o f th e s t o r y o f h is m o st illu s tri o u s

knight s a re w o v e n int o thi s m o s aic o f fact and
ficti o n S o m e ti m es o nly a fe w thr e ad s o f th e
.

r om anc e a re to b e disc o v e r e d ; at o th e r ti m e s
m any a re gath e r e d in to th e fabri c .

I hav e take n th o e p o rti on s nly f th e Arthur

s o o

ian fabl e built up o n a s m all s ub tratu m o f hist o ric

,
s

fact which s ui te d th e imm e diat e purp o s e in vi e w ;

,
2 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
th e r e st a hug e m a s which it w o uld hav e b e e n
,
s ,

unpr o fitabl e t o intr duc e h a s p e rf o rc e b e e no ,

o m itt e d T h e pri m ary O bj e ct h a s b e e n i m pl y t

. s o

call att e nti n t t h e r e put e d r e li s o f t h e g r e at

o o c

h e r to m ark s o m e O f th e fl o ating traditi o n s o f

o,

h i s p w e r and t o sp e ak o f a fe w o f t h l caliti e
o ,
e o s

whi c h b e ar h is na m e o r re a s s o ciat e d with h i s a

d e e d ; and I hav e s triv e n t add a littl e t th e

s o o

livin g int e r e s t in t h e m o uld e ring m o nu m e nt to s,

bru h awa y a littl e o f th e du s t o f ag e s fr o m e xi s t

s

ing e vid e nc e s t lift a littl e t h e v e il O f m y s t e ry

,
o

whi h dark e n s di s gui s e s or s hr o ud s th e lin e a

c , ,

m e nt s o f th e kin g A s w fi nd h i m in hi s t o ry
. e ,

and a s h e is r e pr e e nt e d in r m an e h e i s s o
s o c ,

n o bl e a figur that we s h o uld dr e ad t l os e h im o r

e o

t h e c o njuring influ e nc e O f h i na m e T h e pr o ud s .

and triu m phing R o m an r e e l e d f r a ti m e und e r o

t h e s h o ck O f Arthur h o s t s T h e Sax o n f e lt h i
’
s . s

al m o s t invincibl e p o w e r Chri s t e nd o m hail e d h i . s

n o bl e o rd e r and r e j o c e d in h i i m p e rial s wayi s .

N o w wh e r e h rul e d and m ad e h i kingd o m

,
e re s , a

s ub m e rg e d citi e s fall e n t o w e rs th e wa s h o f wat e r s

, , ,

th e tra kl e s s r e al m o f Ly nn e s s e
“
c T he se o a

h as s w e pt v e r h i s t e rrit o ry and th e d e e p
o ,

shad o w s f c e nturi e s hav e fall e n up o n h is d e e d s

o .

H is fa m e h a s b e e n m ad e i m p e ri s habl e by m ighty
p e n s and m any a m o untain fa s tn e s s h o lds h i s
,
 Of th e K i n g a nd h is Ch r o n i c l e r s 3
na m e and g iv e s it f o rth t th e w o rld ; many a o

t w e ring r o ck pr e s e rv e s h i s s t r y ; m any a fro wn

o o

ing h e ight p e rp e tuat e s his d e e ds ; m any a wild

t o rr e nt pr o clai m s h is na m e S O by a hundr e d .

c o ntrivanc e s d o e s th e m e m o ry o f King Arthur

e ndur e and h e l o o m s a giant b e hind th e m i s t o f
, , ,

ag e s Six hundr e d l o caliti e in t h e Briti s h I s l e s

. s

al o n e it h s b e e n c o m put d ch e ri h traditi o n s
,
a e ,
s

o f King Arthur and his prai s e i s s ung by a m ulti

,

tud e o f v o i e s and in e v e ry r g i o n wh e r C e lti c

c ,
e e

influ e nc e h a s b ee n f e lt S uc h an influ e nc e as thi s.

cann t pr c e d wh lly fr o m th e dry b o n e s o f

o o e o

ficti o n o r fr o m t h e g ld e n t y O f r o m anc e
,
o o s .

L e g e nd s g ath e r ab o ut a gr e at na m e j u s t a s iv y ,

c o v e r s th e ruin e d c o lu m n O f O ld ti m e ; b u t th e
und e rlying ba e i s th e r e Th o s e wh o c o nt e nd
s .

that King Arthu r n e v e r live d a re o p e n to th e

charg e o f all win g th l av e s f fabl e to hid e
o e e o

fr o m th e ir e y e s th e ruin e d but giant pillar

b n ath
e e .

I n th e e arly unwritt e n hi s t o ry O f t h is island th e

invading B ryth o nic rac e m a t e r e d th e inhabitant s s ,

th e G o id e ls o r Gaul s wh o had a m al g a m at e d with

,

t h e N e o lithic rac e and gav t h e c o un t ry th e na m e

,
e

O f Britannia T o th e m i s attribut e d th e building

.

O f S t o n e h e n g e and th e r o und barr o w s in which

the d e ad we r e in terr d T h e Ca m brians th e e .
,
4 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
W e l s h and t h e p e pl e O f Brittany re th e ir
,
o a

lin g ui s tic d e s c e ndant S hard y s talwart and s. O , ,

v e ntur e o m e w e r e th e Br y th o n s that th e y g radu

s

ally s pr e ad th e m lv s O v e r th e gr e at e r part o f
se e

th e c o untry and p e n e trat e d far t o th e n o rth Th ey .

o ff e r e d d e t e r m in e d d e fian c e t th R m an s thr e o e o e

c e nturi e b e f r e t h e Chri s ti an e r and ucc e

s o a , s s

s iv e ly r e s i s t e d N o r e m e n and S ax o n s until fi v e
s

c e nturi e s o f th e Chri s tian ra had pa s e d Driv e n e s .

fi r t t th e w e t th e y t o k up th e i r ab o d e in th e
s o s , o

wilds O f Wal e s and in C o rnwall and D e v o n and

, ,

o nl y succu m b e d at la t t t h e e xt e r m inating c m s o a

p a ig o f t h e S ax ns wh o fi r s t cut O ff t h e B rit o n
n o ,
s

O f th e n o rth and t h e s ut h and th e n d e f at d th e o ,

e e

tw o divi s i n s O f th e rac e fi r s t at Ch e s te r and

o ,

th e n at B ath T h e crucial battl e b twe e n Brit n

. e o

and S ax n w s und e r th l e ad e r s hip f th e la s t f

o a e o o

th e Briti s h hi e fs t h e Arthur O f hi t ry and

c ,
s o

r o m anc e and C e rdic t h vi c t o ri o u s l e ad e r o f th e

,
e
“
Pa g an s C e rdic s ailing acr s s th e hann e l in
.
”
,
o c

h i s chi l e n r l ong s,hip had la d e d at t h e I s l e

o s s, n

o f Wi g ht f o ught King N ta l e d O f Ha m p s hir e

, a n o ,

with wh o m h e m aintain e d a fi ve y e ar s a m pai g n ’

c ,

and triu m phant at la s t and r e info rc e d by t h e

, ,

f o ll w e r s o f h i s o and h i s n e ph e w had stab

o s n s, e

l i h e d th e W e s t S e a e
s r W e s e x Kingd o m x
,
o s .

B ut i f d e fe a te d by th e B ritish a t M o un t B ad o n
, ,
 O f th e K i n g an d h is Ch ro n i c l e r s 5

th e S ax o n s w e r e l o ng in r e v e rsing t h e i s s u e
n ot ,

and C e rd ic s s o n Cy m ric and h is n e ph e w s S t ffa

’
,
u

and W h itg ar liv e d t e e th ir rival w e ll nigh

,
o s e s -

e xt e r m inat e d At W o d e s b u ry in Wilt s hir t h e

. n e

rem nants o f th e Bri ti s h rac e j in e d with th e Angl e s o

i n driving t h hat e d S ax o n fr o m t h e s o v e r e i gnty

e

o f We s s e x but thi s t o wa s with o ut p e r m an e nt

, , o ,

r e sult ; fo r Ge rdi e s n e xt O f d es c e nt C d wa ll a
’
,
a ,

r e s t r e d t h e upr e m acy O f h i h o u s e and rac e

o s s .

C e rdi c i s s aid to hav e di e d in 534 a dat o f ,

e

so m e imp o rtanc e s h e lping us t o fi x th e t ru e

a

Arthurian e r T h e hi s t o ry o f m any O f h is o
a . c n

t m p o rari e s i al m o st s va g u e s Arthur s w
e s a a
’
o n ,

but C e rdic s tand s o u t a s a m o f o un c rtain an n e

hi s t o ry and h e s e rv e s th e pu rp o e O f all win g s

,
s o u

t o t e s t t h e pr o babiliti es o f Arthur r e put e d car e e r ’

s .

That C e rd ic r e c o rd s h o uld b m o r e d e finit e

’
s e ,

th o ugh e xtr e m e ly bri e f is d e t o t h e fact that h e

, u

w as a c o nqu e r o r ; that Arthur r e c rd s h o uld b e ’

s o

l e s s d e finit e th o ugh e xtr e m e ly l o n g i d u e t t h e

, ,
s o

fa t that h e wa s vanqui s h e d and that h is s t o ry

c ,

b e a m e m ix d with t h e fabl e s O f a g e n e rati n

c e o

which did o t kn o w h i m I n th e o e ca s e we
n . n

hav e o ncr e t e fact duly pr e s e rv e d ; in th e o th e r

c s

we hav e m e r e ly a na m e which fi r e s t h e i m agina

ti o n and a fe w e ve nt s which in th e c urs e O f ti m e
, o

a re m agnifi e d by r o m anc e Alle g o ry is but truth ’

. s
 f
“

6 T h e L o st L an d K i n g A r t h ur
’

had w and t h e v e ry ng s we d ee m idl e e v e n

’

s o ,
so ,

th e l o ly s trung nurs e ry rhy m e s m y hav

o se -

,
a e

inn e r ignificanc e s Carl y l e h s t o ld u s ; m e

s ,
a a n

n e v r b e li e v e d in o ng s that w e r e m e aningl e
e s ss,

and n e v e r ri s k d t h e ir u l s lif e
“
all e g ri e
e so
’
on o s.
”

R e al hi s t ry and pr e ci o u l r e a re b o und up i
o s o n

th e e s hrunk e n s hr o ud s o f w
s ith e r e d m yth s and ,

it i s s af e t o a s s u m e that th e na m e that i s e n

s h rin e d in a f lk s o ng is th e na m e o f a tran s c e nd
o -

e t he ro
n a truly gr e at m
,
d e e m e d m o r e than an

hu m an m e r g e d int o th e pr e t e rnatural t h e id e a ]
, , ,

o r th divin e And lik e t h e s tud e nt at t h e Way

e .
,

s id e I nn O f S udbury T wn we o ,
ca n

Lv o e twi ligh t th t rr
th e a su ou n ds

The b rd r l d f l d r m
o e -
an o o o a n ce ,

W h m igh ty w rri r w p l
e re a o s s ee a on g ,

M g i fi d by h p rp l m i t
a n e t e u e s ,

T h e du s t o f ce n u t ri es a nd o f s on g .

H e r e it thatis

Th hr i le f C h rl m g
c on c es o a e a ne ,

O f M rli d th M rt d A
e n an e o
’
rth u re

M i gl t g th r
n e o e e .
”

But h o w th e r m anc e o f King Arthur o

at d h o w it ca m e to b e wri tt e n h o w
e , ,

d e v e l o p e d and e lab o rat e d h o w fr o m a ,

hi t o ry it ca m e t b e inv e s t e d with s p e cial

s o
 Of th e K in g and h is Ch r on i c l e r s 7
canc e and to b e i m pr e gnat e d with s piritual m an e

ing s— to e xplain this it i s n e c e s s ary in s o m e

,

m e a s ur e to tra e t h e c o ur e o f e arly En g li s h
c s

lit e ratur e and to m ark th e advanc e O f th e E nglish

rac e T h e s t o ry l e ads u s back t o d im ti m e s and
‘

s m all b e ginning s I t r e call s th e s e m i barbaris m

.
-

O f t h e fi r s t c e nturi e s th e fi e rc e c o nflict s O f c o
,
n

t e ndin g trib e s th e d o m inati o n f R o m e th e la s t

,
o ,

s upr e m e e nc o unt e r s b e tw e e n Brit o n and Sax o n ,

and th e m aking o f that rac e which we b e li e v e

inh e rit s th e hardy and h e r o ic qualiti e s o f b o th .

N O d o ubt th e substratu m f fact i s o v e rlaid with o

s up e r titi o n s
s and fanta s y has r e ar e d h e r airy
,

e dific e s up o n t h e frail e t f hist o ry s f o undati ns

’
s o o .

T h e narr o w track l e ading backward t o t h e ti m e s

O f Arthu r i s O ft e n und e fin e d and i rr e trac e abl e and ,

t h e trav e ll e r fi nd s that un s tabl e bridg e s hav e b e e n

ca s t acr o s t h e gulf s which hav e br o k e n up th e

s

wa y V e ry e ld m th e r e f o r e can a s tr o ng f o o t
. s o , ,

h ld b e o btain e d and o e i o ft e n di s p o s e d t o
'

o ,
n s

aband o n t h e pur s uit o f truth s h o p e l e s s T h a . e

t e nd e ncy h s e v e r b e e n to s train facts to unc e rtain

a

c o nclu s i o ns i n o rd e r t fi t t h e e xig e nci e s o f

o

r o m anc e .

A s di s c o v e rabl e e rr e r e v e r l e ad s t o g e n e ral
d o ubt th e r e a re o t lacking th o s e wh o d e ny that
,
n

King Arthur e v e r e xis te d H e is d e clar e d to b e .

8 T he L o st L a nd of K i n g A r th u r
a m yth a typ e a s y m b o l an all g o rical fi g ur e
, , , e .

Ev e n Caxt o n i n printing Mal o ry s hi s t o ry wa s

,
’

o blig e d t o c o nfut e t h sc e ptic s by th e m e nti o n o f e

what h e d ee m e d una s s ailabl e fact s I t w s m o s t . a

“

e x e crabl e infid e lity s aid h e t o d o ubt t h e e xist

”
, ,

e nc e o f J o s hua David Juda s Maccab aeus o r

, , ,

Al e xand e r ; all th e w o rld kn e w th e r e wa s a Juliu s

C ar and a H e ct o r ; and h e d e m and e d t o
ae s

kn o w wi th j u s t indignati n s hall th e J e we s and o ,

t h e h e ath e n b e h o n o ur e d in th e m e m ry and o

m agnifi e n t p ro w e s s e o f th e i r w o rthi e s ?
c Shall
t h e Fr e nch and G e r m an nati o n s g l o ri fi e th e ir

triu m ph with th e ir G dfr e y and Charl e s Charl e

s o
"
m agn e ] and s hall w o f thi s island b e s o p
,
e os

s e s s t with incr duliti e d ifli d e c

e s t p i d i ti and s ,
n e ,
u e,

ingratitud t d e ny m ak e d ubt r e xpr e s s e in

e, o ,
o ,
o

s p e e ch and h i s t o ry th i m m o rtal na m e and fa m e e

'

o f ou r vi t o ri o u s Arth ur ?
c All t h e h o n o u r we can
d o e h im i s t o h o n o ur o ur s e lv es in r m e m branc e o f e
”
h im .

Havin g thus m ad e it a p o int o f nati nal prid o e

and h o n ur with s t acc e pt and b e li e v e in King

o u o

Arthu r Caxt n pr o c e e d e d to advan t h pr o f

,
o ce e o s

o f h i s e xi s t e n c e which w e r that h i lif wa s

,
e s e

writt e n i n m any n bl e v o lu m e s
“
whil e h is o ,

s e pultur e m ight b e s e e n at Gl ty g b u ry e
“

"
as n

Gla s t o nbury ] that th e print o f his s e al w s p re

,
a
I O T he Lo st La n d - o f K i n g Ar t h u r
s cript o f th e thirt ee nth c e ntury T h e writ e r wh .
,
o

w s pr e s e nt at t h e battl e h e d e crib e s i s upp o s e d

a s ,
s

by m e t hav e b e n Gilda s th e fi r s t hi s t o rian ;

so o e ,

o th e r s s a y h e w s th e s o f Gilda T h e p oe m a on s .
*

i of a m t
s b s cur charact e r and d o ubt has
os o e ,

actually aris e n as to th e particular battl t whi c h e o

it r e f e r s a th e o ry having b een advan d that it

, ce

c e l e brat e d a di s a s t e r which b e f e ll t h e Brit o n s at

S t n e h e n g e in 47
o But C a ttra e th i s s upp o se d t o 2 .

hav e b e e n D e g s ta o r D a ws t e in L id d le s d a l e
-

n ,
an , ,

at which th e Sax o n s w e r e d e f e at e d ; and wh e n

s uch div e rg e nci e s s th e s e re p o s s ibl e in r e gard a a

t o l o calit y p e r s o n s and dat e th valu e f

, ,
s , e o

An e urin s p e m s hi s t o ry m y e a ily b e e s ti
’
o a a s

m at e d T h e prin ipal fact which An e urin t e ll s s

. c u

i s that o f thr e warri r s and thr e e s c o r e and

“
e o

thr ee hundre d w e ari ng th e g ld e n t o rqu e o nly

,
o s ,
”

f o u r e s cap e d fr o m th e c o nflict o f ga s hing “

w e ap o n s o e b e ing hi m s e lf An o th e r o f th o s
,
’
n . e

A n eu ri n wa s br o n a b t
ou th e y r ea 500 , a nd as a

m o n a rc h of b rd a s wa s of m u ch rp te u e in M a na n God od i n ,

a p rta of C y m ri c S co tl a nd . T he Wl e sh B ri t on s in c l u de d

a L wl d i th i r t rrit ry d i w ll k
l l th e o an s n e e o , an ,
as s e no w n,

th m e f m i l i r i A th i r m
na es b tr a a n r ur an o a n ce ca n e a ce d to

S tlco d h W t f E gl d d F r
an , t l ik e es o n an ,
an a n ce a e, as wi ll
aft rw rd b h w i th p g A ri
e a s e s o n n ese a es . n eu n s
’
na ti on
'

ality h w v r i p rti l rly w l l w rth r lli g i

, o e e , s a cu a e o ec a n n vi w e

of h t h r y t h t A rth r w
t e S t h eo a u as co c .
Of th e K i ng and h is Ch r on i c l e r s I I

wh o cap e d fr o m C ttr e th w s Ky
es a akn o wn a non ,

t h e dauntl e s s wh o s e l o v e fo r th e daught e r
“ ”
as ,

o f Uri e n suppli d t h e bard s with a th e m e Uri e n

'

e .

hi m s e lf f e ll in thi s g r e at battl e and it wa s th e ,

p o e t Llywa rc h H e ( buri e d it i s said in th e

n , ,

Church f Ll a ev r n e ar Bala Lak e ) wh o wr o t e

o n e ,

h i s e l eg y Lly wa rc h H e
. pa s s e d h i s y o ung e r
n

day s at King Arthur s C o urt s a fr e e g u e s t and

’
a

a c o un s e llin g warri o r H is car e e r i s we ll s u m

.

m a ri s e d by G e o rg e B o rr o w i n Wi ld Wa l e s ,

Chapt e r LX X I I I .

O f th e third and m o s t i m p o rtant pr o ph e t and

bard Tali e s in Princ e o f S o ng we re t ld that
, , ,
a o

h e was t h e s o o f Saint H e wg ; that h e had a

n n
'

m iracul o u s birth ; that h e pak e in w o nd e rful s

v e rs e at h i s nativity and s ang riddling tal e s ; that

h e wa s invit e d by King Arthur t h i s C o urt at o

Ca e rl e o n ; and that having p re id e d ov e r th e

,
s
‘

R o und Tabl e a s a g o ld e n t o ngu e d knight h e

“
-

b e ca m e chi e f o f th e Bard s o f th e W e s t A cairn .

n e ar Ab e ry s twyth m ark s t h e s it e o f h is g rav e .

T h e s t o ry o f t h e bard o f t h e radiant br o w o f h is ,

w o nd e rful d e liv e ry fr o m pirat e s and o f h is ,

p o em s which e xc e ll e d th o s e o f all o th e r s h a s
, ,

alway s b e e n a p o pular o e but th e sifting o f n ,

truth fr om ficti n i s o e a s y ta s k H is allusi o n s

o n .

to Arthur pr o bably hav e o s up e ri o r valu e to t h e n

 T h e L o st La n d f K i n g A r th u r
’

12 o

r e f e r e n c e s f An e urin and L ly w rc h He a d w
o a n ,
n e

a re f o rc d th r e f r e t
e di s m i th e m fr o m c
e o o ss a

co unt Sir Walt e r S c tt in th intr o du ti o n t o

. o ,
e c

o e of h i
n p e tic r m anc e s j ustl y r em ind e d his
s o o ,

r e a d e r s that t h e Bard s o r S cald s w e r e t h e fi r s t , ,

hi s t o rian s f all nati n s and that th e ir int e nti o n

o o ,

wa s to r e lat e e v e nt s th e y had witn e s s e d o r tradi

ti o n s that had r e a h e d th e m B ut h e add e d
c .
“
,
”
,

“
as t h e p o e tical hi s t o rian i m pr o v e s in t h e art o f
c o nv e ying inf r m ati o n t h e auth e nticity o f h is
o ,

narrativ e invariably d e lin e s He i s t e mpt e d to c .

dilat e and dw ll up o n e v e nt s that a re int e r e s ting

e

t o h i s i m aginati n and o n s ci o u s h o w indi ff e r e nt

o , , c

h is audi e nc e i s t o t h e nak e d truth o f h i s p o e m h i s ,

hi s t o ry gradually b e c o m e s a r o m anc e Su h .
”
c

w e r e t h e e arly hi t o rian s s w e ll s bard up o n

s ,
a a s ,

wh o s e r e o rd s th e Engli h hr o ni l e r s r e li e d
c s c c .

Th e s e chr o ni l e r w r Gilda and N e i u s f

c s e e s nn , o

wh o m o v e ry c e rtain bi o graphi cal fact s can b e

n

di c v e r e d th ugh th latt e r i s aid to hav e b ee n

s o ,
o e s

a m o nk at Bang o r Gilda s i t h e r put e d auth o r . s e

o f a tr e ati e D E id i
s B ri t
, i blindly
e xc o a n n ca ,

c o pi e d by B e d e whi c h s uppli e d a hi s t o ry o f
,

Britain fr m th e ti m o f t h e I ncarnati o n t t h e
o e o

y e ar 56 0 A D But darkn e s s n h r o ud s th e h i
. . e s s

t o rian o f wh o s e untry par e ntag e and p e ri o d

, co , ,

m uch i s s ur m i d and littl i di s v e rabl ese T he e s co .

Of th e K ing and h is Ch r o n ic l e r s I
3

e rudit e auth o r o f C u l t r i E a rly S tla d u e n co n ,

Dr Mackinn n b e li e v e s that th e writ e r o f th e

. o ,

gl o m y and p e s s i m i s tic w rk o th e d s tructi o n

o o n e

o f Britain wa s a R o m ani s e d B rit n wh o m i g rat e d o ,

to Brittany t o e s cap e th e pitil e s s s e v e rity o f t h e

Sax o n s and th e r e f o und e d th e m o na s t e ry o f Ru y s

,
.

I t h a s e v e n b e e n clai m e d that Gilda s w s a nativ e a

o f Clyd e s dal e and i f thi s w e r e s an th e r link

,
o o

w o uld e xi s t t o nn e ct Arthur hi m s e lf with Sc o t

o c

land f r th e hi s t o rian w s s o cl o s e ly id e ntifi e d

, o a

with th e rac e and th e cau s e cha m pi o n e d by that

king that h i s urna m e w take n fr o m Arthur s
s as
’

fa m o u s battl e o f Bad o n which again is aid by , , ,

s

t o hav e b e e n f o ught in t h e L wland *

s om e o s .

Gilda s w s t h e wi s s t o f th e Brit n ac c o rding to

a e o s

Al uin and Dr Mackinn o n think s that h i s

c , .

chr o nicl e s h o uld b e acc e pt e d s auth e ntic in s pit e a ,

o f i t s o c ca s i o nal e rr o r s and i t und ubt d bias s o e .

T h e st e m charact e r o f t h e writ e r i s e vinc e d by h is

d e nunciati o n o t o nly o f Sax n e xc e s s e s but o f
s n o ,

th e cl e rical vic e s o f h i s ge I n s h o rt Gilda a .

,
s

was a r e li g i o u s d e v o t e e an aust e r e and u c m ,

n o

pr o m i s ing criti f th e d e m o rali s ing cu t o m o f

c o s s

th e ti m e ; a s p ci e s o f pr o ph e t al s o wh
e w in , , o sa

co rrupti n and d e g e n e rati o n th e i g n o f c o m ing

o s s

A B a do n in L i lithg w h ir
n o s e i s th e rp te u ed s it e.
I 4
. T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
d e s tructi o n fo r th rac e to which h e b e l o ng e d
e .

R o man influ e nc e had und e r m in e d th e m o rals o f

th e p eo pl e and e n e rv at e d public and s o cial lif
'

e.

T h e s t o ry Gilda s t e ll i s o e o f u nr e li e v e d g l o o m
s n ,

but it s tand s o u t in c o ntra s t to o th e r narrativ e s

b y i ts rugg e d s i m plicity and i ts fr ee d o m fr o m th e
m o r e r o m antic e l e m e nts Murd e r sacril e g e and
.
, ,

i m m o rality w e r e bringing ab o ut wh o l e s al e d e s o la
ti o n and th e patri o ti c Gilda s s w o futur e b e f o r e
,
a n

h i s c o untry but abs o lut e ruin and racial e xtincti o n .

H i s allu s i o n s t o Arthur a re s canty incid ntal and ,

e ,

n o n e t oo c o m pli m e ntary and th e y h av e a s u m e d

,
s

i m p o rtanc e o nly a s ba s e s f r th e c o n s tru c ti o n o f

o

b o ld th e o ri e s by sub e qu e nt write r s
s .

I n S o m e r s e t n e ar t h e anci e nt B ritish s e ttl e

,

m e nt o f B r e an is a r ck y i s l e t kn o wn a s S t e e p
,
o

H o l m 40 0 f e e t high and ab o ut a m il e and a half

,

in circu m f e r e nc e I n thi s d e s lat e plac e it i s said

. o

that Gilda s B d o n icu s t o o k r e fug e during th e tim e

a

o f c o nflict b e tw ee n Bri to ns and S ax o n s and that ,

h e re h e c o m p o s e d th gr e at e r part o f D E x c i d i
e e o

B ri t i
a n n ca .L e land r e c o rd s that th e h e r m it
pr e a h e d e v e ry S unday in a church by th e s e
c a

s h o re which s tand s i n th e c o untry o f Pe b id ia e

, n ,

in th e ti m e f King T rif u ; an innu m e rabl

o un s e

m ultitud e h e aring h i m H e always wi s h e d t b

. o e

a faithful s ubj e ct to King Ar thu r H i s br o th e r s .

,
Of th e K in g and h is Ch r o n i c l e r s I
5
h o w e v e r r e b e ll e d again s t that king unwilling to
, ,

e ndur e a m a s t e r H u e il (
. H w e l ) th e e ld e s t w s o , ,
a

a p e rp e tual warri o r and m o s t fa m o us s o ldi e r wh o ,

ob eye d o king o t e v e n Arthur hi m e lf Ste e p ”

n ,
n s .

H o l m wa s invad e d by pirat e s and Gilda s was ,

c o m p e ll e d t s ee k an o th e r a s ylu m H e ch o s e
o .

Gla s t o nbury and th e re h e di e d H i s attitud e wa s

,

p e s s i m i s tic in th e e xtr e m e T h e p o o r r e mnant .

o f o u r nati o n h e said b e in g s tr e n g th e n e d that

“
, ,

th ey m i g ht o t b e br o ught t o utt e r d e s tructi o n

n ,

t o o k ar m s u d e r A m b r s i s a m o d e s t m
n
'
o wh o
u ,
an , ,

o f all th e R o m an nati o n wa s th e n al o n e in th e
,

c o nfu s i o n o f this tr o ubl e d p e ri o d by chanc e l e ft

aliv e H i s par e nt s wh o fo r th ir m e rit w e r e
.
, ,
e ,

ad o rn e d with t h e purple had b ee n slain in th ,

e

s a m e br o il s , and o w h is pro ge ny in th e e o r
n ,
s u

day s alth o ugh sha m e fully d e g e n e rat e d fr o m th e

,

w o rthin e s s f th e i r anc e s t o r pr o v o k e d to battl e

o s,

th e ir c o nqu e ro rs and by th e g o o dn e ss o f Go d
, , ,

o btain e d t h e vict o ry I n thi s dismal s train did

.

h e writ e o f triu m ph s and th e p o w e r with which

,

h e d e scrib e d d e f e at m a y th e r e f o r e e a s ily b e
gu e s s e d .

T h e an s w e r that h s b e e n giv e n t o t h e qu e s ti o n
a
,

o ft r e p e at e d : Why i s hi s t o ry s o s il e nt o King n

Arthur ? is a s trang e o I t i s s aid that Gilda s

ne .
,

o n h e aring that Arthur had s lain h is br o th e r

16 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
H w e l w s s d e e ply ffe nd e d that h e d e t e r m in e d
o ,
a o o

that th e h e r s h o uld o t b e c e l e brat e d by h im

o n .

I n r e v e ng e h e ca t int o t h e s e a m any e xc ll e nt
,
s
“
e

b o k s which h e h ad writt e n c o nc e rnin g th e act s

o

o f Arthu r and in th e prais e o f h is nati n by

, o ,

r e as o n f whi h thing y o
o c find n thing o f u ca n o so

gr e at a prin c e e xpr e s s e d in auth ntic writin g e s.

”

Gilda s hi m e lf s uppli e s an o th e r e xplanati o n fo r

s ,

h e b e wail e d t h e l o s s o f nati o nal r e c o rds whi h “

c

hav e b e e n o n u m e d in t h e fi r e o f th e e n e m y o r
c s s ,

hav e acc o m pani e d m y e xile d c o untry m e n int o

di s tant land s H is o w .o urc e s o f inf o r m ati o n
”
n s

w e r e th o s e which h e f o und in Ar m rica and o th e r o

p o rti o n s o f th e C o ntin e nt .

Ne i is supp o s e d to hav c o m pil e d an o th e r

nn us e

c m pr e h e n iv e h i s t o r y c m parabl with that o f

o s o e

Gildas — H i tori B ri t m th e p e ri o d e m
s a on u

brac d b e in g fr om th e day s o f Brut e th e Tr o jan

e

to th e y e ar 6 8 0 A D But s o m uch d ubt pr e vail

. . o s

as t oh i s w o rk that t h e hi s t o ry d e pit e t h e lat e r

, ,
s

dat e has b e e n a s crib e d t Gilda s hi m s e lf B o th

,
o .

m y hav e b e e n f o rg ri e o f t h e t e nth o r e l v e nth

a e s e

c e ntur y Fo r fi v e o r s i
. nturi e s th e s t o ry f x ce o

Arthur wa s f lk l r e an d w s pr e s e rve d in
“
o -
o ,
”
a

s natch e s o f s o ng a fe w frag m e nt s o f which s till

,

e xist Such a l e g e nd a s L o ngf e ll ow say s can

.
, ,

o nly
 1 8 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
h o ri n o f hi s t o r y and ulti m at e ly b e c o m e a
zo , s

r e ligi n o T h e g o d s o f fabl e
. re t h e s hining a

m o m e nt s o f gr e at m e E m e r s o n s aid and n , ,

wh e th e r t h Arthur s and O din o f m yth o l o gy w e r e

e s

m e w o r s hipp e d a s d e iti e s o r de iti e s div e s t e d o f

n ,

divinity and tran s f o r m e d i nt o hi s t o ric h e r o e s th e ,

aft e r a g s m u s t always hav e s o m e d iffi cu l ty i

-
e
'
n

d e ciding What we kn o w i s that th e int e rval

.

b e tw ee n languag e and lit e ratur e i cr o wd e d with s

s had o wy m yth l o gical l o r e and littl e f th e

o , o

light fla h e d back fr o m t o day can illu m in e th e

s -

haunt e d m y ti twiligh t ti m e o f phant o m and

,
s c,

s up e r titi o n
s .

Y e t G eo ffr y Archd e a o n o f M n m o uth and

e ,
c o ,

aft e rward s Bi s h o p f St A s aph ( 00 o in . 1 1

giving hap e and s ub s tanc e t th Arthurian

s o e

l e g e nd and traditi o n s had o b e tt e r m at e rial t o

s ,
n

w o rk with than that s uppli e d by th e Briti s h f lk o

s o ng s th ,
taint e d r e c o rd s f Gilda s and N e iu s
e o nn ,

and t h e s o all e d Ar m ric o ll e cti n o f Walt r

-
c o c o s e ,

Archd e ac o n f O xf o rd wh o fl o uri s h e d i n t h
o ,
e

e l e v e nth c e ntury and c o nn ct e d th e Arthur o f

,
e

Brittany with t h e Arthur o f S iluria G o ffr ey . e

’
s

fa m o u s Ch r ic o iv H i tori B ri to m d e
on n s e s a nu ,

d ic a te d t o R o b e rt Earl o f Gl o u e s t e r and giv n

,
c ,
e

t o t h e w o rld i n t h e Latin t o ngu e in t h e y e ar 15 1 1 ,

wa s pr o f e s s e dly a tran s lati o n o f th e B ru t y B re n

 Of th e Kin g an d h is Ch r o n i c l e r s 1
9
h i n ed , a hi s t o ry o f th e King s o f B ritain f o und ,

in B rittan y b e t d e s crib e d in W o rd w o rth s

,
”
s s
’

phra s e A Briti s h r e c o rd l o ng c nc e al e d i o l d
:
“
o n

Ar m o rica wh o s e s ecr e t s pring s ri o G o thi c o

,
c n

q u e ro r e e r drank
’ ”
.

I n r e ality his i m aginati o n had b ee n fir e d by th e

bardic c e l e brati o ns f Arthur triu m ph s th e o
’
s ,

s o ngs still s ung vauntingly by an unc o nqu e r e d

rac e T h e o ld m o nki s h c hr o nicl e r m anif e st e d a

.

m arv e ll o u ing e nuity in i m parting c i rc u m s ta

s n

t i l i ty o f t h e m o s t c o nvincing charact e r t o h i s nar

a

ra t i v e H e c o nn e ct e d plac e na m e s o f gr e at r e put e
.
-

with e p o n y m o u s h e r o e s ; h e link d th e truth s o f e

t h e R o m an o ccupati o n with t h e half truth s o r -

fabl es f th e Briti s h r e i s tanc e ; h e w v e s o m e o f

o s o

th e m o st s triking S criptural fact int o t h e fabric o f s

t h e r o m anc e ; h e s o l e av e n e d fal s e h o o d with r e ality

that th e i m p o s tur e w hard to d e t e t e s p e ially in

as c ,
c

an uncritical g e and th e e ffec t w s m o s t i m pr e s

a ,
'

s iv e up o n t h e m ind s o f an unr e a s o ning g e n e rati o n .

H is inv e nti n s did o t e xt e nd t o incid e nt s th e s e h e

o n

t k fr o m th e chr nicl e s to hand and h e can o nly

oo o ,

b e charg e d with a fr e e a m plificati o n o f th e e t

c o rd s and a r e adj u s t m e nt o f th e v e nt s which

,
e

had b ee n d e s crib e d N o twith tanding all th e . s

craft and d e vic e o f th chr o nicl e r h o w e v e r

s e , ,

h i hi s t o ry wa s al m o s t i m m e diat e ly chall e ng e d ,
s
20

wh o ll y d epen d i n g u p on , th e old B rt ton tn les , a nd

wi th add i ng to th es e m u tes ta bl e -

.
com pil a tion s
”
in m wa s \iViIIi a m
“
om
'
of hl s or of

N e wb n rg h alo n e in h is pt o tes ts a nd d c n un c ia fi on .

Gira ld us Ca m b I iexmi s b y -

, a pa n b le , im p fi c d th a t
M m a m n

at Ca erletm , h e sa i d , wh o oon ld a l wa ys tel l a li a r

up m th e ma n
'
s t o n g u e. m fi o s p el of SL Jd m
wa s g im hm ; h e pla c ed it in h i s b os mn ;
’

a nd

th e B ri to ns , by
“
Goo fi rey A rt h u r ”
( Art h u r
“ ”

na me Ge ofl re y s ) wa s h a n d e d
’
3 by -
of . to

ma s t erp iece in n i ne b oo k s from at ta i n in g a u s

M M M m hs o ri gi m l form
’

an d

wh e n tm ns h te d , a s it ra pid ly n s, i n to t h e A n g b ~

it cou ld b e fmfly un d a m n d ed d th e pm ple . It

 O f th e K i n g an d h is Ch r o n i c l e rs 2 1

of B rut gre at grand s o n o f E n e a s o f Tro y to

,
-

Cadwa l lad e r s d ea th in 6 88
’
.

T h e first tran s lat o rs w e r e Ge o ffr e y Ga i s n a r o r

Ga im a r in 1 1 54 (
,
th e o rigi nal h i s t o ry had bee n

pub l i s h ed o nl y s e ven yw rs pre vi o usly ) wh o t urn ed ,

th e st o ry i nt o N o rm an Fr e nch v e r s e and W a ce -

, ,

a nati ve o f J e rs e y wh o o bta in ed th e favo ur o f th e

,

N o rman king s and wa s th e auth o r o f two l o ng

,

ro m an ce s in N o r m an Fr e nch — th e fa m ed B ru t o r-

Ges te d es B re to s a n d th e al m os t e qually fa m o u s
n ,

Ro m a n de R T h e f o rm e r w o rk was a free
ou .

m e trica l ren d e ring publi sh e d in H e n ry I I s r e ign

, .
’

o f Geo fl rey s C h ro ic l
'
’
wi th s o m e n e w m att e r
n e, .

\ Vac e a cc o rding to Hal lam th e hist o rian wa s a

, ,

p ro li fic v e rs i fie r wh o h a a cl ai m to in dul g e nce s
“
,

an d e ven to es tee m a s hav i ng fa r e xce ll ed hi s ,

co nte m po rari e s wi th o ut a n y s u pe ri o r advan ta g e s

o f k n o wl e dg e I t wa s in e mu l ati o n o f h im that
”
.

se ve ral N o rm an wri t e rs co m po s e d m e trica l

h i st o ri e s.

Th e n ca m e La yam o n a Midl an d pri e s t li ving ,

at a n o ble ch u rch at E m ly o r Arl e y wh o at th e , ,

cl o s e o f th e tw e lfth ce ntury prod uced th e fir s t

l o ng poe m writt en in th e Eng li sh la n gu a g e He .

d i d n o t g o to G eo ffr e y o f M o m o u t h s w o rk
’
n

di re ct but wro t e an a mpli fi e d im i ta ti o n o f Wa ce s

,
' ’

v e rs io n o f th e C h ron ic l e La y a m o n s pa raphrase .
’
2 2 T he Lo st La n d o f K i n g Ar th ur
c o ntain e d j u t o v r d ubl e th e nu m b e r f lin e s in
s e o o

W a ce s p oe m t h e additi o n s c o n i s ting chi e fly o f

’
,
s

int rp lat e d dra m atic s p e e ch e s Th e r e w e r e

e o .

alr e ady Cy m ri Ar m ric S ax n and N o r m an

c, o ,
o ,

ingr e di e nt s in th e m e dl y o f hi s t o ry and r o m anc e

e ,

and to th e La y a m o n add e d a s light T ut o nic

es e

e l e m nt fo r t h chans o n s o f th e Tr o uv er e had
e ,
e s

c arri e d t h e fa m e o f Arthu r int o G e r m any and ,

alr ady e w l eg e nd with ew m e an ing s w e r

e n s n e

g e r m inating fr m t h e l o o s e ly att e r e d s ee d
o -
sc .

With Artu fo r t h e c ntral figur e and with o urtly

s e c

chivalry fo r t h e th e m e th e variati o n s and e , se x

pan i n f th e s t o r y o f th e B riti s h chi f e e r

s o s o e x

c is ed s p o w e rful and e ndu ring an influ e nc e up o n

a

t h e p e o pl e o f Franc e and G e r m any a s th y had e

d o n e and c o ntinu e d to d o up o n t h e p e o pl e o f
, ,

B ritain T h e g o o d pri e s t s e m to hav e had o

. e s n

o th e r bj ct in writing i n g o o d plain S ax o n th e
o e

s t ry o f King Arthur than t m ak e wid e ly kn wn

o o o

a m n g h is c untry m e n t h e n o bl d e d in which
o o e e s

h e e vid e ntly had an ab unding faith I n fact h i

o .
,
s

purp o s e w s pur e ly patri tia T h e o nly guil e h e o c.

e m pl o y e d w s in supplying th e na m e s o f m an y
a

p e rs o n s and plac e s in additi o n to th e s p ee ch e s all

, ,

o f which circu m s tanc s s e rv e d to m agnify th e e

lit e ra ry i m p o s tur e Walt e r Map r Map e s a .

,
o ,

man o f th e W e l s h March e s with a r e putati o n fo r ,

Of th e K in g a nd h is Ch r o n ic l e r s 2
3

e xc e e ding frankn e s s and h o n o ur f o ll o w e d La y a ,

mo n and intr o duce d th e r and m o r e s trikin g d e

o

tail s o f p e r m an e nt valu e Map w s th e fri e nd f . a o

B e ck e t and i s b li v d t hav e b e n fo r s m
,
e e e o e o e

ti m e th e kin g s haplain Fo r th e l o v e f th e
’
c . o

king h i w rk wa s d n e H is Latin s atirical

s o o .

p o e m s di s play h i s chi e f hara c t e ri tic s and it i s c s ,

a s a wit rath e r than a writ e r that h e w s fa m u s a o

at th e C o urt Y t it w a thi m w h o i s h e ld
. e s s an

t o hav e c o nc e iv e d th e hara t e r o f th e pur e and c c

s tainl e s s knight S i r Galahad a s s igning to h im ,

what i s in s m e r es p e t s th e hi e f r at all e v e nt s
o c c , o

t h e w o rthi e s t p s iti o n in th e Arthu rian li s t f

, o o

kni g ht s. I f S i r Galahad tainl e s s chivalr u s , s , o ,

al o n e capabl e f a c hi e vin g th e Qu e s t o f th e Grail

o ,

w e r e th cr e ati o n o f Walt e r Map to h im we o we

e ,

that s piritual and r e ligi o u s e l e m e nt which r e fin e s

and e nrich King Arthur s hi s t o ry Map wr o t e

es
’
.

t h e st o ry o f t h e Grail a Chri tiani e d r e nd e ring , s s

o f C e ltic m yth and t o h i m pr o bably we

, we t h e o

m o ving and i m pr e s s iv e M rt with th o s e n o tabl e o ,

o utbur s t which ran k a m ng t h e tr e a s ur e s o f o u r

s o

lit e ratur e H e h o w e v e r had t h e o riginal t

.
, , s o

w o rk up o n T h e W e l h had tak e n th e ir l e g e nd s
. s

t o B rittany t h e tr o ubad o ur s w e r e s ingin g th e m

, ,

and th e G e r m an and th e Fr nch chr o ni l e r s w e r e e c

at w rk And th o ugh th e r e i s o d o ubt that Map

o . n
2
4 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
c o ntribut e d in a c o n s id e rabl e d e gr e e to th e
r o m anc e s it m u s t b e faithfully r e c o rd e d that qu e s
,

ti o n s hav e ari s n wh e th e r h e wa s r e ally capabl e

e

o f d ing all that h a s b e n attribut e d t

o h im and e o ,

wh e th e r if h e had th e capacity h e w o uld al s o

, ,

hav e had t h e inclinati o n S p o tl e pi ri tuali ty . ss s ,

”

s uch s h e i s s upp o s e d t o hav e infu s e d int o t h e

a

s t o r y i carc e l y c o n s i s t e nt with th e charact e r o f

,
s s

th e m wh o e Ana c r e o ntic s a re o ft e n l acking in

an s

*
re fi n e m e n t .

So fa r it will b e e a s ily c o nc e d e d v e ry littl e h a s

, ,

b e e n advanc e d in th e way o f pr o o f o f t h e e xi st e nce

o f th e Briti s h princ and h e r o o f t h e Cy m ric e ,

“
Dux B ell r m o f th e Chi e f f th e Siluri o r
o u ,
”
o

D m o i i t h e na m e giv e n t t h e r e m nant o f th e
u n n ,
o

B riti s h rac e s driv e n w e s tward b y t h e S ax n s o .

W e can und e rstand Milt o n qu e s ti o ning wh o

Arthu r w s and d ubting wh e th e r any s uch
a ,
o
“

r e ign e d i n Britain I t had b ee n d ubt e d h e r e .

“
o

t o f o r e and m y b e again with g o d r e a s o n h e

, a o ,
”

wr o t e n o twith s tandin g th e fa s cinati o n p o ss e s s e d

,

by
Wh t r a e s ou n d s

In f bla e or r om a n ce of U th e r s
’
s on

B girt with B riti h

e s a nd A r m ri ko c n i gh t s.

Tk a e, fo r i n s t a n ce , th e s on g i n wh i c h h e e xp r es s es th e
wi sh to d ie wh i l e r ki
d in n
g in a t vr
a e n, M eu m es t p ro
p itos u m in tbr a e na m ri o .
”
2 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
J udg e d pur e ly lit e ratur e and with e v e ry
as ,

all o wanc e mad e f r want f unif o r m ity i n l e v e l o o as

w e ll a s fo r th e t e di o u s n e s s o f nu m b e rl e s s d ig re s

s ions Mal ry s r o m anc e o nly ad m it o f o e’

, o s n

o pini n ; and t h i m and to Caxt o n (

o o wh o d e s pit e ,

t h e hu m ilit y o f h i s pr l o g u e s and e pil o gu e s and o ,

hi s pr o f s i o n o f s i m pl e n e s s and ign o rance

e s s ,

w s a s ch o lar and a m as te r o f m iddl e cla s E g

a -
s n

li h ) th e rac e i und e r a p e rp e tual d e bt

s s T he .
*

co m pil e r d o e o t s e e m t o b e O p e n t o t h e charg
s n e

l e v ll e d again s t h im by S i r Walt e r S c o tt that h e

e ,

e xhaust e d at hazard and with o ut m uch art o r

“
,

c o m binati n fr o m th e vari o u Fr e nch pr o e

o , s s

f lio os
; o t h e c o ntrary it i
”
n e a s y to o n e iv e s c c

that h e e x e rci e d that painful indu s try with s

”

whi c h h e i s cr e dit e d by th e writ e r o f th e Pr e fac e

t o t h e e diti o n f 1 6 34 I additi o n to thi s h e
o . n ,

s t a m p e d h is O w individualit y up o n th e w o rk and
n ,

m anif e s t e d a in g ular purity o f ta s t e by r e m o vin g

s

t h e gr o s s e r e l m e nt s which s tain e d m any o f t h e

e

e arli e r v e r i o n s and by pr e s e rving all that wa s

s ,

b e s t s lit e ratur e and in k e e ping with th e fin e s t

a

and tru e s t pirit o f r o m an e W e kn w fr o m th e

s c . o

s ch o larly inv e s tigati o n s o f Dr S o m m e r and Si r .

Wi ll i a m
'

C xta on , s impl p r e e son , as he s ty l d h i m

e

se lf , rg d t h t h
u e a e un d rt k th
e w rk
oo e o a t th e rq t f
e u es o

d i v r g tl m
e s en e en o f t h i r l m f E gl
s ea o n a nd.
 Of th e K in g an d h is Ch r o n i c l e r s 2 7
Ed m und Stra h e y h o w judici o u s Mal o ry w s in
c a

tran s lating fr o m h i s Fr e nch b oo k s o r in m a k “

,
”

i g ab s tract s
n o r in a m e nding and e nl a rging
,
.

With tru e in ight h e h o s e th e m at e rial that w s

s c a

of g d r e p o rt and f g e nuin e w o r th ; th e dr o s
oo o s

h e ca t a s id es Mal ry m y hav e b e l o ng d t a
. o a e o

Y rk s hir e fa m il y j udging fr o m t h e fact that

o ,

L e land r e c o rd e d that a Mal o ry p s e e d a l o rd os ss

s hip i that n unty but th r e i co s light, e s no

auth o rit y fo r b li e vin g that h e w s a W l s h m an

e a e

and a pri e t — s e rvant o f J e s u b o th day and

s
“
a

nigh t as h e hi m s e lf s aid That h e wa s a g o o d

, .

and e arn e s t Chri s tian h is o w w o rk pr o v e b e y o nd n s

all qu e s ti n fo r h e i m part e d all th e r e li g i o u s

o ,

ard o u r to th e r m anc that h e c o uld and acc e nt

o e ,

u a te d that e l e m e nt wh e n it had alr e ady b e n e

intr o duc e d .

T h e r o m anc e o f Arthur wa s nrich e d t o u s e e ,

Gibb o n s w o rd s with th e vari o u s th o ugh i c o h e r

’

, n

en t o rna m e nt s which w e r fa m iliar t o t h e e p e ri e x

en e c t h e l e arning
, r t h e fancy f t h e tw e lfth
o o
,

c e ntur y Ev e r y nati n e nhanc d and ad o rn d th e

. o e e

p o pular r o m anc e until at l e ngth t h e light o f

,
“

s ci e nc e and r e a s o n w s re kindl e d th e talis m an a -

wa br o k e n th e vi s i o nary fabri m e lt e d int o ai r

s , c ,

and by a natural th o ugh unju s t r e v e r e o f public s

o pini o n t h e s e v e rity o f th e pr e s e nt
,
g e b e ca m e a
2 8 T he L o st L a n d o f K in g A r th u r
inclin ed to qu e ti o n th e e xi s t e nc e o f Arthur
s .

That Art hur s na m e s h o uld str e a m lik e a cl o ud

’

m a n shap e d fr o m m o un t ain p e ak i s t h e fault o f th e

-

,
-

m e d iwv a l writ e rs wh o in taking th e B riti s h king,

fo r th e ir h e r c o uld r e pr e s e nt o a g e but th e ir
o
,
n

ow n , and had o c o n s ci o u s n e s s o f anachr o ni s m

n .

I t ca m e natural t th e m in s p e aking f th e o o

s ixth c e ntur y
-
kni g ht s to e nd o w th e m with th e
attribut e s o f t h e thirt e e nth and f o urt e e nth c e ntury ,

and to d e s crib e Arthu r s Britain m u c h s th e y ’

a

w o uld have d e rib e d th e Britain o f a H e n ry o r

sc

an E dward T h e Arthu r o f G eo ffr y o f Walt e r

. e ,

Map and o f Mal o ry i s a s i m p o s s ibl e s th e Arthu r

, a

o f Wagn e r Lytt o n S winburn e and T e nnys o n

, , ,
.

M o st o f t h e writ e r s o chivalry hav e e ith e r vi e w e d

n

and tr e at e d th e Knight s o f th R o und Tabl e e as

c o nt e m p o rary h e r o e s o r hav e alt o g e th e r id e alis e d

,

th e m W e a re f o rc e d to th e c o nclu s i o n that G e o f
.

fr e y and all th e o th e r m e di aeval chr o nicl e rs had n o

r e al c o nc e pti o n o f th e charact r o f th e a g e o f e

which th e y wr o t e ; i f th ey disc o v e r e d r e al na m e s
and r e al p e r s o n s th e y t ransp o rt e d th e m to an
i m aginary w o rld and inv e st e d th e m with fabul o u s
attribut e s Th ey m ad e r e ality it s e lf unr e al trans
.
,

f o r m e d h e ro e s int o m yths and buri e d hist o ry ,

b e n e ath r o m anc e ; th e y had n o p o w e r to r e c o gnis e

truth ev e n wh e n it app e ar e d to th em .
 O f th e K i n g and h is Ch r o n i c l e r s 2 9

King Arthur wa s a traditi o nal and hi s t o ric

C hi e ftain o f rud e ti m e s t h e m ,
o f an e p o ch
an a ,

h e ro to b e sung and r e m e m b e r e d His lif e mu s t .

hav e b ee n a tu m ult ; h i s s e v e nty d d battl es we r o e

t h e e v e nt s o f h i s e r Wh e th e r h e r e pr e s e nts a
a .

na s c e nt civilisati o n o r wh e th e r f o ll o wing th e
, ,

R m an s h e s i m ply m aintain e d a barbaric s pl e n

o ,

d ur in th e citi e s th e y had m ad o r by m e an s o f
o e

s o m e e nlight e n e d laws th e y had institut e d is a ,

m att e r o f disput e But h e i th e gray king

“ “ ”
. s ,

th e e l e m e ntal h e r o o t t h e advanc e d typ e

,
n I t is .

a r e markabl e fact that Engli s h s ch o lars hav e until

quit e r e c e ntly d o n e s o littl e to p o pulari e Arthur s

ian lit e ratur e Mal ry s v e r s i o n r e m ain e d al m o s t

. o
’

inacc e s sibl e until S o uth ey i s s u e d h i s e diti o n and ,

t h e b e s t w o rk o f all wa s und e rtak e n fo r s in latt e r u

y e ars by D r S o m m er a G e r m an C o nsid e ring

.
,
.

t h e h o ld o nt h e i m aginati o n wh i ch t h e r o man c e

p o ss es s e d littl e wa s d o n e t o e lucidat e th e o b
,

s c u ri t i es and t s o lv e t h e m y s t e ri e s c o nc e rning
o t no

o nly th e auth o r s but t h e h e r o e s th e m s e lv e s and

t h e land t o which th y b e l o ng e d e Much h a s b ee n

.

c nj e ctur e d but we f ee l that we re d e aling m o r e

o
,
a

with phant o m s and fanci e s than with r e aliti e s and

facts Y e t what an in s pirati o n King Arthur h s
. a

b e e n "H i s na m e h a s ling e r e d h is m e m o ry has ,

b e e n tr e a s ur e d in nati o nal ballad s P o e t s have in .

3 0 T he L os t La nd o f K i n g A r t h ur
all ag e s h o v e r e d r o und th e s ubj e ct and o m e hav e ,
s

alight e d up o n it o nly p e rhap s t l e av e it a g ain a s

,
o

b ey o nd th e i r s c o p e .

T h m i gh t i t h i f e f Br iti h g es c e s o s son

S r d t
co h l g d t
ne pr l g
no suc e en s o o on .

Milt o n S p e n s e r Dryd e n Wart n C o llin s S c o tt

, , ,
o , ,

and Gray t o g e th e r with d e rid e d and half fo r

,
-

g o tt n Black m o r e ; Lytt o n with h is a m biti o u s

e ,

e pic ,
d o m e d t un m e rit e d n e gl e ct ; R o s s e t ti
o o ,

Ja m e s Ru s e ll L o w e ll and lastly Arn o ld M o rri s

s , , , ,

Swinburn e and T e nny s o n — th e s hav e lift e d th e

,
e

r o m anc e int o t h high e s t and pur e s t r e al m o f

e

p o e try and hav e i m pr e g nat e d th e s t o ry with

,

n e w m e a ing s and illu m inat e d it with rich int e r

n

p re t a t i o n .

All hav e f e lt th e influ e nc e o f Arthur s hi s t o ry ’

,

i ts d i m e nchant m e nt s i t s f ury o f h e lpl e s s battl e

, ,

i t s al m s t f e m inin e t e nd e rn e s s o f fri e nd s hip its

o ,

fainting pa s s i n i ts r e ligi o u s ard o urs all at

o , ,

l e ngth vani s hing in d e f e at and b e ing f o und o n

m o re . W e hav e s e e n h w t h e Arthurian hi s t o ry o ,

r e al r fabul o u s ar o s e fr m e arly traditi o n s and

o ,
o

gr e w a s e ach ch r o nicl e r handl e d it and c o m bin e d

with it th e traditi o n s and t h e ficti o n s o f th e r o

rac e s. I t l o s t n o thing by i ts tran s fu s i o n int o n e w

t o ngu e s but was e n rich e d by th e i m aginati o ns o f
,

t h e adapt e r s and c o m bin e d with th e s t o ri es alr e ady

O f th e K i n g and h is Ch r o n i c l e r s 1
3
c urr e nt in th e r land s T h e h e r o that C e ltic
o .

b o a s tfuln s s had cr e at e d b e ca m e th e r e pr e s e nta

e

tiv e h r f at l e a s t thr e e p o pl e s in th e s e e arly

e o o e

ti m e and th e s o ng s o f th e Tr o uv er e p e e dily
s, s s

spr e ad h i fa m e o v e r W e s t rn Eur o p e We find

s e .

Arthu r r e pr e e nt e d a s th e m s te f o f a va s t king
s a

d o m and h i p o w e r e xt e nding t
,
s R o m e it s e lf ; o

and we find h im clai m e d t h e natur a l h e r o o f

as

n e arly e v e ry rac e which h e ard h i prai e and wa s s s

kindl e d to val o u r by t h e e xa m pl f h is e xpl o it s e o .

Each c o unt ry s e e m e d b e nt up o n s upplyin g at l e a s t

o e n r e pre s e ntativ e f th e Tabl e R o und and
o ,

e ag rl y c o m p e t e d fo r t h e p re e m in e nc e and p e r
e -

fe c t ion o f t h e knight o f i t s ch ic e T h e kingd o m o .

all o tt d t h i m w s with ut li m it and a s th e

e o a o ,

e ld e r Di s ra e li w o uld put it fancy b e nt h e r iri s

,

o f m any s o ft e n e d hu e s o v e r a d e li g htful land o f

-

ficti o n .
”

L s t th o ugh King Arthur s r e al m i s th e land

o
’
,

o f t h e anci e nt Briti s h chi ftain m u s t hav e b e n

e e

re al and it is m o s t p o sibl e that we tr e ad th e du s t

, s

which c v e r s it in j o urn e ying fr o m Ca e rl e o n t o

o

Glast o nbury fr o m Gla s t o nbury to Ca m e lf o rd

, ,

fr o m Ca m e lf o rd to Tintag e l T o th e s e plac e s is.

o u r pilgri m ag e dir e ct e d .
 C HAPTE R I I
OF LY O N N E S S E AND C A M ELI A RD

In ld o A rt r
e da y es of th e Ki n
g ou ,

O f wh i
h th t B r t p k gr t
c a e on s s e en e h on ou r ,

All w th i l d f l fi ll d f f ri
as s on u e o ae e. — C h a u ce r .

I b t k m m g t h l ft y f b l
e oo e a on ose o a es a nd r o m a n ces

wh ich r e c ou n t in s o le m n
’

c a n to s th e deeds of k n i gh th oo d

f by
ou n d e d v i t ri k i g d fr m h
ou r h d i
c o ou s n s, an o e n ce a n

r w vr
e no n oll C h r i t d m
e Eva th b k p r v d s en o . en es e oo s o e

to m e m y i it m t
so h lv
an d t df t nc e en s to t e o e an s ea as

o b r v ti f v irt — Mil t
se a on o ue on .

T i m p m y w t m m itt d h th h th ft
e u on as e co e a su c e ,

T h t i f A rth h r r m m r y h th l ft
a t o ur e e s ca ce e o a e .
”

D yt ra on .

No m att e r h o w far th e chr o nicl e r o f o l d d e .

s

part e d fr o m fa t in t h e d e tail s f th e ir narrativ e s

c o ,

th e y gr up e d th e incid e nt ar o und a c e ntral

o s

figur e a m agnific ent anci e nt h e r o ; and m o r e

, ,

than that th e y s p e cifi e d th e actual l o cality i n

,
.

which that h e r o had wo h is r e n o wn But ju s t n .

a s th e y magnifi e d t h e h e r o o t o f all pr o p o rti o n u ,

s o th e y e xt e nd e d t h e ar e a o f h i s r al m b e y o nd all e

32
34 T h e L o st L a n d o f K in g A r t h ur

thi s id e a may b e disco v e r e d i n th e w o rks of th e

p o e ts o ld and n e w
,
.

F oe m e n f t ee to d u s t ha v tr
e od

The bl r b
ue -
o ed m e s s e n ge r s of God ,

wa s L lywa rc h allu s i o n to th e s lau g ht e r

H én
’
s

of bard s , e vincing h is b e li e f i th e ir s acr e d n

charact e r S o ng was to th e Cy m ry at o nc e
.

e ducati o n a v e nt I Or na ti o nal f e e ling and a

'

, ,

m e m o rial o f gr e at e v e nts T h e bard rank e d b e .

s id e t h e artisan as o e o f th e pillars o f s o cial lif e

n .

H e had o nly o n e th e m e h is c o untry s h o p e m is

’

, ,

f o rtun e and d e stiny ; and a s M Th i e r ry h a s

, , .

aptly s aid th e nati o n p o e tical in i ts turn e x

, , ,

t e nd e d th e b o unds o f ficti o n by ascribing fantastic

m e aning to th e w o rds T h e wi s h e s o f t h e bards
.
“

w e r e r e c e iv e d s pr om i s e s th e i r e xp e c tati o ns a s
a ,

pr o ph e ci es ; e v e n th e i r s il e nc e was mad e e xpre s

s iv e I f th ey sang n o t o f Arthur s d e ath it was ’
.
,

a pr o f that Arthur y e t liv e d ; if th e harp e r u n

o

d e s ign e dly s o und e d s o m e m e lanch o ly air t h e ,

mind s o f his h e ar e rs sp o ntan eo usly link e d with

t h e vagu e m e l o dy t h e na m e f a sp o t r e nd e r e d o ,

m o urnfully fam o us by th e l o s s o f a battl e with

th e f o r e ign c o n q u e r o r Thi s life o f h o p e s and .

r e c o ll e cti o n s gav e char m s in t h e ey e s o f th e ,

latt e r Ca m brian s to th e ir c o untry o f r ocks a n d

,
-
 Of L yon n esse d C a m e li a rd
'

an
35
mo ra ss e s H o w m uch we r e ally o we th e n to
.
, ,

hi t ric fact a d h ow m uch to bardic s o ng th e

s o n

acc o untin g o f Ca mel o t and Aval o n Tintag e l and ,

A l m e s b u ry s t h e fa m o u s and r e d o ubtabl e s p o ts
,
a

of
‘

A rthurian acc o m plishm e nt s and o ccupati o n ,

w o uld b e d ifli c u l t t d e cid e Lit e rary ge nius

.
o .

fr om th e fi r s t c e ntr e in th e m in s tr e l wh o is b o th
s ,

c o m p o s e r and s ing e r wh o s timulate s to acti o n ,

and r e c o rd s e v e nt s wh o is hi m s e lf d oe r and,
“ ”

s ee r
“ ”
.

But fo r this rich and s u s tain e d C e ltic influ e nc e

o u r lit e ratur e w o uld b p o o r inde d w o uld b e e e ,

l es s r o man tic l e s s p oe tic and lacking in th e

, ,

vitality f hu m an pa s s i o n s hu m an h o p e s and
o ,

a s pirati o n hu m an s u ff e ring and d e s pair Fo r

t h e d o m inant n o t e in C e ltic lit e ratur e—
s, .

and thi s
particularly appli e s t t h e Arthurian l eg e nd which o ,

d es pit e i ts b o a t s i s a s t o r y o f failur e—i s an

s ,

i defi
n b le m e lanch o ly an e xqui s it e r e gr e t ; th e
na ,

p oe try m a y b e s Matth e w Arn o ld said dr e nch e d

,
a ,

in th e d e w o f natural m agic and th e r o m anc e s ,

m a y b e thr e ad e d with radiant li g hts but th e r e ,

always r e m ain s th e und e rlying s o mbr e n e s s o f

t e xtur e o r t h e o v e rhanging cl o ud dark e ning o f -

th e s c e n e J o y o u s m u s ic c o nclud e s in a m in o r
.

k ey o r i s br o k e n by a sudd e n n o t e o f path o s .

T h e C e ltic bards s ang o f war but t h o ugh th e ,

 6 T h e L o st L an d f K i n g Ar t h u r
“

3 o .

h e r o e s always w e nt f o rt h brav e ly to ba ttl e it h a s

b e e re c o rd e d tha t t h e y
n ,
.

alway s f e ll Vict o ri e s .

a re l e s s fr e qu e ntly c e l e brate d than d e f e a t s a re

m o u rn e d T h e gl o ry o f th e C e lt was vas t and
.

t ra s c e d e t
n b u t fr o m m in s tr e l ti m e s it wa s a
n n , ,
-

fading gl o ry W o rk a s th e hist o ry we av e r s ; -

m i gh t with t h e g o ld e n s huttl e s o f r o manc e th e ir

t e ars m ingl e d with th e gl e am ing s trand s and
.

. ,

t h e ti s s u e as i t l e f t t h e l o o m w s a m e dl e y o f a

br o k e n light s and shad o w s N e v e rth e l e s s th e .

,

pic tur e s th ey hav e l e f t u s o f chivalr o u s t im e s

r e mai n unsurpa ss e d fo r th e grand e ur o f th e i r
co nc e pti o n : t h e y r e m ain th e m o d e l a nd d e s pai r o f
"
-

all ag e s .
_

T h e d e scrip ti o n o f Ar t hurian E ngland th e ,

o f t h e ch r o nicl e r s c o m p o r ts with th e
”
L gri
‘
o s ,

sugg e sti o n s o f r o m anc e but ill cc o rds with th e ,

a

facts Ev e n i f we grant t h e Ro und Tabl e and

.
*

It i t r ti
is n e es ng a nd s om e wh a t a m u s i n g to no e t th e
l a men t f C h rl o a es W t rta e on , au th r o of Wa n d e ri n g s in
S ou th Am eri ca , wh o h o u gh t t En g l and as a fi lde fo r k ni
gh tl y
ad v tr
en u rt eE gl d h l g
h a d d e ge n e a e d
d t . n an as on c ea s e o

b th l
e e v tr id h I d d wh g d
a n d of a d e n u es , sa e . n ee ,
en oo

K i g A rth r r pp r t l i m h i r w h wi l l fi d
n u ea ea s . o c a s c o n e n

th i g tr g ly lt r d h r
n s s an I t i rt i th t wh
e a e e e e. ,
s ce a n a en

h er ig nd h r l l w h r m y d j y T h b r w i g
e e e e a as a on an o . e o s n

h rd p s d f r m v l t v l th sw i g f rm th
‘
'

e s a se o a e o a e, e a ns sa n o e

b l b ll t m irig gr v e
ue e -
d y m p h with gl ti
ee d o s, an n s, e an ne an

ro s e si th i r tly b r id d h ir w t h d i h d t th
n e n ea a e a , en an n an o e
 O f L yonn esse an d C a m el i ard 37
th eQu e s t Of th e G rail th e fact r e main s t ha t th e ,

ti m s w e r e barbar o u s and that th e B rit o ns o f th e

e

s ixth c e ntury had o nly r e ach e d t h e o ut e r b o rd e rs

o f civilisati o n T h e e xpl o its o f t h e knight s t h e m
.

s e lv e s a re indicativ e o f a pr evailing sta te o f

lawl e s s n e s s v e rging p e ri l o u ly up o n abs o lut e s

s avag e ry Appalling rit e w e r e practi s e d in th e

. s

ca s tl e str o ngh o ld s and th e lif e n e ith e r o f m a n ,

n o r w o man w s d ee m e d pr e ci o us T h e r o m anc e rs
a .

th e m s e lv s d o o t di s gui s e that th e purp o s e a n d

’

e n

th e m e th d s o f t h e knigh ts w e r e li ttl e s up e ri o r t o
’

t h e pu r p o s e and m e th o d s o f th o s e wh o m th e y
warr e d against ; and th e c o m m o n practic e o f th e
knights to r e ward th e m s e lve s in th e ir o w
“
n

way s fo r vict o ri e s achi e v e d disp o s e s at o n e o f c

t h e c o nt e nti o n that th e i r m o tiv e s w e r e uns e lfi s h ,

o r that th e ir chivalry w s pur e and di s in te r e s t e d a .

T h e England o f King Arthur was th e r e f o r e by

fl w ry
o e m e a d s to w v ea e ga rl a nds t rl
fo r h e i am b ki ns . If by
c h a n ce r d i v i l f ll w d r d t
some u e m l t th m
u nc e o a e o o es e , or

a tt m p t d t th r w th r i th ir p th th r w
e e o o r t
o ns n e a ,
e e as su e o

b e k ig h t rr t t f ff r d y t r h f rw rd i
a n -
e an no ar o ea o us o a n

th ir d f
e B t l
e e n ce . i th d g r t d y i t i t
u a as , n es e e ene a e a s s no

s o.S h ll h rm l a a tt g m id w d r t f th h igh
a e s s co a e -
a an e ou o e

w y t pl k
a op i mr uc tw ai th r i gh b ri g fi l d
os e or o n e n e ou n e ,

th h
e gh t y w r t r l y b i d h
au o r t i r ; d i f p it y i g
ne s e n s er e e an a n

s w in h t
a t rt h b k h i p rh p i d by
a s en o e s co er ac , e s e a s se ze

th g
e t h d
au ng h r
ou s e h h-
” o e re e ea c e r.
38 T he L ost La n d o f K i n g A r th u r
no m e ans lik e to b e th e id e al land o f p e ac e ,

b e auty and c o nt e nt which p o e t hav e i m agin e d

, s .

N e ith e r can we c o nc e d e th e wh o l e clai m to

A rthu r s undi s pu te d p o s s e s s i o n o f th e e ntir e kin g
’

d om . T h e fr e e d o m with which th e chr o nicl e rs

s p o k e o f th e king s un m o l e st e d j o urn e y n o rth
’

s o uth e ast and w e s t o nly pr o v e s tha t th e y m ad e

, , ,

an unwarrantabl e u s e o f nam e s A m o ng th e plac e s .

l o o s ely m e nti o n e d o r r e f e rr e d to at rand o m in th e

r o m anc e o r p e rchanc e c o nfu s e d in th e writ e rs
,
’

mind s with plac e s within a s m all ar e a we m u s t ,

c o un t all th o s e b ey o nd t h e S ev e rn and Tr e nt ,

unl e s s we ad o pt th e alt e rnativ e th e o ry and acc e pt

th e n o rth as A rthur s r e a l m T o th e s e we add
’
.

all th e larg e pro p o rti o n o f plac e s m o r e o r l e s s ,

fantastically nam e d which s e e m to hav e had n o

,

e xist e nc e o u t f t h e ch r o nicl e r s brain Wh e r e ’

o .

shall we l o o k fo r C a rb o e k fo r th e land o f P e t e r
n ,

saint fo r J oy o u s I s l e fo r Wast e Land s fo r

, , ,

Lo a ep fo r Go o t h e fo r Ca s e fo r th e Ca s tl e s o f
n z , , ,

Grail La B e al e R e gard P l e ro J a g e t and

, , u ,
n ,

Ma g o u s ? t o s y n o thing o f a h o s t o f o th e r s
n a .

And a re we to b e d e lud e d by th e fa m iliarity with

which J e ru s al e m Tu s cany Egypt Turk e y and
, , , ,

H unga ry a re sp o k e n o f int o b e li e ving th at th e s e

,

d i s ta t pl a c e s w e r e r e ally vi s it e d by Arthu r and

n

his knights ? Ev e n if we w e r e to c o nc e d e all th e

 O f L yo n n esse an d C a m el i a rd 39
l o caliti s m e nti o n e d in Mal o ry s w o rk we sh o uld
e
’

b e c o n fr o nt e d by a e w difficult y in t h M a b i
n e no

g i on , wh e r e quit e a fr e s h s e ri e s o f t o wns and

c o untri es i s m e nti o n e d in additi o n to m any o f t h e
o l d o n es But whil e in th e Ma b i g i o th e we s t
. no n

o f Eur o p e i s alm o s t e xclu s iv e ly d e alt w ith th e ,

Engli s h Fr e nch and G e r m an hi s t o rians w o uld

,
i
,

b e co nt e nt with n o thing l e s s than th e b e s t part

o f th e h e m isph e r e No p e tt y vi e w h o we v r
.
, e ,

m u s t b e tak e n f th e Arthur land

o f r m an e -
o o c .

I f Ca e rl e o n wa s h is capital we m u s t b e li e v e that ,

h e wa s o t u nkn o wn n o rth o f t h e Hu m b e r a n d
n ,

that h e had a ca s tl e in o l d Carli s l e Calyd o n a d . n

Brittany I r e land and Wal e s ackn o wl e d g e d his

, ,

p w e r an d f e lt his sway T h e Ro m an hi m s e lf m t
o . e

Arthu r fac e t o fa c ; knights carri e d h i fa m e to

e s

C o n s tantin o pl e —s o th e e arly hi s t rians ass e v e rat e o

,

and s th e y d o ubtl e ss sinc ere ly b e li e v e d

o .

B u t t h e m o re caut io u s s tud e nt will c o fi e h i s n n -

att e nti o n to a gr o up o f b u t half a d o z e n plac e s i n - -

S uth Wal e s D e v o n s hir e and C o rnwall and will

o , , ,

d ubt th e truth o f traditi o n e v e n wh e n it m ingl e s

o
’

with th e n o m e ncla tur e o f th e r o m ance O f .

Ly o nn e s s e wh e l m e d b e n e ath t h e wav e we h ve s
O
a

n o kn o wl e dg e ; it i a l o s t and p e rhap s half f abu

s

l o u s r eg i o n C a m e lia rd wh o s e b o undari e a re
.
,
s

fairly w e ll kn own i s s tre w e d wi th d o ubtful r e lics

, ,
4 0 T h e L o st L a n d of K i n g A r th ur
a nd pre s e rv e s a m ultitud e o f s tran g e s t o ri e s Th e s e .

a re all that r e main t o u s wh e n we hav e trav e r s e d

King Arthur s land ’

Ly o nn e s s e is r e p o rt e d t o
.

hav e b ee n a r e gi o n Of e x tr e m e f e rtilit y uniting ,

t h e S cilly I s l e s w i t h W e s t e rn C o rnw all

'

T he .

hardy S ilur e we r e th e inhabitants o f this t ract

s ,

and w e r e r e m arkabl e fo r their indu s try and p i e ty .

N o f e w e r than e hundr e d and f o rty church e s

on

t e s tifi e d to t h e lat te r quality and th e r o ck s call ed,

S e v e n S t o n e s m ark t h e s it e o f th e ir l arg e st city .

Traditi o n i s u n t rustw o r thy a s to any gr ea t cata

c ly s m , b ut t h e S ax o n chr o nicl e d e clar e d tha t
Ly o nn es se wa s d es tr oy e d by a high tid e o
'
“
n

N o vem b e r T h e as su m pt io n i s t h t
.
‘

1 0 99 a

wh e r e th e s ea n ow sw e e ps with tr e m e n d o u s f o rc e ,

b e tw e e n La nd s E nd a d th e Scilli e s o nc e lay a
’
n ,

fair r e gi o n an o th er Atlanti s wh ich fOrm e d no

, ,
'

uni m p o rt ant p art o f King Ar th ur s r eal m T h e ’

.

ety m o l o gy o f th e na m e Scilly i s m o r e o r l e s s
d o ubtful T h e w o rd h a s b e e n id e ntifi e d with
.

Silura o r S il u ri th e la nd o f th e Silur e s —that

‘

a 4
, ,

i s , S o u t h wal e s Mal o ry s s url u s e o r S u rlu c e

’
.
, ,

r e m ini s c e nt o f th e F re nch S o rl i gu e s if it b e n o t n ,

Scilly m u s t r e m ain unid e n t ified T h e fi rst m en .

'

ti o n o f it i s in th e hist o ry o f La C o t e Mal e Tail e ,

wh e r e it is said that Sir Lanc e l o t and th e da m s e l

Ma l e d is a t (n aft e rward s kn o wn as B ie pe n s a n t) n
 O f L yon n e sse an d C a m eli ard 4 1

ro d e
'

a gr ea t whil e u ntil th ey cam e t o th e

fo r
th

b rd e r o f th e c ou nty o f S u rlu s e and t h er e th ey

o ,

f o und a fair villag e with a s tro g b rid g e lik e a

'
“

fo rtr es s A late r r e fe r e nc e s h o ws tha t it was i n

.

a d a b o ut C o rnwall that t h e knigh ts w e r e at thi s

n

ti m e stayi ng and s e e king adv e ntur e s with th e

king ; and t h e riding f o rth a gr e a t whil e to th e
“

b o rd e r o f th e c o untry o f S u rl s e w o uld fi t i n u
”

with th e id ea that C o rnwall and Sci lly w e r e n ot

'

th e n divid e d by th e s e a but f o r m ed par t o f th e

'

kingd o m o f Ly o nn e s s e Sir Tristram wh o i s

~
‘

.
,

e s e ntially a Ly o nn e ss e knigh t was s o ught in t h e

s ,

c o untry o f S u rl s e wh e n h e had vanish e d during

u

t h e p e ri o d o f King Mark s t r e ach e ry ; and th e r e

’

s eem s o d o ubt that

n th o ugh an acc e s ible part
,
. s

o f t h e kingd o m it w s a c o n s id e rabl e di s tanc e

a
,
.

away and p e rhap s s o m e what o u t o f th e b e at e n

,
. .

t rack Sir Ga la h a l t th e haut princ e was its

“ ”
.
, ,

rul e r and h e was r e s o rt e d to by th e knights ; but

,
.

we a re di s tinctly t o ld tha t t h e which c o untry

“

w s w ithin th e land s o f King Ar thu r

a and fo r ,
”

that r e a s o n S ir G l h l t c o uld n o t e v e n arrang e a

a a a

j o u s t with o ut o btaining his s o v e r e ign s c o ns e nt ’

.

Again Sir Ga la h a l t was kn o wn a s Si r Ga l h a lt

, a

o f t h e L o ng I s l e s which ad m it s o f a fair d e
”
,

ducti o n and s ee ms n o t wi th o u t i t s s ignificanc e in

,

thi s argu m e nt .
4 2 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
The guard e d M o un t d e dicat e d to St , .

Micha e l o v e rl o o k s th e l o ng Atlantic wav e s th e

, ,

wast e o f wat e r s and t ward s N m a n c o s and ,

o a

B a yo a s h o ld
n
’
and thi s Ulti m a Thul e i s
,
”

thr o ng e d with t raditi o n s o f Ar thur and h i s l o s t

t e rrit o ry Gri m cav e rn o us Pe g wa e d o r Land s
.
,
n ,
’

E nd with its granit e r o ck s ; th e Lizard and

, ,

P e nzanc e th e las t to wn in England a re all s to r e d

, ,

with th e s e o l d m e m o ri e s ; and th e w a ve s fl oo ding

th e bay s t e ll o f that y o ung e r ti m e o v e r which

hangs p e rp e tual s had o w Thi s is th e Ly o nn e ss e .

o f T e nnys o n s i m agining
’
th e ,

L d f ld p h v fr m th by
an o o , u ea en o e a ss

By fi t i k i t th by g i re , o s n n o e a ss a a n,
”

wh e r e l o ng hill ock s dip d o wn to th e s ea lin e -

wh e r e th e c o as t spr e ads o u t int o s hifting tr e ach e r

o u s sand and wh e r e amid th e dr e ary plain s th e
,

S ilur e s f o ught th e i r b ttl e s fo r lif e and fr e e d o m *

a .

At V e llan Arthur s laught e r e d s o m any Dan e s

,

that th e m ill n e xt day wa s w o rk e d with bl oo d

Land s E nd s till sh o ws its F i e ld o f Slaught e r
’ “
,

and by th e c o a s t Arthur and Mo rdr e d m e t during

By s om e Ly
t fi d wi t h L é i i B it
on n es s e i s id e n i e on no s n ,
r

t y b
an t
,
M r A ld i W ri gh t h p i t d t th
u as . s as o n e ou , e con

ti
n u ou srfr i th rm
e e e n ce s t r id i g f r m n e o a n ce o n o

Ly t th r p rt f C r w ll h w th t L y
o n n es s e o o e a s o o n a s o s a o n n e ss e

an d C r w ll w r
o n th m l d
a e e on e sa e an .
 O f L yo n n esse and C a m eli a rd 43

th e las t c o nflic t Ly o nn e s s e may hav e includ e d

.

Arm o rica a l s o s till rich with i ts inc o m parabl

,
e

traditi o n s and its un s urpa s s e d f o lk s o ng s Fo r -

'

o nc e th e p e o pl e o f Brittany C o rnwall and Wal e s , , ,

s p e aking practically th e s a m e t o ngu e lavi s h e d all ,

th e ir p o e tic w e alth up o n th e Arthurian cycl e o f

l e g e ndary hist o ry clai m e d th e knigh ts in com
,

m o n and e ach s till clai m s t

,
p o ss e ss th e m o re o

fam o u s s hrin e s M e rlin s f o re s t thus b e c om e s a

.
’

par t o f Ly o nn e ss e ; J o y o us Gard ( a s we shall p re

s e n t ly s e e ) can s till b e f o und in B ri ttany , inst e ad

o f N o rthumb e rland ; and Aval o n in s t e ad o f b e ,

ing a pilgrim s r e s o r t in S o m e rs e t i s an i s land

’
,

o ff t h e B r et o n c o ast s e e n di m ly fr o m t h e wild
,

m o o rland c o untry str e wn with d o lm e ns and

, ,

r e aching d o wn to a sh o r e o f silve ry sands B e .

tw ee n th e o ran g e c o l o ur e d r o cks th e s ea ru s h e s
-
“

up in d e e p blu e and brilliant gr e e n wav e s o f ind e

s cribabl e transpar e ncy O n a brigh t sum m e r day .

t h e wh o l e s c e n e i s o e o f un s p e akabl e radianc e
n
‘

D e lightful littl e walks wind r o und th e w e s t e rn

h e adland wh e r e m o r e gr o up s o f r o ck app e ar as
, ,

w e ird and fan ta stic a s th e And acro ss

th e s t r e tch o f azu r e s e a li e s th e dim isl e t which

Br e t o n l e g e nd a fli rm s is Ki g Arthur s r e sting n
’

plac e Wh e n we co nsid e r th e Fr e nch s o urce s o f

.

A J C H r N th W t F
. . . a
’
e s or -
e s e rn ra n ce .
44 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Arth ur
th e hi s to ry c o m pil e d b y G e offr ey Wac e a n d Ma p , , ,

t h e re as o nabl e n e s s o f b e li e ving that Aval o n wa s

at fi rst l o cat e d in B rit tany b e c o m e s a t o n ce p a

par e nt and th e w o nd e r i s tha t in this and many

,

o th e r ca s e s t h e tran s f e r e nce o f th e s c e n e s t o Eng

land s h o uld h a Ve b ee n s o c o m pl e t e o r tha t Eng

li s h e quival e n ts sh o uld hav e b ee n s o r e adil y
acc e pt e d .

T h e m o r e o bscure na m e s o f plac e s W o uld d o ub t

l s s b e id e n t ifi e d if th e s e arch w e r e m o r e a s s i d
e

u ou s in B rittany than in B ri tain and if th e ,

o riginal B r e to n n o m enclatur e; w e re u s e d a s a
basi s Tri s tr a m I s e ul t and Lanc e l o t a t l e as t a re
.
, ,

F r e nch and th e pr e vailing t o n e o f th e r o m anc e s

,

in which th e y fig ur e i s Fr e nch ; we m ust l o o k t o

Brittany fo r s o m e part o f t h e sc e n e ry At .
*

vari o u s ti m e s it h a s b e e n s tat e d that Sir Lance

l o t s J o y o us Gard wa s n o n e Oth e r than Alnwick
’

’
,

o r el s e B a m b o rOu g h Castl e in N o rthu m b e rland

'

, ,

a structur e which dat e s fr o m th e y e ar 554 and ,

Il t t q l h v l r i p r it i
es t d on c c on s a n ue a c e a e e n a s s a n ce

en Br t g e ay Em il S ne, t
”
t y b ri ll
sa s d t t e ou ves re , e a e ou

s on é l t; q l
c a p r mi r p é m h v l r q f r t
ue es e e s o es c e a e es u es u en

é r it
c l ng
s en ltiq aL m m t
ue l cetr d iti u e. es on u en s , es a on s ,

i d i ti pl t r ’
l
es m nol s, d es i n ca d
on s es us a n c ens au eu s s a cc o r

en t p r f ir d l B t g l p tri d t t m d
ou a e e a re a ne a a e e ou cc on e

c h v l r q
e t f é ri q
a e es d uet p l t rd l T
e e t ue on , us a , e a sse x
e

t t t d p rti ”
l A i t ti é
’
r os e r re n an e a .
 O f L yon n esse an d C a mel i a rd 45

m ay hav e b e e th e s it e o f an e arli e r s tr o ngh o ld

n . .
*

But why Sir Lance l o t a Br e t n Knigh t o f ,

o

Ar thur s C o urt wh o s e e xpl o it re c o n fin e d to

’
,
s a

Ly o nn e ss e th e s o u th e rn p o rti n o f King Arthu rs

,
o
’

t e rrit o ry s h o uld hav e had his ca s tl e l o cat e d in

,

t h e n o r t h cann o t b e d e t e rmin e d unl es s we s o far ,

r e vi s e o u r o pini o ns as to cr e di t ( a s s o m e hav e

d n e) th e e xi s te n c e o f a Sc o tch knight o f that

o

na m e I ns te ad o f l oo king to N o rthu m b e rland fo r

.

Si r Lanc e l o t s s tr o ngh o ld and e nd av o uring to

’
, _
e

ide ntify B a m b o ro u g h s h i s r e s id e nc e why o t a ,

n

t urn straigh tway to Franc e h i s nativ e l d and ,

an ,

acc e pt s u ch fa cts a s re th e re to b e f o und ? T h e

' ‘

a ,

chr o nicl e o f Mal o ry it s e lf says tha t J oy o us Gard

o v e r s ea B ey o nd th e fo re s t o f Land e r
“ ”
wa s .

n e au m a y s till b e s e e n th e tradi ti o nal s it e o f

a C h at e au d e la J o y e u s e Gard e wit h an a n ci e nt -

gat e way and a Go thic vault o f th e tw e lf th ce ntury

r maining H e r e at l e a s t we find th e na m e ; th e
e .

Br e t o n re gards t h e s p o t a s that which Lance l o t ,

t h e B r e t n knight c la im e d a s his o wn
o
; and th e ,

B a mb Orou gh C tl as e, sa y Pr f
s o esso rB u rrows wa s
' '

, th e
t
c e n re o f th e Ki ng dom of B ryn e c k , or Br e n icia .
“ '

In f ou n d

A gl
i n g i t th e t r d d t rm i d pp iti
n es e n co u n e e a e e ne o os on at

h h
t e d f anB riti h h i f m d A rth r W h th r h
s o a s c e na e u . e e e is
h
t e m s h
sa eA rth r f S th W t r B r it i
a t e u o ou -
es e n a n, or

wh th r h
e xp l it f h v b tr f rr d by l g
e t e e o s o one a e ee n ans e e e en d

h
to t h ei ‘
ti ll d r d i p t
ot e r, s s u n e s u e.
”
4 6 T h e L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
sc e n e is in that Arm o rica fr o m which th e o rigi nal
traditi o n s s prang o r at le ast wh e re th e y t oo k
, , ,

e arli e s t r o o t I n additi o n t o J oy o us Gard Brit

*
.
,

tany b o asts o f i ts Tristan I sland i n th e Bay o f

D o uarn e n e z na m e d aft e r th e Tri s tan d e s Leo
,
“

nai s wh o wa s th e rival o f King Mark King .

Mark to o ,
i n th e o riginal ignifying ,
s

h o r s e and s o na m e d b e cau s e o f h i p o int e d e ars )

,
s ,

h s hi s o wn l o cality fo r acc o rding t o B r e t o n

a ,

l e g e nd h e w s o t rul e r o f C o rnwall but o f P10

a n

marc h which plac e li e s a littl e to th e e a s t o f

’
,

D o uarn e n e z and c o ntain s th e ruins o f h is palac e .

”

B ut Re nan ju s tly in q uir e d if Ar m o rica saw th e ,

birth o f t h e Arthurian cycl e h o w was it th a t we ,

fail e d to fi nd th e r e any trac e s o f th e nativi ty ?

C a m e l ia rd i s a tract in s o m e r e s p e ct s n o t s o
hard to d efi n e o r l ocat e as Ly o nn e s s e T h e t o wn .

o f B r e ckn o ck thr e e mil e s fr o m which i s Art hu r s ’

H ill s e e m s to hav e mark e d o n e o f its b o rd e rs

, ,

and its capital was a n ow undi s c o v e rabl e city ,

C a r h is e
o a Rit s o n b e li e v e s that Arthur s king
.
’

d o m c o uld o t hav e b e e n c o nsid e rabl e and h e i s

n ,

di s p o s e d to grant h im t h e l o rdship o nly o v e r

D e v o n and C o rnwall with p e rhap s s o m e t e rrit o ry
,

A rd i
cco n g to Vi lle m a rq u é th e n a me of L lt i
a n ce o s a

tr l ti f th t f th W l
a ns a on o a o e e sh he r M el
o a
'

, wh o ex h i b it th
s e

f ll t l gy with th L
u es a na o e a n ce l o t of th e Fr en c h ro m a n ce s .
4 8 T he . Lo st La n d o f K i n g A r th u r
C e rdic and his s o n Cy m ric fo r tw e n ty y e ar s f o und
it i m p o s sibl e to br e ak t hr o ugh th e f o r e s t di s trict s
w e s t o f th e Av o n which f o r m e d th e o u tw o rk o f
,

th e B riti s h f o rc e s ; and we m a y al m o st tak e it fo r

grant e d that at o ti m e th e wh o l e o f t h e w e s t
ne -

c o untry w s i n Arthu r s p o w e r a lin e fr o m Lid

a
’

d l e s d l e in th e n o rth to t h e s o uth e rn e xtr e m ity o f

a

Ly o nn e s s e t k f g in Cu m b e rland Wal e s (
,
a n and ,

p e rhaps S ta ffo rdshir e and Shr o p s hir e ) D e v o n and ,

C o rnwall r o ughly marking th e b undary But

,
o .

his r e p o rt e d e xcur s i o n s n o rth o f th e Tr e nt and to

t h e e ast Co unti e s w o uld al s o l e ad t o t h e inf e r e nc e

that fo r s o m e ti m e t h e trib e o v e rran t h e m aj o r part

o f t h e c o untry H e nc e we can acc o unt fo r th e

.

larg e numb e r o f s catt e r e d m e m o rial s o f t h e m o n

arch f o un d i n all parts o f th e land th o ugh s up e r ,

s t i t io
n m a y hav e at tach e d h is nam e to many
plac e s wh e r e h e wa s ab s o lut e ly unkn o wn .

Arthur s S e at s o r Qu o its ab o und Th ey a re to

’
, ,
.

b e f o und b o th i n N o rth and S o uth Wal e s and t h e ,

na m e s ee m s to hav e b e e n giv e n to any r o ck o r

c o m m anding s ituati o n which i n th e p o pular fancy
w s fi t to b e ar it
a I n Angl e s e y in th e w o d e d
. ,
o

gr o und s o f Llwyl i a rth a s e at f th e Ll oyd family

,
o ,

a r o cking st o n e th e fam o us Ma e n C h wf is call e d

,
, ,

Arthur s Qu o it C e fn B ryn ridg e in Gla m o rg a n

’
.
’

s hir e,
an imp o sing e l evati o n is cro wn e d with a ,
 O f L yo n n e sse an d C a m el i a rd 49

c r om l e ch t g e th e r wi th nu m e r o u s cairn s and
, o

tu m uli T h e cr om l e ch kn o wn s Arthur s S t o n e
.
, a
’
,

i a m a s o f m ill s t o n e g rit f o urt e e n f e e t l o ng and

s s

s ev e n f ee t tw in c h e s d e e p and r s t s up o n a
o , e

nu m b e r f upri g ht upp r te rs e ach fi v e f e e t high

o s o .

I n the W e l s h Triad s thi s cr o m l e ch which i n e ar ,

s

t h e tur npik e r o ad fr o m Re y o l d s to n e t o Swan s e a n ,

i s allud e d t a s th e big s t o n e o f S k e tty and it ”

o ,

ranks e f th e w o nd e r s o f Wal e
as on o An o th e r s.

s uch t n e i s to b e f o und in M o c ca s pari s h H e r e

s o ,

fo rd s h i re th e cr m l e ch in thi s ca e b e ing e i ght e e n

,
o s

f e e t l n g nin e f ee t br o ad and tw e lv e f ee t th ic k
o , , ,

and s upp o rt e d o ri g inall y by e l e v e n upright pillar s .

T h e c l o s s al kin g w a s t o hav e c l o s sal m o nu

o o

m e nt s Br e ckn o ckshir e h
. s e v e ral i m p o s in g as

m e m o rial s f Arthu r Fiv e m il eo u th o f B r e c o n

. s so

ri s e th e twin p e ak s o f th e m o untain ran g e and ,

th ey re d e i g nat e d Arthur s Chai r A m a s s iv e

a s
’
.

B riti s h cro m l e ch adj o inin g th e park o f Mo c ra s

C urt i s call e d Arthu r s Tabl e O n th e d g e f

o
’
. e o

G s m o r th e r e i s a lar g e t n e up o n which re
o s o s o a

i m pr e s s e d m ark s r e s e m bling f o ur h o rs e h oe s -
s .

Traditi o n a s s e rt s that th e s e m ark s w e r e m ad e b y

th e h r s e King Arthur r o d e wh e n h e r e s id e d at
o

Ca tl D e ni and hunt e d o th e m oo r s B e tw e e n
s e s n .

M o ld and D e nbi g h i s M o e l Arthu r an anci e nt ,

Briti s h fo rt d e f e nd e d by two di tch e s o f gr e a t

,

4
5 0 The L o st L a n d o f K in g A r th u r
d e pth At Rh u th yn (
. Ruthin ) in th e vicinity King
Arthu r is s aid to hav e b e h e ad e d his e n e my H a il u

(H o w e l ) t o wh o m Gildas r e f e rs
,
T h e r e c o rd m ight .

b e e xt e nd e d ind e finit e ly th o ugh n o valid argu m e nt

,

can b e bas e d up o n any o f th e fac ts T h e indis .

criminat e u s e f Arthur s nam e o ft e n sh o w s an

o
’

e xtravaganc e o f imaginati o n and a r e ckl e s s d i s re

gard o f wha t is appr o priat e B e twe e n M o ld and .

Ruthin fo r in t anc e i s Ma e n Arthur a s t o n e

,
s , ,

which p o pular fancy h a s adj udg e d t o b e ar th e

e xact i m pr e s s i o n o f t h e h o o f o f t h e king s s t ee d
’
.

Th e r e i s s o m e thing lik e s ub s tantial r e as o n fo r

b li e ving that th e B riti s h h e r o w s c o nn e ct e d
e a

with M o n m uth Cardiff and e v e n with D ov e r

o , , ,

and e ith e r th e Arthu r o f t h e S ilur e s o r an th e r o

British chi e f s ee m s to hav e r e ach e d Carli s l e —that

i s if t h e chr o nicl e s did o t c o nfus e C rd o il e with
, n a

C a rd e l
u T h e C um brian Arthu r figur e s in tw o
.

an c i nt ballad s
e T h e Marriag e o f G wa i e
,
“
a n ,
”

and T h B oy and th e Mantl e whil e Sc o tt s

“
e ,
’

p o e m o f Arthu r and h i C urt at Carli s l e is o f s o ,

c o urs e to o w e ll kn o wn to n e e d m o re than a r e f e r
,

e nc e . I n t h e ti m e f Ba e da Carli s l e w s kn o wn
o a

a s Lu g u b a l i a which nam e by c o rrupti o n b e ca m e

,

Lu e l T h e B riti s h pr e fix Ca e r a s t o n e f o rt m ad e
.
, ,

th e na m e Ca e r Lu e l and a s s u h it w s l o n g
-

,
c a

kn o wn I t gradually d e g e n e ra ted in to C a rl iol

.
,
 O f L yo n n e sse an d C a m e l i a rd 5 1

and finally b e am e Carli s l e That th e anci e nt city

c .

sh o uld hav e b e c o m e c o nfus e d with Ca e rl n i eo s

natural and e xplicabl e Y e t Arthur s c o nn e cti o n .

’

with a p rti o n o f th e n o rth i s s tr o ngly insist e d

o

on . Wh e r e Wigan n ow stand s h e f o ught a

fam o us battl e P e ndrag o n Ca s tl e in W e s tm o r e
.

land clai m s h im s its f o und e r ; and pa s ing by

a s

e a s y s tag e s we find o ur s e lv e s c o nfr o nt e d with a

N o rthu m brian Arthur F r o m this p o int th e tran i . s

t io t o S c o tland its e lf i e xtr e m e ly e a s y t h e l o w

'

n s ,

land part o f that c o untry b e ing claim e d as th e

v e ri tabl e C a m el ia rd .

Acc o rding t o m an auth o rity we m u s t l e av e

o n e ,

England e ntir e ly and s e arch in th e N o rth al o n e

f r t h e it e s o t o nly f Kin g Arthur battl e s ’
o s ,
n o s ,

but fo r all th e plac e s c o nn e ct e d with h is e xpl o it s

and h is r e sid e nc e Bad n i th e n f und in Lin
. o s o

l i th g o ws h i re at B o wd e n Hill and t h e gr e at battl e ,

o f A rd e ry d d i s l o cat d at Arthur e t in L id d le s d l e
e a .

T h e S c tch M e rlin a d t h e S c o tch Lan c e l o t a re

o n

t h e kin g o m pani n s and a S c o tch Gilda s i s

’
s c o ,

t h e hi t o rian
s T h e r e s ting plac e
. f Aval o n is o

th e n f o und in t h e av e rn s o f th e Eild n H ill s and

c o ,

th e v o ic e t r o u s e h im fr m h is char m e d sl e e p
o o

will e ch o thr ugh th e m and p al pr ud Arthu r s

o
“
e o
’

m arch fr o m fairyland A s a uri o u s fact it m a y

.
”
c

b e m e n t i o n e d that n e arly all t h e h e r o e s o f t h e

52 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
F o u r Anci e nt B o o ks Wal e s a re trac e d to of

Sc o tland and ad m itt e dly in th e Arthurian l e g e nd

,

t h e B riti h king w a s c o nn ct e d with a s n o rth e r

s e n

a plac e as th e O rkn ey s by t h e m arria g e o f h is

s i s te r t o t h e king o f th o s e i s land s O f King .

Arthur th e Sc o tch ballad rud e ly t e ll s that wh e n

,

h e rul e d that land h e rul e d it lik e a s win e “

The .

s t o ry o f th e king wa s th e div e r s i o n f Ja m e s V o .
,

wh o m y hav e kn o wn that D ru m m e l i r o t h e
a z a n

Tw ee d c o uld b o as t o f a H ly Th o rn lik e Gla s t o n o

bury that th e r e w s
, Arthur O v e n o t h ea an
’
s n

Carr o n n e ar Falkirk and tha t Guin e v e r e s s e pu l ,

’

ch re w s at M e igl e in S trath m r e Edinburgh

a o .
,

o r Agn e t i p o s itiv e ly r e pr e s e nt e d a s th e s it e
,
s

wh e r e th e Ca s tl e o f Maid e n s s t o o d and th e li n ,
o

s hap e d Arthur s Hill i supp o s d to c o nfi r m th e

’
s e

traditi n that h e r e th e king ab o d e and m ad e h i

o s

n ame H i s t o m b i s p o int e d t in P e rth s hi r e

*
. ou ,

and all th e m a hin e ry o f th e r o m anc e s i s claim e d

c

a s o f S c o tch o rigin d inv e nti n T h e na m e s o f

an o .

l o caliti e s a re trac e d and by tran s p o rting Ar thu r ,

b o ldly to th e L o wland s we acc o un t m r e e a s ily o

fo r h i s rapid incu rsi o n s in t N o rthu m b e rland and o

o f t h e c o untry n o rth o f t h e Tr e nt if we cann o t ,

“
A rth r t m y b b t
u
’
s sea d p t ti f th
a e u an a a a on o e

G li A d
ae c id r -
th
n a sah i gh t f th
-

,
rr w
or e e o e a o s.
”
 Of Lyo n n e sse an d C a m e l i a rd 53
.

fo r h i s qually rapi d j o urn e y s to D o v e r and

e

Al m es b ry and Winch e t e r
u s .

A re o t th e int e rchang e ability f na m e s and t h e

n o

d pli ati o n o f p e r o n s and plac e s susc e ptibl e o f a

u c s

v e ry s i m pl e e xpl anati n ? Ca e rl e o n o r C a rd u e l
o , ,

wa s c o nfu s e d with Carli l e c a c h in it s e lf a fitting

'

s ,

and lik ly pla e f r Arthurian e xpl o it s; th e h i s

e c o

t o ri a s w e r e gri e v o u s ly m i s l e d a s to Winch e s t e r
n

and th e part it o ccupi e d in th e r o manc e s ; a nd we

-

kn o w o w that vari o u s c ntradicti o n s s i m ply

n o

ar o s e fr o m th e c o nfu s i n in t h e mind s o f th e o

ch ro nicl e r who n e v e r s e e m e d to hav e b e e n q uit e

s ,

c e rtain wh e th e r Cal e d o nia and Calyd o n w e r e n o t

o e and th e s a m e
n wh e th e r Ca m e l o t wa s inland o r
,

by th e s e wh e th e r J oyo u s Gard w s a f w day s

a
‘

,
a e
’

r a fe w m nth s j o urn ey fr o m C o rnwall wh e th e r

’
o o ,

Cam l o t w s in England o r in Wal e s wh e th e r

e a ,

Arthur s o w e ca s t ll at Tintag e l c o uld b e

’ “
n e

r e ach e d by riding all night fr o m L o nd o n o r

“
,

wh e th e r Ly o nn e ss e w s C o rnwall o r B rittany A a .

hundr d t p o graphical c o m pl e xiti e s m e e t u s

e o

wh e r e v e r we l c k and t h e s o l e c o nclu s i o n o f th e
o ,

mat te r i s tha t G e o ffr e y and h is s ucc e s s o r s i e n x

t ri c b ly m ix e d Sc o tch
a W e l s h and Arm o ric d e , ,

tail s b o th in r e gard to th e s t o ri e s and th e l o cal

iti e s T h e hi s t o rian s m ad e
. e ff o rt t o b e c o no n
54 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
sist e n t in th e i r allusi o ns to r e c o ncil e c o n tradi c to ry
,

s tat e m e nts o r t o acc o unt fo r abrupt cha ng e s o f

,

sc e n e fr o m th e S o uth We s t to th e N o rth Whil e

-
.

th e y e nd e av o ur e d to c o nc e ntra te Arthur s king ’

d o m in S o uth Wal e s and C o rnwall th e y mad e

o ccasi o nal sw ee ps t o B e rwick and Edinburgh and ,

annihilat e d t h e distanc e b e tw e e n D o v e r and Car

lisl e T o add to th e c o nfusi o n th e r e w e r e nam e s
.
,

e s p e cially i n th e L o wland s o f Sc o tland and in t h e

W e st o f England o f th e sam e d e riva ti o n and as

, , ,

M r Gl e nni e has d e m o n s trat e d it i s as e a s y to

'

.
,

disc o v e r a Cal e d o n ian Ca e rl eo n Aval o n o r Cam e , ,

l o t as i t is t o di s c o v e r any o f th e m in th e di tric t s

o nc e call e d C a m e l i a rd T h e unrav e lling

. f th e o

sk e in which b e ca m e m o r e and m o r e e ntangl e d as

,

n e w hands d e v e l o p e d t h e r o m anc e s is n o w alm o s t ,

an i m p o s s ibility Arthur s o wn name was

.
’

chang e d and i t has b ee n a ffi rm e d that h e i s still

,

c o nfus e d with A rth u riu s o f Gw e nt and with ,

o th e rs o f lik e na m e wh o w e r e di tinct p e r s o n s s .

T h e c o nclu s i o n o f th e wh o l e matt e r m ust b e tha t

na m e s in t h e r manc e s a re a s o urc e o f e rr o r and
o

c o nfu s i o n ; tha t diffe r e nt ig n ifi ca c es w e r e a t

s n

t a c h e d t o t h e m by th e chr o nicl e rs t h e m s e lv e s and ,

that if th e truth b e e v e r e s tablish e d t o tally ew n

m e anings may b e e xp e ct e d .

L e t m e h e r e giv o e in s tanc e o f p o s sibl e c o

e n n
56 T he L ost L an d o f Kin g A r th u r

Ca m e l o t w s Winch e s t e r at o nc e chan g e s th e
a

wh o l e a rgu m e nt Di s r e garding thi s m i s l e ading

.

e xplanati n w e find that Arthu r w s o

o h i s way a n

t o Ca m e l o t fr o m ne f h i s C o urts and if Ca m e l o t
o o ,

was in S o m e r s e t hir e it is m o s t lik e ly that Cam e l

s

f o rd w uld b e o e o f th e int e r m e diat e s tag es

o n .

But th i m p rtanc o f th e wh o l e c o nt e nti o n i s

'

e o e

thi A s t o lat s fr e qu e ntl y m e nti o n e d in c o nn e c

s : a

ti o n with th e fair e maid e E lain e and Sir Lanc e

l o t s w o rthi e s t lo v e e pis o d e i s undi s c o v e rabl e
’

,
.

T h e nam e i s unkn o wn utsid e r o manc e ; and o

th o ugh we a re assur e d that it i s n o w in Engli s h “

call d Gilf o rd
e o auth o rit y can b e f und f r t h e
,
”
n o o

as s e rti n B e s id e s Guildf o rd in Surr e y was

o .
,

rath e r b ey o nd th e b o rd e r s o f th e British King

d o m e v e n g ranting o c a s i o nal e xcur s i o n s to Mid
,
c

d l e s e x and K e nt B ut i f Guildf o rd w e r e s yn o n y
.

m o u with Ca m e lf rd a s th
s d e rivati o n p e rmi ts
o ,
e

u s t o b e li e v e th e n A s t o lat wa s n o n e o th e r th an
,

Ca m e lf o rd a nd at o nc e th e r e a re ligh t and o rd e r
,

wh e r e f o r m e rly pr e vail e d o b c rity a d c o nfu s i o n n .

An o th e r p o int w o rth m e nti o n i s that alth o ugh ,

traditi o n m arks Ca m e lf o rd s th e actual sc e n e o f a

i m p o rtan t e v e nt s in t h e Arthurian hi s t o ry and ,

alth o ugh fr o m i ts s ituati o n its pr o xi m ity to Tin ,

tag e l and its s t e e p hill s uitabl e to b e cr o wn e d by

,

a bar o n s castl e such a s Si r B e rnard o f A s t o lat

’
 O f Lyo n n esse an d C a m e l i a rd 57
p o es s e d we m a y s af ly s ur m i e that it wa s w e ll
ss ,
e s

kn o wn to th e e v e r j o urn e y ing knight s ye t th e -

actual na m e f Ca m e lf o rd is n ev e r m e nti o n e d in
o

t h e chr o ni l es ; As it w s o f Angl o Sax o n o rigin

c a -
,

this m i s s i o n w o uld e a s ily b e acc unt e d fo r in th e

o o

e arli e st r e c o rd whil e if A s t o lat w s th e t radi

s, a

tio l nam e it i s at o nc e cl e ar h o w it c o uld e qually

na

b e appli e d t Cam e lf o rd and to Guildf o rd We

o .

mu s t o f c o ur s e r e m e m b e r that wh e r e th e c h ron i
cle r s th em s e lv e s s o ught to e lucidat e th e y too o ft e n
c o nfus e d ; th e fi g e r p o sts th e y s e t up hav e start e d
n -

m any up o n w e a ry and fruitl e ss j o urn eys and th e ,

guidanc e o ff e r e d with s uch c o nfid e nc e tu rn s o u t

m o s t c o m m o nly t b e th e m o st rand o m o f gu e s s e s
o .

I f h w e v e r we m a y plac e th e slight e s t cr e d e nc e
, o ,

in th e Ast lat which is o w in Eng lish call e d

“
o , n

Gilf o rd s m u c h can b e s aid fo r

,
”
a Gilf o rd b e ‘

ing Ga fo l fo rd o r Ca m e lf o rd as fo r its b e ing

“
,
“
Gy l d fo rd eo r Guildf o rd T h e str e tch o f l o w .

lying l e v e l fi e lds o e ith e r s id e o f th e Ca m e l th e

n
,

s harp p e ak e d hill s in th e distanc e th e dark m e r e s

-

am o ng th e hill s and th e angry s e a lashing again s t

,

t h e r o ck s vi s ibl e a mil e o r two away all acc o rd

,

with th e typical s c e n e ry o f King Arthur s r e alm ’

and m ak e u s n o t unwilling to b e li e v e that fam o u s

Ast o lat was h e r e to b e f und o .

Wh e n all is t o ld wh e n all th e s e arching i s ,

58 The L os t L a n d o f K in g A r th u r

e nd e d i t is f o und that s o m e half d o z e n plac e s

,
-

o nly s tand o u t p re e m in e nt fr o m t h e h o st o f l o cal

-

iti e s in th e W e s t in e ach o f which o nly a ingl s e

s e e d s e e ms to hav e g e rm inat e d ; and th e s e half

d o z e n plac e s lik th e la s t citad e l s o f th e h e r o
, e ,

r e si s t e v e ry e ff rt and a s s ault o f th e invad e r to

o

di s l o dg e th e t ra d i tiO s f Arthu r I hav e o t a t

n o . n

te mpt e d t o writ e a hi s t o ry o f th e s e plac e s but ,

o nly to say s o m e thing o f th e i r a s p e ct t o day and -

o f th e chi e f e v e nt s and anci e nt t raditi o n s link ed

with th e i r na m e s N o w and again I m e nti o n

.

facts o f lat e r dat e f r th e purp o s e o f sh o wing

o

t hat th e s e fa m o u s s p t s hav e c o ntinu e d to b e

o

th e c e ntr e s o f activity and c o nn e ct e d with gr e at

charact e r s ; but in th e m ain I c o nfin e my s e lf

to t h e l e g e nd s o f Arthur and t o t h e e pi s o d e s o f

chivalry T o hav e att e m pt e d m o re w o uld hav e

.

e ntail e d no t o nly a far m o r e c o mpr e h e nsiv e w o rk ,

but th e tr e atm e nt o f th e subj e ct in a m o r e

sci e ntific spirit than i s h e re di s play e d T h e o b .

j ec t has b ee n to d al rath e r with th e r o mantic

e

sid e than with th e t e chnical fo r which th e d ee p,

s ch o lar s hip o f a Rhy s o r a M ull e r al o n e can b e

th e q ualificati o n . I t i s n e c e ssary to pr e m i s e als o

that o f th e m o s t c o n s picu o u s Arthurian l o caliti e s
n o thing b u t th e bar e traditi o n can b e r e c o rd e d .
 Of L yo n n e sse d C a m e li a rd
'

an
59
That traditi n live s and i s ch e ri s h e d b u t its
o
'

o rigin is undisc o v e rabl e : T h e s a p ling e rs in t h e

branch e but th e r o o t s re d ta h e d and l o s t
s ,
a e c .

T h e l e g e nd is pr e ad e ve rywh e r e but th e r e a re
s ,

n o v e riti es T h e vi s it o r to th e Arthurian s c e n e s
.

find s n o thing but e p o ny m o us na m es and s up e r

s ti ti o s —ind ee d
n t h e e vid e nc e pr e s e nt l e ad s him
,

t o o th e r c o nclu s i o n s than th o s e h e s e e k s He .

l o o k s fo r a Briti s h e nca m p m e nt and h e find s a ,

p t R o man ; h e l o k s fo r a r e lic o f Ar thu r and

os -
o ,

h e find s o e o f Ant o ninus

n What is p e r s is te ntly.

ascrib e d to th e Briti s h h e r o o r ass o ciat e d with h is ,

ti m e s i s e ith e r intangible o r is i rr e c o ncilabl e with

,

e xi s tin g fact Ca tl e s h e i s aid to hav e inhabit e d

s. s s

w e r e built c e nturi s aft e r h is d e ath and th e r e can

e ,

o nly r em ain th fr e e p e culati o n that th e y m ark

e s

th e sit e o f a f r m e r structur e o f which n o trac e

o

r e m ain s and o f which o r e c o rd wa s mad e S p o t s

n .

which a re call e d King Ar thur s grav e o r h i s s e at ’

, ,

o r h i s hunt i n g g r o und o r h i s ca m p
-
n e ith e r h e
, ,

n rh i s band it o ft e n happ e n s c o uld e v e r hav e b e n

o , , e

n e ar We l o k fo r p e rs o n s and we find a cr o wd
. o ,

o f phant o m s ; we e ag e rly watch fo r d e m o n s tra

ti o n s and we find m y th and fabl e ; we h o p e to s ee
,

th e cl e ar pag e o f hi s to ry and we find a pag e that ,

is und e ciph e rabl e o r bl o tt e d with s had o w s Re .

60 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
c o rds a re e ffac e d s o ng and s t o ry d e lud e t h e track
, ,

to truth i s al m o st c l o s e d Ev e rything crumbl e s

’

in to dust at th e t o uch lik e Guin ev e r e s g o ld e n

,
’

hai r and n o thing i s n ow l e ft but th e pur e

,

ro m anc e And s o m e o f us may b e c o nt e nt and

.

alm o s t glad to hav e it s o .

 C HAPT ER I I I
OF A R TH UR T HE K IN G A ND ME RLIN T HE E N C H A NTER
No mtt r wh
a e en ce we d o d iv
er e ou r n a m e ,

B ritt y l l ri f M rl i f a me ,
’
A ll an sha n
g o e n s

An d w on de r a t h is At r s .

T h e Bi rth o f Me rli n ,
Ac t III . sc . iv .

He by wo d es r co u ld c a l l ou t of th e s ky

B tho s u n ne a nd m oo n e ,
a nd ma k th
e em h im o b y;
e

Th e l a nd to s ea , a nd s ea to m a i n e l a n d d ry ,

An d d a r k so m e n ig h t he ek e c ou ld t r u n to d a y
Th t a to th i s d a y , fo r te r r ro of h is f a me
The fe e n d e s d o qu a k wh e en a ny h im to th e m d oes
na me .
—
S pe n s e r.

T HE fact tha t th e na m e Art ( h )u s d o e s n o t o cu r c

in th e Gilda s m anu s crip t has l ed to th e inf e r e nc e

that th e king was unkn o wn to tha t chr o nicl e r ;
and th e a s su m pti o n tha t h e i s allud e d to a s Ursu s
(th e B e ar ) t e nds t o c o nfi r m th e th e o ry o f th o s e

Wh o w o uld a fli rm that h e is o m o r e than a s lar n o

m yth I t m u s t b e und e r s t o o d that th e Arthur o f

.

r o manc e s we n ow kn o w h im wa s a charact e r
, a ,

e v e r incr e asing in i m p o rtanc e and pr o m in e nc e s a

th hi s t o ry wa s re writt e n and e lab o rat e d ; a t fi rst

e -

61
62 T he L ost L a n d o f K i n g A r t hu r
a m in o r a c to i in th e dra m a h e at l e ngth b e cam e
'

t h e l e ading figur e and th e c e ntr e ar o und which all

th e o th e r charac te r s w e r e gr o up e d ; T h e Ar t hur
o f t h e hi s t o rian N e n i u s is th e o riginal p e rs o nag e n

to wh o m all th e fa m e d a ttribut e s hav e b e e n a c

c o rd e d by subs e qu e n t writ e rs With s o much .

d o ub t and c o nfusi o n inv o lving th e id e n tity o f th e ,

p e rs o n hims e lf i t is in e vi tabl e that e v e n m o r e

,

d o ub t and c o nfusi o n sh o uld e xi s t wh e n we c o m e

t o d e tail e d e v e nts Ev e n th e na m e o f Arthur s ’
.

fath e r i s vari usly giv e n a circu m stanc e which

o ,

cau s e d Milt o n to qu e sti o n th e v e racity o f th e

wh o l e hi s t o ry ; and th e dat e o f h is birth o f h i s ,

d e ath th e a g e at which h e di e d and o th e r s m all e r

,

p o ints l e ad to n o thing but e ndl e s s c o ntradicti o n

,
.

T h e nu m b e r o f h i s ba t tl e s i s vari o usly giv e n as

tw e lv e and s e v e nty s i ; h e i s s aid t o h av e w e dd e d -
x

no t o e but thr e e Guin e v e r e s (

n Gwe h wyv a r) ; h is n

a g e a t d e ath vari e s fr o m j ust o v e r thir ty y e ar s t o

o v e r nin e ty ; and th e dat e o f th e last ba ttl e is

537 54 2 o r , ,King Ar thu r s ac tual na m e ’

A rth r r r h b th u
’
s ca v i tl y m m ri d
ee as ee n u s c on en en su a se

A t th g f fift h e a e o d d h i f th r eenKi g f e s u cc e e e s a e as n o

D m a i m H w
n on u b r i 45 h d th r wi
. e as f o n n 2 , a ee ve s , o

wh m G i v r w t h
o u ne d
e e d w b tr y d by th
as e s ec o n , an as e a e e

t h i rd d ri g h i b u ni A r m r i M rd r d
s a s e ncel dd n o ca . o e co n c u e

a l g with A rth r gr t f C d ri th S x ; d t
ea ue u
’
s ea oe , e c e a on an a

th e g af i t y ft r v y r
e o n ne t i l w th
, a e se en ea s
’
co n nu a a r, e

f m k i g w d f t d t C m l f rd i
a ou s n as F ll r
e ea e a a e o n u e
 64 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
I f th e Sagas w e r e c o m par e d with th e Arthurian
r o manc e s nu m e r o u s p int s o f r e s e m blanc e c o uld o

b e sh o wn O laf i s th e Arthur o f th e s t o ry Gud

.
,

run th e Guin e v e r e and O din i th e M e rlin whil e ,

s ,

th e city o f D ro th e i m s e rv e s a s Ca e rl e o n
n T he .

st o ry r e c o untin g h o w Arthu r m agically o btain e d

his s w o rd Excalibur find s an e xact parall e l i n th e
s to ry o f Si g m und V o l ung s s o ; and e v e n th e ,
s
’
n

e m bl e m o f t h e drag o n i o t lacking fo r i n t h e *
s n ,

st o ry o f th e V o l s ung w e l e arn that S ig u rd s ’

s hi e ld b o r e t h e i m a g e f that m o n s t e r and with o ,

eve n s uch lik e i m ag e w s ad o rn e d h e l m and

-
a ,

saddl e and c at ar m ur
,
But again it m u s t b e
o -
o .
”

r e m e m b e r e d that Arthur s kingd o m i s r e p o rt e d ’

to hav e e xt e nd e d to Ic e land it s e lf ; in fact th e ,

b o und s f h is kin g d m w e r e o nly s e t by th e

o o

ch r o nicl e r s wh e r e th e ir o w d e finit e g e og raphical n

kn o wl e dg e nd e d e .

“
We cann t bring within any li m its o f h i
o s

t o ry Si r Edward S trach ey h s pr o p e rly aid

,
a s ,

t h e e v e nt s which h e r e s ucc e e d e ach o th e r wh e n ,

th e L o rd s and C o m m o n s o f England aft e r th e ,

d e ath o f King Uth e r at St Alban s a s s e m bl e d at .

,

th e gr e a te s t church o f L o nd o n guid e d by th e ,

A hm l s o e, i n hi s H i s to r y o f th e O rd e r of th e C a rte r, d e
c la r th t
es a , in a dd i ti on t o th e d r a
go n , Ki n
g A rth r p l
u a ce d

th e pi t r c u e of St . G rg
eo e on h is b a nne r .
 O f A r th u r an d M e rl i n 65

j o int p o licy o f th ma g ician M rlin and t h

e e e

Chri s tian bish o p o f Cant e rbury and e l e ct e d ,

Arth ur to th e thr o n e ; wh e n Arthur m ad e Ca e r -

l e o n o r Ca m e l o t o r b o th h is h e adquart er s i n a
, , ,

war agai nst C o rnwall Wal e s and th e N o rth in , , ,

which h e was vict o ri o u s by th e h e lp f th e King o

o f Franc e ; wh e n h e m e t th e d e m and fo r tribut e

by th e R o m an E m p e r o r Luciu s with a c o unt e r

clai m to th e e m pir e fo r hi m s e lf as th e r e al re p re
s e t t i v e o f C o nstantin e
n a h e ld a parlia m e nt at ,

Y o rk to m ak e th e n e c e s s ary arrang e m e nt s ,

cr s s e d th e s e a fr o m Sandwich to B a rfle te in
o

Fland e r s m e t th e unit e d f o rc e s o f th e R o man s

,

and S arac e n s in B urgundy sl e w th e e m p e r o r in ,

a gr e at battl e t o g e th e r with his alli e s th e S o w

, ,

dan o f S yria th e King o f Egypt and th e King o f

, ,

Ethi o pia s e n t th e ir b o di e s t o th e S e nat e and

,

P o d e s ta o f R o m e as th e o nly tribut e h e w o uld

pay and th e n f o ll ow e d o v e r th e m o untains
,

thr o ugh L o m bardy and Tu s cany to R o m e wh e r e ,

h e w s cr o wn e d e m p e r o r by th e P o p e
a s o j o urn e d ,

th e r e a ti m e e stablish e d all th e land s fr o m R o m e

,

int Franc e and gav e land s and r e al m s unt o his

o ,

s e rvants and knight s an d s o r e turn e d h o m e to

’
,

England wh e r e h e s e e m s th e nc e f o rth to hav e

,

d e v o t e d hims e lf wh o lly to hi s duti e s a s th e h e ad

f Christian knighth o o d
”
o .
66 T he L o st L a n d o f K in g A r th u r
This is v ry m o n s tr o s ity f fabl e th e g r o s
th e e o ,
s

n e s s f whi c h carri e s with it i ts o w c o d e m a

o n n n

ti o n Th e e fact s h o w e v r re o t insist e d up o n
. s ,
e ,
a n

b y Mal ry th o ugh uch clai m s fo r Arthu r w r e

o ,
s e

m ad e by th e cr e dul o u s and l e s s crupul u s writ e r s o s .

R o m anc e h a s e ntir e ly r e m d e ll ed h is charact e r o ,

and h a s fill e d in all th e gap i n h is life s t o ry in s -

that triu m phant m ann e r i n wh ich C ltic g e niu s e

m anif s t s i ts p o w e r
e T h e l g ndary Arthur i s . e e

mad e t r e ali s e th e s ubli m e pr ph e ci e s o f M e rlin

o o ,

and a s th o s e pr ph e ci e s wax e d m o r e b o ld and

o

arr o gant in th e c o ur o f ag e s th e pr o p o rti o ns o f

se

th e h e ro w e r m a g nifi e d t
e s uit th e m M e rlin o .

had ch e ri s h e d th e h o p e o f th e c o m ing o f a vic

t o ri o u s hi e f und e r wh m th e C lt s s h o uld b e
c o e

unit d but th e lau g ht e r at A rd e ry d d wh e n th e

e ,
s

rival trib e f g h t e a c h th e r al m o s t d e s tr oy e d
s ou
'

o ,

all s uch a s pirati o n N e v rth e l e s s th e pr o ph e t

s . e

f o r t ld th e c o ntinuanc e o f di s c o rd a m o ng th e
e o

B riti s h trib e s until t h e chi e f o f h e r o e s f o r m e d a

,

f e d e rati o n o r e turnin g t o th e w rld and h is p re

n o ,

dicti n c o ncl ud e d with th haunting w o rd s

o e

Lik e th e dawn h e will ari s e fr o m h i s m y s t e ri o u s

r e tr e at .Mr Stuart Gl e nni e call M e rlin a bar
. s

barian c o m p o und f m a d m a n and p o e t pr o ph e t

o
.
,

and bard but d e ni e s that h e w a s a m ythic pe r

,

so ma g o r a p o e tic cr e ati o n
e H e was lik e Ar thur .
,
 Of A r th u r an d M erl i n 67

hi m s e lf an ac tual p re —
,
m e di aeval p e r s o nag e and
’

, ,

a s in t h e ca s e o f Arthur we hav e n o m e ans o f ,

d t e r m ining h i s o rigin h i s nati o nality o r th e

e , ,
-

l al
oc e o f h is wand e ring s But if a s Wil s o n .
,

o b s e rv e s i n o e o f his B o rd e r Tal e s traditi o n ”

n ,

t h e frag m nt which hi s t o ry has l e ft o r l o s t

“
is e

in it s pr o gr e s s and which p o e try f o ll owin g in its

,

wak e h a s gath e r e d up a s tr e asur e br e ath e d up o n s,

th e m i ts influ e nc e and e m bal m e d th e m in th e

m e m o ri e o f m e unt o all g e n e rati o ns we sh all ”
s n ,

e xtract a r e s iduu m f trut h fr o m th e f an ciful o

fabl es f which M e rlin i s th e subj e ct

o .

My rd i E m ry s th e W e l s h M e rlin i s claim e d
n , ,

a s a nativ e o f B a s s all e g an o b scur e to wn in th e

"

di s trict which li s b e tw e e n th e riv e r Us k and

e

Rhy m n e y T h e chi e f auth o rity fo r thi s i s N e

. n

nius ; but acc o rding to oth e r s th e birthplac e w s a

Car m arth e n at th e s p o t m ark d by M e rlin s tr e e

,
e
’
,

r e gardin g which th e pr o ph e cy run s that wh e n th e

tr ee tu m bl e s d o wn Car m arth e n will b e o v r e

wh e l m e d with w o e What we kn o w o f M e rlin .

in Mal o ry s chr o nicl e is that h e wa s King Arthur

’ ’
s

chi e f advis e r an e nchant e r wh o c o uld bring ab o ut

,

m iracul o us e v e nt s and t o wh o m wa s d e liv e r e d

,

th e r o yal bab e up o n a ninth wav e o f th e o c e an ;

a pr ph e t wh o f o r e t o ld h i s s o v e r e ign s d e ath h i s
o
’
,

ow n fat e and th e infid e lity o f Guin e v r e ; a

, e
68 T h e L o st Lan d o f K i n g A r t h ur
warri o r th e f o und e r o f th e Ro und Tabl e and th e
, ,

wi s e man wh o kn e w all things Wal e s and .

Sc o tland alik e clai m a s th e ir o w thi s m o st s trik n

ing o f th e charac te rs in th e Arthurian st o ry .

B rittany als o h old s to th e b e li e f that M e rlin wa s

t h e m o st fam o us and p o t e nt o f h e r s o ns and that ,

his influ e nc e is still e x e rci s e d o v e r that r e gi o n .

Matth e w Arn o ld gazing at th e ruins o f Carnac

, ,

s a w fr o m th e h e igh t s h e clamb e r e d th e l o n e c o as t

o f B rittany s tr e tching brigh t and wid e

,
w e ird ,

and still i n th e suns e t ; and r e calling th e o ld

,

traditi o n h e d e s crib e d h ow
,

It la y b es i d e th e Atl ti w v
an c a e

As th ou gh wi rd M rli Will
th e za e
’
n s

Y et ch a rm d i t f r m h i f r t gr v
e o s o es a e .

The Sc o tch M e rlin M e rlin Sylv e st e r r M e rlin , ,

o

th e Wild was Me rd wy ,
o f t h e haugh f Dru m nn o

m e l ia r a d e lightful l wland r e gi o n wh e r e t h e
‘

z ,
o ,

littl e s parkling Pa u s a yl burn bick e r d o wn b e s

tw ee n th e h e ath e r clad hills until it m ix e s i t s

-

wat e r s with th e Tw e e d He is s aid to hav e tak e n .

t o t h e w o o ds f Upp e r Tw e e ddal e in r m o r s e fo r
o e

th e d e a th o f h i s n e ph e w th o ugh it i s m o r e lik e ly ,

that h e l o s t h i s r e a s o n aft e r th e d e ci s iv e d e f at e

o f th e Cy m ry by th e Chri s tians o f th e sixth

c e ntury S ir Walt e r Sc o tt r e c o rd s that in th e
.
 O f A r th u r and M e rl i n 69

S c o ti c h ro n ic o n , towhich w o rk h ow e v e r n o h i s
t o ric i m p o rtanc e can b e ascrib e d as it is n o t o ri ,

o u s l y a pri e stly inv e n t i o n is an acc o unt o f a n i

,
n

t e rv i e w b e twixt St K e tig e r
. and Me rd wyn n
n n

Wyll t wh e n h e w s in this di s tract e d and mis e r

a

abl e s tat e T h e s ain t e nd e av o ur e d to c o nv e r t th e

.

r e clu s e to Chri s tianity fo r h e wa s a natur e wo r

,
-

shipp e r a s h i p o e m s s h o w Fr m h i s m d e o f
,
s . o o

life h e was call e d L a il o k e and o n th e sain t s n,

’

c o mmandin g h i m to e xplain his si tuati o n h e ,

sta te d that h e was d o ing p e nanc e i m p o s e d up o n

h i m by a v o ic e fr o m h e av e n fo r causing a bl oo dy
c o nflict b e tw e e n Lid l and C a rwa o lo w He c o
e n . n

t i n u e d to dw e ll i n th e w o o d s o f Cal e d o n fre ,

q u e n ti g a f o untain o
n th e hill s
n e nj o ying th e ,

c o m pani o nship f h i s s ist e r Gwe d y d d (T h e

“
o n

Dawn and e v e r m using up o n h is e arly l o v e

H rm l e ia n (
u T h e G l e am ) b o th o f wh o m w e r e fre
,

qu e ntly m e nti o n e d in his p o e ms His fat e was a .

s ingular o n e and h a s b e e n c o nfus e d with that o f

,

th e M e rlin o f Arthur He pr e dict e d that h e

.

sh o uld p e rish at o nc e by w o o d e ar th and wat e r , , ,

and s o it ca m e to pass ; fo r b e ing pursu e d and

'

st o n e d by th e ru s tics—o th e r s say by th e h e rd s m e n
o f th e L o rd o f Lanark— h e f e ll fr o m a r o ck int o

t h e riv e r Tw e e d and wa tran s fix e d by a s harp

,
s

s tak e
7 0 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
l p
S u de pe rfo s s u s , a i d e pe rcu s s u s , e t u n d a ,
H ae c tr
i a Me rl i n u m fe rtu r i n i re n e ce m .

S ic qu e r itu m e rs u s qu e l i gn o qu e pre h e n s u s ,
,

Et f itec tr
va te m pe r e n a p e ri c u l a r e um vr ”
.

The grav e Sco tch M e rlin i s p o in te d o u t

of th e

at D r m m e l ia r wh e r e it i s m ark e d by an a g e d
u z ,

th o rn t r e e O n th e e a s t sid e o f th e churchyard th e
-
.

P a u s a yl br o o k falls in to th e Tw e e d and a p ro ,

p h e c y ran thus Wh e n Tw e e d and Pa u s a yl

j o in a t M e rlin s grav e S c o tland and England s hall
’
,

o n e m o narch h av e And we l e arn acc o rdingly

”
.

tha t o n th e day o f th e c o r o na ti o n o f Ja m e s V I th e
Tw e e d v e rflo we d and j o in e d th e Pa u s a yl at th e
o

pr o ph et s grav e T h e pr e dic t i o ns o f this M e rlin

’
.

c o ntinu e d fo r many c e nturi e s to impr e s s th e

Sc o tch and h e s ee m s to hav e had a r e putati o n
,

e qua l to that o f Th o m as th e Rhym e r G eo ffr e y .

o f M o nm o uth was t h e fi rs t t o in t r o duc e a M e rlin

int o th e Arthurian r o m anc e and wh e th e r that ,

M e rlin had fo r a pr o t o typ e Me rd wy n Wyll t o r n ,

wh eth e r th e r e was in r e ality a M e rli n o f Wal e s ,

r e m ains an o p e n q u e s ti o n All tha t can b e said .

d e fi nit e ly i s that si m ilar d ee ds a re a s crib e d to

b o th that ach o ccupi e s a si m ilar plac e am o ng his
,
e

c o nt e m p o rari e s tha t th e i r rhap s o dical pr o ph e ci e s

,

par tak e o f th e sa m e charac te r and that th e ir mys ,

te ri o u s d e aths hav e p o ints in c o mm o n B u t it is .

 Of Ar th ur and M e rl i n 7 1

c o nt e nd e d that th e v te s o f V o rtig e rn and o f o

Aur e lius A m br o siu s th e c o m pani o n and advi s e r

,

o f U th e r P e ndrag o n and o f Arthur wa s M y rd i ,

n

E m ry s wh o t o o k his nam e fr o m Dinas Emry s i n

,

th e Val e o f Wat e rs wh o s e haunt w a s th e rugg e d

.
,

h e ights o f Sn o wd o n and wh o kn e w n o thin g o f ,

t h e M e rlin C a l e d o i s wh o wand e r e d ab o ut t h
n u e

h e ath e ry hill s o f D ru m m e l i a r wh o wa s pr e s e nt z ,

at th e battl e o f Ard e ryd d i 57 3 and wh n , o

la m e nt e d in wild s o ngs th e d e f e at o f th e pagan s

and th e shatt e ring r e v e rs e t o th e Cy m ric cau e s .

Th e s e p oe m which b e wail th e f o rtun e s o f thi

s ,
s

unf o rtunat e rac e s ee m to hav e f o und th e ir way

,

int o th e fa m o u s Anci e nt B o o k s o f W al e s thu s ,

t e ndin g furth e r to c o nfus e th two M e rlin s and e ,

r e s ulting in th e o ld chr o nicl e r s a s cribing th e act s

f b o th t o th e My rd i E m ry s o f King Arthur s ’
o n

co urt T h e lat Pr o f e s s o r Ve i tc h s p o e m o n
. e
’

Me rlin c o ntains s o m e s p e ci m e n s o f Me rd wy nn

Wyll t s v e r s e and s e ts f o rth his faith in natur e

’

, ,

ting e d a littl e s i t w e r e by t h e Chri s tianity o f th e

a

e ra .

The M e rlin o f King Arthur wa s r e put e d to b e a

nativ e o f Car m arth e n am o ng o th e r plac e s and at ,

thr e e m il es di s tanc e fr o m th e t o wn m a y b e s e e n
’

M e rlin s Cav e o e o f th e traditi o nal plac e s o f

’

,
”
n

h is m yst e ri o us e n to m bm e nt Me rlin s b i rth .

’
 7 2 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
f o rm e d th e subj e ct o f o e o f th e ap o cryphal play s
n

o f S hak e s p e ar e : t h e w e ird m agician and w o rk e r

o f e nchant m e nt w o uld hav e b e e n w o rthy o f th e

ma s t e r s o w d e picti o n I n th e r o m anc e s h e
’
n .

c o m e s with m yst e ry and a we and h e d e part s with ,

m y s t e ry and ha m Me s a y that M e rlin w a s

“
s e . n

b e g o tt e n o f a d e vil s aid Si r Uwa i e ; and th e

,
”
n

m aid N i m u é ( Vivi e n ) o wh o m h e w s as s o tt e d “ ”
n a ,

gr e w w e ary o f h i m and fain w o uld hav e b e e n

,

d e liv e r e d o f h i m fo r s h e w a s afraid o f h i m
,
“

b e caus e h e wa s a d evil s s o I n that wo’

n.
”
n

d ro s ly rich dra m a o f 1 6 6 2
u T h e B irth o f Me r ,

lin th e p o pular traditi o n i s tak e n up that th e

,
”

arch m agician wa s th e s o n o f th e arch fi e n d T h e

- -
.

s t o ry intr od u c e s Aur e liu s and Vo rt ig e r ( V o rtig e rn )

‘

t h e t wo King o f B ritain ;
s Ut ( h )e r P e ndrag o n ,

th e br o th e r o f Aur e lius O s to ri s th e Sax o n

°
u ,

g e n e ral ; and o th e r hi s t o r c charact e rs o f th e e ra

i .

T h e chi e f p o int o f th e pl o t i s th e s e arch fo r and

id e ntificati o n o f M e rlin s fath e r ; and that m att e r
’

s e ttl e d th e dra m ati s t tr e at s o f M e rlin s sup e r

’
,

natural skill h is pr o ph e ci e s and his aid o f Vo r

, ,

tig e r in building th e ca s tl e which h os til e fi e n d s

br o k e d o wn by night as fa s t a s it was built by
day M e rlin is r e pr e s e n te d as b o rn with th e
.

h e a rd o f an o ld m a n abl e t o talk and walk and

, ,

wi thin a few h o urs o f h is birth e xplaini n g to h is

 O f Ar th u r an d M e rl i n 73
’

mo th e r that h e r e ads a b o o k to s o und th e d e pth

o f art s o f l e arning wisd o m
,
kn o wl e dg e , ,
.

I b b t h lf mca nt b t e u a a an a es ,

A d th t i y
n r m rt lity ; th r t
a s ou o a e es

I m i
n p irit T i t m t r tim
e s s .
’
s no ea no e

Th t giv th i gr wth d b ig
a es N s my y r o an n es s . o, ea s

S h ll b m r tr g th y t m y b irth pp r ”
a e o e s an e an e a ea s.

He pr o ph e si e s f o r thwi th r e og ni s e s h is fath e r ,
c ,

th e D e vil at a g lanc e giv e s pr o o f o f his m i ra c u

, ,

l o us p o w e r s in m any way s ; and pr o c e e ding t o

Vo rt ig e r s c o ur t ba ffl e s t h e na t iv e magicians and
’
,

s h oavs t h e king why h i s cas t l e cann ot b e built by

r e a s o n o f th e drag o n s in c o nflic t He f o r e t e ll . s

that th e vict o ry o f th e whit e drag o n m e an s th e

ulti m at e vict o ry o f th e Sax o n s th e whi te
h o rr o r wh o o w knit t o g e th e r hav e driv e n and
,
n ,

shu t you up in th e s e wild m o untain s and that ,

th e king wh o wo his thr o n e by bl o o dsh e d m u s t

n

yi e ld it to Princ e Ut e r T h e pr e dicti o n i s v e rifi e d .

,

and aft e r Vo rtig e r s d e ath M e rlin i s s e nt fo r t ’

o

e xp o und th e fi e ry o racl e in th e f o r m o f a
“

drag o n s h e ad ’

F m t wh m th ro ou os e ou

T w fl mi g l k
o a f fi n tr t h t d w t
a es o re s e c ea s an es ,

A d
n f r m t h b d y f th t r
o e o o e s a

S v
e enm l l r b l i g tr m d i r tl y p i t
s a e az n s ea s ec o n

O th i
n ff ri gh t d k i gd m
s a e n o .
”

The p o r te n t caus e s te rr o r until M e rlin

, , as int e r
74 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
pr e te r t e lls o f r ev o luti o ns th e ris e and fall o f
, ,

nati o n s and th e chang e s in B ritain s s tat e which

,
’

i t signifi e s Aur e liu s h a s b ee n t r e ach e r o u s ly slain

.

a t Winch e s t e r by th e Sax o n s and Princ e Ut e r i s ,

t o b e his av e ng e r T h e pa s s ag e i n which M e rlin

.

r e la te s what i s to c o m e is o e o f s ingular dignity n

and i m pr e s s iv e n e s S e v e n ray s re s p e aking s . a

“

h e rald s to th e island Ut e r P e ndrag o n i t o

”
. s

hav e a s o n and a daught e r T h e latt e r will b e .

Qu ee n o f I r e land whil e o f th e s o thu s Fa te n

and M e rli n te lls

Al l ft r t i m h l l fi l l th i r h i l
a e es s a e c ro n c e s

W ith f m f h i r w wh w rli k w rd
a e o s en o n, o se a e s o

S h ll p
a th r gh f rtil F r
ass d G rm
ou y e e a n ce a n e an ,

N or s h ll h i a q ri g f t b f r d t
s co n t d ue n oo e o ce o s an ,

T i ll R m i m p r i l w lt h h t h r w d h i f m
’
o e s e a ea a c o ne s a e

W ith m r h f h w t ; fr m wh
on a c o v h i ll
t e es o os e s e en s

W ith q t d trib t r y k i g
c on u es , an co n u o n s

H b k r t r
e ac l r g t h B r it b d
e u ns to e n a e e on ou n s,

H i h r l d r y d r d wi th fh i t
s e a a rw o ne r ee n c o ns.

H t
e h w rl d h ll dd
o t e th r w rth y
o s a a a no e o ,

A d
n ,
I d t f h i pr w dr w
as a oa s on e , or s o es s a

A tr i f m rti l l v r t h i rt
a n o a a o e s o s cou .

I t h ll b th th b t f k igh th d h r
s a e en e es o n oo
’
s o n ou

A t W i h t r t fi ll h i tl h ll
nc es e o s ca s e a ,

A d t h i R y l t bl
n a its d f ot a a e s an ea s

In w rl i k rd r l l th i r rm r d h rl d
a e o e s, a e a s ou n u e

A i f th y m t t i r m r ib th w rld ”
s e ea n o c cu sc e e o .

This i s a n obl e passag e and su m s up th e l e ad ,

ing p o in t s in King Arthur s hist o ry as r e la te d i n ’

,
 O f A r th u r an d M e rl i n 75
th e F a b lia u and a t th e s a m e tim e s e rv e s as ev i
x ,

d e nc e o f th e p o w e r of divinati o n and e l o q u e nc e o f
M e rlin T h e m att e r o f th e pr o ph e cy was o b v i
.
“

o s ly t ak e n fr o m Mal o ry
u but th e dra m atis t intr o ,

d u ce d o e s trang e variati o n in h is s to ry
n M e rlin .
,

indignant that h is d e m o niac fath e r s h o uld s triv e

t o harm h i s m o th e r use s his art and m agic s p e ll
,
s

t o e ncl o s e th e D e vil in a r o ck— a id e a s ugg e s t e d n ,

n o d o ubt by Me rlin s o w fat e Furth e rm o r e

,
’
n .
,

finding hi m s e lf call e d to aid P e ndrag o n against

th e Sax o n s M e rlin c o nducts h i s m o th e r t o a plac e
,

f r e tir e m e nt c all e d M e rlin s B o w e r and te ll s h e r

’
o ,

that wh e n s h e di e s h e will e r e ct a m o nu m e n t
Up on th e v rd t p l
l b ry
e an a in s of S a is u

(N ki g
o n h ll h v
h igh
s ap l hr ) a e so a se u c e

W i th p d l en t th t I will h g by
u ou s s on e s a an a rt ,

W h r ith r lim
e e ne m rt r h ll b
e d e n or o a s a e u se ,

A d k igm t th m m ry
ar en a o e e o ,

F h ll h v th p w r t
o r n on e s am b r tha e e o e o nu e em .

H e r e we b e c o m e acquaint e d with th e s u pe r t i s

ti o n that th e m egali thic w o nd e r s o f S t o n e h e ng e

w e r e M e rlin s w o rkman s hip and tha t th e my s te

’
,

ri o n s s tructur e wa s h is m o th e r s t o m b An o th e r ’
.

id e a was that it wa s th e bu rial plac e o f Uth e r

P e ndrag o n and C o nstantin e T h e dra m a s o far .
,

as it r e la te s to M e rlin and V o rtig e rn cl s e ly fol ,

o

l o ws th e p o pular tradi ti o n th o u gh th e r e a re ,
'
7 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K in g A r t h u r
se v e ral va riati o ns o f th e s to ry o f th e ca s tl e which
c o uld n ot b e fi nish e d and its sit e as m igh t b e , ,

e xp e c t e d i s th e subj e ct o f many c o n t radic to r y

,

d eclarati o ns T h e all eg o rical m e aning o f th e

.

st o ry is quit e cl e ar T o th e h e ights o f Sn o wd o n .
,

it is said M e rlin l ed King V o rtig e rn wh o s e cas t l e

, ,

c o uld ot b e built fo r m e ddl e s o m e g o blin s T h e

n .

wizard led th e m o narch to a vas t cav e and sh o w e d

him two drag o ns whi te and re d in furi o us co n , ,

flic t . D e s tr oy th e s e h e said and th e g ob ,

”
,

lins wh o m th ey rul e will c e as e to to rm e n t yo u .

V o rtig e rn sl e w th e drag o ns o f Ha te and C o n

s p i ra c y and his cas tl e wa s c o m pl e t e d

,
*
.

M r G l i th i k th
. en n e i i C r rv hir t n s e s ce n e s n a na on s e, o

th e s outh f S wd ov rl k i g th l w r d f L ly y
no on , o e oo n e o e en o n

Di na s . H r i D i Em ry e e i g l r i l t d r k
s na s s, a s n u a so a e oc ,

l th d
c o e ll i d w it h w d
on a ti i g
s th
es m m it oo , con a n n on e su

so m f i t r m i
e a n f b ild i g d f d d by r m p rt I t
e a ns o a u n e en e a a s.

w as f th i p l
o D r y t wr t
s a ce a on o e

A d f m th t p f B r it h
n ro h igh d w d r
e o t po ,
so an on ou s s e e

W h r D i E m i t d h w d wh th rp t
e e nas rs s oo , s o e e re e se en s

f ght ou ,

T h W h it t h t t r th R d ; f r m wh
e e a th p r ph t
o e e e o e n ce e o e

wr gh t ou

T h B ri t y th h rtl y t
’
e d d on s s a eca en s o o e n su e .

O n th th f C r r v B y i N t Gwrth y th
e s ou o a na on a s an er n , e

H l l w f V rt ig r
o o o p r i p it r v i by th
o e n, id a ec ou s a ne e sea ,
sa

to b th l t
e ti g p l
e as f th rp r wh h fl d t
re s n -
a ce o e u su e , en e e o

e s cap th r g f h i bj t
e e a fi d i g th m l v
e o s su ec s on n n e se es

b tr y d t th S x
e a e o e a on s .
7 8 T he L ost Lan d o f K i n g A r th u r
T h e T yvi i s kn o wn t o s as u th e To wy and ,

D yn ev o wr is Dy n e v o r Park .

Th r e e th e wi se M rl i
e n, wh il om w t th y y
on ,
e sa ,

k hi w r th th gr
-

To ma el w ds on n e o un e n ea e ou n d ,

In a d p d lv f
ee fr m v i w f d y
e e ar o e o a ,

T h t f l iv i g wigh t h m igh t b f d
a o no n e e ou n ,

Wh h
en ll d with h i p righ t r
so e c ou n s e e s s s a ou n d .

O th rs
e that th e guil e ful dam s e l l e d h e r d o ting
s ay

l o v e r to Sn o wd o n and th e r e put f o rth th e char m

,

o f w o v e n pac e s and o f waving hand s until h e lay

a s d e a d I n a h o ll o w o a k S om e ti m es an e ldritch .

cry br e aks up o n th e e a r o f th e cli m b e r as h e n e ar s

t h e su m m it o f Sn o wd o n : i t i s M e rlin la m e nting

t h e s ubtl e ty o f h i s fals e l o v e which d o o m e d h i m ,

to p e rp e t ual sham e .

Th e r e I s th e Car m arth e n cav e and th e r e i s a ,

”
M e rlin s Grav e f o ur m il e s fr o m Ca e rl e o n b o th
’
,

o f whic h s h o wn as M e rlin s r e sting plac e ’

a re -
.

B ut anci e nt bards t ol d o th e r s trang e tal e o f '

an

t he fat e o f th e b o y with o ut a fath e r wh o s e ”

,

bl oo d had o nc e b e e n s o ught to s prinkl e up o n th e

c e m e nt fo r th e brick s f Vo rtig e r s castl e Th e y
o n
’
.

d e clar e d that th e nchant e r w a s s e nt o t to s a

e u e

in a v e ss e l o f gla s s acc o m pani e d by nin e bard s

, ,

o r pr o ph e ts and n e ith e r v s s e l o r cr e w was

,
e n

h e a rd o f again— which i s
‘
o t surprising B ut n .

Lady C harl o tt e Gu e s t in h e r n o t e s t o th e Ma bi
,

n og i o n b o ldly t ran s p o rt s th e s c e n e o f M e rlin s

’
,
 O f Ar t h ur an d M e rl i n 79
d oo m F o r e s t o f B réc él ia d e in B ri ttany
to t h e n , ,

On e o f th e fav o ur e d haunt s o f r o m a nc e and th e

d e light f t h e Tr o uv er e s Vivi e n to wh o s e arti
o .
,

fi c e s h e succu m b e d i s said t o hav e b ee n th e

,

daught e r o f O e Vava s o ur wh o marri e d a i ece

n ,
n

o f th e Duch e s s o f Burgun dy and r e c e iv e d as ,

d o wry half th e F o r es t o f B riog e I t wa s wh e n

'

n .

M e rlin and Vivi e n w e r e g ing thr o ugh B récélio

and e hand in hand that th e y f und a bu s h o f o

whit e th o rn lad e n with fl o w e r s ; th e r e th ey re s t e d ,

and th e magician f e ll a s l e e p Th e n Vi vi e n .
,

having b e en taught th e art o f e nchantm e nt by

M e rlin r o s e and m ad e a ring nin e ti m e s with h e r
,

wi m pl e r o und th e bu s h ; and wh en th e wizard

w o k e it s eem e d t h im that h e w s e ncl o s e d in
o a

th e str o ng e s t t o w e r e v e r m ad e — a t o w e r wi t h o u t

wall s and with o ut chains which h e al o n e had,

kn o wn th e s e cr e t o f m aking F r om thi s e n m e sh
.

m e nt M e rlin c o uld n e v e r e scap e and pl e ad as h e , ,

w o uld th e da m s e l w o uld o t r e l e as e h im : B u t
, n

it i writt e n that s h e ft e n r e gr e tt e d what s h e

s o

had d o n e and c o uld o t und o fo r s h e had th o ugh t

n ,

t h e thing s h e had taught h e r c o uld o t b e tru e n .

This h o w e v e r s ee m s to b e an int e rp o lati o n Sir

, , .

Gawain trav e lling thr o ugh th e f o r e s t s a w a

, ,

kind o f s m o k e an d
,
”
h e ard M e rlin s wail ’

i g v o ic e addr e s s ing h i m
n ut f th e o b s curity
o o .

T h e w nd e r s o f th
o Fo r e s t o f B réc él ia d e w e r e
e n
 80 T h e L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
su ffici e ntly b e li ev e d i n o f o l d tim e tha t we find
th e chr o nicl e r Wac e actually j o urn e ying to th e

s p o t to find t h e fairy f o untain and M e rlin s t o m b

’
.

An o th e r varia ti o n o f th e st o ry is that M e rlin mad e

hims e lf a s e pulch r e in th e F o r e st o f Arv a te s that n ,

Vivi e n p e rsuad e d him to e nt e r it and th e n cl o s e d ,

th e lid in such m ann e r that th e r e aft e r i t c o uld

n e v e r b e O p e n e d Matth e w Arn o ld sparing and

.
,

r e tic e n t i n sp ee ch as is his w o nt d e scrib e s Me r

, ,

lin s fa te with subdu e d f o rc e and s ubtl e char m

’
,

putting th e s to ry in th e m o uth o f d e s o lat e I s e ult ,

wh o t o ld h e r childr e n o f th e fairy haunt e d land -

away th e o th e r sid e o f B rittany b e y o nd th e ,

h e a ths e dg e d by th e l o n e ly s e a ; and o f
,

T h d p f r t gl d
e ee o esf Br li ad es o o ce -
an ,

T hr gh wh
ou gr b gh th g ld
ose ee n hi r epou s e o en su n s ne c e s,

W h r M rli by th
e e e n h t d th r tr l pe en c an e o n -
ee s ee s.
”

Ve ry cunningly and mystically has th e p o e t t o ld

o f Vivi e n s guil e as s h e wav e d a wimpl e o v e r th e
’

b l o s s Om d th o rn tr e e and th e sl e e ping d o tard

’
-

until within a littl e pl o t o f magic gr o und a ,

”

dai s i e d circl e M e rlin was m ad e pris o n e r till

,

t h e j udg m e n t day C e ltic m y th o l ogy Re nan t e lls

.
,

us is n thing m ore than a t ranspar e nt naturalism

,
o ,

t h e l o v e o f na t ur e fo r h e rs e lf t h e vivid i m pr e s s i o n
,

o f h e r magic acc o mpani e d by th e s o rr o wful f ee l

,

ing that man kn o ws Wh e n fac e to fac e with .

h e r h e b e li e v e s tha t h e h e ars h e r c o m m un e with

,
 Of A r th ur an d M e rl i n 81

h im c o nc e rning h is ri g in and d es tiny T he

o .

l e g e nd o f M e rlin m irr o r s thi s f e e ling h e c o ,

”
n

tin u es S e duc e d by a fairy o f th

. w o o ds h e e ,

fli e s with h e r and b ec o m e s a s avag Arthur s e.

’

m e s s e ng e rs c o m e up o n h i m a s h e is s inging by a
f o untain ; h e i s l e d back a g ain to c o urt but th e ,

char m carri e s h i m away H e r e turn t o h is . s

f o r e st s and thi s ti m e fo r e v e r
,
.
”

La fo r et d e B ro c e li d writ e s E m il e S o u n e,
”

v es tr e in that fa s cinatin g and half path e tic w o rk

,
-

L e D er i r B r t n s
s n e s s e tr o uv e s itu ée dans l e
e o ,

c o m m un e d e C o rc o re t arr o ndi s s e m e nt d e Pl o r ,
e

mal . Ell e e t c e l e b rée dan s l r o m an d e la

s es s

tabl e r o nd e C e s t l a q e l o n r e nc o ntr e l f
’ ’
. u a on

ta i n e d e B a ra n to n , l o Va l sa n s re to u r, l a to m b e
de Me rli n . O n ait
a ici e n s e tr o uv e
s qu e cc m g
e nc o r e dan c e tt e fo r et s il e s t r e t e nu par l e s ,

e nchant e m e nts d e Vivian e a l o m br e d un b i s ’ ’

o

d a b ép i e
’
u Vivian e avait e s a y é s r M e rlin l e
n . s u

char m e qu e ll e avait appris d e lui m em e san

’
-

,
s

cr ir e qu il p ut O p ér e r ; e ll e s e d es e s p era quand
o
’

e ll e vit qui c e lui qu e ll e ad o rait étai t a j a m ai s

’

p e rdu p ur e ll e o Thi s s tat e m e nt i s n o t c o

.
”
n

fir m e d in th Engli s h r o m anc e and i s o pp o s e d

e ,

wh o ll y to th e s e nti m e nt f th e s t o ry a s c o nc e iv e d o

b y T nn y s o n and th e r m o d e rn writ e r s
e o On .
“

a s s ur e q u e M e s s ir e Ga i ( Gawain ) e t qu e lqu e s u va n

C h e vali e rs d e la tabl e r o nd e c h e rc h ere t part o ut n

6
82 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
M e rlin m ais e vain Ga v a i s e ul l e te d it
,
n . u n
’
n n

dan s la f o r et d e B r c e li d e m ai s e put l e v o ir o n ,
n .
”

T h e di s trict o f B roc e l i d e o r B réc él i d e i s rich n ,

an ,

i n antiquiti e s d l m e n s a d m e nhir s b e in g f o und

,
o n

t g e th e r with o th e r r e lic o f e arly ti m e s and t h e

o s

m yst e ri o u s w o rk e r s o f th e s t o n e g e T o add t o
‘

a .

t h e sc e nic attracti o n f t h e l o cality th e r e re s o a

ruin e d castl e th e r e m ain s o f m achic o lat e d wall s

s , ,

anci e nt C hat e aux and church e s dating back m an y

,

c e nturi e s I t i s fi tting that h e r e th e r e f o r ro

.
,
e,

m anc e s h o uld m aintain o e o f i t s s tr o ngh o ld and n s

that traditi o n s o f th e m ast e r m a g ician s h o uld -

lin g e r .

Th e r e i s y e t o e th e r l e g e nd which s h o uld b
n o e

n o t e d I t r e pr es e nt s th e m agician a s p e rp e tually
.

r o a m ing ab o ut th w o o d f Calyd o n la m e ntin g th

e o e

l o s s o f th e C hi e ftain i n th e battl e f A rd e ry d d ; s o

whil e ye t an o th e r t e ll s o f a g lass h o u s e built fo r

h i m i n Bard s y I s land by h is c o m pani o n
e th ,
e

Gl e a m i n which h u s e o f sixty d o o r s and s ixty

,
o

wind o w s h e s tudi e d th e s tar s an d w s att e nd e d by , a

o e hundr e d and tw e nty bard s t o writ e d o wn h i s

n

pr o ph e ci e s N e v e r was uch a c o nfu s i n o f tra

. s o

d i ti o s and fanci e s n e v e r w e r e s m any d e ludin g

n , o

will o th e wi s p s to l e ad a s tray wh o s o e v e r w o uld

-
’
- -

s triv e t o inv e s tigat e t h e truth o f M e rlin s t o ry

’
s .

That s t o ry with its abundanc e o f sugg e s ti n m ak e s o

u s think o f th e apt w o rds o f J o hn Addingt o n

 O f A r th u r an d M e rl i n 83

y nd s wh o s aid that th e e xa m inati o n o f th e s e

S mo ,

m y s t e ri o u s narrativ e s w s lik e o p e ning a s e al e d a

j ar o f pr e c i o u win e Its fra g ranc e s pr e ad

s .
s

abr o ad thr o ugh all th e palac e o f th e s o ul and th e ,

n o bl e vintag e up o n b e ing tast d c o ur s e s thr o ugh e

th e bl o o d a d brai n with th e matur e d e lixir o f

n

s to re d u r e n e e ds so m e s uch c o
”
-

p u s m m e s O . n n

s o lati o n a s thi s fo r t h e v e xati o n o f findin g s e e m

i g ly in e xtricabl e c o nfusi o n
n .

Warri o r th ugh h e w s and all p w e rful by

o a ,
-
o

r e a s o n o f h is up e rnatural gift s M e rlin is ye t

s ,

r e pr e s e nt e d a s b e in g a p ac e m ak e r and as paying e -

all eg ianc e t a m ast e r o H e e nd d th e gr e at e

battl e b e tw ee n Arthur and th e e l e v e n kings wh e n ,

t h e h o r s e s w e nt in bl o o d up to t h e f e tl o ck s and ,

o t o f thr e e
u c o r th o u s and m e but fi ft ee n th o u
-
s e n

s and w e r e l e f t aliv e O f thi s s anguinary battl e

.

o f B e d g ra i e M e rlin gav e an acc o unt to h i s

n ,

m a s t e r Blai s e o r Bl e y s j o urn ying t o N rthu m

, ,
e o

b e rland p e cially t d o s o and to g t th e ma s t e r

s o e

t o writ e d o wn th e r e c o rd ; all Arthur s battl e s did

’

Blais e chr o nicl e fr o m M e rlin s r e p o rt s Att e m pt s ’

.

hav e b e e n m ad e to id e ntify Blai s e ( th e W o lf ) with

S t Lupus B ish o p o f Tr o y e s
.
,
T h e m o r e i m pr e s .

s iv e part which M e rlin play s in th e Arthurian

dra m a i s a s pr o ph e t and n e cr o m anc e r His sud .

d e c o m ings and g o ings h i s di s gui s e s h i s s o l e mn

n , ,

warnin g s his p ote nt int e rv e n ti o n s all th e s e co m

, ,
84 T he L ost L a n d of K i n g A r th u r
bin e to s tr e ngth e n th e id e a o f un e quall e d influ e nce
and o f aw e s o m e p e rs o nality He figur e s pr o m i .

n e t ly in t h e st o ry o f Sir Balin l e Savag e

n and ,

i t was his hand which wr o t e th e fitting m e m o rial

o f t h e t wo n o bl e br o th e r s M e rlin it wa s again.

wh o c o uns e ll e d th e king t o marry and wh o .

br o ught Guin eve r e to L o nd o n fr o m C a m el ia rd ,

darkly pr e dicting at th e s a m e ti m e tha t thr o ugh

th e q u ee n Arthur sh o uld c o m e t o his d o o m .

An anci e nt C o rnish s o ng to b e f o und i n th e ,

o riginal dial e ct but i n r e ality a B r e to n incantati o n

,

which h a s c o m e d o wn to s fr o m th e far ag e s o tu u

o f t h e abundanc e o f Ar m o ric l o r e d e s crib e s Me r ,

lin th e Divin e r att e nd e d by a black d g and o

s e arching at e arly day fo r

T h e re d e gg o f th e m a in e r se rp ten ,

By th e s e a s id e i n th e h o ll w
o of th e t
s one .

Ask e d whith e r
-

h e is g o ing he r e sp o nds
I am go i n g to s ee k i n th e v a l le y
r
T h e g ee n wtrr
a e c ess and th e l
go d e n g r a ss,

An d t h e to p br h a nc o f th e o a k ,

I n th e wo od by t h e s i d e o f th e f ou n a i n t .

A warning v o ic e bids h im t urn back and n o t to

s e e k th e f o rbidd e n kn o wl e dg e T h e cr e ss th e .
,

g o ld e n gras th e o a k branch and th e re d eg g f

s, ,
o

th e m arin e s e rp e nt a re ot f r h im M e rlin "

n o .

M e rlin "cri e s th e v o ice

”
,
 C HAPTE R I V
OF TINTA G L E

Th r e e is a pl a ce with i n

T he wi n d in
g S e ve rn e s ea ,

O n m id s r k b t wh f t of oc ,
a ou os e oo e

T h t yd t r k pi g pl y
e es u n , ee n a ,

A t w r y t pp ed tl h r
o e -
o ca s e e e,

W i d b l th v r ll
e a ze o e a ,

Wh i h C r i
'

c i t b
o d n eu s
’
a n c en roo e

T i t g l C tl l l — C m d
n a e as e ca .
”
a en .

Thou t d r k C r w l l r i ft d h r
s ee s a o n a
’
s e s o e,

O ld A rth r t m d r gg d k p ’
u s s e an u e ee ,

T h r wh r p r d b i ll w d h d r r
e e, e e ou o s as an oa ,

H i h gh t y t rr t g rd th d p
s au u e ua s e ee .

A d m rk y
n b ird f b l wi g
a on o sa e n ,

T la on s d b k llan d wi th b l d ea a re oo ,

The p irit f th l g l t k i g
s o e on -
os n

P d i th t h p f r m C m l fl d
a sse n a s a e o a an s
’
oo .

R S . . H a wk e r .

C O R N WALL th e h o rn shap e d land far r e m o v e d

,
-

fr o m th e gr e at c e n tr e s o f pr o gr e s s and indu s try ,

th e land o f gian t s o f a s e para te p e o pl e wh o until

,

t h e last c e n t ury s p o k e i t s o w languag e ; th e

*
n

Th C r i h l
e o n s g g w an pk uatil 76 8 I t h t
e as s o en un 1 . n a

y r D i B rri gt m t th ld fi h wi f D lly P
ea a n es a n on e e o s -
e o en

86
 Of T i n ta g e l 87

land o f h o ly w e ll s and s aint s o f hut cir l e s d o l ,

c ,

m e n s and e arthw o rk f o rt s m e m rial s o f e xtr e m e

, ,
o

antiquity ; th land o f m any s t o n e cr s e s i d ic a t

e os n

i g t h e arly influ e nc e o f Christianity ; th

n e land e

f s o call e d g iant s qu o it s chairs s p o o n s pun h

’
o -

, , ,
c

b o wl s and m o und s o m ti m e s th e w o rk o f pri m i

,
s ,
e

tiv e m a s o m e ti m es th e w o rk o f fanta s tic Natur

n ,
e

thi s i s th e land in which r o m anc e ling e r s and

-

in which s up e rstiti o n thriv e s th e land up o n wh ich ,

s e e m s t o r s t un m o ving th e s had o w
e f t h e pa s t o .

O ld e n cust o m s s urviv e th e o ld fashi o n is n o t d e ,

part e d fr o m T h e quaintn e s s th e si m plicity th e

.
, ,

q ui e tud e th e charm o f a byg o n e a g e m a y b e

,

f o und ye t in that part which Tayl o r th e wat e r ,

p o e t d e s crib e d as th e c o m p le a te and re pl e a t e
,

H o m e o f Abundanc e n o t e d fo r high churli s h hill s , ,

and affabl e c o urte o u s P e o pl e .

”

A t o ur thr o ugh th e land which r o manc e has

m ark e d o u t fo r h e r o w and wh r e th e f o rds n ,
e ,

bridg e s hill s and r ocks re call e d aft e r Arthur

, ,
a

o r a s s o ciat e d by traditi o n with h is e xpl o its -

t rea th , wh r bl th t f th
o se n a m e has b ec o m e m em o a e as a o e

l t p r t p k C r i h T h l t rm i C r i h
as e s on o s ea o n s . e as se on n o n s

w p h d i 6 78 i L d w d k C h r h T h
as re a c e n 1 n an e e na c u c . e

l k i g f th S x d v
s ac en n t th oT m r b l d th e a on a a n ce a e a a ena e e

C r i h t p r r v th i r t g l l y l l i d t t h t f
o n s o es e e e on u e, c o se a e o a o

W l d B ritt y d d ri b d
a es a n
gh t y E g ly h
an , an es c e as nau n ss e

i t h r ig
n e f th igh th H
e ry n o e e en .
88 T h e L o st L a n d o f Ki n g Ar th u r

b e c o m e s e a s i e r e v e ry y e ar by th e d ev elo p m e n t o f
rai lway s littl e kn o wn in t h e wild e r part s until a
,

d e cad e o r s o a g o I t m u s t b e s o rr o wf u lly c o
. n

f e s s e d tha t th e visit to Tintag e l d e s pit e i ts charm , ,

r es ults in a c e rtain a m o unt o f di s illu s i o n I t c o . n

tain s o r e lic n o thing that can v e rily b e imagin e d

n ,

a r e lic o f th e o l d o l d ti m e s wh e n th e fl o w e r o f
, ,

chivalry rul e d A s o e walk d o wn th e s o litary

. n s

s tr e e t and glanc e s ar o und h e s e e s that Tintag e l is

an antiqu e pictur qu littl e pla c e with it s quaint

,
es e

p o s t o ffi c e o f y o r e— batt e r e d by tim e th e r oo f
-

fall e n and th e s t o n e w o rk di s j o int e d— with its

,

s tunt d e c o ttag e s i ts typical villag e sh o p and

,

h o s t lry and its l o n e ly chur c h o n th e cli ff s Tin

e ,
.

tag e l a s it i i s uniqu e but it i s o t Arthurian

,
s , ,
n

unl s s we g o dir e ct t th o s e part s wh e r e Natur e

e o

is n o t and n e v e r h a s b ee n m o l e s t e d T h e Pe . n

targ o n h e i g hts th e gr e at g o rg e s t h e w e ird bay s

, ,

and cav e s th e r o ck str e wn vall e y s th e i m p o s ing -

wat e rfall s—fr o m th e s e m a y b e c o n s truct e d th e

, ,

sc e n ery fo r th e dra m a o f th e warlik e king and h i s

adv e ntur o u s knight s T h e hug e bank o f e arth .

e ncl o s ing an o bl ng s pac e with i ts r e m nant o f

o ,

s t o n e lining f o und n e ar St B re a v a rd is fi tly

-
.
,

c all e d King Arthur s Hall S uch r e li cs a s a re ’

.

f o und in and n e ar Tintag e l a r p o st e ri o r to King e

Arth ur s e ra Th e r e i s a S ax o n cr o s s to b e s ee n
’
.
,
9 0 T he L o st Lan d o f K i n g A r th ur
all e gianc e o f th e knights b e gan to d e clin e and ,

wh e r e f o lly want nn e s and s ham e s e rv e d as

,
o s ,

o m e n s o f c o m ing di s ast e r and o f t h e i m p e nding

sh o ck to th e r e al m which Arthur had m ad e T h e .

hi s t o ry o f Tintag e l b e gin s i n a tal e o f sha m e ,

th o ugh King Uth e r s d e c e it o f Igrain e app e ars to

’

hav e b ee n r e gard e d l e ss as di s h o n o ur to hims e lf

than a s a sign o f h is o wn and M e rlin s stra tegy ’

and v e n tur e s o m e n e s s *
Uth e r having c o m pass e d .
,

t h e d e ath o f G o rl o is had o furth e r di ffi culty i n ,

n

p e r s uading Igrain e to b e c o m e h is wif e and th e ir ,

s o n wa s Arthur wh o at h i s birth was d e liv e r e d

,

to Sir Ect o r a l o rd o f fair e l iv elyh o o d to b e

“ ”
, ,

n o uri s h e d as o n e o f his own fa m ily T h e d e a th .

o f U t h e r whil e his s o n wa s y e t an infan t l e f t t h e

succ e ssi o n in s o m e d o ub t and in o rd e r to pr ov e ,

Arthur s right to th e cr o wn th e fa m iliar d e vic e

’

The f ll wi
o o n
g cu ri ou s l ittl ite em fr om R Hu n
. t v l m
’
s o u e

ou gh t n ot to b e l t
os s i gh t of I ll ff r
sh a o e a j tr
c on e c u e,

t ou c h i n g th e n a me of Ti t n a ge l wh i h I wi ll
, c n ot say is
ri gh t l y p r b b l T i i th m
bu t on Dio Di a e. n s e sa e as n, nas,

an d Di th d it ;
xe th t T i d i l t r d f r i r p
, e ce so a n xe ,
u ne o ea s e ro

nunc a i ti t T i t g l D d g l t ig i fi C tl f
on o n a e ,
un a e ,
e c. , s n es as e o

D it wh i h m m igh t b ptl y giv t i t fr m th

e ce , c na e e a en o o e

f m d it p r ti d h r by U th r P d r g by th h l p
a ou s e ce ac se e e e en a on e e

f M rl i t m t G g B rr w y Ti t
’ ”
o e h n s en c an en . eo r e o o sa s : n a

g l d
e t m
oe s n o th C tl f G il b t th h i th
ea n e as e o u e, u e ou se n e

g i ll f th h ill
o t rm d m ir bl y d r ip ti v (Wi ld W l
e ,
a e a a e sc e a es ,

ca p.
 O f T i n ta g e l 9 1

wa s ad o pt e d o f drawing a sw o rd fr o m a st o n e .

T h e s c e n e o f t h e c o nt e st in which Arthur n o w ,

a s sum e d by th e chr o ni l e r s to b e a g o o dly y o uth

c ,

and S i r Ect o r s s o t o o k part i s vagu ly d e

’
n ,
e

s crib d s b e ing t h e c hurchyard o f t h gr e at e s t

“
e a e

church in L o nd n and it i s n e e dl e s s to s a y
o

tha t o nly Arthur pr o v e d qual to th f e at o f pull e e

ing t h e s w o rd fr o m t h e m arbl e and th t e e l anvil e s

in which it s t o o d T h e l e tt e r s f g o ld o th e
. o n

s w rd d clar d that wh o o p u l le th o t thi s

o e e
“
s u

s w o rd o f thi s s t o n e and a v i l e i s rig h tw i s e king

n ,

b o rn o f England and S i r Ect o r and Si r Kay

e ,
”
,

h i s d e f e at e d s o and Arthur s f o s t e r br o th e r w e r
’
n -

,
e

th e fir s t to kn ee l t o Arthur as th e ir l o rd wh e n th e y
“

sa w Excalibur in h i s hand B e f o r e th e l o rd s and

.

c o m m o n s Arthur ag ain pr o v e d h i right and s

r o yalty at th e f e a s t o f P e nt e c o s t and with th ,

e

h e lp o f M e rlin h e pr oc e e d e d i m m e diat e ly to e s tab

li s h h i s kingd m which durin g Uth e r s illn e s s and
o , ,
’

aft e r his d e ath had s t o o d in g r e at j eo pa rd ie

,
“
.
”

G o rl o i s th e husband o f Igrain e had b ee n th e

, ,

p o s s e ss o r o f two castl e s Tintag e l and T e ra b yl (

,
or

D a m a l i o c k ) which m a y b e j udg e d to hav e b e e n

,

at o gr e at distanc e fr o m o n e an o th e r T e ra b yl
n .

is untrac e abl e th o ugh it has b e e n sugg e s t e d that

,

whil e Tintag e l Castl e was s o l e ly up o n th e p e nin

sula ( Barra s H e ad ) which j uts int o th e s ea ,
9 2 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
T e ra b y l was th e cas tl e up o n th e mainland This .

th eo ry is unt e nabl e I t is o nl y in c o mparativ e ly

.

r e c e n t tim e s wi th th e wid ening o f th e chasm b e

,

tw e e n th e p e ninsula and th e mainland tha t a ,

divi s i o n o f any imp o rtanc e can b e n o tic e d ; and it

i s saf e t o assum e that th e r e was n e v e r m o r e th an
o e castl e at Tintag e l
n T h e r e nt in th e r o cks wa s
.

spann e d by a hug e bridg e as th e cr e n e llat e d wall s ,

n o w r e aching t o t h e e dg e o e ith e r sid e and in a n

dir e ct lin e with e ach o th e r plainly att e st T e ra .

byl in wh ich th e D uk e e ntr e nch e d hi m s e lf wh e n

,

Uth e r P e ndrag o n br o ught h i h o sts again s t h im s ,

was e vid e ntly furth e r inland than Tintag e l and ,

th e lat t e r di s tinctly av o w e d to b e te mil e s “

, n

h e nc e wa s s e l e ct e d as th e r e fug e fo r Igrain e
, .

Uth e r m arching s o uthward fr o m Ca m e l o t

, ,

r e ach e d T e r b yl fi rst and laid s i e g e to it ; to r e ach

a

Igrain e at Tintag e l h e had still to rid e s o m e d i s

tanc e . T h e Duk e o f T i ta g il e spi e d h o w t h e
“
n

king r o d e fr o m th e s i e g e o f T e rra b il and th e r e , ,

f o r e that n ight h e issu e d o t o f t h e ca s tl e at a

,
u

p o s t e r ne —(T e ra b y l w a s n o t e d fo r its m any “

issu e s and p a s te r e s o t n fo r to hav e d i s

u

tr e ss e d th e king s h o s t And s o thr o ug h his

’
.
,

ow n i s su e th e Duk e hi m s e lf was slain o r e v e r th e

,

king ca m e at th e ca s tl e o f T i t g il G e o ffr e y n a .
”

o f M o nm o uth calls T e ra b y l ca s t e llu m Di m ilioc ,

94 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
to avail th e m s lv e s o f all t h e advantag e s it
e

o ff e r e d B ut wh e n we fi r s t r ad f Tin tag e l
. e o

Ca s tl e apart fr o m th e r o m anc e s we fi nd i t in th e
o ccupati o n o f Engli s h princ e s n o tably o f Richard , ,

Earl f C o rnwall o th e rwi s e kn o wn as th e King o f

o ,

t h e R o m an s wh o in 1 4 5 g av e n o bl e e nt e rtain
,
2

m e nt t o h i s n e ph e w Princ e o f Wal e s th e n carry

, ,

ing o a d e sp e rat e war fo r fr e e d o m against th e

n

Engli s h king T h e u s e o f Tintag e l a s a pri s o n

.

fr m which e scap e was al m o st i m p o s s ibl e wa s

o

r e c o gni s e d fr o m e arly ti m e s until th e r e ign o f

Eli ab e th a t which e ra it b e gan t o fall int o d e cay ;
z ,

and it w a s within th e l o n e li e st and m o s t e xp o s e d

p o rti o n o f th e i s land that J o hn N o rtha m pt o n ,

L o rd May o r o f L o nd o n wh o had abu s e d h i s ,

o fli c e wa s i m m ur d f r lif e by
,
e rd e r f Richard
o o o

I I A s culptur e d m o o r s t o n e
. w m os s cove re d ,
no -

and ill e gibl e c o m m o nly call e d th e altar s to n e o f

,
-

King Arthur s Chap e l i s b li e v d in r e ality to b e

’

,
e e

a m o nu m e n t o f J o hn N o rtha m pt o n s o w carving ’
n ,

wr o ught to pa s s away th e dr e ary day s i n h i s

dung e o n and n o w m arking th e plac e f h i s t o m b

,
o .

What i s kn o wn as King Arthur s Chap e l i s a ’

s paci o us c ha m b e r fi fty f o ur f e e t l o n g and tw e lv e

-

f e e t wid e th e o utlin e o f wh ich i bar e ly trac abl e I t

,
s e .

i s s upp o s e d t hav e b e e n d e dicat e d to S aint Ulian e

o .

I n L e l a nd s ti m e Tintag e l Ca s tl e wa s s o re
’ “
 Of T i n ta g e l 95

w e th r b e t e n an y ruin e and wh e th e r it wa
e -
n ,
s

e v e r t h e str o ngh o ld o f Arthur hist o ry d o e s ot n

d e t e r m in e T h e na m e wa s f o r m e rly D d g il un a ,

m e aning th e i m pr e g nabl e f rtr e s s and G e o f o ,

fr y f M n m o uth did t e xag g e rat e wh e n h e

e o o no

wr o t e f it : I t i s s ituat e d up o n t h e s e a and o
o ,
n

e v e ry s id e surr o und e d by it and th e r e i but o e ,

s n

e ntranc e int o it and that thr o u g h a s traight r o ck

, ,

which th r e e m e s hall b e abl e t d e f e nd against

n o

th e wh o l e o f th e kingd o m L e land l e s s int e r .

”
,

e s te d in t h e m att e r t es tifi e d that th e cast e ll e

,

hath b e n e a m a rv l s str o ng and n o tabl e fo rt re s

e u e ,

and a larg e th i g e n With o ut th e i s l e re n ith

. n

a l o ly a gat e h o us e
n -
a wall e and a fal s bray e
, ,

d yg e d and wall e d I thi isl e re m a yn e o l d

. n s

wall es and in th e e s t part o f th e s a m e th e g r o und

, ,

b y i g l o w e r re m y ith
e n ,
wall e e m b a t le d and
a n . a e ,

me n a b y v e s a w th e rey a p o s t e rn d o r e o f y re
n n.

T h e chr o nicl e r and antiquary Car e w s uppli e s

furth e r e vid e nc e o f th e s tr e n g th o f th e s tructur e .

h e s ay s wh e r with th e s t o n e s
”
T h e cy m e t n , , e

w e re laid r e s ist e th th e fr e tting fu ri e o f th e

,

w e ath e r b tt e r than th e st o n e s th e ms e lv e s
e a ,

fact which i s s tr n g l y c o m m e nt e d o al o by
o n s

N rd e n wh o th o u g ht that n e ith e r ti m e o r f o rc
o , n e

o f hand s c o uld s e v e r o e fr o m t h e th r Half ”

n o e .

th e building s c o n tinu es Car e w w e r e rai s e d

”
, ,
9 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th ur
on c o ntin e nt (
th e th e m ainland ) and th e o th e r

halfe o an i s land c o ntinu e d t og e th e r by a draw

n ,

bridg e but o w div o rc e d b y th e d o w f l e s te e pe

,
n n a n

c liff e s o th e furth e r s id e
n Th e r is a c o n s e nsu s . e

o f o pini n a s t o thi s drawbridg e

o Ca m d e n and ,

o th e r trustw o rthy hi s t o rian s all c o nfi r m ing th e

r e p o rt as to its e xi s t e nc e and thi s furth e r pr o v e s ,

that th e r e w e r e o t two ca s tl e s at Tin tag e l * n .

T h e gi g an t ic i m pr e s s i o n o f a f o o t i s p o int e d o t u

to cr e dul o u s pilgri m s ; it i s th e print l e ft by King

Arthur s f o t wh e n h e str o d e acr o s s th e chas m

’
o

backward s Thi s i s a s m uch to b e r e li e d up o n

.

a s t h e fact that t h e ba in s w o rn by th e wind s s

and wav e s in th e r o cks w e r e King Arthur s cup ’

s

and sauc e r s an d that a di y dip o f th e h e ights

,
zz

o ve r t h e s e a c o n s titu te d h i s chair I t is s r
'

. u

It is d i ffi cu lt to u n de rt s a nd h ow a writ r li k e e th e
lt
a e Mrs . C r ik
a co u ld v r e e ha v f ll
e a en in t th i rr r
o s e o . In
h e r Un s e n ti m e n ta l J o u rn e y th ro u g h C o rn wa ll sh e ma k es

e v r y ff rt t p r v th t
e e o o l dwo e a th e b i ld i
u n
g on th e m a i n an as

th e tl f T b yl d h i i t th t th r w r ( d
ca s e o e ra , an s e ns s s a e e e e an

a re) tw tl t T i t g l
o ca s O i t i th
es a d th n a e . ne s s n e sea , an e

oth r i p th pp it h igh t f th m i l d with

e s u on e o os e e s o e a n an ,

co mm i ti by
u n ca r w w y Thi
on m t a na ro ca u se a . s see s o

con fi r m th l g d h w I g i h b d h t h i m l f d
e e en , o ra n e s
’
us an s u se an

h i wi f i t w
s tl h b i g l i i th
e n o ca sd h es , e e n s a n n e one , an s e

m rri d t th v i t r i k i g Ut h r i t h t h r I t i ”
a e o e c o ou s n e n e o e . s

obv i th t th writ r f th l i w
ou s a eq i t d e o es e n es as u nac ua n e

with M l ry a o .
 O f T i n ta g e l 97
prising that th e i m m e ns e and a we in s p rin g -
i

cav e rn s hav e e s cap e d th e fat e o f b e in g call e d

King A rthur s drinking b o wl s Y e t all th e s e c o
’
-
. n

c e i t s hav e th e ir valu e a s pr o o f o f t h e d e e p r o t e d -
o

b e li e f in th e king s m ight a s a m O a rc h and h is

’
n

s tup e nd o us s t atur a s a man T h e h e r o i s rapidly

e .

pas s ing in to th e m yth wh e n uch attribut e s re s a

a s crib e d to h i m .

Tintag e l m ust hav e b e e n e v n m o r i m pr e s s iv e e e

a s c e n e a fe w c e nturi s g than it is to day e a o -

d e spit e i ts wild s ubli m ity in ruin O n e m o r e wit .

n e s s f o l d ti m e m a y b e call d f o rth to g iv e h i
o e s

e vid e nc e o f what it w a s b e f o r t h e wall s had b e e n

e

s o buff e t e d and br o ught s o l o w .

“
A s ta te ly e and i m pr eg nabl e s e at e i s N o r ,

d e n s t e sti m o ny
’
o w r e nt and rugg e d by f o rc
,
n e

o f tim e and t e m p e s t s ; h r ruin e s tes t ifye h e r

e

pristin e w orth th e vi e w wh e r e o f and d e o h

, , u

s e rvati o n o f h e r s ituati o n shap e and c o nditi o n

, ,

in all part e s m a y m o v e c o m m is e rati o n that such

,

a s ta te lye pil e s h o uld p e rish fo r want o f h o n o ur

abl e pr e s nc e Natur e hath fo rtifi e d and art d y d
e .
,

o nc e b e a ti fi e it
u in s uch s o rt a s it l e av e th unt o
, e

thi s a g e w o nd e r and i m itati o n Tin tag e l i s to b e

.

visit e d rath e r than d e scrib e d th o ugh o u r m o s t ,

luxuriant p oe ts hav e paint e d it with lavi s h rich

n e s s of w o rds and artists hav e d e pic te d s o m e o f
,

7
 9 8 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
its na tural b e auti e s in th e m o s t radian t o f c o l o urs .

F r o m m any a r o cky v e r g e can b e s ee n th e dark

r e mnant s o f Ar thur s f o r tr e ss inacc e ssibl e o n all
’
,

s id e s but o e ; fr o m th e d e e p bas e th e oc e an
n

s pr e ad s o u t with o ut b o und surging and b o iling ,

and casting up st e am lik e f o untain s o f hi s s ing

-

f o a m O nly a fe w arch e s and rud e flight s o f

.

st e ps s ur m o unt e d by a frail l o o kin g w o o d e n

,
-

d o o r o w r e m ain with s o m e fall e n walls which

,
n ,

i m p e rf e ctly o utlin e t h e s hap e o f what w e r e o nc e

s paci o u s r o yal chamb e rs O n a carp e t o f turf .

wand e r th e s m all m o untain sh e e p and pick th e ir ,

way ab o ut th e narr o w pr e cipit o u s path s which

wind ar o und th e j agg e d s id e s o f th e cli ffs T h e .

f o rtificati o n s a re in ruin and th e battl e m e nt e d ,

wall s which e nc o mpass e d th e ma s s iv e s t e e ps a re

n o w n o thing but di s c o nn e c te d strips o v e r wh ich

th e curi o us trav e ll e r l o o k s int o t h e a ngry wat e r s

grinding and r egurgitating far b e l o w T h e n o bl e .

bridg e which o nc e s tr e tch e d acr o s s th e yawning

chasm dividing th e two pr o m o nt o ri e s must al o n e
b e i m agin e d th o ugh i ts b e g innings o e ach s id
, n e

m y b e trac e d by th e lin e o f l o w st o n e arch e s

a

r e aching and s to pping abruptly a t th e e dg e

, ,
.

T h e hill s that fi r s t s ee bar e d th e m o rning s

“ ’

br e a s t th e h e ight s th e sun last y e arns to

,
” “

fr o m th e w e s t as Swinburn e has sung a re

,
”
,
 1 00 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
which b e ats i ts way upward and da s h e s h e adl o ng
o v e r th e barri e rs o f w o o d and st o n e ; and t h gr e at e

s m o k e c o l o ur e d wav e s b ey o nd r e ar th e m s e lv e s
-

h e avily t o ppl e and cra s h d o wn int o th e aby s s

, ,

with thund e r o us r o arin g O n th e y c o m e n e ar r

.
,
e

and n e ar e r l o ud e r and l o ud e r th s e hard ri s in g

, ,
o , ,

cli m bing di s s o lving b o di e s o f incalculabl

,
e

s tr e ngth da s hing th e ms e lv e s furi o usly o v e r e v e ry

,

o bstacl e s w e e ping with a hi s s acr o s s t h e tract s

,

o f s and ,
and o blit e rating th e tall r o ck s which can
b e t o il s o m e ly cli m b e d wh e n th e wat e r s r e tr at e .

B e n e ath thi s raging batt e ring s e a li e s a fabl e d

,

d om ain with all i ts fai r citi e s and t o w e r s and ,

e v e ry watch e r o f th o s e stup e nd o us m e rcil e s s bil

,

l o ws can r e ali s e th e i r p o te ntiality to t e ar away th e

land and drag i t in to th e uns ee n d e e p s St o rm .

a t Tin t ag e l o r T re b a rwi th i s b o t h r e v e lati o n and

c o nvic ti o n : it i s a mani fe s tati o n o f r e m o r s e l e ss

n e s s a sugg e s ti o n o f irr e parabl e ruin d e s o lati o n
, , ,

and l o s s Easy ind e e d i s it to i m a g in e that th e

.

tr e ach e r o us and cru e l wav e s driving rapaci o usly

landward hav e alr e ady had th e ir vict o ry and a re
s avag e ly s e e king t o e xt e nd th e ir c o nqu e st and ,

that h e r e ab o u t l ie th e s a d s e a s o unding wa s t e s
“
-

o f Ly o nn e s s e .

N o o e has d e s crib e d thi s wildly b e autiful s e a

n

with gr e at e r charm and r e ali s m than Swinburn e ,

 O f T i n ta g e l I o1

wh o has watch ed it in all m o o ds s ee n it in th e ,

blu e n e s s f cal m s e e n i t striv e and s hiv e r lik e

o ,

S pr e ad wings o f ang e ls bl o wn by th e sun s ’

br e ath s een
,
”
i t wh e n th e glad e xhilarat e d
'

s wimm e r f e e l s

h rp w t mi t ki ’
Th e s a s ee nu e s ss

G i v f t h w v l i p f r b r th p
en o e a rl d’
e s , o a ea
’
s s a ce cu e

A d p r d ytim f th w rl d
”
n t th
u e as a e a e o e o ,

-
n it again wh e n th e e a s t wind m ad e th e
s ee

wat e r thrill and th e s o ft light w e nt o u t o f all its

,

fac e and th e gr e e n hard e n e d int o ir o n blu e A

,
.

walk fr o m Ca m e lf o rd to Tintag e l pas s ing T re ,

b a rwi th and o fr o m Tintag e l to B o sca s tl e

,
n ,

pa s s ing B o s s in e y and many a s m all e r c ov e o th e n

way r ev e al s th e m o st w o nd e rful and alluring o f

,

all chang e ful s ea pictur e s and display s m o s t -

vividly th e m arv e l and magic o f th e rug g e d c o a s t .

T h e to w e ring r o cks hav e b e e n wr o ugh t by t im e

and carv e d by wind and wav e int o g r o te s qu e
i m ag e s br o k e n at th e ba s int o unl e s s cav e s
, e s ,

w o rn at th e h e ight s int o s harp and gl e a m ing

pinnacl e s fr e tt e d and cut r o und e d and crack e d
, , ,

s und e r e d and a s t d o wn th e m a s s iv e bl o ck m ad
c , s e

v e ritably th e sp o rt o f th e e l e m e nt s s that th e ,
o

b e h o ld e r may e asily b e li ev e hi m s e lf in th e r e al m
of e nchantm e nt All t h e s o undin g sh o r e s o f
Bud e and B o s s a re l eg e nd—
.

haunt e d T h e m ari n e r .
1 02 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
h e ars th e chi m e and toll o f th e l o s t b e lls o f B ot
.

t r e aux wh e n h e c o me s within sight o f th e sil e n t

t ow e r which stands whit e and gri m up o n th e
,
”

h e adland T h e wail o f lur e d v o yag e rs and th e

.

d e spairing lam e nt o f th e s mu ggl e r s wh o br o ught

th e m wi th fals e light s to th eir d o o m a re li s t e n e d
t o i n a we o n s t o r m y nights and th e r e a re vi s i o n s
,

o f g o o d ship s tha t w e nt d o wn am o ng t h e r o ck s i n

t h e tra g ic d e s p e rat e day s o f which s o m any ~

g has t ly tal e s a re t old T h e last o f t h e C o rnish

.

wr e ck e r s fo r wh om wh e n h e lay dying a ship

, , ,

with red s ail s ca m e in a tr e m e nd o u s s e a and b o r e

h im shri e king away l o o m s a s an appariti o n o
,
n

th e dark e st night s and th e cri e s o f to rm ent e d

,

spirit s m ingl e with th e blas t M e rlin with flo w .

,

ing b e ard i s said to pac e th e sh o r e and Arthur

, ,

and h is knights to r e vi s it th e sc e n e s o f th e i r e x

p l o i ts . T h e spirit o f t h e king h o v e rs ab o u t s e a
and land in th e f o rm o f th e al m o s t s acr e d ch o ugh ,

r e v e r e nc e d and pr e s e rv e d by th e inhabitants that

th ey m a y o t unwittingly inj ur e th e ir h e r o
n .

F ur th e r n o rth at B ud e Hav e n th e l o ng Atlantic

br e ak e r s r o ll and p e rhaps th e r e i s o m o r e i m
, n

p o sing s p e ctacl e than th e c o il o f wav e s c o m ing

in up o n th e far e xt e nding and r o ck s tr e wn sands
- -
.

T h e undula t i o ns mil e s l o ng s e e m to ris e and curl

, ,

far ou t a t s ea a t sh o r t r e gular di s tanc e s fr o m e ach

-
 O f T i n ta g e l 10
3

o th e r and ma s s up o n m a s s th e y br e ak with
,

thun d r s o und and cataract up o n th e s h o r e T h e

e - .

m o s t brilliant o f s un s e t s g l o w in th e p e rf ect s u m
m er w ath e r wh n day d ie s S l o wly o v e r th e e
e e s

“
far r o lling w e s tward s m iling s e a s
-

,
-
and th ey ,

l e ave th e night still radiant T h e wh o l e land is .

s w e e t and bright with fl o w e r s : o o e s id e li e s n n

t h e g litt e ring s urf lacing its e lf in whit fo a m e

ab ut th e b o uld e r s and o th e o th e r s id e ris e s th e

o ,
n

circl e o f hills t o pp e d by th e m a s s y br o wn su m m i ts
o f Ro w T o r and B r o wn Willy S o m e ti m s th e. e

d e s e rt e d quarri e s giv e a s p e ctral l o o k to th e land

s ap e
c a d wh e n th e rain s patt e r
,
n and dark e n s s

th e pil e s o f r o ugh s lat e th e asp e ct i s w e ird and

g l o o m y ind e e d But gi ve
. n a day o f sun s hin e

wh e n th e s e a is a s parkling e m e rald o r th e d e e p
es t o f blu e s wh e n th e sky i s cl e ar r o nly s o ft e n e d
, o

with diaphan o us rin g s o f cirru s cl o ud wh e n th -

, e

m o s s glist e n s o th e r o ck s and th e e xpans e o f

n

m e ad o wland i s a vivid carp e t o f gr e e n wh e n th e ,

winding hilly lan e s flank e d by tall h e dg e s a re

whit e and s had o wl e s s and th e littl e tinkling ,

runl e t s a re s ilv e r gl e am s and th e n thi s tract o f,

Art h ur s Co rnwall i s al m o st th e land o f fa e ri e

’

which p oe ts hav e sun g .

What m o r e fitting than that th e g rav e o f Tri s

t ra m and I s e ul t sh o uld hav e b ee n at Tin ta g e l ,
1 04 T h e L o st Lan d o f K i n g A r th u r
wh e r e th e s ea th ey l o v e d cam e with its str o ng
and awful tid e s and o w ,
n

Sw p b v th ir ffi d b
ee s a o e e co ne o ne s

I thn wr k d h h l by th h iv r d h r i
e ec e c a ce e s e e s ne

The d eep guard s th e m and e ngirds th e m and

s ea ,

n o m a n s hall say wh e r e th e l o v e rs l i e in th e ir last

S l ee p King Mark buri ed th e two in o n e grav e

.
,

and plant e d o v e r it a r o s e bush and vi n e th e -

branch e s o f which s o int e r m ingl e d that th ey b e

ca m e in s e parabl e Arn o ld Swinburn e and T e
.
, ,
n

n
ys o
n hav e b e s t t o ld th e wh o l e s to ry in o u r lan
g ua g e in m o d e rn tim e s But it i s n o sligh t ta s k
.

t o trac e t h e lit e rary hist o ry and d e v e l o p m e nt o f

t h e b e autiful th e m e A G e r m an minn e ang e r f

. s o

t h e t w lfth c e ntury
e Go t fri t o f Stra s burg i s t h e
, ,

fi r s t to wh om th e r o manc e is ascrib e d th o ugh ,

Sc o tt and o th e rs hav e clai m e d fo r Th o mas o f

E rc il d o u n e ( Th o m a s t h e Rhy m e r ) t h e b e st p oe tic
v e rsi o n o nly o e c o py o f which i s e xtant A
,
n .

thirt e e nth c e ntury m anu s cript which c o ntain s a

-

Fr e nch m e trical v e rsi o n o f th e r o m anc e has b ee n ,

n o t e d by L o ckhart as citing th e auth o rity o f

Th o m as t h e Rhym e r fo r th e s to ry o f Tri s tr a m
and I s e ult ; but Th o mas s v e r s i o n wa s t o tall y ’

di ff e r e n t fr o m th e pr o s e r o mance s Gr e at e ff o rt . s

hav e b ee n m ad e at o e tim e and an o th e r to pr o v e

n

t h e st o ry t o b e o f English F r e nch and G e rman , ,

 106 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
can be e asily c o mpr e h e nd e d by th o s e wh o have
s e n Tin ta g e l in st o r m
e th e wind r o aring th e s e a s
, ,

fla s hing whit e a blinding m i s t o f rain b e twe e n

,

t h e h e avy s k y and t h e w e lt e ring wav e s The .

rag e o f th e e l e m e nts th e v e h e m e nc e o f th e war

,

ring tid e th e da s h and th e r e c o il at th e ca s tl e

,

bas e hav e o nly th e i r parall e l in th e hu m an pas s i o n

,

wh ich was to o stro ng fo r lif e i ts e lf to wi ths t and ,

wh e n d e s e rt e d I s e ul t saw be fo r e h e r th e c o rps e
o f h er love r Tristra m ill fa te d fr o m bi rth was
.
,
-

d o o m e d to d ie by tr e ach e ry He was w o und e d .

,

and l e arnt that h e c o uld o nly b e h e al e d by th e

m agic art o f th e w o m an h e l o v e d o f h e r wh o had ,

cur e d h im b ef o r e H e s e nt fo r I s e ult to cr o s s th e
.

s ea in o rd e r to s av e h i m and c o m m and e d th e
,

m e s s e ng e r to h o is t a whit e s ail if s h e c o ns e nt e d
and wa s o h e r way T h e whit e s ail wa s h o i s t e d
n .
,

but th e o th e r Is e ult th e faithful but n e gl e ct e d

,

wife c o uld o t r e sist saying what j e al o u s y

,
n

pr o mp te d — tha t th e s ail was black Si r Tris t ra m .

i m m e diat e ly e xpir e d Mal o ry s r o m anc e d e clar e s

.
’

t hat th e knigh t m e t his d e ath a t th e hand s o f King

'

Mark wh o S l e w h i m a s h e sat harping af o r e

,

h is lady La B e al e I s o u d with a tr e nchant glaiv e

, ,

fo r wh o s e d e ath was much b e wailing o f e v e ry

knight that e v e r w e r e in King Arthur s days ’
.
”

T h e li te rary hist o ry and t h e varia t i o ns o f th e

 O f T i n ta g el 10
7
e xtr e m e ly anci e n t and s upr em e ly s o rr o wful s to ry
can o nly b e ad e quat e ly tr e at e d in s uch a v o lu m e
as that o f M L o s s eth wh o h a s giv e n an acc o unt
.
,
.

f tw e nty f o ur m anu s cript s c o ntaining Tri s t ra m s

’
o -

hi s t ry o f s i w o rks in th e F r e nch Nati o nal

o ,
x

Library o f Mal o ry s v e r s i o n and o f o e I talian

,
’
,
n ,

t wo Dani s h ,and o e G e rman tran s lati o n o r

n

o riginal r e nd e ring S o m e hav e attribut e d th e

.

auth o r s hip to C o rm ac o f I r e land in th e third

c e ntur y ; th e r s b e li e v e t h e W e l h bards fi rst sang
o s

it ; th e Fr e nch claim e d it fo r th e i r trov ére s but '

,

hav e n ow admit te d i ts British o rigin Y e t it is .

r em arkabl e h ow Fr e nch C o rnish and I ri s h

“

, ,

hi s t o ri e s int e rmingl e in th e r o m anc e and h o w th e ,

m agic e l e m e nt o ccasi o na l ly e nt e r s s p o iling it as ,

hi t o ry but e nriching it as a l e g e nd T h e st o ry
s
-

i s o e o f such path o s tha t th e pr e d o minating i

n n

fl e c e o f t h e C e lt in s ugg e s ting and s haping it

u n

m ust instantly b e r e c o gni s e d But s o m an y hav e

.

w o rk e d o th e th e m e e arly and lat e —n o n e pe r

n ,

hap s with s uch s up e rb e ff e ct as Wagn e r —that th e

primitiv e c o nc e pti on is a p t to b e f o rg o tt e n o r
ign o r e d ; it h a s b e e n o v e rlaid with d e tails
g ath e r e d fr o m many land s and e m b e lli s h e d by
,

th e p oe tic fanci e s o f m any rac e s T h e st o ry h a s.

b ec o m e E ur op e an ; B e ro u l Chri s tian o f Tr oy e s
, ,

Th o m as o f Brittany Rob e rt th e n o rth e rn m o nk

, ,
108 T he L o st L an d o f K in g A r th u r

E ilh a rd of and th e o th e r e arly

O b e rg e , Go ttfri d
G e rman s th e Pr o v e n cal m in s tr e ls — all th e s e
,

hav e alt e r e d and add e d t o th e tal e o f t h e knight

wh o sl e w th e s e a m o n s te r t h e Mo rh ou t sav e d
-

, ,

t h e C o rni s h maid e n s fr o m s ha m e and d e ath was

,

w o und e d by a p o i s o n e d arr o w h e al e d by I s e ult ,

t h e B e autiful and b o th o f wh o m drinking o f a

, ,

m agic l o v e p o t i o n int e nd e d fo r I s e ult s d e stin e d

’
-

hu s band aft e rwards e xp e ri e nc e d all t h e j oys and

,

pangs o f an unhall o w e d l o v e which Dant e him s e lf

c o uld n ot r e frain fr o m c e l ebra t ing and c o nd o n
ing T h e st o ry ab o und s in my s tic symb o lism o r
.
, ,

rath e r that sy m b o lism has b e e n f o und in it ; and

,

t h e in e vitabl e Sun g o d m yth has b ee n p e rc e iv e d

-

in i ts d etails .

Tintag e l a pic tu re in th e wa te rs is at i ts b e s t
, ,

wh e n th e s ky b e c o m e s a r o s e ab o v e it and t h e ,

su n dipping int o a g o ld e n bath l e av e s a t rack

gl e a m ing lik e p e arl acr o ss th e sh o aling s e a T h e .

wav e s as th ey ri s e and fall mak e e m e rald and .

purpl e lin e s in m o m e nts o f magic chang e and ,

th e ir cr e s t s o f f o am sparkl e j e w e l — lik e with a

th o usand instantan e o us li gh ts Th e n all th e .

rippling gr e e n gr o ws r o yal g o ld as th e s u lik e n ,

a spl e ndid bubbl e fl o a ts o n th e wat e r s e dg e

,
’
.

R o und th e p o in te d br o wn r o cks a re fring e s o f

whit e f o am e v e r wid e ning and c o ntracting ; t h e
 1 10 The L o st L a n d o f K in g A r t h ur

We w o uld fain hav e th e s t o ry e n d a s it b e gan , ,

with Arthu r and Guin e v e r e King Mark Mag e , ,

M e rlin and Tristra m and I s e ult Ev e ry r o ll o f

,
.

t h e br e ak e r s is a v o ic e fr o m t h e past and e v e ry ,

crumbling cha m b e r a chapt e r in that hi s t o ry

which o nly th e tru e p o e t tran s crib e s Y e t e v e n .

whil e s uch th o u g hts a re f o rcing th e m s e lv e s up o n

t h e m ind o f t h e b e h o ld e r o f a typical Augu s t s u n

s e t o v e r Tintag e l t h e e n d o f th e day will b e n e ar

, .

T h e a rc o f t h e s u n blaz e s up o n th e s e a lin e an -

e dg e o f fi e ry car m in e and a fle ecy train o f ci rru s

,

cl o ud cri m s o n s with t h e la s t ray s S l o wly and .

y e t p e rc e ptibly th e ligh t di e s away and l e av e s t h e

h e aving s e a m ystically du s k and th e w o rld full
o f s had o w s Darkn e ss l o o m s o v e r Tintag e l T h e
. .

o v e rhanging crag s l o o k a s if th e y m ight crack ,

br e ak o ff and thund e r d o wn int o th e o p e n

,

m o uth e d s ea b e l o w T h e black ch o ugh wh e e ls

.

ab o ut th e ruin s — th e S pirit o f Arthu r say th e ,

p e o pl e r e visiting th e s c e n e o f h is gl o ry
,
.

Arcturu s th e star o f Arthu r gli s t e n s in th e blu e

, ,

s ky right o v e r t h e castl e h e ight and Arthur s ’

Harp s hap e s it s e lf m o r e dimly furth e r e ast— fo r

th e c o n s t e lla t i o ns th e m s e lv e s w e r e na m e d aft e r th e

pui ssant king T h e tid e is a t its h e igh t and has

.

fl oo d e d t h e littl e s t o ny b e ach to which a s t e e p

pa th l e ads ; th e cav e s a re full ; o n th e h o riz o n th e
1 12 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
vall e ys cl o s e d in by th e shad o wy hills and t h e ,

crags dash e d by th e t umultu o us s e a Y ou may .

wand e r at will fo r mil e s in any dir e cti o n still

k ee ping in sigh t th e sturdy grani te chu rch s tand
ing e xp o s e d o n th e high e st bit o f th e c o as t ; y o u
will h e ar n o s o und b u t th e whimp e ring cry o f th e
gull s ; and yo u will b e fr ee t o r e c o nstruct h e r e in
imagina ti o n th e vanish e d r e alm o f King Art hur ,

whil e th e w o rd s o f th e o ld pri e st J o s e ph I s c a ru s ,

o f Ex e t e r ring in y o ur e ars
,

Fr m th i b l t p l i mm rt l A rth r p r g
o s es a ce o a u s un

Wh w d r d d h l l b f v r g
os e on ou s ee s s a e or e e su n ,

Sw t m
ee i t th
us c r
o w t h y t th t g
e ea ,
s ee on e o e on ue.

The on l y p ri th t h r th j t ppl
n ce a ea s e us a a u s e,

G r t t th t
e a es ah ll b
’
e er s d b t th t v r w
a e, an es a e e as.
 C HAPTE R V
O F CA E R L E O N U O N US K -
P -

C rlae w t p i
eo n , no s e n with t t ly ty l s a e s e,

N f b l ph r
o ee m y e a se a se rv th f rth ;
e to se t ee o

Thy f m tw w
a ou s o n as p k f m y myl
s o e o an a e,

T h h t b gr th gh w b litt l w rth
ou as ee n ea t, ou no u t e o

T hy b l b d h th
no h b y
e d th m
ou nll s a re a c t e on e a ,

I th h th b K i g A rth r g ld h ll
n ee a ee n n u
’
s o en a ,

I thn h wi ee d w rth i
t d id r p
e —OId P
se a n o es e os e . o e t.

S low t th m m r
se s e su e su n ,

S l w f l l th m i t
o a d e l i g d p th
s s,flwr an ,
c os n , roo e o e s,

F i t i t h g l m i g d i th v p r b l l
a n n e oa n es e es e e ,

A d dr ml
n d l p
ea an d g ld C d
s eel — L y tt s ro u n o en a r ue . on .

Wh A rth r fi r t i
en rt b g
u s n c ou e an,

A d w
n pp r v ed K i g
as a o n ,

By f r f r m gr t i t y w
o ce o a es ea v c o re s a nne ,

A d
n qcon t h m d i
u esd b r i g
— P y R li q
o e n .
”
e rc e u es .

“
O LD Ca e rl e o n up o n U s k is th e e nchant e d
- -
‘

capital o f th e kin g d o m call e d R o m an e I t c . s

d o m e s f fr e t t e d g o ld its c o untl e ss pinnacl e s it s

o , ,

s e v e nty church e s i ts g o rg e o u s palac e and i ts

, ,

g iant t o w e r
F r m wh h igh r t th y y
o os e c es , e sa ,

M w th g d l y h i ll
en sa f S m r t e oo s o o e se ,

A d wh i t
n i l fly i g th y ll w
e sa s n on e e o s ea ,

1 13
 1 14 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
by th e w o nd e r w o rking a rt o f p oe ts and o ld tim e
- -

chr o nicl e r s hav e a r e ality fo r u s to day th o ugh -

th e y may n ev e r hav e b e e n vi s ibl e But th e city .

o f t h e H e r o King i s a city s e e n thr o ugh a v e il

-
.

T h e glitt e ring s pir e s s h o w thr o ugh t h e m i s t s o f

ti m e ; in a half s had o w we di s c e rn th e l o fty
-

turr e t s and m ark th e lanc e o lat e wind ow s with

,

th e i r s hining diam o nd pan e s ; a dr e a m y bright

-

n e s s r e v e al s th e gild e d r oo f s and th e magic ca e “

s

m e nt s wh e r e Guin e v e r e and h e r m aid e ns s t oo d

and watch e d th e t o urn eying knight s and glanc e d ,

th e i r l o v e s and h o p e s up o n t h e c o m batants T h e .

na m e f Arthu r c o nj ur e s up t h e c e n e and fancy

o s ,

r e l e a s e s th e city fr o m i ts s p e ll o f s lumb e r and ruin

.

and fa s hi o n s it again in s pl e nd o u r I t is s aid .

that thi city o f L e gi o n s wa s o nc e th e rival o f

s

R o m e in grand e ur Wh e n th e all c o nqu e ring

.
-

king had subdu e d thirty kingd o m h e c o uld find s,

n o m o r e s uitabl e plac e than Ca e rl e o n fo r h o ld

ing a m agnific e nt c o urt to plac e t h e cr o wn up o n

his h e ad and to invit e th e king s and duk e s und e r
,

his subj e c ti o n to th e c e r e m o ny Wh e n h e had

.

c o mmunicat e d his d e s ign s to t h e familia r fri e nds ,

h e pitch e d up o n Ca e rl eo n as a pr o p e r plac e fo r h i s
purp o s e ; fo r b e s id e s its gr e at w e a lth ab o v e th e
,

o th e r citi e s, its situati o n was m o s t pl e a s ant and

fit f r s
o o gr e at a s o l e m nity Fo r o n o n e s id e it
.
1 1 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
in th e i r t e n s o f th o usands mad e a ll im a g in a b le '

d e m o nstrati o ns o f j oy Th e n tran s p o rting m u ic

.
”
s

wa s play e d b th in t h e chur h e and t h e s tr e e t s

,
o c s

all day and wa s s o b e autiful that t h e kni g ht s

,

kn e w n ot which o f th e m any o rc h es t ra s to pr e fe r .

Aft e r th e s e rvic e t h e king an d qu ee n r e tir e d t o

th e i r s e parat e palac e s fo r th e B rit o n s still ob ,

“

s e rv e d th e anci e n t cust o m o f Tr y by which m e o ,

n

and w o m e n u s e d to c e l ebrat e th e i r f e stival s apar t .

”

O n e th o usand y o ung n o bl e m e n c l o th e d in r m in e e ,

s e rv e d th e banqu e t at th e king 5 tabl e ; and i n t h e

qu e e n s palac e innu m e rabl e e rvit r dr
’
d with s o s ,
es se

a vari e ty o f o rna m e nt s p e rf o r m e d th e ir ffi c e s ,
o .

T h e knigh ts in b e st appar e l w e r e i n full a t t e nd

, ,

anc e an d th e ladi e s c e l e brat e d fo r th e ir wit e

, , ,
n

c o u ra g e d th e m in th e i r t o u rn e ys N o man s ay s .
,

G e o ffre y was w o rthy o f a w o m an s l o v e until h

,
’
e

had giv e n pr o o f o f h i s val o ur in three s e para te

battl e s ; thu s wa s th e val o u r o f t h e m e an
“
n

e nc o u rag e m e nt fo r t h e w o m e n s cha s tity and th e ’

,

l o v e o f th e w o m e n a spu r to th e s o ldi e r s brav e ry ’

.
”

T h e vict o r s in th e j o u s t s at Ca e rl eo n that day

w e r e r e ward e d by Arthur in p e r s o n and th e ,

capital wa s a blaz e o f s pl e nd o ur and a sc e n e o f

un e quall e d e xpl o it s *
.

S il h t r
c r igi lly C lti f rtr
es e , o na d i t y f th
a e c o es s , an a c o e

i
s ze o f L d i onl r p rt d t h v b th
on , s a so e f
o e o a e een e s ce n e o
 Of C rl ae eon -
up on -

Us k 1 1
7
We furth e r pictur e s f Ca e rl eo n fr o m o th e r
g et o

o f th e e arly hi s t rians Gi ra ld s C a m b ri e s i s e
o . u n t

c o rd e d in th e tw e lfth c e ntury that at c ae rl e o n

m igh t b e s ee n m any v e s tig e s o f i ts f o r m e r gl o ry ,
“
i m m e ns e palac es o rnam e nt e d with gild e d r oo fs ,

in imitati o n o f R o m an m agnific e nc e a t ow e r o f ,

pr o digi o u s siz e and r e lics o f t e mpl e s Thr e e

, .

c e nturi e s b e f o r e C aesar s invasi o n B e lin Mawr ’

laid th e ci ty s f o undati o ns ; and in th e sixth

’

c e ntury
C ym i dr g f r m th R m h l d
’ ’
r s a on , o e o an s o ,

S p r d with lm wi g d m f g ld
’ ’
ea C d l ca n o er ar ue s o es o o .

I n th Mabin o gi o n we als o g e t a casual

e

g li m p s e o f King Arthur s r o yal stat e at Ca e rl e o n

’

Arthur wa s a c cu s t o m e d to h o ld his c o urt at

Ar h r t u
’
s r
c o on a ti on at th e a ge of fift by ee n Du b ri ti u s .

M od e nr x v t i h v p r v d th
e ca a on s a e o e e i mp rt o a n ce o f th e ci ty
as a
gr t eatr f l i f d i d try
ce n e o B r it i h e an n us ,
i n Ro m a n a nd s

tim es, with i t F r m B i li d r w

s f h p
o u d , as ca , an o s o s o s an

Att b t m w r r l ly A rth r
’
h o u se s
; d if h C ll an t e a e va re a u e e ea u s

r w i g pl
c o n n it fit d w rth f
a ce , imp i g
s n es s an o or s o os n an

e v t en t b d i p t d A lth gh S i l h t r i t d ir tl y
ca n n o e s u e . ou c es e s no ec

r f rr d i h R m
e e e to A rth r H m p h ir
n t e o a n ces , u
’
s a s e c on n e c

ti on s m r
a re n u T h y tr i W i h t r wh r h i
e ou s . e c en e n nc es e ,
e e s

pr d e r d f t r f th r A m b r i A r l i
e ces s o an os e di d i -
a e , os u s u e anu s , e n

h y r 5 8
t e ea I t w t S i l h t r l th t h h i f m
0 . as a c es e a so a t e c e en

o f th p r vi
e m t f t r Ut h r P d r g
o n ce s d th e d a e e en a on s
’
ea an

p t iti d D b i i A r h b i h p f C rl
e on e u r t u s, rt c s o o ae eon , to c on s e c a e

A rth r th u r t th d d k i g
e su c c e s so o e ea n .
 1 1 8 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
Ca e rl o n up n U k And th e r h e h e ld it s e v e n
e -
o -
s . e

E ast e r s and fi ve Chri s tma e s And o nc e up o n a s .

ti m e h e h e ld h i s c o urt th e r e at Whit s untid e Fo r .

Ca e rl e o n was th plac e m o s t e a s y f a c ce s s in
e o

h i s d o mini o n s b o th by s e a and land

,
And th e r e .

w e r e as s e mbl e d nin e cr o wn e d kings wh o w e r e ,

his tributari e s and lik e wi s e e arl s and bar o n s

,
.

Fo r th e y w e r e h i s invi te d gu e s t s at all th e high

f e stival s unl e s s th e y w e r e pr e v e nt e d by any gr e at
,

hindranc e And wh e n h e wa s at Ca e rl e o n h o ld
.

ing h is c o urt thirt e e n church e s w e r e s e t apart

,

fo r m a s s B u t th e s c e n e at th e c o r nati o n o f
”
. o

Arthur was n e v e r e xc e ll e d ; and if G e o ffr ey o f

M o n m o uth c o uld b e b e li e v e d s u h a n bl e s , c o a

s e m b ly such a display o f magnific e nc e such p ro

, ,

d i g a l i ty o f sp o rt and h o s pitality w e r e n e v e r b e f o r e
o r aft e rward s e e n in Bri tain ; and th e hist o rian
add s that at that ti m e King Arthur s c o untry had ’

arriv e d a t s uch a pi tch o f grand e ur that in ,

abundanc e f rich e s luxury o rnam e nts and

o , , ,

p o lit e n e s s o f inhabitan ts it far surpass e d all o th e r

c o untri e s .

But what i s Ca e rl e o n o w ? Lat e n an August n o

aft e rn oo n wh e n t h e s ky was strick e n with th e

,

fi r s t s had o wy pall o r o f e v e ning a whi t e sandy , , ,

d e s e rt e d lan e l e d m e past a fe w scatt e r e d h o u s e s

and a small church to th e riv e rsid e T h e tid e wa s .
12 0 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
and gre at e r c o nqu e st s T h e W e l s h bards hav e .

s ung h o w

H fi r t rd i d t h
e ir l d b
s rd
o a ne e c c e oa

Th e k igh t wh m rti l d d f f m d th t T b l
n s os e a a ee s ar -
a e a a e

Rou n d ,

Wh i h tr t i th ir l v wh i h m t i r m r w
c u es n e o es , c os n a s e no n ed ,

Th e l w wh i h l g p h ld th t O rd r th y r p rt
a s c on u e a e , e e o :

Th P t
e t p p d C rl i h C t
e n eco s s re ar
’
a t ae eon n er ou r ,

T h t T bl i t t ’
a a e s a n c en sea .

Whil e we wand e r ab o ut th e gr e e n hill o ck s

which c o m p o s e that my s t e ri o us circl e o u r m ind s
can f e e l t h e i nspirati o n f th e s c e n e and sp o rt o

with t h e phant o m s o f th e unr e al w o rld I t i s o n .

s uch o cca s i o n s that we f e e l t h e t o uch o f o th e r

ti m e s and s e e m to h e ar th e e ch o o f v o ice s still e d .

T h e flam e o f r o manc e kindl e s a th o usand imag e s ;

half th e pr e s e nt fad e s away and in i ts plac e a p ,

p e ar s what h a s vani s h e d o r has n e v e r b ee n T h e

,
.

l o ng pr o c e ssi o n o f t h e d e ad tr o o ps by and th e ,

t al e o f byg o n e days is r e call e d H e r e o nc e w e re .

, ,

th e s o und s o f tu m ult ; t h e king s pavili o n was

’

set , and th e t o urn ey wa s le t cry Th e n w e r e “

.

h e ard th e clatt e r f t h e st ee ds th e rush to arms

o , ,

th e clang o f sw o rd and s p e ar th e shat te ring o f ,

haube rk and s hi e ld ; th e n th r o u g h th e str e e ts

r e s o und e d th e tru m p e t call to ar m s and th e pro -

cla m ati o n o f th e king ; th e n gath e r e d and dis

p e rs e d t h e n o bl e o rd e r o f knigh t s and t h e fl o we r
 Of C ae rl eon —u p o n U sk -
I 2 I

of c hivalry s e tting f o rth up o n n obl e q u e sts o r

,

r e turning t r e lat e th e i r d e e d s to Arthu r and to

o

lay th e ir s p o il s at th e f ee t o f Guin e v e r e Al o ng .

th es e lan s r o d e Sir Lanc l o t and S i r Galahad S i r

e e ,

Gawain and Sir Kay e H e r e ca m e king s fr o m

,
.

n o rth s uth and w e st to d o h o mag e to Arthu r

,
o ,
.

ll e re ,

Am on g th e m y ri d m d
a -
ro o
’

m y d p rp l x it i
’
An d an -
c o rri d o r e e es

O f A rth r u
’
s pl a a ce ,

th e dra m a o f pain and s ha m e was act e d by th e

q u e e n and Arthur s gr e at t knight a m
’
ot
es , an n

aft e r Arthur s h e art ’

H e r e wh e r e th e b e e b u rn s
.
,

and th e m o th alights w e r e knightly j o usts and ,

s tubb o rn c o nt e s t s : S t e e l grappl e d with s t e e l ,

and th e hard gr o und tr em bl e d und e r th e sh o ck

o f m o unt e d warri o rs H e r e wh e r e th e gra s s
.
,

gr o ws l o ng and th e dai s y and primr o s e bright e n

o t a m o ng th e gr e e n
u w e r e m ail e d m e and m irth
,
n

ful m aid e ns ; h e r e th ey f e ast e d and sang and d e di

c a te d th e ir day s t o l o v e and chivalry B ut th e .

wind r ov e s o v e r th e o p e n plain ; and scarc e ly a

st o n e a t o tt e ring arch o r a fall e n t o we r h s
, , ,
a

e scap e d t h e ic o n o cla s m o f ti m e s re m o r s e le s s ’

hand T h e m a s s iv e wall s which d e fi e d th e

.

s i e g e o f th e all c o nqu e ring R o m an hav e b e e n

-

thr o wn d o wn and th e r e gal palac e s which n e v e r

,
12 2 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
yi e ld e d to t h e pagan hav e sunk and disapp e ar e d
in th e du s t Th e i r v e ry f o undati o n s cann o t b e
. .

trac e d But b e n e ath t h e ruin s sl ee p s r o m anc e

.
,

and in th e p e rvading sile nc e is cl o s e d th e la s t

s o n g o f anci e nt chivalry T h e du s t o f th e h e r o e s
. .

i s s catt e r e d and ,

Th ttri b t f th h igh d y
e a u es o os e a s

N w l y l iv i m i tr l l y
o on e n ns e -
a s .
”

E v e rything i s past but t h e nam e s o f m e n and

plac e s — na m e s that we hav e and id e al s that we
m ak e A f o rd with Arthu r s na m e a st o n e as ’
.
,

s o c ia t e d with h i s d e e d s a city wh e r e h is t e m pl e s
,

w e r e r e ar e d " Tran q uilly fl o w s th e riv e r and

wash e s t h e unfr e q u e nt e d banks ; and Ca e rl eo n
up o n Us k lik e a wav e th a t h a s b ee n sp e nt and
-

di e s up o n th e sh o r e h a s e bb e d int o th e qui e tud e

,

o f tid e l e ss ti m e and h a s b e e n l o s t Y e t t o h im .
,

wh o g oe s with o p e n mind and simpl e faith Ca e r ,

l e o n i s e v e n n o w a w o nd e rland and frag m e nts ,

o f i ts marv e ll o u s st o ry re sca t t e r e d o n t h e r o ad
a

sid e in th e undulating m e ad o ws and al o ng th e

, ,

banks o f th e wid e br o wn riv e r Ev e rywh e r e we .

fi nd r e mnants o f a r e markabl e pas t ; and th o ugh

t h e city has dwindl e d t o a haml e t and i s s e q u e st e r e d

fr o m th e busy t o iling w o rld it s e e m s lik e th e ,

city o f fabl e which sl e pt un til th e pr o mis e d princ e

ca m e and r e l e as e d i t fr o m th e f e t te rs o f e n c h a n t e

m e nt . S o may Ca e rl e o n o n e day b e awak e n e d .

12 4 T he L ost L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
cr o wd e d with m e m o rials o f anti q ui ty —t e ss e lat e d
pav e m e nts R o man st o n e s and in s cripti o n s baths
, , ,

al tar s s culptur e Ro man lamps (

, f o und in a r o ad ,

cutting ) glass v e s s e ls br onz e o rna m e n ts harn e ss

, , ,

buckl e s k eys c o in s and s t o n e facings o f th e

, , ,

r o o m s in th e Castl e Vi lla M o st curi o us and .

valuabl e o f all p e rhaps is a b o undary st o n e sh o w

, ,

ing that th e s e a wall s w e r e th e w o rk o f th e third -

c e ntury R o mans and mad e by th e ir s o ldi e ry B ut .

o r igi l p na T pr a ss . tmdt o a h b ri d g e s on u n a c c u s o e o su c a e,

th e r ttl i g i wh v r y w i gh t i g i g v r
a n no s e en e e an e s o n o e

na t r lly
u a i m pp r h i
occa s o n s Th t
so e a e en s on s . e a cco u n s

o f th t id ri i g
e h igh t v r th b rid g
e s n so r as o co e e e a re e ro n e

ou s ; it v r h b k w y t ; b t th t
ne e as rti h ee n no n e u a a sse on as

gi v r i t th i d f th b rid g b i g p rp l y l
en se o e ea o t e e e n u os e oos e o

p r v t i t b i g rri d w y i
e en s e nh Th
ca m i g e a a n su c c a s es . e a az n

fl d t wh i h th ri v r i bj t w ld r d r it t
oo s o c e e s su ec ou en e no su r

p ri i g ii id t d id h pp
s n a cc T yen s wh bt i d a en .
”
en n son , o o a ne

fr m th g i l i b th i p ir ti
o e en u s d l i gh t m
oc t r f r o ns a on a n en en ,
e e s

i G
n i t
e ra nd E i d t th r p id it y f th t r
an n f th t id l o e a o e u n o e a

w t r f th U k
a e s o e s

S r l g r ti m ca ce on e e

T h t C rl th f ll tid d U k an a ae eon e u -
e s ,

B f r th t im t f ll w rd g i
e o e e e o a s ea a a a n,

P a u ses .

M d r C rl
o e n w v r with i t m m p l r i l
ae eon , ho e e s co on a ce a

p rt r h ti g C r—li
,

w y t ti
“ ”
a it
s a on , s it w o e s s ou n a on , s ne

b ri dg i t p ilt N r m h r h d i t tr t f m ll
e, s s o o an c u c ,
an s s ee o s a

d w ll i g h
e n i l ik ly
-
t fir t t d i pp i t th
ou s e s , p ilgri m
s e a s o sa o n e ,

wh o l y by r h i g d w iti g
on h p
s ea t fi d th
c n an a n ca n o e o n e

l i k with th ity h i t ri p t
n s e c
’
s s o c as .
 Of c ae rl e o n -
u p on -
U sk I 2 5
t h e s ea has r e c e d e d fr o m Ca e rl eo n and is o w n

quit e two m il e s away and N e wp o rt h a s ari s e n ,

wh e r e o nc e th e s hips o f Ca e rl e o n s ail e d All th e .

-

R o m an t e m pl e s which King Arthur f o u nd in th e

city h e i s s a id to hav e c o nve r te d int o Christian
‘

church e s S t D u b ric th e m o st fa m o u s o f th e
,
.
,

e ccl e sia s tic s of antiquity b e ing app o int e d t h e ,

archbi s h o p O n th e o th e r hand th e archbi s h o pric

.
,

is said to dat e fr o m 8 and t o hav e last e d until 1 2 ,

52 1 . But th e r e m arkabl e and s ignificant fact i s

that whil e r e lic in abundanc e o f th e e arly R o m an s
s

can b e f o und n o thing has b e e n pr e s e rv e d o f th e

,

lat e r Briti s h o r S ax o n ti m e s and o t a trac e can ,

n

b e di c v e r e d
s o f th s urpa s s ing
o gl o ry f th
e o e

Arthurian capital Traditi o n av e rs that fo r f o ur

.

hundr e d y e ar s b e f r th e Chri tian e r Ca e rl eo n

o e s a

was a r oyal r s id n e and th e burial plac e f

e e c o

Briti s h king ; but traditi o n di s p e n s e s with pr o o f s

s .

King Arthu r s ninth gr e at battl e against th e

’

S ax o n s t oo k plac e at Ca e rl eo n and h e had p re ,

v i o u s ly e nc o unt e r e d th e m at t h e m o st c e l e brat e d

o f t h e city s o utp o s ts Ca e rw e nt T h e latt e r plac e

’
.
,

has a hi s t o ry littl e inf e ri o r to that o f Ca e rl e o n i t

s e lf , and h s s tr o ng clai m s to c o nsid e rati o n b o th
a

as a R o m an s e ttl e m e nt and a s a r e put e d Arthurian

s tr o ngh o ld It i s uninviting in a s p e ct to day but
.
-

t h e fragm e nt o f s tat e ly pil e s and t h e i n u m e r

s n
 12 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
abl e c o in s and m e dals that hav e b ee n un e ar th e d
att e s t i ts f o rm e r c o n s e q u e nc e Ca e rw e n t is .

s ituat e d o th e Via J ulia o r military r o ad and

n , ,

L e land b o r e witn e s s t o th e m any vid e nc e s o f i ts e

anci e n t i m p o rtanc e with i ts ma s s iv e walls and,

gat e s I t i s e v e n a ffi r m e d that Ca e rw e nt w s
. a

o riginally t h e capital o f t h e S ilur e s but that aft e r ,

ward s it was a d e p e nd e nc e o Ca e rl e o n with n ,

which it c o m m unicat e d by a subt e rran e an pas

sag e T h e e ntranc e to tha t pa s s ag e wa s fr o m a
.

lan e which still r tains t h e na m e o f A rt hu r e .

S o m e fi fty y e ar s g o a s trang e r w e nt t o Ca e r
a

l e o n and with o ut giving h is nam e o r s tating hi s

,

e rrand t o o k up h is ab o d e at th e Hanbury Ar m s
, ,

o n e o f t h e o ld e s t h o s t e lri e s in t h e kingd o m T he .

Hanbury A rms is a whit e quaintly built h o u s e ,

-

facing t h e Us k and riginally t o d at a p o int in

,
o s o

t h e r o ad c o mmanding thr e e appr o ach e s to t h e

city But th e chang e o f ti m e h a s giv e n a e w

. n

e n t ranc e t o Ca e rl eo n and trav e ll e r s will o w find

,
n

t h e Hanbury Ar m s o t h e r e m o t e sid e I ts l ow
n .

br o w e d wind o w s with th e s t o n e mulli o ns o f u n

,

u s ual thickn e s s and t h e s quar e h o d e d drip

‘

,
o

s t o n e s ab v e indicat e that th e h o us e dat e s fr o m

o ,

th e f o urt ee nth o r fift ee nth c e ntury T o thi s plac e .

th e s trang r m ad e h i s way
e h i s adv e n t b e ing ,

al m o s t unn o tic e d and h is purp o s e unkn o wn A .

l o cal chr o nicl e r wr o t e Qui e t and un o b t rusiv e to

12 8 T he L o st Land o f K ing A r th u r

a re th o s e s e mi d e s criptiv e r e f e r e nc e s in Ge ra in t
-

a d E id
n n and in B a li n a d B a la n e ith e r o f
,
n n ,

which c o uld hav e b e e n s o writt e n had n o t th e p o e t

vi s it e d th e sp t o .

T h e Ca e rl e o n o f fancy o t o f r e ality i de ,
n ,
s

scrib e d a t much gr e at e r l e ngth and with m uch

high e r char m by Lyt to n I f T e nny s o n was c o . n

t e nt with a s w ee ping r e f e r e nce t o th e palac e and

i ts cha m b e r Lytt n c o uld o nly b e s atisfi e d with
s , o

a d e tail e d acc o unt f th e Hi g h C o uncil Hall in

o

which wa s s e t th e king s iv o ry th r o n e and ar o und ’

which gath e r e d th D e athl s Tw e lv “

e f th e e s e o

H e r o ic King th e Knight s f th R o und Tabl e

,
”
o e .

H e t e lls h o w t h e drag n f th e C y m ri s pr e ad
o o

with cal m wing o e r C rd e l s d o m e s o f g o ld

’
a u
’

and h ow th e city lay in a val e h e lt e r e d b y t h ,

s e

dark f o r e st s whi h m antl e d th e e nvir o nin g hill

c s ,

whil e h i s pictur o f th e daily u s t o m f t h

e c s o e

p eo pl e o f th e city wa s r e v e al e d in t h w o rd s e

S m p l i d i l ty r
’
o e e thn gli t i g
us ;a ce e s n n oa r

S m o i l r d th il v r led p r y ;
e n o s e es s s n a e e s e -
s ca e

S m wr t h d t h d
o e ea el g th l v l h r ;
e a n ce a o n e e e s o e

An d e a ch wa s h a ppy i n h is c h os e n wa y .
”

Bu t t his wa s pur e ly th e city o f visi o n T h e .

fain t ligh t which h ist o ry thr o w s up o n th e dark

p e ri o d o f th e B ritish occupati o n sh o ws us that
Ca e rl eo n w s c o ntinually giv e n o v e r t o warfar e o f
a

t h e wild e s t charact e r I t i s as s ociat e d al s o in th e

.
 O f C a e rl e on u p o n U sk - -
1 2 9 .

F a b l ia u with th e dark e s t e v e nt in Arthur s

x
’

p e r s o nal hi s t o ry — a e v e n t in wh ich M o rdr e d

n

e v e ntually act e d s N em e s i s
a .

W e r e all th e r o m anc e s writt e n which hav e Ca e r

l e o n a s th e ir backgr o und o f s c e n e ry th e l o ng ,

s t o ri e s o f t h e ill fat e d br e thr e n Balin and Balan

-

o f G e raint and Enid o f m an y a knightly qu e s t

,

and adv e nture and o f m any a gr e at und e rtaking

,

b v th e fai r b e g inn e r s o f a n o bl e r tim e w o uld

“
,
”

hav e to b e r e lat e d an w T h e half hi s t o ric half

e .
-

fabul o u s hi s t ri e s o f D b ri tiu s th e archbish o p o f

o u ,

Tali es in th e chi e f o f bard s o f T a lh i ra th e ,

a n ,

fath e r f p oe tr y — all m e o f Ca e rl e o n— w o uld lik e

o n

wi s e hav e to b e r c o unt e d but th e c o m pl e t e narra

e ,

t iv e s m u s t b e s o ught in t h e c hr o nicl e t h e triad s s , ,

and th e Mabin o gi o n Y et s o m e . f t h e du s t o

und e r which li e t h e g ld e n d o m e d city and s o m e

s o -

o f t h e ruin s b e n ath which s l e e p s s lain r o m anc e

e ,

m ingl e with t h e dust and ruin s f hi s t o ry ; and a o

littl e o f that hi s t o ry m a y b e d e ciph e r e d still in

t h e I s ca S il u ru m o f th e R o m an s wh e r e C a ra c t a ,

c u s h e ld h i s c o urt wh e r e t h e Pr a t e r d e p o sit e d th e
,

e agl e s wh e r e ju s tic e wa s d e alt o u t in th e na m e o f

,

C aes ar wh e r e S ax o n s and B rit o ns m e t in o e o f

, n

th e i r la s t d e adly struggl e s and wh e r e th e drag o n ,

o f th e Cymry ulti m at e ly pr vail e d and Arthu r e

,

P e ndrag o n r o s e and had h is na m e s e t high o n

all th e hills a n d in the s igns o f h e av e n .

.
9
 C HAPTE R VI
0 1? T HE R O U N D TA L N D B E A k wo A R TH UR ’
S
ATT L S B E

Ah , M i tr l "wh h T b l
ns e s en t e a Ro u n d
e

A r with l l i w rr i r
os e , a ts a o s c ro wn d
’
,

T h r w t h m f b rd
e e as a d e e or a s to s ou n

I tr i m p h th ir tri g "—S
n u to e s n
”
c o tt.

A K ig h t f A t h r w rk i g t h i will
n o r u , o n ou s

To l w rld T m y
c ea n se th e o .
”
e z son .

F ll fift y r d m r w p d ;
u ee n ea s, an o e, e re s e

E h b r gh t w wr th t A rth r
’
ac ou h ne ea s o u s ea d .

Tw lv b l d y fi ld with gl ry f gh t
e e oo e s, o ou ,

Th S x e t a bj ti b r gh t ;
on s o su ec on ou

Ry th th m i gh t y g i t l i
on , e an s a n

By h i g d b r d r li v d B r t g
s oo an ,
e e e e a ne

T h P i t i h Gi ll m
e c i fi gh t
s a o re n ,

A d R m
n L i w d h i m i gh t ;
o an u c u s, o n
’
s

A d wi d w r t h r gh th w rl d w ’
n e e e ou e o re n o n d
T h g l ri
e f h i T bl R
o es d —S
o tt s a e ou n . co .

L O VE R S o f t h e Arthurian l e g e nd m i g h t f e e l a
s e n s e o f di app o int m e n t if th e y w e r e t o ld that
s

King Arthur n e v e r f o und e d a R o und Tabl e and ,

that all traditi o n o that s ubj e ct wa s b e li e d But

n .

th e cl o s e s t s tud e n t s o f t h e a nci en t s to ry a re co m
130
 1
32 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
of t hat t o ld o f Charl em agn e and h i p e e r s th o ugh s ,

t h e f r e m o s t sch o lars
o o w a s s ur e u s that th e two
n

id e as w e r e s e parat e a d d i s t i c t T h e o utstand
n
'

n .

ing fact r e m ain s h o w e v e r tha t t h e e arli e s t h is

.
, ,

t o ri e s o f Arthu r a re sil e nt o th e s ubj e ct which n

i s s o i m pr e s s iv e and m e m o rabl e a f e atu r e o f t h e

lat e r hi s t o ri e s Wh e nc e th e id e a w s d e riv e d
. a ,

and h o w it ca m e to b e i m p rt e d int o this narr a o

ti o n n o n e can te ll ; but o f i ts fitn e s s o f charact e r

,

th e r e i s o qu e s ti o n I t i s in th o r o ugh k e e ping
n .

with t h e Arthurian s t o ry s uppli e s an appr o priat e ,

illu s trati o n o f h is chara t e r and m e th o d and e

c s
,
n

f o rc e s th e l e ading d o ctrin e o f knightly f e ll o wship

and th e unity o f th e chivalr o u s band wh o s e pri m
"
ary bj e ct wa s d e e d s o f w o r s hip
o .

I t i ab s o lut e ly i m p o s s ibl e to r e c o ncil e th e m any

s

c o nflicting acc o unt s o f h o w King Arthur s Ro und ’

Tabl e wa s o btain e d O e r e p o rt is that it was

. n

m ad e by M e rlin f r Uth e r P e ndrag o n ; that Uth e r

o

gav e it to King Le o d eg ra u ce o f C a m e l ia rd ; and n

that L e o d e g r u ce gav e i t s a w e dding gif t to

a n a

Arthu r wh e n h e m arri e d h i s daught e r Guin e v e r e , .

Mal o ry c o nfir m e d thi s in his B o o k of th e R d ou n

T a b l e a d th e T h re e Q u es ts wh e n h e put th e s e
n ,

w o rds i nt o t h e m o uth o f th e king — I l o v e Guin e “

v e r e th Kin g s daught e r Le o d eg ra u c e o f th e
,
e
’
,
n ,

land o f C a m e l ia rd which h o ld e th in his h o u s e

,
 Of th e R o u n d Ta b l e 1
33

th e Tabl e R o und that ye t ld h e had o f m y ,

o

fath e r Uth e r,
And Le o d e g r c e wh e n h e
.
”
aun ,

h e ard f th e pro j ct e d m arriag e s aid

o H e hath
e ,
:
“

lands e n ugh h e n e e d e th n n e ; but I hall s e nd

o ,
o s

h i m a gift that s hall pl e a e h im m uch m o r e fo r s ,

I hall g ive h im t h e Tabl e R o und th e whi h

s ,
c

Uth e r P e ndrag o n gav e m e ; and wh e n it is full ,

c o m pl e t e th e r e i a hundr e d knight s and fifty ;

,
s

and a fo r a hundr d g d knight I hav e m y

s e oo s,

se lf but I lack fifty fo r s o m any hav e be e n s lain

, ,

in m y day s King Arthur r e c e iv e d th e Tabl e

.
”

R o und and th e hundr e d knight s which , ,

”

h e said pl e a e m e m r e than right gr e at

“
s o
,

wi s h e s .
”

I n th e B k f S ir G l h a d we find that King

oo o a a

Arthur w o uld wit h o w m any had tak e n t h e qu e t s

o f th e S c g re lan and to acc o unt th e m h e pray e d

a
,

th e m all Th e n f o und th e y by tal e an hundr e d

.

and fifty and all w e r e knight s o f th e R o und

,

Tabl e . But obvi o u s ly this R o und Tabl e which

s e at e d a hundr e d and fi fty knight and l e ft a s

s pac e f r t h e o H o ly Grail wa s o t t h e p e cial ,

n s

R o und Tabl e fo r King Arthu r and th e fav o ur e d

tw e lve knight s o f h i s s e l cti o n ; th o u gh it m a y e

hav e b ee n t h e R o und Tabl e whi h in t h e B o k f c o o

S i r P e rc i v l e we re t o ld M rlin m ad e
a in t o k e n
a e
“

o f th e r o undn e s s o f t h e w o rld : fo r by t h e R o und

1
34. T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
Tabl e i th e w o rld s ignifi e d by right Fo r all th e
s .

w o rld Chri s tian an d h e ath e n r e s o rt unt o t h e

, ,

R o und Tabl e and wh e n th ey a re ch o s e n to b e o f

,

t h e f e ll o w s hip o f th e Round Tabl e th ey think ,

th e m m o r e bl e s s e d and m o r e in w o rship than if

, ,

th ey had g o t te n half th e w o rld S o s aid th e .

”

Qu e e n o f th e Wa s t e Land s t o Sir P e rcival e Y e t .

i n r e gard to this gr e at in s tituti o n th e r e e xi s t s

t h e b o ld e r id e a o f i t s a s tr o n o mical d e rivati o n and ,

c o nsid e ring t o what e xt e nt a s tr o l o gy h a s e n te r e d

int o th e Arthurian s t o ry th e th eo ry that th e R o und
Tabl e was sugg e st e d by th e m ov e m e nt r o und th e
P o l e o f th e Gr e at B e ar— th e s e v e n cl e ar stars o f “

Arthur s Tabl e R o und —

’
m u s t o t b e o v e rl o o k e d n .

E ach a g e o f chivalry has h a d s o m e such i s tit u '

ti o n and th e R o und Tabl e c o ntinu e d to e xi s t in

,

thi s c o untry until th e ti m e o f th e Third E dward .

Y e t th e actual e ra r e m ain s unv e rifi e d

W h fi r t th q t i r
en s e u es on os e

A b t th f d i g f T b l R d
ou e ou n n o a a e ou n ,

Th t w t b f l v f G d d m
a as o e, or o e o o an en

A d n b l d d th fl w r f ll th w r ld
no e ee s, e o e o a e o .
’

Nor w e r e th e r e p e at e d e ff o rt s o f Engli s h m o n

arch s t o k ee p aliv e th e instituti o n c o nspicu o u s ly

s ucc e s s ful T h e o riginal s tandard c o uld n o t b e
.

m aintain e d and t h e t e nd e ncy o f th e s e lat e r tim e s

,

wh e n t h e r o m anc e s w e r e b e ing e nrich e d and

1
36 T he L o st La n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
inc o ngru o u e l e m e nt
s T h e lap e to Quix ti s m
. s o

w a s in e vitabl e and with th e la s hing s o f th e f o lli e s

,

o f t h e undi s cri m inatin g i m itat o r o f th e knight s f o

chivalry t h e o l d cu s t o m pa s s e d away in d e ri s i o n
, .

C e rvant e s did w e ll and did e vil by h is d e s tructiv e

s atir e : in cutting away t h e para s it e t h e fal s e and ,

f o o li s h chivalry which had fa s te n e d it s e lf up o n

t h e wi s e and t h tru e h e cut al s o t o th e r o o ts o f
e ,

th e g o o dly tr e e which d e s e rv e d to fall m o r e n o bly ,

i t fall it m u s t R e nan r e mind s u s tha t it was n o t

.

Arthu r th e King wh o h a s b ee n ad o pt e d by all

p e o pl e s but Arthur wh o char m e d th e w o rld as
,

t h e h e ad o f an o rd e r o f e quality in which all s a t

at t h e s a m t abl e and in wh ich a m an s w o rth

e ,
’

d e p e nd e d up o n h is val o ur and h i s natural gifts .

T h e fat e o f an unkn o wn p e nin s ula m att e r e d o n

thing t o t h e w o rld — what e nchant e d it wa s t h e

“

id e al c o urt pr e s id e d o v e r by Guin e v e r e wh e r e ,

ar o und th e m o narchical unity th e fl o w e r o f h e r o e s

w s gath e r e d t o g e th e r wh e r ladi e
a a cha s t e a s
,
e s, s

th ey w e r e b e autiful l o v e d acc o rding t o th e laws

,

o f chivalry and wh e r e th e ti m e w s pa s s e d in
,
a

li s t e ning to s t o ri e s and l e arning civility and

,

b e autiful m ann e rs .
”

T h e fa s hi o n s e t by C e rvant e s was f o ll o w e d in
lat e r ti m e s by J o hn H o o kh m Fr e r e wh o s e p ro a ,

l Wo rk c o m pri s in g t h e
“
j ec te d N ti a ona m os t i n
 Of th e R o u n d Ta b l e 1
37
t e res t i n g particular s r e lating to King Arthur and
h i s R o und Tabl e i s a brilliant j e d es pri t ; and
’
u

by Mr Cl e m e n s Mark Twain wh o s e Ya k e
.
'

n e

a t th C e rt f K i g A rth r s carc e ly rank s e ith e r

ou o n u

a m o ng h is witt y o r his m em o rabl e pr o ducti o n s .

T h e gr e at e r nu m b e r o f m o d e rn writ e r s havin g ,

n e ith e r t h e pr o v o cati o n o r t h e e xcu e o f C e r n s

vant e s hav s e l e ct e d f r tr at m e nt th w o rthi e r

,
e o e e

and pur e r s id e f chivalr y but th e ir id e ali s ati o n o ,

*

Fr r p m we e s
’
ti b t i t h d
oe rt i v l i
as ca u s c, u a a ce a n a ue n

sh wi g th
o n r m ti id f A rth ri t i m
e u n o Th
an c s e o u an es . e

f ll wi g v r th wh i h f r l d li t
o o n e s es , ld b
an c a ess e ca e on es co u e

f d i th p m m y b t k
ou n n e oe p im , a e a en as a s ec en

A d n rt i l y th y y f fi b h v i g
ce a n e sa , or ne e a n

K i g A rth r C rt h
n v r h d it m t h ;
u
’
s ou as ne e a s a c

T r p i t f h r with t p rid b r v i g
ue o n o o n ou , ou e or a n ,

S tr i t t i q tt f
c v r th w t h ;
e ue e or e e on e a c

T h r m r w r r fi d d p r f t— v i g
e e a nne s e e e ne an e ec sa n

S m m d r gr
o e wh i h th y ld t t h
o e n a c es c e co u no ca c ,

A sp itti g th r gh th t th d d ri v i g t g
s n ou e ee , an n s a es ,

A m p li h m t r v d f d i t t g
c co s en s es e r e or s an a es .

T h y l k d m l y g r g r ti
e oo e a an ,
e n e ou s en e a on

B rd S h l d r y b r w b r d d q r
ea s, ou e s,d e e o s, oa ,
an s ua e, an

th i k c

Th ir e t fim dl di
a cce n s v r ti r an ou n c on e sa on ,

Th ir y e d g t r e g r
es h rp
an d q i k es u es ea e , s a ,
an u c ,

S h w d th m p p r d
o e p r p r p r v ti
e re a e on o e o oca on ,

T g i v th l i
o p ll e t b d ki k ;
e e, u n os e s , s a , an c

A d fn th t v r y r
or it i a id e e a s on s sa ,

T h y w r vry rt
e e e d w ll b d
so e c ou eo u s an e re .

Wh w m ten id r p r b b i liti
e co e i d d by
o con s h e o a es, a e suc un
1
38 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
had le d to c o nfu s i o n al s o Such s o b e r hist o ry a s .

e xi s t s pr o v e s c o nclusiv e ly that t h e knights o f t h e

m o s t chivalr o u s a g e la c k e d th o s e attribut e s up o n
which s o much str e s s h a s b e e n laid t o th e gl o ry ,

of p o e try but t o t h e o bscuring o f fact I t is n o t .

within m y sc o p e h ow e v e r t o dw e ll l o ng e r up o n , ,

thi s s ubj e ct but to call att e nti o n to th e R o und

,

Tabl e e ith e r a s i ts r e put e d e xi s t e nc e o r as th e u s e

o f i t s n a m e may b e r e gard e d as an indicati o n o f

t h e e xt e nt o f King Arthur s r e al m Bu t h ere

’
.
,

p e rhaps we r e ach th e m o st d o ubtful gr o und o f

,

all Wh e r e v e r we st e p we t o uch a cru m bling

.

f o o tway o r find o ur s e lv e s utt e rly l o s t in a r e gi o n

o f sup e rstiti o ns T h e advanc e al o ng thi s illusiv e
.

track w o uld th e r e f o r e b e unpr o fitabl e b u t that ,

it e nabl e s us to p e rc e iv e h ow Arthurian tradi

t i o ns p e r m e at e t h e land h o w t e naci o u s ly t h e ,

s upp o sititi o us links with h im and h is a g e

a re ch e rish e d and h o w th e crud e s t facts a re
,

sp ri a thn l
w m y v
g in es a s p t tr th th ld es e , e a e en a cce as u e o

f lko w -
t l l th t wh K i g A rth r r l d th l d
song h ich e s a en n u u e e an

h e r l d it lik u ewi Th A m ri p t th l t
e a s ne.
”
e e ca n oe , e a e

M r E g F i ld i h i L y f C m l t h l h w
. u en e e , n s a o a e o ,
”
a s a so s o n

th h m r
e p t f th A rth ri C rt W h i l l l
u o ou s as ec o e u an ou . e a

th i m y b l giti m t
s a gh e d p r v idepp rt iti a e e n ou ,
an o e o o un es

f r th
o wi t f th e th r i t i t t h p t wh i h w
o e au o s, s no e as ec c e

pr f r te e t mp l t f y l gth
o co n e f t im r wh i h a e or a n en o e, o on e c

h as an
y ti p l r f r th m i d
co n n u ou s ea su e o e n .
1 40 T he L o st L a n d of K i n g A r th u r
H igh h g r m i h p rid f f rm r y r
un e a ns, t e e o o e ea s,

O l d A rth r b rd p i r d
’
u h s oa on t e ca a c ou s ou n

S m B r it i h p k t h d th m wn d ,
’
o e h s en as s e c e e na e s ren o

m rk b r f h i i m m rt l p r ”
I n a s o s cu e o s o a ee s .

The gr e at antiquity o f Winch e st e r w o uld mak e

i t s p o s s s i o n o f s uch a r e lic if g e nuin e quit e
es , ,

p o s s ibl e T h e anci e nt capital o f England w

. as

p s s e s s e d by th e R o m an s wh e r e ct e d th e m a s s iv e
o ,
o

wall and t e m pl e s o f which it j u s tly b o as ts S o m e

s .

auth o riti e s d e clar e that th e fi r s t Ch ri s tian church

was e r e ct e d i n Winch e s t e r ab o ut th e y e ar 1 6 9 ,

thr e e c e nturi e s o r m o r e b e f o r e King Arthu r s ’

ti m e and that it wa s c o nv e rt e d int o a t e m pl e o f

,

Dag o n o r W o d e n by th e Sax o n s la te in th e fi fth

, ,

c e n tury P o rti o n o f Winch e s t e r w s call e d by

. a

th e R o m an s Gw e nt o r th e H o ll o w and th i s
“ ”
, ,

na m e b e ing c o nfu s e d with th e Gw e nt in Mo n

m o u th s h i re pr o bably l e d t o t h e tran f r e nc e o f s e

t h e s c e n e s o f th e Arthu rian l e g e nd t o t h fa m o u s e

capital This cla s s o f e rr o r as h a s b e e n alr e ady

.
,

p o int e d o u t h a s o t b ee n infr e qu e ntly m e t with

,
n

in o l d chr o nicl e s I t was o wing t o s o m e s uch

.

c nfu s i n o f id e a s in th e m ind o f King H e n ry V I I

o o

that h e na m e d h i s s o b rn in Winch e s t e r Ca s tl e
n ,
o ,

aft e r th e Arthur o f r o m anc e Winch s t e r i n . e ,

fact play s o m e an part in t h e Arthurian drama

,
n .

I t was at ti m e s c o nfus e d with Ca m e l o t and giv e n ,

as th e alt e rnativ e na m e o f that plac e But th e r e .

 Of th e R o u n d Ta b l e 1
4 1

is no s ub s tanc e i n th clai m that th e R o und Tabl e e

n o w t o b e s e e n in Winch e s t e r i s r e ally Arthurian .

Ev e n D e f oe in h i s e ight e e nth c e ntur y hr nicl e f -

c o o

a j urn e y fr o m L o nd o n t o Land End talk s c o

o
’
s n

t m p t u o u s ly o f t h e pr e t e nc e t o pa s s o ff t h e r e lic
e ;

as a pi e c e o f antiquity to th e tun e o f tw lv e e

hundr e d y e ars and h e thr e w ab s o lute di cr e dit

, s

up o n th wh o l e st o ry
e .

Ca e rl eo n U s k t h e hi s t ric apital o f Kin g

-
ou -

,
o c

Arthur s r e al m clai m (s we hav e r e lat e d ) al s o

’
, s a

t o p o s s e s s th e R o und Tabl e but in thi s in s tan e , c

t h e vi s it o r i tak e n t a fi e ld s till b e aring t h e

s o ,

na m e o f th e R o und Tabl e Fi e ld in which a cir ,

cu l a r cavity pr o babl y m ark s th e s it e o f a R o m an

e nca m p m nt T h e l o cal l eg e nd i s that b e n ath
e . e

thi s fi e ld King Arthu r and h is knight s s l e p e e n

tranc e d and await th e su m m o n s t c o m e f o rth

, o

and av e England fr o m p e ril O n t h e to p o f

s .

Cadbury Hill S o m e r s e t at a s p o t kn o wn s Cad

, ,
a

bury Ca m p a va s t artificial circl e whi h i s d o ubt

, ,
c

l e s s al s o o f R o m an ri g in i s d e s ignat e d th e o ,

R o und Tabl e ; and ab o ut half a m il e fro m P e nrith

i n Sc o tland a circular intr e n h m e nt e ighty s e v e n c ,
-

fe e t in dia m t e r i s p pularly kn o wn by th e s a m e
e ,
o

na m e Sc o tt m e nti n s P e nrith Tabl e R o und

. o
“ ’
s

i n h is B rid l f T ri e rm i and o n e o f L o ckhart s ’

'

a o a n ,

n o t e s e xplains that th e circl e within th e ditch is

1 42 T he L os t L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
ab o ut o e hundr e d and s ixty pac e s in circumfe r
n

e nc e , with o p e nings o r appr o ach e s dire ctly op , ,

p o s i te e ach o th e r A t h e ditch i s o n t h e inn e r

“
. s

s id e i t c o uld o t b e int e nd e d fo r t h e purp o s e o f

n

d e f e nc e and it has b ee n r e a s o nably c nj e ctur e d

,
o

tha t th e e ncl o sur e wa s d e sign e d fo r t h e s o l e mn

e x e rcis e o f f e a t s o f chivalry and th e e m bank ,

m e n t ar o und fo r th e c o nv e ni e nc e f sp e c tat o r s o .

This Sc o tch r e f e r e nc e h a s a significanc e o f i ts

o wn , but s tanding al o n e and c o m bat e d by o th e r
, ,

claim s it cann o t b e d e e m e d o f v e ry high imp o rt

,

anc e .

Sir Walt e r Sc o tt qu o t e s th e lin e s o f th e p oe t

Davi d Lindsay
A d w f ir S wd with th y t w i h i
e ,
a na on, o rs e,

T h y h p ll r y ll p r k
c a d T b yl l R
e -
o d a , a , an a ou n ,

which r e m o v e s th e r e lic natural o r rti fi c i a l to ,

. a ,

N o rth Wal e s ; but Angl e s e y al s o clai m s that wha t

o th e r s call a R o m an ca m p o v e rl o o king Re d wh a rf

B ay i s th e B u rdd Arthur o r Arthur s R o und

“
,
” ’

Tabl e L e land s I tin e rary co ntain s th e ann o unc e

.
’

m e nt that n e ar D e nbigh th e r e is i n th e Par o ch ,

o f Ll a n s a e i n th e Sid e o f a St o ny Hill e a
nn n ,

Plac e wh e r th e r e b e tw e nty f o ur H o l e s o r Plac e s -

in a R und e l fo r Me to sitt e in but s u m l e s s e

o n , ,

an d s o m e bigg e r cutt e ou t o f th e mayn e Ro ck,

by Mann e s Hand ; and th e r e Child re n and Y o ung

1
44 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
knight s at e d a t th e Tabl e ; S c o tt in h is T ri e r
se ,

m i a n
,
m e nti o ns o nly s ixt e e n ; and t h e o l d ballad
o n Arthu r p e cifi e s th e nu m b e r o f g o o d and abl e
s
“

knight s as fifty T l e av e s uch d e tail s l e t it

”
. o ,

su ffi c e to l e arn fr o m Mal o ry that by th e n o bl e “

f e ll o wship o f th e Tabl e R o u nd wa s King Arthu r

b o rn e up o r l e t us agr e e with Drayt o n fo r th e ,

s ak e o f p o e tical j us t ic e t hat Arthur s and Charl e

'

m agn e s kni g ht s w e r e o f e xactly th e s a m e

’

nu m b e r
Wh b r th b w w r k igh t i A rth r r ig
o ea e o e e n s n u
’
s e n,

T w l v th y
e e d tw l v th k i gh t
e , an f C h rl m g
e e e n s o a e a ne .

A m o ng th e m any r e m arkabl e traditi o n s c o n

c e rning t h e R o und Tabl e i s that which su rviv e s

in Wal e s that Arthur a s s e m bl e d h is f o ll o w e rs o n

t h e h e ight s o f t h e B r e ckn o ckshir e B e ac o n s and ,

th e r e mad e kn o wn h i s d e sign to e s tabli s h a

knighth o o d and t o f o und a Tabl e R o und O n .

t h e s u m m i t o f Pe y Van m y ye t b e s e e n hug e
n a
- -

st o n e s and r o ck frag m e nt s which th e s up e r s titi o u s

r e gard as th e br o k e n r e lic s o f t h e Tabl e t o th e ,

r e al e xi t e nc e o f which far m o r e att e nti o n has

s

b e e n giv e n than to i ts all e g o rical s ignificanc e .

T h e Ro und Tabl e is in fac t pur e ly sy m b o li cal

'

, ,

thr o ugh o ut th e r o manc e an i d e a c o nv ey e d by t h e ,

cu s t o m a ry m e an s o f a s i m pl e figur e a parabl e ,
.

I t is illus t rativ e o f th e e q uali ty and t h e unity o f

 Of th e R o u n d Tab l e 14 5

th e o rd er o f hivalry and o f th e s ingl e n es s o f

c ,

purp s e and a m biti o n o f t h e Arthurian warri o r s

o

and adv e ntur e s e k r s T h e br e aking u p o f th e

-
e e .
'

Tabl e R o und i s th S i g n o f t h e falling a way in

e

all e gianc e o f t h e knight s and o f t h app r o aching e

di s int e grati n o f Arthur s kingd o m Wh e n th e

o
’
.

f e ll o w s hi p o f t h e knight s i s s tr o ng e s t and th e
c o m pl e m e nt i s c o m pl e t e th e king i s at th e h e ight,

Of h is p w e r ; wh e n th e r e a re vacant s e at at t h e
o s

Tabl e th e r e re indicati n s o f a d eclin ; wh e n

,
a o e

o nly a r e m nant o f t h e knight m e e t s o nc e m r e at s o

t h e m onarch s call t h e king d o m i half l os t ;

’
,
s -

wh e n th e f e ll o w hip i s br o k e n and th e R o und

s
’

Tabl e h a s di s app e ar e d th e e d o f Arthur s r ign ,

n
’
e

i s c o m e and h i s p w e r i
,
s hatt e r e d
o f r eve r s o .

“
We all und r s tand s aid S ir Lanc e l o t in thi
e ,
”
,
“
s

re a lm wi ll b e w o qui e t but e v e r s trif e and

no n ,

d e bat e o w th e f e ll o w s hip o f th e R und Tabl e

,
n o

i s br o k e n ; f r by t h e n o bl e f ll w hip o f t h e
o e o s

Ro und Tabl e w s King Arth ur upb o rn e and by

a ,

th e ir n o bl e n e s s t h e King and all h is r e al m was in

qui e t and in r e st .
”

By th e d e ftn e s s o f th e chr o nicl e rs th e sy m b o l

i s m o f t h e R und Tabl e b e c o m e
o li g htly int e r s s

m i x e d with th e s y m b o li s m o f th e Grail qu e s t Sir ,

Galah a d t h e p e rf ect knight wh o c o uld s it in th e

,

Si eg e P e ril o u s b e ing th e o nly knight wh o c o uld

,

10
 1
4 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
be bl e s e d with t h e vi i o n o f th e H o ly Grail I t
s s .

w s th o s e al o n e o f t h e f e ll o w s hip o f th e Ro und
a

Tabl e wh o e nt e r e d up o n th e q u e s t and it was th e ,

o e pur e h e r o
n th e m a
,
o f m o s t w o r s hip
n wh o ,

achi e v e d tha t qu e s t T wo s e ats in t h e R o und

.

Tabl e w e r e l e ft vacan t by M e rlin O n e was fill e d .

by King Pe lli o re wh e n h e had pr ov e d his worth i

n

n e s s ; but in th e Si e g e P e ril o us said M e rlin ,

”
,

“
th e r e shall o m a s i t th e r e in but o e and i f
n n n ,

th e r e b e any s o hardy t o d o it h e shall b e d e

str o y e d and h e that shall s it th ere S hall hav e o

,
n

f e ll o w.
”
T h e d o ubl e pr o ph e y w s fulfill e d
c Thea .

unw o r thy knight wh o att e m pt e d to o ccupy t h e

s i e g e wa s carri e d away in a fla m that bu r s t f o rth
e

instantan e o u s ly and M e rli n s o wn fa te i s by s o m e

,
’

a s crib ed to h is inadv e rt e nce in s itting in that

m yst e ri o us chair s trang e ly carv e n and l e tt e r e d
,
.

B u t fo r Galahad th e r e was n o such f e ar L o ng did .

th e Si e g e P e ril o us r e m ain vacant fo r whil e ,

Arthur and h is knigh t s w e r e building up th e king

d o m Lanc e l o t s s o was unb o rn B u t at th e
’
n .

a s s e m bling o f th e f e ll o w s hip o e Whitsuntid e a n

h e rmi t pr e dict e d to th e king that that sam e y e ar

o e sh o uld b e b o rn wh o w o uld s i t in t h e Si e g e
‘

P e ril o us and win t h e Sangr e al H e nc e fo r th th e .

t wo id e as a re f o und c o nstan tly unit e d At Cam e .

l o t all th e s e a ts a t th e Tabl e w e r e f o und n e wly

1 48 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
th e vir g i n knigh t wh o c o uld al o n e draw o u t th e
sw o rd fr o m th e s t o n e and wh o again pr o v e d ,

hi m e lf th e gr e a te s t aft e r whi c h h e b e gan with

s ,

r e ligi o u s ard o u r his app o int e d ta s k .

Galahad s s t o ry was a late add e ndum t o th e

’

Arthurian l e g e nd and i t i s v e ry d ifli cu l t to s u p

,

p o s e that h e was a hi s t o ric figu re Y e t h i s p ro

n .

t typ e i s said t o hav e e xi s t e d in t h e p e rs o n o f

o

C a twg t h e wi e ( C a d o g ) t h e s e c o nd principal o f
s
,
,

Llancarfan C o ll e g e wh e r e h e was th e succ e ss o r

,

o f t h e re o w e d B i s h o p Dub o is I n h is y o uth
'

n n .

C a t wg had b ee n a s o ldi e r lat e r h e j o in e d t h e ,

Chri s tian Church and th e n e o phyt e had th e a d

,

vantag e o f r e c e iving p e r s o nal in s tructi o n fr o m

th e a g e d ma s t e r t h e f o r e m o s t divin e o f Arthur s
’
'

ti m e B ut th e s ugg e s ti o n tha t Gad o g was Gala

.

had i s s arc ly o p e n to s e ri o u s c o n s id e rati o n and

c e ,

Walt e r Map th e fi rs t t r e lat e th e hi t o ry f th e

,
o s o

vi rgin knight wa s n o t lik e ly to hav e had any

,

s uch pr o t o typ e i n his mind H is c o nce pti o n .

s e e m s t o hav e b ee n mai nly p oe tic T h e s t o ry is .

cr o wd e d with m yst e ri e s s up e r s titi o ns and id e al

, ,

is m s Galahad i s s carce ly human in any o f h i

. s

attribut e s and h e i s s o inv e s t e d with marv e ls that

,

we may s af e ly s e t him d o wn a s an i m aginary

typ e o r th e m o s t s had o wy o f traditi o nal figur e s .

I n di s cu s sing th e r e al Ar thu r a s distinc t fr o m ,

 Of th e R o u n d Ta bl e 1
49

th e Arthur r o m anc e we hav e to b e ar in m ind

of ,

that h e wa s pri m arily th e warri o r t h e r e pr e s e nta ,

tiv e o f a cau s e which n c s s itat e d th e Co nstant e e

di s pla y o f h is p o w e r in battl e As s uch h e w s fi r s t . a

c e l e brat d by th e bard s and i t wa s ar o und th e

e ,

wa rri o r and chi f that th e r o m anc e gr e w Fr o m

e .

b e ing s i m ply a m ilitary l e ad e r h e b e a m e a typ e , c

o f h e r o ab ut wh o m gath e r e d many l e g e nd
o a d s ,
n

in c o ur s e f ti m e h e wa s m ad e th e c e ntral figur e
o
’

in all th e s t ri e s o f m arv e ll o u s adv ntur e curr e nt

o e

in th e e arly day s That th e r e wa s an Arthur

.

l e ading a f o rl o rn h o p e chi e f o f a p eo pl l o w to
,
e s

y i e ld and hard to s ubdu e n ee d s carc e ly b e qu e , s

t io e d
n . H e i s t h e o riginal h e r o th e la s t and ,

gr e at e s t f a c o nqu e r e d rac e ; h e i s th e giant

o

fi g re s tanding b e hind th e m ythical A rthur o f

u

fabl e and r o m anc e B o rn wh e n h i s land wa s a t

.

tack e d by th e invad r and h is p e o pl e w e r e f e aring

e

e xtincti o n h e val o r o u s ly m et th e fo e and fo r a

, ,

whil e st e m m e d th e vict o ri o u curr e nt o f th e Sax o n s

and th e R o m an ar m s D f e a te d at la s t h e h e
. e
,

c a m e as w s in e vitabl e a typ e o f h e r — a lat e r

,
a , o

O di n a d em i g o d —and in th e r o mance s and

,
-

s o ng s we r e ad rath e r o f ai m s than acc o m pli s h

m e nt s o f d e ir e s than o f d e e d s
,
s M o r e and m o r e .

a s ti m e ca s t i t s gla m o ur ab ut h im King Art hur o ,

b eca m e th e e m b o di m e nt o f a nati nal a s pirati o n o ,

 1 50 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
and th e vanqui s h e d rac a r e v e ng e d i ts d e f at i n
'

s o ng s o f d e fi anc e s o ng which vaunt e d o f vict o ry

, s .

and w e r e m a tch e d to triu m phant strain s s o ngs ,

which r e li e v e d th e t h ought o f pr e s e nt di s ast e r

and r e call e d o nly th e o ld e n triu m ph s o r pr o m p te d
dr e a m s o f futur e gl o ry Th e s e s o ngs t o o k th e ir
.

ri s e in pr o ph e ci e s and s prang f o rth int o g o ld en

pr o m is e o f p w e r and s ucc e s s S p ee dily th e id e al
o .

r e plac ed t h e r e al P o e t aft e r p o e t ch r o nicl e r

.
,

aft e r chr o ni c l e r add e d a ttribu te s t o t h e h e r o ; and

,

ulti m at e ly fr o m o e s tr o ng m an waging d e s p e rat e

n

war again s t o utnu m b e ring f oe s th e Arthu r o f ,

r o m anc e wa s e v lv e d th e Arthur wh o s e c o nqu e s ts

o ,

w e r e an unbr o k e n s e ri e s and wh o s e t e rrit o ry wa s

limitl e ss th e Arthu r with h is invi ncibl e knight
,

h o o d th e Arthur wh o c o uld n e v e r d ie but wh o

, , ,

in M e rlin s w o rd s lik e th e dawn will ari s e fr o m

’

,
“

h i s m y s t e ri o us r e tr e at T h e l g end s s u pp ly o e e n

m o r e pr o f tha t a na t i o n with a v o ic e with t h

o ,
e

p o w e r o f utt e ranc e i s invincibl e in spiri t ; captiv e

,

and c o nqu e r e d th o ugh it m a y b e it re m a in s u n

'

s ubdu e d and fr e e in i m pul s e and th o ught We .

can c o nc e iv e h o w b o ld and d fia nt th e s pi rit o f e

th e C y m ri r e m ain e d wh en i n t h e e y e s o f t h e rac e

t h e d e f e at e d king wa s s till vi s ibl e as t h e ma s t e r

.

o f all king s an d th e vanqui s h e d p e o pl e c o uld

,

b o as t tha t h e wh o f e ll und e r th e Ro man y o k e

 Of th e R o u n d Ta b l e 1
-

5 1

S we p t th e du s t o f ru i n
’
d Ro m e
‘
Fr o m o ff th e th r
r lm d r h d
es h o ld of th e ea , an c us e

T h Id l t d m d th p p l f r
”
e o a e rs , an a e e eo e ee .

T o thi rac e Ca rl e o n a hd Ca m e l o t b e a m
s e c e

citi e s o f m agic spl e nd o u r and m agnific e nc e and ,

t h e c u rts and ca m p s o f A rthu r su rpa s s e d in

o

s tr e ngth and rich e s t h e luxuri o u s h o m e o f C aes ar .

T h e land wa s s tr e wn with r e lic s f Arthur s

’
o

p w r ; th e d wn s and plain s w e r e t h e s c e n e s o f
o e o

h i s m m e nt o u s vict o ri e s ; th e hill s w e r e h i s chair s

o

and f o t t o l s ; t h e ld e nca m p m e nt s w e r e th e
o s o o

s c e n e s o f fa m us t o urn e y s
o t h e dark w o o d s s u g

g e s t e d th e s c e n e s o f s trang e adv e ntu re s fo r th e

kni g ht s ; th e h o ly w e ll s th e riv e r s and th e plac e s
, ,

wh e r e Natur e wa s bright e s t and m o st b e autiful ,

w e r e all a s s o ciat e d with l e ading e v e nt and e nt e r s

pris e s in t h e hi s t o ry o f t h e king and h is n obl e

r e tinu e Particularly did th e C ym ri in s i s t up o n
.

th e s ucc e siv e and o v e rwh l m ing d e f e at s by

s e

Arthur o f th e Sax o ns th e i r traditi o nal and m o s t

,

hat e d fo e And in th e i r vaunting s th e y gav e

.

Arthur th e m a s t e ry o f half E ur o p e clai m e d that ,

t h e R o m an E m p e r o r b e ca m e h i s va s s al and that ,

up o n his h e ad th e P o p e hi m e lf plac e d a cro wn s .

Arthu r f o ught twe lv e gr at battl e s again s t th e e

Sax n s th e dat e s varying fr o m 457 to

o , E ith e r
Th e m naf d th l d i g i i d t i
es o , an eth tw l v
ea n nc en s n, e e e
1
5 2 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
na m e s hav e b ee n m ix e d r th e chr o nicl e r s hav e ,
o

m o nstr o u s ly d e part e d fr o m fac t o r e l s e we m ust ,

c o n c lud e that t h e B riti s h warri o r wa s actually

king o f t h e g r e at e r part o f England Wal e s and , ,

S c o tland fo r h i s vic to ri e s e xt e nd fr o m C o rnwall

,

t o Lin o ln , and fr o m Ca e rl e o n in Wal e s t o th e

c

Sc o tch L o wland s T h e tw e lfth and gr e at e s t o f .

h i s vict o ri e s w s at M o unt Bad o n wh e r e in e “

a on
‘

bo ut we a re t o ld
,
”
Arthur vanqui s h e d e ight ,
“

hundr e d and f o rty o e and o ma o v e rthr e w

-
n ,
” “
n n

th em but hi m s e lf al o n e T h e id e ntity o f M o unt .

Bad o n wh e r e u r g o o d Arthu r br k e o nc e m o r e
,
“
o o

t h e Pagan h s l o ng b ee n a matt e r o f disput e

”
a .

I t h a s b ee n c o nt e nd e d that Bath wa s n o n e o th e r
than M o ns B d o ic u s and tha t th e ac tual battl e
a n ,

fi e ld was a sp o t kn own a s Bann e r D o wn ; b u t th e

clai m has al m o s t e ntir e ly b e e n aband o n e d n o w
tha t s o m uch e vid e nc e i s f o rthc o m ing in fav o u r
o f an o th e r s it e Bath s e e m s to hav e b ee n fix e d
.

up n a s a lik e ly pla c e o t nly o acc o unt o f its

o n o n

v e ritabl e antiquity and i ts e arly o ccupati o n by th e

R o m an s but b e cau s e it app e ar e d t o b e a s o r t o f
,

gl ri o wr
ou s m r t d with
a s, r y by T y
a re e n u e a e a c cu ac enn

son i L l t d E l i t h r it l m i g f r m L
n a n ce o an a n e, e ec a co n o a n ce

l t li p
o
’
s d h vi g f
s, i t p rp
an th p r f t h t t th
a n or s u os e e oo a a e

ti m e th r l i v d gr t r l d r
e e eJ p h Rit no ea e ea e .
”
o se so n s
’

cu ri l ittl v l m
ou s K i g A rth r l ik wi tr t th i
e o u e on n u e se ea s s

su bj t f lly
ec u .
1
54 T he Lost La n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
v o te fo r B a d b ry in D o r s e t but with o ut m e nti n
u , o

ing th e i r r e as o n s T h e B d b u ry in Wilt s hir e

. a

s ee m s t o m e t o b e t h e m o r e lik e ly plac e if fo r n o

o th e r r e a s o n than that King Arthur i s o ft e n m e n

t i o e d a s trav e lling th r o ugh that c o unty and

n s ,
a

b ing in th e vi cinity o f S ali s bury and St o n eh e ng e

e ,

wh e r e as D o rs e t s e e m s t o hav e b e e n o utsid e t h e
s ph e r e o f h i s vi s it s and o p e rati o ns T h e Wilt .

s hir e B a db u ry i s o nly a fe w m il e s fr o m th e
gigan t ic and m y s t e ri o u s m e galithic s tructur e
which had actually b e e n attribut e d by G eo ffr ey o f
M o n m o uth and o th e r s to Aur e liu s A m bro s iu s o r ,

Arthu r O n e traditi o n ran that it wa s a m o nu

.

m e nt e r e ct e d by t h e B rit o ns o t h e s p o t wh e r e th e
n

mas s acr e o f th e B ri tis h n obl es t o o k plac e by o rd e r

'

o f H e ngi s t . But in t h e light o f s ci e n e we l e arn c

that St o n e h e ng e w s an antiquity in th e tim e o f

a

th e C e lts and tha t its o rigin m u s t hav e b e e n

, s a

m uch a m y s t e ry t o t h e c o nt em p o rari e s o f King

Arthu r a s it i s to u s o f to day St o n e h e ng e i s -
.

n o t m e nti o n e d by t h e o l d chr o nicl e r s but re , ,

m arkabl e t o s a y n e ith e r i s Bad o n ; b u t Sali s bu ry

,

i s th e subj e ct o f Me rl i s fat e ful pr o ph e cy o f

i

’
n

Arthu r s d o o m in th e battl e with M o rdr e d Mr

’
. .

J o s e ph Rit s o n w e nt e xhaus tive ly int o th e s ubj e ct

o f M o n s B a d o n ic u s and aft e r ci ting all tha t was
,

r e c o rd e d o f it by Archbi s h o p U s h e r Ma tth e w o f ,

W e s t m in s t e r Gilda s G eo ffre y S i r J o hn Pris e

, , , ,
 Of th e R o u n d Ta bl e 1
55
and m any o th e r s h e s till l e ft th e s s u e u nc e rtain
,
i .

What al o n e ee m s t b e e s tabli s h e d i s that t h e

s o

battl e w a d e ci iv e triu m ph fo r th e B riti s h

as s

a g ain t t h S ax o n s und e r C e rdic and that Arthu r

s e ,

p e r s o nally p e rf r m e d pr di g i e s o f val o ur T e nn y
o o .

s o n h a s r e pr e s e nt e d h i m hargin g at th e h e ad f c o

h i s knight s and s tanding high o ,

a h e ap o f th e n

s lain watchin g th e flying foe ; and Drayt n h a o s

s ung

H w h h im lf t B d
o e b r th t d y se a a on o e a a ,

W h t th gl ri g l h i B riti h p t r l y ;
en a e o ou s o e s s s ce e a

Tw d i
o t g th r h w th b tt l t gli t d
a es o e e o e a e ro n e oo

P d r g w th i
en a on s
’
wh w d d t h r i b l d
or e son , o a e e e n oo ,

T h r h dr d S x l w with h i w v li t h d
ee un e a on s s e s o n a an an .

I t i s a truly m arv e ll o us acc o unt which i s g v e n i

o f Arthur s val o r u s c o nduct at th e battl e o f

’
o

Bad o n We aring his br e a s tplat e h i g ld h e l m e t

.
,
s o

with th e drag o n d e vic e up o n it and taking h is ,

s w o rd Excalibur h is s p r Ro and h is Shi e l d

-

, ea
‘

n ,

P ri d we h e fi rst r c e iv e d a bl e s s ing fr m t h e
n , e o

Bi s h o p D b riti and th e n h ad e d h is f o rc e
u us e

again s t th e Sax o n wh o r e c e iv e d t h e attack in a

s,

w e d g e f o r m ati o n as w s th e ir cu s t o m T h e i s su
-

,
a . e

o f t h e ba ttl e l o ng r e m a n e d in d oubt Th e fi g h t i .

ing wa s o f th e m o s t d e s p e rat e charact e r o b o th n

s id e s , and at th e c l o s e f day th e Sax o ns had th e o

a dvanta g e N e xt m rning th e c o nt e t was re

. o s

s u m e d Arthur st o r m in g th e m ount and b e ing at a

,

di advantag e by having th e l o w e r p o siti o n H i s

s .
‘
 1 56 T he L o st L a n d o f K in g A r th u r
pe rs o nal e xa m pl e h o w e v e r fi r e d his t r o o p s with
, ,

c o urag e Drawing h is s w o rd and utte ring t h e

.

na m e o f St Mary h e ru s h e d a m o ng th e e n e m y
.

and d e alt such s tr o k e s that a m f e ll e ach tim e an .

I n all 470 S ax o ns lay d e ad a s th e r e s ult o f that

t e rrific o n s laugh t and th e Brit o ns ru s hing in at ,

t h e right m o m e nt c o m pl e t e d t h e Sax o n r o ut .

Thi s was th e e d o f a l o ng ca m paign which had

n

tak e n Arthu r thr o ugh Linc o lnshir e S ta ff o rd s hir e , ,

and S o m e rs e t T h e da te o f th e ba ttl e as is u s ual

.
,

wi th Arthurian dat es cann o t b e fix e d I t i s giv e n ,

.

by di ff e r e nt ch r o ni l e rs a s 49 3 5 a s 5 6 in th e c ,
1 1 ,
1

A nna l e s C a m b ri ce and a s 5 0 ,
2 .

I t i s su rpri s ing that B ad o n sh o uld r e main *

vagu e and und e fin e d wh e n th e sit e s o f s o m e o f ,

th e o th e r and l e ss i m p o rtan t battl e s a re in m o s t

cas e s n o t dubi o us and a re e a s ily asc e r tain e d We .

kn o w fo r e xa m pl e tha t Barha m D o wn o r Bar e n

, , ,

d o wn e th e sc e n e o f o ne o f th e la s t e nc o unt e r s
,

with M o rdr e d wa s n e ar Cant e rbury ; and th e fact

,

th at th e r e ab o uts was an Ang l o Sax o n c e m e te ry -

may e ith e r b e t e sti m o ny to th e fact o r may hav e ,

sugg e s te d to th e chr o nicl e r s th e lik e lih o o d o f i ts

b e ing an anci e nt ba ttl e fi e ld Mr Rit s o n trac e d . .

Mr . E . W B Ni h l
. . c o son , in th e Aca d e m y
ad v a n ce d a num b r f v ry tre o e s on g a nd l r ea n ed a rg t
u men s

in fv r
a ou of th e o rigi l i d
na ea th t M
a on s B a d on i cu s wa s
B th
a .
 1 58 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
P o p e with all th e r yalty that c o uld b e m ad e o ,

h e app o rti o n e d t h e r e al m s a m o ng h i s knight s and

s e r vant s and r e turn e d to England landing at
, ,

Sandwich wh e r e th e qu ee n and a larg e c o m pany

,
*

w e r e waiting to r e c e iv e him King Arthu r h is .

'
,

k nighth o o d h is und e f e at e d warri o rs and h i s

, ,

al m o st m iracul o us battl e s re p e rhaps m o r e a ,

a

th e m e fo r t h e p o e t than fo r t h e hi s t o rian Such .

lin e s a s Ly t to n s acc o rd with th e r o m anc e and ’

r e ali s e t h e aspi rati o ns o f th e unsubjugat e d tribe

and o f th o s e wh o sang i ts fa m e and pr o ph e s i ed
it futur e triu m ph
s .

Ri g O w i n s h t —r i g G r i t t h d r y
a ne s
’
s ou , n s e a n
’
s un e -
cr ,

Th S x d th k ll i h d r d w r’
e a on s ea ne n a un e a s

A d C d n l gh f t i m p h —th r gh th k y
a or s
’
au o ru ou e
'

R h t i g b
us d ll wi f t
os s n h ti g t r an e ro s s as s oo n s a s,

T y t wh it li — L l t r
r s an s
'
f de on a n ce o
’
s c os s o re ,

A d T d r t d d with th S x h d
’ ’
n u o s s an ar e a on s ea .

A d h igh led p l d r r r
’
n ll it o er a ,
s sea s en ou ea s

T h v g f l m bl m
e en f th D r g e uKi g e e o e a on n s.

F ll th S x b r t th t rm f p r ;
u on e a on u s s e s o o s ea s

F d w th v l th
ar o h rgi g wh irlwi d r i g
n e a e e c a n n n s,

W h il th r gh th r k i t b rb ed k igh th d l v
e ou e an s s a n oo c a e,

l f ll w with i t r ri g w v
”
All C d ar ue o o s s oa n a e.

S a nd wi ch is m en ti o n ed v r l tim i
se e a es n th e r o m a n ce ,

b u t th e rfr e e e n ce s a re u n i mp rt t A i t
o an . n c en as th e pl a ce is ,
th r e e is nor e a so n to c on n e c t i wi th B r i t i h
t s o cc u p ti a on . At
th e ti m th e e e h ro n i c l e s w r writt
e e en , hwvro e e , i t wa s to o
i m p rt t o an a s ea p rt t
o o e s ca p m ti e en on .
 C HAPTE R VI I
O F C A ME L O T AN D A L ME S B U RY

W i t h t b r b l i th d b g l
a o d e an u e s ou n ,

U t K i g A rth r T b l R d
n o n u
’
s a e ou n ,

Ri gh t v l i t h rt I w t a a n ea s o ,

D r i k i h y p i i t l ty gl
n ,
n t s r
’
s us ee,

A d p l d g wi th f ll t j ll it y
n e e u es o

T h k i gh t f C m l t
ese n s o a e o .
”

Ri c h a rd H e n g i s t H orn e .

Ki nA rth r C m l t k p t h i C rt
g u a t a e o e s ou Ro y lla

W i th h i f ir Q D m Gi i
s a e u ee n e , a e u n ve r th e ga y
A d m
n y b ld b r itti g i h ll
an o a on s s n n a ,

W ith l d i tti r d i p p l d p ll
a es a e n ur e an a

A n d h e ra u l ts with h wk h ti g h igh e es oo n on

L r g " L rg " C h v l i
,

C rye d a es s e a e sse e a e rs tre s

h a rd ies l
” — P ercy Re l i qu e s .

G od s
’
ho ly na m e wa s on h is t o n gu e ,

Th i ne i n h is h e a rt— Q u ee n G u in e vr e e. —P a ton .

T H O S E wh o pre s s th e qu e sti o n wh e r e i s m any ,

t o we r d Ca m e l t wh e r e is th e r o yal m ount ri s ing

’
o ,

b e tw ee n th e f o r e st and th e fi e ld wh e r e i s th e ,

fla s hin g city o f th e m a rv e ll o us gat e may b e ,

re f e rr e d by th e v eraci o u hi s t o rian to a vill ag e in s

Franc e o r by th e unr o m antic antiquary to a

,

I S9
1 60 T he L os t L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
ha m l e t in S c o tland Ti m e h a s raz e d th e r e al
.

city wh e r e v e r i t was and th e p o e t can inv e s t it

, ,

with charms and e nvi r o n it with w o nd e r s which

it n ev e r p o ss e s s e d T h e s i m pl e l o v e r o f th e
.

l e g e n d will b e c o nt e nt to find King Arthur s ’

fav o urit e haunt i n th e fai r d o m ain o f E ngland ,

a m id th e s l ee py val e s and th e undi s turb e d hill s o f

r e s tful S o m e r s e t O n th M e ndip s within sight
. e ,

o f a l o ng rang e o f w o o d e d v e rdant hill s many a ,

t o w e r and s t e e pl e d o tting th e val e which sw e e p s

away until l o s t in th e blui s h ha e o f di s tanc e h e r e
z ,

and th e r e a bright h o m e s t e ad twinkling o th e n

h e ight s o r n e s tling in th e b o w e ry h o ll o ws th e r e ,

is a d e s e rt e d plac e call e d Cadbury Ca m p A .

st o n e wall wind s r o und an anci e nt e nca m pm e nt

and m ark s its b o unds and ju t acr o s s th e O p e n
,
s

land l o o king t o wards P o rti s h e ad lie th e wid e nin g

wat e rs o f t h e Bri s t o l Chann e l T h e hill s ar o und
.

S h o w e v e ry vari e ty o f gr e e n as th e y str e tch

furth e r and furth e r fr o m t h e s h o r e and o e w o uld ,
n

think that th e r e gi o n had b e e n unvi s it e d fo r a

th o usand y e ar s And if traditi o n b e tru e this
.
,

was Ca m e l o t Ca m e l o t wh e r e King Arthu r s o ught

,

r e p o s e ; Cam e l o t wh e r e S ir Lanc e l o t br o ught th e‘

daught e r o f King L e o d e g r u n c e o f th e land o f

a

th e g e t il e s t and fair e st lady ;

“ ”
C a m e l i a rd
,
n

Cam e l o t wh e r e th e king was w e dd ed u nt o da m e “

 162 T h e L o st L a n d o f K in g A r th ur

to dw e ll up o n his v ila n o s d ee d and his m e rci u

l e s s n e s s whil e at th e sam e tim e th e y w e r e abl e

,

to e xplain his s ubs e qu e nt act s o f c o ur te sy as t h e

r e ult o f th e duty put up o n h im by th e king

s .

G wa in e was Arthur s n e ph e w th e s o o f Mo r
a
’
,
n

gan l e Fay and Mal o ry pr e s e nt s h i m to u s alt e rn

,

at e ly as th e s o ul o f chivalry and th e typ e o f faith

l e s s n e ss Thi s acc o un ts fo r T e nny s o n s qu e ry
.
’
,

“
Art th o u n o t h e wh o m m e n call ligh t o f l o v e ? - -

and fo r th e p o e t s ass e rti o n that h is c o urt e s y had

’

“
a to uch o f t rait o r in it Ga w i e is fr e qu e ntly
.
”
a n

mad e th e s ubj e ct o f r e pr o o f in th e r o manc e ,

th o ugh h e c a m e o u t n o bly in th e e d wh e n h e n

v o w e d to b e r e v e ng e d o n sinful Lanc e l o t fo ugh t ,

him val o r o u s ly and di e d li k e a gr e at h e r o A c

, .

c o rding to th e o riginal W e lsh st o ry it mus t b e ,

r e m e mb e r e d Ga wa i e was call e d th e G o ld e n
, n

T o ngu e d o wing t o his p o w e rs o f p e r s uasi o n

, ,

n o n e b e ing abl e t o r e si s t him what h e a s k e d I n .

t h e Triad s h e i s addr e s s e d by Arthur a s Gwal “

ch m a i o f faultl e s s answ e rs
, and r e v o lting Tri s ,

tra m wh o dar e d th e king to nin e hundr e d c o m

,

bats list e n e d to Ga wa i e and yi e ld e d to h i s

, n

s o licitati o n T h e t o mb o f Ga wa i e acc o rding t o

. n ,

William o f Mal m e sbury was disc o v e r e d in th e ,

tim e o f William th e C o nqu e r o r in Wal e s c o unty ,

P mbro k e wh e r e Lady Charl o t te Gu e st t e ll s u s

e ,
_

th e r e is a distric t call e d Cas te ll Gwalch m ai .

 O f Cam elot an d A l m e sb u r 16
y 3
G wa i s c o u rt s y wa pr o v e rbial i n Chauc e r
a ne
’
e s
’
s

ti m e and th e W e lsh hist o rian s i m pu te to h im

,

gr e at s ci e ntific l e arning — th e r e wa s n o thing o f “

which h did o t kn o w t h e e l e m e nt s and th e

e n

m at e rial e s s nc e H e nc e S c o tt r f e r e n e t
” ’
e . s e c o

th e g e ntl e Gawain c o u rt e o u s l o r e All thi s

“ ’ ”
s .

is inc o n s i s t e nt with th e l e vity and har s hn e ss a tt ri

but e d to h im by Mal o ry th o ugh h i s want o n ,

b e trayal o f Si r P e ll e a s and h i s guilty r lati o n s e

with E tta rd e xp o s e d h im to t h e harg e o f infa m y

e c

an d caus e d him to l o s e g rac e in th e ight o f th o s e s

chr o nicl e r s wh o had b e gun to giv e a s piritual

s i g nificanc e t th e tal f Arthur s C o urt and to
’
o es o ,

find in t h e r e cital O pp o rtuniti e s fo r pr e aching

purit y .

P e ll e a s s h o p e l e s s l o v e fo r th e s c o rnful maid e n
’

i s o e f t h e s add es t s t o ri e s whi h f o r m part o f

n o c

th e Arthurian r e c o rd s I n his d e s pair at b e ing .

r j ct e d by th e s o v e r e ign lady fo r wh o m h e
e e
“ ”

had f o u g ht and pr e vail e d h e s o ught th e h e lp o f ,

S ir G w i e a a n And Sir Kni g ht sith ye re s , , a o

Ly tt gr i g with S th y th t G w i
on , a ee n h r t r ou e a a a ne s c
’
a ac e

su fle re d t th a p ri f th p t d th t h w
e ca ce o h m e oe s a n a e as s a e

f ll y l m i t d p k f
u ca u n a e ,
”
s ea s o

F k Gwi ra n a a ne,

Wh om mi rth fo r v r l ik f iry
e e , e a a ch i ld ,

L o ck d
’
fr om r f li f
th e c a e s o e .
”

W ll i ia m M ri o r s, i n T h e D cf mre f Gu m a
i ere,
'

m a k e s Ga wa i ne
th e a c cu s e r of th e q u e e n , a n d h e i s d e n ou n ce d for tr e a ch e ry .
1 64 T he L o st Lan d o f K i n g A r th u r
nigh a c o u s in unt o King Arthu r and a kin g s ,
’

so n ,
th e r e f o r e I pray th e e b e tray m e t but
, no ,

h e lp m e fo r I m a y n e v e r o m e by h r but by th e
, c e

h e lp o f s o m e g o o d kni g ht ; f r s h e i s i n a s tr o ng
o

ca s tl e h e r e fa s t by wi thin thi s f u r m il e s and

,
o ,

v e r all thi s c o untry s h e i s lady o f

.

o G w i e . a a n

v o w e d to s e rv e h im and d e clar e d that h e w o uld

,

rid e to t h e castl e taking with him P e ll e a s s h o r s e

,
’

and ar m o u r and t e ll h e r that h e had slain h e r

,

lov e r “
and s o S hall I c o m e within to h e r and ,

th e n s hall I d o m y tru e part and ye s hall n o t fail

,

t o hav e h e r l o v e But in s t e ad f winning E t o

tard e fo r P e ll e as h e wo h e r fo r hi m s e lf d e c l r
,
n ,
a

ing tha t h e had s lain P ll e a s and had c o m e fo r

e

h er l ove . Th ey w e nt o u t o f th e ca s tl e and dw e lt
with e ach o th e r fo r two day s in a pavili o n T h e .

r e s t o f th e pitiful s t o ry i s b e s t t o ld in Mal o ry s ’

ow n w o rd s And n th e third day in th e m o rn

“
o ,

ing e arly Sir P e ll e a s ar m e d h im fo r h e had n o t

, ,

s l e pt s ith that Sir Ga w i e d e part d fr o m h i m ;

a n e

fo r Sir Ga wa i n e had pr o m i s e d h im by t h e faith o f

h i s b o dy t o c o m e unt o him t o h i s pavili o n by t h e
pri ry within th e s pac e o f a day and a night
o .

Th e n Sir P e ll e a s m o unt e d o h o rs eb c k e and n a ,

cam e to t h e pavili o n that st oo d with o ut t h e castl e .

Th e n h e e w e nt to th e thi rd pavili o n and

f o und Si r Ga wa in e with his lady Et ta rd e ; and
1 66 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
c o m e f o u r hundr e d wint e rs and f o u r and fi fty
,
“
,

b e ing acc o m pli s h e d aft e r t h e pas s i o n o f o u r L o rd

,

J e s us Chri s t tha t th e plac e sh o uld b e n o l o ng e r

,

vacant T h e king wi s h e d acc o rding to cu s to m

.
, ,

to s e e an adv e ntur e b e f o r e sitting d o wn t o m ea t ,

and tidings w e re br o ught h i m o f a marv e ll o us

st o n e fl o a ting in th e riv e r and a sw o rd sticking ,

in it Lanc e l o t warn e d th e knight s n o t to t o uch

.

t h e sw o rd : Wh o a s s a ye th fo r to take that
“

s w o rd and fail e th o f it h e shall r e c e iv e a w o und

, ,

b v tha t sw o rd N ev e rth e l e s s G wa in e o b eying

”
.
,
a ,

th e c o m m and o f th e king t o o k th e sw o rd by th e ,

handl e but fail e d to m o v e it ; and Ga wa in e n e xt

,

day v ow e d to s et f o rth up o n th e q u e s t o f th e
Grail th e visi o n o f which had app e ar e d unt o th e
,

ass e mbly wh e n th e y r e t urn e d fr o m Ca m e l o t s “ ’

m inst e r H is qu e s t was unavailing

. Thr o ugh .

t h e Str e e t s o f Cam e l o t t h e knight s alli e d f o rth s ,

“
and th e r e wa s w e e ping o f t h e rich and p o o r and ,

th e king r e turn e d away and m i g ht o t s p e ak fo r

,
n

w e e ping O f all wh o fail e d Ga wa i e fail e d

.
”
,
n

m o s t S ignally T h e m o nk o f th e abb ey wh e r e h e
.

s o ught r e fug e c o nd e mn e d h is wick e dn e s s and ,

t h e g o o d m e n at th e h e rmitag e o f wh o m h e ask e d

h arb o ur fo r charity r e pr o ach e d h i m with h i s mis

,

c h i ev ou s lif e o f many wint e rs and st e rnly bad e ,

him d o p e nanc e I f Sir Ga wa in e r e d ee m e d his

.
 O f C am elot an d A l m e s b u ry 1 67

r e putati o n a s th e cha m pi o n o f th e inj ur e d kin g ,

it scarc e ly s u fii ce d to at o n e fo r th e e vil h e wr o ught

’

wh e n th e day s w e r e fair at Cam e l o t .

I n th e P ro l og by Caxt o n we a re told that ue

r e c o rd o f King Arthur wa s to b e f o und in th e

to n e o f Ca m e l o t t h e gr e t e s t o n e s and m e rv a y l
n ,

l o us we rky s o f yr o n lying und e r th e g roi d e and in ,

ryal vau te s which d yv e rs n o w lyv in g hath s ee n

,
.

Th e s e r e lic s hav e vani h e d and Ca m e l o t i s n o s ,

thin g but a wast e But th e r e i s ju s t a chanc e .

that Caxt n had s o m e o th e r Ca m e l o t than S o uth

o

Cadbury i n h i s m ind fo r h e p e ak s o f it s in ,
s a

Wal e s whil e in th e s t o ry f th e burial o f Balin

,
o

and Balan by M e rlin we r e ad that Balin s s w o rd ’

w s put in m arbl e s t o n e s tanding upri g ht

a s , a

gr e at a s a m il s t o n e and t h e s t on e h v e d a lwa y es ,
o

ab o v e th e wa te r and did m any y e re s and s o by , a ,

adv e ntur e it s wam d o wn e th e s tr e a m e to th e c it ie

o f Ca m e l o t that i s in E ngli s h , ,

Thi s c o nfu i o n i s e a s ily e xplain e d Putting a s id e

s .

t h e fac t that th e r e is littl e c o h e r e nc e o r c o n s i s t

-

e ncy in th e g eo graphy o f t h e r m an c e w hav e o , e

alr e ady sugg e s t e d a r e a s o n fo r th e chr o nicl e r s ’

A m tt r
s f h i t r y i t i w rth
a a t i g th t Wi
e o s o s o no n a n

c h t r i
es e H m p h ir
, p d t t h S x i th y r
n a s e, a sse o e a on s n e ea

5 5 1 ft r wh i h ti m C di h ld i t K i g A rth r w th
, a e c e ar c e . n u as en

on l y t w t y th r y r l d d l d t h v x t d d h i
en -
ee ea s o , an co u no a e e en e s
t rrit ry f r H m p h i
e o as a as a s re .
168 T he L o st L a n d o f King A r th u r

stat e m e nt tha t Ca m e l o t w a s Winch e st e r I n Mo . n

m o th s h i re i s Ca e r w e nt a r e s o rt o f King Arthur
u -

, ,

and Win h e t e r w s kn o wn a s Ca e r wy n t a
c s a -

su ffi ci e ntly cl o s e r e s e m blanc e t o l e ad th e o l d
chr nicl e r s astray O bvi o usly th e r e m u s t hav e
o .

b e e n m o r e than o e Ca m e l t if we re to
"
n o ,
a

pay any h ee d t o th e s ituati o n di s tanc e and

'

, ,

chara c te ri s tic s m e n ti o n e d in Mal ry s hapt e r s o

’
c .

Ca e r w e nt has a hist o ry d atin g ba c k to th e fi fth

-

c e ntury wh e n a sch o o l o r c ll e g e w s f o und e d

,
o a

th e r e by Y y r Gw e t kin g f th e di s tri c t call d

n n ,
o e

Gw e nt and th e hu s band f Vo rtim e r s daught e r

, o
’
,

Ma d r un. At Ca e r w e nt w s fo g h t e o f th e
-
a
'

u on

la s t Bri ti s h battl e s with th e S ax o ns j ust as th e y

w e r e r e aching th e gat s o f Ca e rl e o n its e lf T h e e .

t o wn is s ituat e d o th e Via Julia o r m ilitary r o ad

n , ,

m ad e by Juliu s Fro t iu s in t h e y e ar 8 0 and trac e s

n ,

o f it r e m ain e d at t h e b e ginning f last c e ntu ry o .

L e land sp e ak s f i ts f o ur gr e at gat e s which y e t

o
“

app e ar and an e nthu s ia s tic pilgrim in 1 80 2 wr o t

,
”
e

tha t th e p l ace d e s pit e its pr e s e nt u i v itin g a d

,
n n ' n

d es o lat e asp e ct d e s e rv e d e v e ry a tt e n ti o n t ha t
,
“

can b e b e s t o w e d by th e antiquarian o r l ov e r f o

th o s e s ci te s m e m o rabl e fo r having b ee n th e s c e n e s
o f magnific e nc e g e nius and h e r o is m R o man
, ,
.

g r e atn e ss h a s a t this plac e s h o n e with a S pl e nd o ur

littl e infe ri o r to any oth e r par t of th e kingd om ”
.

By s o m e Ca e r w en t i s supp o s e d to hav e b ee n th e
-
1
7 0 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
t r e ad o nc e br e ath e d T h e S e v e rn s parkl e s in
.

t h e distanc e and wa s pr o bably t h e riv e r o f “

,

Cam e l o t wh e r e M e rlin s e t th e p e ro n o r
,
” “

to m bst o n e and wh e r e Sir Tri s tra m app o int e d h i s

,

m e ting with Pa l a m id es
e .

N o d e s cripti o n o f Cam e l o t with i ts c o urts and ,

t o w e rs its knights and p eo pl e c o uld b e m o r e e

, ,
u

trancing t han T e nny s o n s He t o ld o f th e mighty ’

.

hall buil t by M e rlin with its mystic sy m b o ls in

,

s culptur e and statuary ; and h e said tha t it was

r e ach e d by th e sacr e d m o un t
"
“

A d l l th d i m r i h it y r f by r f
n a e , c c ,
oo oo ,

T w r ft r t w r p ir by p ir
o e a e o e ,
s e s e,

By gr v d g rd l w
o e an d r h i g br k
a en -
a n, an us n oo .

Arthu r s s tatu e had b ee n m o uld e d with a cr o wn

’
,

and p e ak e d wings p o inting to th e N o rth e rn

“

S tar and this r e pr e s entati o n again calls a tte n

,

ti o n t o t h e a s tr o n om ical s ignificanc e o f th e hist o ry

o f th e kin g wh o s e na m e is pr e s e rv e d in Arcturu s ,

th e s t ar o f fi rs t magni t ud e ab o v e which i s s e t ,

“
Arthu r s chai r Ursa Maj o r
’
,
.

Th e r e may n o t b e much to warran t th e vari o us

t raditi o ns o f Cam e l o t and th e r e r e mains n o t hing
,

t o v e rify th e m S o uth Cadbury

. o r Cadbu ry ,

Camp sil e n t and d e s e rt e d a s it n ow is u h

, ,

d o ub te dly has a curi o us hist o ry I t wa s anci e ntly .

kn o wn as C a m a lla te and C a m ellek and was early ,

 O f C a m el o t and A l m e sb u ry 1
7 1

as s o ciat e d with King Arthur ; it was a hill f o rt o f -

t ha t s trang e str o ng rac e o f wa rri o rs t h e B e lg ae

, , ,

wh o o v e rran t h e s o uth e rn c o unti e s and w e r e d i s

l o dg d fr o m th e ir str o ngh o lds wi th th e gr e at e st
e

d ifli cu l ty by t h e R o man s Thi s ca m p wa s a s th e

.

rallying p o int in th e British a n d Chris tian d o m ini o n

-

o f Gl a d e rh a f o r S o m e r s e t
,
S o m e hav e supp o s e d it
.

was th e C a th b rig io wh e re Arthu r r o u te d t h e

n

S ax o n s in a gr e at battl e and s o link e d his na m e

,

indiss o lubly with t h e l o cality L e land in h is .

"
I tin e ra ry d e scribe d it as s o m e t im e a fam o us
t own o r cas tl e up o n a v e ry t o rr e o r b ill w o nd e r
, ,

fully e s tre n g th en e d f natur e and J o hn S e ld e n

n o ,

in h is n o t e s to th e P o ly olb i o o f Drayt o n d e fi
n ,

i te ly d e s crib e d it as a h il l o f a m il e c o m pass at
“
n

th e top ,
f o ur tre nch e s e ncirclin g it and twixt ,

e v e ry on e o f th e m an e arth e n wall ; th e c o nt e nt s

o f it within ab o ut t w e nty acr e s full o f ruins and ,

,

r e lics o f o ld buildings ”
I t has yi e ld e d vari o u s
.

anci e nt w e ap o n s Ro man c o ins a silv e r h o r s e

, ,

s h oe, and articl e s o f camp e quipag e T h e f o ur .

c o nc e n t ric d e p di tch e s and th e rampar ts f o rty

e ,

fi v e f e e t apart can still b e trac e d and th e camp

, ,

s ee m s to hav e b e e n o riginally c o nn e c te d with an

e xt e n s iv e intr e nchm e nt o n th e O pp o s it e s u m m it o f

t h e hill to th e n o rth w e st -
F r o m i ts p o siti o n Cad
.

bury m ust hav e b ee n an i mpo rta n t s ta tion c o rn '

1
7 2 T he L ost L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
m anding th e m ilitar y r o ad which ran fr o m B ow e r
Wall s o th e Av o n to th e n e ighb uring h e ights
n o

o f Cl e v e d n —t h e littl e t o wn which g av
o birth to e

Arthur H e nry Halla m wh o s e anc e tral ab o d e ,

s ,

Cl e v e d o n C o urt is s h e lt e r e d by t h e fi r tr e es whi h
,
-
c

re s ee n gr o up e d in gl o o m fr o m Cadbury s h e ight
’
a .

At Cl e v e d o n al s o dw e lt C o l ridg e fo r a ti m e s e ,
a

s e v e ral o f h i s p o e m s writt e n in c e l e brati o n o f

,

th e s urr o unding s c e n e s will fo r e v e r r e m ind u s

, .

Fr m Cadbury can b e di s c e rn e d th e pr e tty villag e

o

o f Wringt n wh e r e is ch e ri s h e d th e m e m o ry f
o , o

t h e Re v W L e v s wh fa s hi o n e d fo r Auld
. e e ,
o
“

R o bin Gray a fitting m e l dy I t is e asy to o .

p e rc e iv e that t h e p os s e s s o r o f a tr o ngh ld o s o n

Cadbury w uld b e abl e t h o ld in s ubj e cti o n th e

o o

e nti r e di s trict and th e na m e o f t h plac e app e ar

,
e s

t o b e ar witn e s s that a d e i iv e battl e o nc e rag e d c s

th e r e fo r c d i s t h C o rni s h and C y m ri w o rd
,
a e an

fo r battl e and b u ry fo r hill r br o w

, o .

But i t i Arthur and Arthu r o nly wh i s c m

s , ,
o o

m e m o ra te d at Cadbury Ca m p t o day Th e r e m a y -
.

b e s ee n h i s R o und Tabl e and th e l o cal s up e r ,

s t i t ion runs that within t h e charm e d i rcl e th e c

king m y b e s ee n s ittin g with h is kni g ht s b e hind

a

barr e d g o ld e n gat e s T h e g r e at intr e nch m e nt i s

.

call e d th e sit e o f King Arthu r s Palac e ; in t h e ’

fi e ld b e l o w is King Arthur s Hunting Cau s eway ; ’

 1
74 The L ost L an d o f Kin g A r th u r

To Cam e l o t th e knight s s e nt th e i r pris o n e r s t o

d o h o m a g e t o King Arthur and c o nf e s s h i s gr e at
n e ss T h e church o f S t St e ph e n s o ft e n call e d
. .
’

th e Min s t e r was th e place wh e r e th e king and

,

his f o ll o w e rs as s e m bl e d to h e ar th e Archbi s h o p s ’

bl e s s ing up o n th e ir e n te rpri s e s and in th e adj o in ,

ing gr o unds th e principal m e s lain in battl e w e r e n

buri ed with all h o n o u r T h e tw e lv e king s wh o

.

f e ll in war with King L o t w e r e buri e d in th e “

church o f Sai nt St e ph e n s in Ca m e l o t and th e ’

, ,

r e mnant o f knight s and o f o th e r w e r e buri e d in

a gr e at r o ck s o o n e f th e re c o rd s ru n s By
,
”
o . .

t h e s id e f La c e o r s t om b mad e by M e rlin
’
o n , ,

Tri s t ram and Lanc e l o t e nc o unt e r e d e ach o th e r and

f o ugh t to g e th e r unkn o wn and e ith e r w o und e d ,
”

o th e r w o nd e rly s o r e that th e bl o o d ran o u t up o n

,

th e gra s s ; th e n disc o v e ring that th e y w e r e

”
,

fri e nds th ey yi e ld e d up th e i r sw o rds

,
e ith e r ,

kiss e d o th e r an hundr e d ti m e s and r o d e back to ,

”

Cam e l o t E lain e t h e m o th e r o f Galahad ca m e to

.
, ,

Cam e l o t richly attir e d and pu t Lanc e l o t to sham e

, ,

and i t was at Cam e l o t tha t th e last sad sc e n e s in

th e i r t ragic drama w e r e e nact e d T h e qu e s t fo r .

th e S a n c g rea l b e gan th e r e and King Arthu r full , ,

o f f o r e b o dings t oo k a last r e vi e w o f h is knight s

,

and caus e d th e m to as s e mbl e fo r a last t o urna

m e nt in Cam e l o t s m e ad o ws ’
that aft e r y o ur ,
“
 O f C a m el o t an d A l m e sb u ry
'

1
75
d e ath m e n m a y sp e ak of it t ha t such g oo d ,

knigh ts w e r e wh o lly t o g e th e r s uch a day T he .

qu e n and h er ladi e s b e h e ld th e n o bl e g ath e ring

e

fr o m h e r t o w e r and s a w S i r Galahad th e p e rf e ct
, ,

knight bre ak th e sp e ar s o f all wh o ca m e again s t

,

him sav e that of his fath e r S ir Lance l o t and , ,

that f his c o m p e e r S i r P e rcival e Wh e n n e x t

o .

we r e ad f Ca m e l o t Arthur i s r e gr e t ting th e l os s
o ,

o f half h i s n o b l e c o m pany ; and wh e n th e w o r s t

had c m e to pa s s and th e kin g di s c o v e r e d th e

o ,

wro ng d o n e to him by Lanc e l o t and Guin e v e r e it ,

was o f l o n e ly Ca m e l o t h e th o ught with t e nd e r e st

r e gre t T e nny s o n h s s e iz e d u po n thi s id e a and
. a ,

put int o th e m o uth o f th e king th e m o urnful

s o lil o q uy a s h e mus e s o his faithl e s s wif e n

H w d i t w r t liv o sa e e o e

A d itn m r wi th i th l
s o n ce ly h ll
o e n e one a ,

w t d m b r f m y k i gh t
‘

A d min th ss e on e nu e o n s,

A n d i n th y bwro e s of C ame o lt or of Usk

ti ll w ld gli d fr m r m t r m
T h y s h a do w s ou e o oo o oo ,

A d I hn ld v rm r b v x d with th
s ou e e o e e e e ee

I nh gi g r ban v t r m t
n o e or a ca n o na en

O r g h tl y f tf ll h i g
os th
oo t ir a ec o n on e s a .
”

Thi s wa s wh e n th e tim was c o m e that Arthur e

s h o uld s e Ca m e l o t o m o r e —wh e n h e had g o n e

e n

f rth t o h i s la s t fight and Guin e v e r e had tak e n

o
~

th e nun s habit and im m u r e d h e r s e lf in A lm e s b u r

’

y .
1
7 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
R e nan has v e ry fin e l y r e m ark e d that in C e lti c

lit e ratur e w m an i m r e t e nd e rly and d e licat e ly

o s o

p o rtray e d than in th e writing s and s on g s f any o

o th r rac e L o v e i s a m y s t e ry a kind o f ih “
e .
,

t o xicati o n a madn s s a giddin e s s and w o man

,
e , ,
”

i s sup e rbly id e ali s e d until S h e e e m s in o u r e y e s s

an e th e r e al radiant half s piritual o r e v e n an g e li c

, ,
-

cr e atur e T h e r o m anc e s a re d e wy with f e m inin e

.
“

s e nti m e nt and t h e chivalric c o nc e pti o n o f th e

,

h e r o in e i s s o pur e and b e autiful that P e rcival e s ’

si s t e r o r G e raint s wif e app e ar s a s a s o rt o f

,
’
,
“

vagu e vi s i o n int e r m e diat b e tw e e n m and th e e an

sup e rnatural w o rld Ev e n faithl s Guin e v r

.
”
es e e

i s s h e o t s o rar e ly b e autiful a re o t h e r s p e ll
n ,
n

and witch e ry s o s t r o ng that whil hating h r , ,

e e

sin we h e s itat to j o in i n h e r c o nd e m nati n and

, e o ,

hav e o h e a rt to appr o v e s uch pa s s i nat e d e nuncia

n o

ti o n a s wa s s p o k e n by th e king in h i s h o u r o f
gl oo m ? T h e visi n o f Guin e v r e fla s h e s up o n u s
o e

as s h e was wh e n Lanc e l o t l e d h e r fr o m C m e l ia rd a

t o th e king s c o urt at Ca m e l o t wh e n s h e w e nt
’
,

a Maying with h e r maid e ns

-
and wh e n h e wa s , s

t h e cyn o s ur e o f all y e s a m o ng th e s p e ctat o rs o f

e

C m p r G i v r I lt with th S d i v i
o a e u ne e e or se u os e ca n na an

f ri G d r
u es d C h i m h i ld
u un d y
an wi l l v w t h t
r e, an ou a o a

wm o h
an h i v lr y
su c iv d h
as c id l f w t
a c on ce e e r, an ea o s ee

n ess d l v li
an ot p e th p r m d f li f i
n es s se u as e su e e en o e, s a

r ti i r l ity C lti —R
c ea on n ea e c . en a n .
1
7 8 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
~
Wha t ingr e di e nt o f h i s t o ric fact th e r e m a y b e
i n th e r e c o rd that th e A m b re s b y rig o f th e Sax o n s ,

and th e Ca e r E m ry s o f th e Mabin o gi o n was “ ”

th e qu e e n s r e tr e at th e fai thful al o n e must d e

’
,

cid e All that i m partial and ot to o cr e dul o u s

. n

hi s t o rian s can d o is to pr o n o unc e th e plac e a s n o t

unlik e ly o t i m p o s sibl e and n o t u fi tti g a s h e r
,
n ,
n n

ab o d e and a s th e s c e n e o f h e r la s t acts o f r e stitu

ti o n and r e p e ntanc e Al m e sb u ry is a B riti s h .

e arthw o rk f f o rty acr e s th e s tr o ngh o ld o f Am

o ,

br o s iu s Aur e lianu s Dux B rit n ia ru m o f R o m an

,
an ,

lin e ag e but t h cha m pi o n o f th e B rit o ns against

,
e

th e S ax n h o rd e o R e ligi o us a s s o ciati o ns b o th
.

e arly and lat e cling to thi s anci e nt plac e and ,

l o ng aft e r Guin e v e r e wa s du s t a B e n e dictin e

m o na s t e ry f o und e d by Qu e e n E lfrida c o ntinu e d
, ,

t h e r e ligi o u s traditi o n s o f t h e e arli e r e r ; and th e a

fact that A l m e s b u ry w th e cu s t o m ary r e tr e at o fas

r o yal ladi e s wh o wi s h e d to withdraw fr o m th e

w o rld c o nfi r m s th e charac te r o f th e place a s d e
p c te d in Mal o ry s chr o nicl e
i Guin e v e r e gav e h e r
’
.

s e lf up to la m e ntati o n a m o ng th e nuns and (6

,

n e v e r cr e atur e c o uld m ak e h e r m e rry Sir Lanc e

l o t s vi s it o nly str e n g th e n e d h e r r e s o luti o n t

’
o

m ak e a m e nd s fo r t h e past and pr o m pt e d h i m al s o ,

to s e e k to
, lat e p e rf e cti o n in right eo us living
o , .

Whil e in a h e r m itag e hi m s e lf th e r e cam e to h im

 O f C a m el o t an d A l m e sb u ry 1
79
th e vi s i o n qu e e n s e d and takin g h e r
of th e
’
n ,

c o rp s e to Glast o nbury h e p e rf o r m e d fo r it th e ,

la s t rit e and th e n d e liv e r e d hi m s e lf o v e r t od e ath

s, .

H i r es ting plac e w s J y u s Gard which in h i s

s -
a o o , ,

g ri e f h e had cal l e d D o l o r o u s Gard ; t h e qu n w s ee a

laid by h e r hu s band s s id in th e i s land vall ey ’

e -
.

B ut at Llanilt e rn e n e ar Cardi ff a hu g e qu o in , ,

s t o n e m a y b e ee n with an al m o s t und e ciph e rabl e

s

H i f c t and p o pular traditi o n d e clar e s that thi s

c a e ,

i Guin e v e r m nu m e nt Thr o ugh thi s knight

’ “
s e s o .

an d me , aid th e qu e e n wh e n S i r Lanc l t and

”
s ,
e o

s h e m e t in t h e Al m e s b u ry c o nv e nt all th e war s “
,

w e r e wr ught and th e d ath o f th m o s t n obl e

o ,
e e

knight s o f th e w o rld fo r thr o ugh o u r l o v e that :

we hav e l v e d t g th e r i s m y m o s t n o bl e l o rd
o o e

s lain ; th r f r e e wit th o u w e ll S i r Lan l o t I

e o , ce ,
,

m i n s u h a plight t g e t m y s o ul s h e alth ; and

’
a c o

y t I tru t thr o u g h G o d s g rac e that aft e r m y

’
e s ,
,

d e ath fo r to hav e t h e s i g ht o f t h e bl e s s e d fac e o f

J e su Chri t and at t h e dr e adful day o f d o o m t
s , o

s it o h i s right s id e : f r s s in ful cr e atur e s a s

n o a

e v e r wa s I re s aint in h e av e n Wh e n n e xt ”
a s .

th e fal s e ly tru e kni g ht s a w th e qu e e h e w s n a

in h i m o nk s habit and s h e w
s
’
wrapp e d in as
“

s e ar e d cl o th f r e in s fr m th e t p t o th e t o e in
s o ,
o o
,

thirty f o ld ; th n o f t h e f o ll o w e d h e r to
”
e , n oo ,

h e r t o m b r e calling h e r b e auty h e r b o unty and

“
, , ,
1 80 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
h er n o bl e n e s s T h e n e xt sc e n e i
. at J oy o u s s

Gard it s e lf with S i r Lanc e l o t s m iling s h e li e s

,
a

d e ad and a hundr e d t o rch e s bu rnin g ab o ut h i m ;

,

whil e S i r Ect o r d Mari s d e liv e r t h e n o bl e s t f

e s o

tribut e s t o t h e c o urtli e s t knight th e tru e t fri e nd ,

s ,

t h e m ee k e s t m t h e s t e rn e t f e and
an, t h e tru e t s o , s

l o v e r o f a sinful m a that e v e r l o v e d w m an
.
n o .
”

Fr o m Ca m e l o t to A l m e s b u ry is a far j o urn e y ,

and that j urn ey m arks th e two e xtr e m e s o f

o

Arthurian hi s t o ry fr o m th e happi e s t to th e s a d
d e st fr o m th e h e ight f p o w e r and th e pl e nitud e
,
o

o f p e ac e t o t h e final d lati o n and unavailing eso

r e gr e t T h e bridg e whi h c nn ect Ca m e l o t with

. c o s

Al m e s b u ry i s m ad e up o f th e gr e at e s t achi e v e
m e nt s and th e d e e p e t t rag e di e s o f Arthur s r e ign
s
’
.

I t is a bridg e f a s c e nt and d es c e nt i ts high e st

o ,

p o in t mark e d by th e pui s s anc e o f th e Tabl e

Ro und and Galahad s achi e v e m e nt o f t h e qu e s t
’

o f th e Grail i ts l o we st part dipping int o th e

,

e te rnal gl o o m which f o ll o w e d t h e la s t battl e in

th e w es t —a g l o o m fr o m which t h e Brit o n s w e r e

d e stin e d n e v e r to e m e rg e That g l o o m fall s o v e r .

Al m e s b u ry but Ca m e l o t i s s till l e f t in t h e li g ht
, .

N e v e r wa s and n e v e r can b e s uch a fairyland

, ,

m any to we r d Ca m e l o t I ts crystal dyk e s

“ ’ ”
as -
.
,

i ts S l o p e s tr e e t i ts w e ird whit e gat e and i ts

, ,

s pir e s and turr e t s with o ut nu m b e r a re a p o et s ,

’
1 82 T he L ost L an d o f K i n g A r th u r
with that l o v whi h wa s h e r d o o m I t is o t
e c . n

w e ll to inquir e m o r e d ee ply and m o r e c lo s e ly int o

th e past o f Cam e l o t b u t to h e e d t h e p o e t s
’

warning
N v r k t b h ld e e s ee o e o

W h r th ry t l tr m
e e e c i th C i ty f G ld
s a s ea s ra n n e o o .

B e tte r to p e o pl e it with t h e phant o m s o f Arthur s ’

C o urt than to disc o v e r tha t th e cav e m e n o f th e

M e ndip s m ad e it an ab o d e T h e p eo pl e can .
“

t e ll e n o thing th e r but that th e y hav hard say ,

e

that A rtu re m uch r e s rt e d tO C m lo t wr o t e o

'

a a ,
”

L e land and that s u ffi c e s Ca m l o t i s pur e ly

,
. e
’

id e al and it i s e n o ugh to find a r e al Ca m e l o t

,

which faintly r e calls th e plac e which Arthu r s ’

e ul o gist s d e e m e d fitting fo r h i s C o urt S uch .

citi e s which had o b e ginning hav e o e n d and

,
n ,
n ,

Ca m e l o t will la s t s l ng and pr o v e a s ind e a o ,

s t ru c t ib l e a s Fa iryland it s e lf
,
.

T he th r u s he s sa n g in th e l one ga den r th r e e

Cl an
g in g of a rm s a b tp vl
ou a i i o n fa i , r
M i x wi t h h k i g h t l g h t h r
ed t e I w ll k w
n s
’
a u s e e, a s e no ,

R d L
o e l t h k i g f ll h b d
a nce o ,
t e n o a t e an ,

A d n wli g G w i
sco l i k th i g h t i d y
n a a ne, e e n n a ,

A d h
n d m G r t h with h i g r
an so e t wh i t h d
a e ,
s ea e an

C ld r d h h lm r t h j i d h fr y
' ’

ur oun t e e -
c es ,
e re e o n t e a .
 C HAPTE R VI I I
OF S T. K N I G HT O N
S KI V D H H O L GR A I L
’
E E AN T E Y

Th w e w r h m p i q it h w rld— h i d
a r -
o n c a on u s t e o to e

Hi th i
s t m l l k wh r m k b id
n au u na oc s e e on s a e

I l i t r d p ri v y
n c o s e e W d w h ac .
”
or s o rt .

H i th r m J p h f A i m h y
e ca e os e o r at ,

Wh b r gh t with h i m h H l y G r y l (
o ou th y y) t e o a e e sa ,

A d p
n h h tr th b
re a c i
t t it g
e tly d id d y
u u t s n ce re a e ca .

S pen s e r .

A B O U T a mil e fr o m Tintag e l al o ng th e hilly ,

r o ad l ading to B o s ca s tl e and pa s sing th e w o nd e r

e ,

ful littl e B o s s in ey c o v e with its l e phant s hap e d e -

r o ck th e r e is a s m all rapid stre am which wind s

,

thr o ugh th e R o cky Vall ey and fall s lik e a t o rr e n t

at l o w tid e int o th e s e a T h e R o cky Vall e y with .
,

its thr ee hu g e b o uld e rs i ts narr o w walk o w , n

l e ading to th e sid e o f th e str e am and n o w m o unt

ing far ab o v e it and e nding o nly wh e r e th e ir o n
,

c liffs b e e tl e ab o v e th e r o ugh e st o f bays is o e o f ,

n

t h e m o s t subli m e sp e ctacl e s tha t Natur e has t o

di s play in that e nchan te d r egi o n T h e sc e n e ry is .

a m ixtur e o f dark and fr wning h e ight s standing o

1 83
1 84 T he L o st Lan d o f Ki n g A r th ur

ou t with pr e cipit u s s id es and o f gr e e n and

o ,

g e ntl e undulati o n s a m id t which s parkl e s e v e r

, s

and an o n th e tinklin g s inu u s br o o kl e t But it is o .

n ot so m uch t h e vall y d e s pit e its manifo ld

e ,

char m s a s th e littl e s tr e am whi h h s a p e cial

, , c a s

int e r e t fo r th e pil g ri m By d e vi u s way s i t

s . o s

c o ur s e m a y b e trac e d back thr ugh a rushy o

c hann e l which li e s d e e p and al m o s t hidd e n b e

tw e e n two s e t s o f w e ll w o o d e d hill s until s udd e nly
-

t h e trav e ll e r h e ar s t h e s o und o f a s ha rp s pla s hing

fr o m an un s n cataract T h e walk o w l e ad s
ee . n

upward to a s m all gat e ; pa s s ing thr o ugh th e '

o p e ning we d e sc e nd nc e m o r e a s t ee p e m bank
o

m e n t and find o ur s e lv e s at t h e wat e r e dg e I t is -

.

a haunt e d s e qu es t e r e d s p o t s hut in by th e hill s

, , ,

o v e rca s t by s had o w s t h e o n e s o und th e s o und o f

,

t h e l e aping str e a m Thi s i s St Knight o n s ’

. .

Ki e v e o nce r e gard e d with a s p e ci e s o f h o ly a we

,

in C o rnwall and b e li e v e d lik e m s t natural w e lls,

o

or
“
basin s to b e und e r t h e sp e cial pr o t e cti o n
,
”

and influ e nc e o f a s aint T h e s up e r s titi o n is an

.

o l d o e and s l o wly dying o u t th o ugh t h e b e li e f

n , ,

i n h o ly we ll s fairy w e ll s and wi s hing w e ll s is

, ,

o n e o f th e m o s t pl a ing and l e a s t har m ful o f all

e s

anci nt f anci e s Ev e ry spring wa s o f y o r e re

e .

gard e d m o r e o r l e s s as a m i racl e ; e v e ry t rr e nt o

had its tut e lary g e niu s .

 1 85
’
O f S t K n i gh to n
. s K i ev e
The Ki e v e is a natural b owl in to which th e
flashing a s cad e plung e s fr o m th e r o cks ab o v e
c .

T h e wat e r h s w o r i t way thr u g h a narr o w

a n s o

r cky cr evic e and dr o p s thr o ugh a natural bridg e

o

thickly o v rgr wn with f e rn and m o s s T h e

e o .

dark Ki e v e r e c e iv es th e t o rr e nt and th e wat e r ,

s pr e ads o u t again and dimpl e s i n t h e s hall o w b e d ,

g liding s m o o thly and al m o st s il e ntly thr o ugh th e

luxuri o u s plantati o n N o w and th e n we at c h its
. c

gl e a m a m n g th e lu s h f o liag e and a m il e o r
o ,

m o r e b e y o nd m a y b e s e e n th e d ee p blu e f th e o

se a int o which it p o ur s its tiny tribut e B e l w . o

th e e dg e o f t h e Ki e v e i a flat lab and t h e s t r e a m

s s ,

i s br o k e n a s it S h o o ts d o wn ; n o e S id e i s a o n

bulging black r o ck whi h l k dark e r by c o c oo s n

tra s t with th e s hining wat e r s T h e tr e e f o r m a . s

s cr e n
e thr o ugh which th e li g ht pass e s m r e o

di m ly and thi s eclud e d half hidd e n s p o t is p e r

, s -

c iv e d t o b e a fi tting sc e n e fo r t h e st o ri e s it h a s
e

in s pir e d .

T h e Ki e v e as a plac e fo r c o mpl e t e r e ti r e m e nt

w o uld with m any disadvantag e s p o s s e s s th e o e

, ,
n

s tr o ng and d es irabl e advantag e o f b e in

g di ffi cult
t o di s c o v e r with o ut th o s e writt e n in s tructi o n s a s

t o t h e winding path which a re n o w plac e d i n t h e

vi it o r s hands Fo r lying a m il e o r m o r e b e
s
’
.
,

y o nd th e b e at e n track it can b e f o und o nly aft e r

,
1 86 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
a c o nfu s ing j o u rn e y thr o ugh th e thick bru h s

and w ee d s o f th e vall ey o v e r ru d e ly c o nstruct e d

,

bridg e s up s t ee p and S lipp e r y e mbank m e nts and

, ,

fi nally thr o ugh th e d o o rway which is k e pt cl o s e d

and l ck e d a g ain t all c o m e r s s av e th o s e wh o hav e
o s

b e gun th e s e arch fr o m th e right and l eg al r o ad .

I f we w e r e to adh e r e stri tly t o Mal ry s narra

c o
’

tiv e we s h o uld s a y that th e qu e s t fo r t h e H o ly

Grail b eg an at Ca m e l o t L o cal traditi o n h o w e v e r
.
, ,

i s privil e g e d to d e part fr o m writt e n r e c o rds and ,

i t happ en s that in thi s cas e th e s c e n e i s trans

f e rr e d t thi s s p o t n e ar King Arthur s birthplac e
o
’
.

W e a re a s k e d to b e li e v e that t h e knights stand ,

ing wi th b o w e d h e ad s i n th e Ki e v e und e rt o o k ,

t h e s e arch fo r th e H o ly V e s s e l o f t h e La s t Supp e r ,

br o ught by J o s e ph o f A rim th a a to this land th e

a ,

Cup that had b ee n hidd e n and l o st and wa s ,

d e s tin e d t b e di s c o v e r e d o nly by th e pur e and

o

p e rf e ct knight T h e king s tanding o n th e bri dg e

.
,

o f r o ck a b o v e t h e t o rr e nt watch e d h is r e v e r e nt
,

f o ll o w e r s in th e s tre am b e l o w laving th e ir br o ws
in i ts wat e r s li s t e ning to th e music o f th e fall
, ,

and full o f th e in s pi rati o n o f th e s c e n e making

, ,

th e i r s o l e m n v o ws and with a firm d e sir e aft e r

,

right e o u s n e s s s e tting f o rth up o n th e qu e s t .

Lanc e l o t and B rs P e rc e val and Galahad wh e n

o , ,

i n th e wild w oo d s far di s tant o r am o ng th e ruin e d

1 88 T h e L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
way and to trac e it backward o r o nward inv o lv e s
,

an e q ually l o ng and t o rtu u s j o urn e y T h e o .

pri m ary f o r m o f th e l e g e nd th e actual b e ginning ,

o f t h e Grail r o manc e cycl e r e m ain s a my s t e ry,

and s e e m ingly undi s c o v e rabl e T h e o ld e st p o e m s .

o n t h e s ubj e ct th o s e o f C h ri s t ie
,
d e Tr y e s and n o

R o b e rt d e B rr o n w e r e f o und e d up o n a m o d e l
o , ,

o r m o d e ls ,
ab s o lut e ly untrac e d That it was a .

pri m itiv e C e ltic traditi o n ad m its o f o d o ubt but n ,

wh e n Walt e r Map inc o rp o rat e d th e l e g e nd int o

th e Arthurian st o ry in th e thi rt e nth c e ntury th e r e e

w e r e Latin G e r m an and Fr e nch o riginal s fo r

, ,

h im t o w o rk up o n I n o e chi e f v e r s i o n o f th e
. n

narrativ e P e rc e val i s th e supr e m e figur e ; in th e

o th e r Galahad P e rc e val and B o rs all achi e v e a
, ,

m e asur e o f s ucc e s s t h e fi rst na m e d b e ing th e

, ,

abs o lut e vict o r and th e o th e rs b e ing admitt e d to

partial triu m ph T h e Chri s tian e l e m e nt in th e
.

cycl e i s di s tinct al m o st thr o ugh o ut and t h e many ,

v e r s i o n s hav e o e p o int in c o mm o n— th e sanctity

n

o f th e Grail i ts c o nn e cti o n with t h e Savi o u r o r

, ,

with J o hn th e B aptist a n d its c o ntinu e d m i ra c u

,

l o u s p o w e r pr oc ee ding fr o m thi s c o nn e cti o n B ut .

th e C e ltic o riginal s w o uld b e fr e e fr o m trac e s o f

Christian s y m b o li s m I n Mal o ry we find th e.

H o ly V e s s e l in th e p o s s e s s i o n o f King Pe ll e a s ,

ni g h c o usin to J o s e ph Wh e n th e king a d S i r
. n ,
 89
’
O f S t K n i gh ton . s K i ev e 1

Lanc e l o t w e nt to tak e th e ir r e pa s t a d o v e e nt e r e d
t h e wind o w f th ca tl e and s h e b o r e in h e r
o e s ,

bill a littl e c e n s e r o f g o ld fr o m which pr oce e d e d a

s av ur a
o if all t h e s pic e ry o f t h e w o rld had b ee n
s

th e r e T h e tabl e w s f rthwith fill e d with g o o d

. a o

m e at s and drink s b y m e ans o f t h Grail th e e ,

rich es t thing that any m a hath living a s King n ,

”

P e ll a s d clar e d Wh e th e r th e Grail wa s a
e e .

chalic e which r c iv e d t h e bl o o d f t h e crucifi e d

e e o

L rd ; wh e th e r a s o th e r s hav e affi r m e d it w s th e
o , ,
a

di s h which th e h e ad o f J o hn th e Bapti s t had

on

lain ; o r wh e th e r it w s a m iracul o u s s t o n e which a

f ll fr m th e c r o wn o f th e r e v o lting ang e l s m ad e
e o

fo r Lucif e r t h e b e li f in i t r e alit y in e arly ti m e s

,
e s

m u s t hav e b e e n s in e r e and in e radicabl e I t was c .

s aid t o hav e u tain e d J o e ph during an i m pri o n

s s s s

m e nt o f f o rty two y e ars ; th e fi s h e r m an kin g

-

P e ll e a s n ee d e d
, f o o d whil e it wa i n h i s k e e p
no s

ing Thi s i s s e t f o rth in W o lfra m s Par ival

.
’ “
z

Wh t r wi h d i d mm d
a e e
’
one s
’
s es co an ,

Th t f d h r dy t h i h
”
a ou n d e ea o s an .

W o lfram vo E s ch e nbach t o wh o m b o th G e rmans

n ,

and Engli s h we s o m uch f o und a c o ll e cti o n o f

o ,

badly j o in e d fabl e s which h e tu rn e d int o an e pic ,

m aking Parzi val ( P e rc e val ) th e h e r o and th e Grail

qu st th e c e ntral incid e nt W o lfra m kn e w n o
e .

thing o f J o s ph o f Arimath aea ; but Mr Alfre d

e .
1 90 T he L ost L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
N utt has p o int e d o u t that th e J o s e ph f o rm f th e o

Grail s t ry and th e P e rce val f o r m m a y r e ally f o rm

o

o e o rganic wh o l e
n o r t h e o e part m y b e an
,
n a

e xplanat o ry aft e r t h o ught

-
Wh e th e r th e Chri s tian
.

e l e m e nt wa s influ e nc e d by C e lti traditi o n o r c ,

wh e th e r th e Chri s tian l e g e nd wa s s up e ri m p o e d s

up o n th é C e ltic ba i s i s th e s ub tl e p o int which

s ,

fe w car e t o s y i s d e cid e d
a T h e sugg e sti o n has
.

b e e n th r o wn o t that th e Grail l e g e nd m a y e v e n
u

b e o f J e wish o rigin and that in singin g o f th e ir

,

H o ly City wh o s e wall s s h o uld b e call e d salva “

ti o n wh o s e g at e s prai s
,
“
and wh o s e s t o n
e,
’
es

s h o uld b e laid in fair c o l o ur s th ey s uppli e d th e

”
,

g e rm fr o m which i n m e di aeval ag e s th e Grail

m yth s prang . T h e Grail was an articl e o f s tr o ng
b e li e f with th e T e m plar s wh o w o r s hipp e d th e h e ad
o f J o hn th e Baptist which was r e p o rt e d t o hav e
,

b e e n f o und in th e f o urth c e ntury to hav e k e pt an ,

Emp e r o r fr o m dying at C o n s tantin o pl e and t o ,

hav e pr o vid e d n o uri s h m e nt fo r all wh o w e re

e ngag e d up o n r e ligi o u s cru s ad e s T h e id e a o f th e.

H o ly City s ee ms agai n to r e call th e a s pira ti o n o f

t h e T e mplars ,
and th e S arra s o f r o m anc e m y a

hav e b e e n n o n e o th e r than J e ru s al e m Mr Nut t . .

h a s b ee n abl e t o adduc e C e ltic parall e l s fo r all th e

l e ading incid e n ts in th e r o manc e o f th e Grail ,

whi le th e many i nc o nsi s t e nci e s in t h e v e rsi o ns

1 92 T h e L o st Lan d o f K i n g A r th u r
knight s t hat e v e r w e r e in h i s day s but sin is
s o f o ul i n h im that h e m y o t a chi e v e s uch h o ly
a n

d e e ds. T h e d e v o t e d knight s m ight p e ak o f s

Lanc e l o t s n o bl e n e s s and c o urt e s y h i s b e auty

’
,

and g e ntl e n e s s but th e qu e s t w s n o t fo r h im

,
a .

H is e xpiati o n was s ev e r e O f th e hundr e d and

.

fifty knights— th e fair e st f e ll o w s hip and th e

“

t ru e s t o f knighth o o d tha t e v e r w e r s e e n t o g e th e r e

in any r e al m o f th e wo rld— wh m King Arthu r o

r e luc tantly all o w e d t o s e e k fo r th e Grail o nly o e ,

n ,

t h e vir g in Galahad c o uld e nt e r th e Ca s tl e o f

,

Ma id e n s and d e liv e r th e pri s n e r s c o uld h e ar th e

o ,

v o ic e s o f ang e l f o r e t e lling h is triu m ph c uld find

s , o

t h e Grail and c o uld b e cr o wn e d in the h o ly city

,

o f Sarra s S piritual plac e I t wa s in thi s ’

th e
,
.

city that J o s e ph had b ee n s ucc o ur e d ; it wa s h e r e

that P erce v l s si s te r was e nt o m b e d ; it was h e r e
a
’

by g e n e ral a s s e nt that t h e pur e Galahad w p ro as

°

c la m ed
_
king ; and it wa s h e r e that th e Grail
r e m ain e d And wh e n h e wa s c o m e fo r to b e h o ld
t h e land h e l e t mak e ab o ut t h e tabl e o f silv e r a
,

ch e st o f g o ld and o f pr e ci o u s s to n e s that c o v e r e d ,

t h e h o ly v e s s e l ; and e v e ry day in t h e m o rning

t h e thr e e f e ll o w s ( P e rc e val and B o r s with Gala

had ) w o uld c o m e b e f o r e it and s y th e ir d e ,
a

v o ti o ns .
”
At th e y e ar s e d Galahad s w a m n
’
n a a

kn e e ling b e f o r e th e Grail ; h e wa s in th e lik e n e ss

P h oto R . Web ber
,
B os ca s t/e l

S l
’ ‘

.
’
k N i c HT O N s GL N
E

"f
To a ce
p
. 1
92
 C HAPTE R I X
O F C A ME L F O RD A N D T HE LA ST B ATT L E
O
’
er C r w ll
o n t mp t r r d
a
’
s c li ff s th e e es oa
’
,

H i gh t h r mi g m w rd; ’
e sc ea n s ea -
e soa

O Ti t g l t pm t t w r ’
n n a e s o os o e

D rk m f ll th h ti g h w r ;
a so e e e s ee n s o e

R d th r gh C t l
ou n e h r i ll y
ou g as e s su n

T h wh i rl i g b l t
e d wi l d l y fl
n g as , an un

O n h t l l r m p rt
ea c th d r i g S i d
a a a
’
s un e n e

Th rg f t h t m b l i g t i d
e su es o e u n e

W h A rth r r g d h i d r r k
en u an e s re c oss an s

O n i C ml
c on s c o u s ri m b k a an s
’
c son an s .
”

W A H RT O N , Th e Gra ve o f Kin g Arth u r.

O n T ri n i tye M on da y e i n th e m o r ne

Th i s so er b a tta yle wa s d oo m e d to b e
Wh r e e man y k ighta n c ry
’
d W ll w y
e -
a -
a e

A la ck e , i t wa s th e m o r e pi tti e .

P y erc Re l i qu e s .

S H EE R o v e r th e bl e ak C o rnish hill s fi ft ee n mil e s ,

fr o m Launc es t o n li e s a s m all whit e l o o king to wn

,
-

with a pr ecipi to u s highway al o ng which th prin e

c ip a l h o us e s and o e o r t wo p o r — l oo king public

n o

buildings a re rang e d I t i s a t o wn with o u t a .

chu rch and e xc e p t o m ark e t day with o ut th e

, ,
n ,

s ign s o f s tirring lif e and bu s in e s s ; a r e m o t e and

1 94
 C a m e l f o rd an d th e L a st B a ttl e 1
95

i s o lat e d littl e plac e which n e v e rth e l e s s o nc e had

i ts w Parlia m e nta ry r e pr e s e ntativ e and o t m
o n n u

fi tti g ly h o e O ian Macph e r s o n it m e m

“
n c s ss as s
‘
b er Thi i Ca m lf o rd and t h rid e by c a ch
. s s e ,
e o

fr m Launc es t o n i s o t unint e r e s ting o r unin

o n

s tructiv e T h e d es lat e a s p ct o f t h
. land th eo e e ,

p o v e rty s trick e n app e aranc e o f th e f w tin y

-
e

villa g e s pa s s e d t h e way t h e barr e nn e

on o f th e ,
ss

hill s th e s cantn e s o f th e p pula ti n all e rv e to

,
s o o ,
s

r v e al t h hi t ry pa s t and pr e e nt , o f this
e e s o ,
s

p o rti o n f En g land wh e r e o nly th e hardi es t f th e

o o

rac e c uld liv e and liv e o m e what pr e cari o u s ly

o
,
s .

T h e land it s e lf yi e ld s littl e ; th e r e re o riv e r a n s

up n whi c h a b at c uld b e u d and th e lin e o f

o o o se ,

r o ugh hill s which f rm th e s pin e f th e c unty o o o

p e nt th e p e pl e within a pri o n Ev e n w
o as s . no ,

Ca m e l f rd and hal f a s c o r e o f lik e plac e s s ee m

o

s hut t f th w rld T h e tr e a m o f lif e i S lu g

ou o e o . s s

gi h luxuri e s re s arc e l y kn o wn th habit f

s ,
a c ,
e s o

th e villag r s re pri m itiv e and y e t t h e C rni h m e n

e a , o s

r e tain that rugg e d ind e p e nd e nc e f r whi h th e y o c

hav e at all ti m e s b ee n n o t e d I n ld ti m e s t h e . o

co unty pr o duc d a rac e o f h e r o e s and g iant wh

e s o

pr s e rv e d th i r lib e rti s and w e r e a m ng th e la t

e e e o s

t o b e subdu d b y Engli h rul e r se B o th m o d e rn s .

and an i e nt hi s t r y l g e nd and fact s b e ar t e s ti

c o ,
e s ,

m o ny to t h e c n s tant s t ruggl e which pr e vail ed in

o
1
9 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
thi s part and had th e r e b e e n o giant s in
, n
”

C o rnwall n e ith e r i ts traditi o n s n o r its hi s to ry

,

wo uld be what th ey a re Qu ee n E lizab e th said .

that tli e fur th e r s h e trav e ll e d w e st in h e r d o m ini o n s

t h e m o r e c o nvinc e d s h e wa s that th e wis e m e n

ca m e fr o m th e e a s t I n a s e n e thi s w s gr o s sly
. s a

unj u s t fo r th e C o rni s hm e n th o ugh th ey m y hav e

, ,
a

s e em e d a littl e u c o u th we re by n o m e an s an
n , .

uncultur e d rac e and th e i r lit e ratur e pr o v e s h w

, o

e arly th e y had th e i r think e r s and th e ir s ch o lar s

,

th e ir bard s and th e ir hr o nicl e r s Tacitu rnity o c . n

t h e part f thi s p e pl e n e e d
o o t b e tak e n
o s a n a

S ign o f unint e lli g e n e ; rath e r i s it pr o f t t h e

c o o

c o ntrary f r th C o rnish m an think s f r h im

,
o e o

s e lf ; h e h a s h i s o w o pini o ns and s turdily m ain

n ,

tain s th e m A c e rtain al o o fn e s s i s di s c e rn ibl e

.
,

and thi s i s c hara c t e ri s tic o f a rac e which h s S O a

m any clai m s t o a di tin t r e c o rd o f i t s o w s Inc n.

t h e chara t e r b e arin g and habit

c ,
o f th e m e ,
f s n o

t day m y b
o -
a f o und c o n s id e rabl e c o rr o b o rati o n
e

o f t h e truth which und e rli e s t h e m y t hs and l e g e nd s

o f antiquity I f Ca m e lf o rd i s ow c o m m o nplac e
. n ,

with i ts m ark t i ts c m m e rcial inn i ts lin e n

e ,
o ,

drap e r s ir n m o ng e r s and gr e e ngr o c e r s S h o p s

’

,
o
’
,
’

th e r e m a y y e t b e f o und within and ar o und it much

to char m and m uch t o kindl e t h e e nthu s ia m o f s

th e l o v e r o f r o m anc e H e r e and th e r e re t h e
. a
1
9 8 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
which s tr e tch t h e m e ad w s o n e catch e s th e fi r s t
.
o ,

g li m p s e f t h e s hall o w littl e riv e r

o m o r e pr o p e rly ,

call e d a br o o k which s m all and in s ignificant as , ,

it i s h s b e c o m e s o pr o m in e ntly id e ntifi e d with

,
a

th e c o ncluding s c e n e s in King Arthur s hi s t o ry

’
.

Thi s i s t h e riv e r which giv e s i ts na m e to t h t o wn e ,

t h e Alan Ca m e l r C m la fr
( o m C r m h a yl e
‘

,
o a n u ,

m e aning cr o k e d by th e s id e o f which
“
o

t h e la s t battl e i s s aid to hav e b ee n f o ught I t is .

a S hall o w str e am and it h a s to find its way t o th e

s e b y a t o rtu o u s c o ur s e b e tw e e n th e hill s whi h
a c

e xt e nd t o t h c o a s t a fa t whi c h t h e p oe t h
e t , c as no

fail e d to t urn t acc o unt fo r Drayt o n wr o t o ,

e

L t C m l f h
e a re d o ri wi d i g b t
e r cou se a n cu ou s n n s oa s ,

H er pr p r
o e c ou r th t l
se a o os e ly do th
ne gle c t ,
As fr ti
an c, e vr e s i n ce h er B it i h A rth r b l
r s u
’
s o od ,

By Mo rd rc d ’
s m u rth e ro u s h a n d wa s m i n g e d l with h er
fl o od .
”

No onel o o k up o n t h e Ca m e l and trac e i ts

ca n ,

ripplin g ur e b e tw e e n l w bank until it p as e s

co s o s s

b e n e ath th e dark s t n e arch f S laught e r B ridg e o o ,

a m il e o r s o di s tant and f e e l that it i s quit e ,

w o rthy o f i ts fa m e I t i s car e ly pictur e qu . s c s e,

and it n e e d e d a v e ry daring and i m aginativ e p o e t

s p e ak o f it a s frantic r t o m ak e r e f e r e nc
“
t o o e

t o it floo d s At its d e ep e st e c o uld wad e

.
”
on
 C a m e l f o rd an d th e L a st B a ttl e 1 99

acr s i t and t b e we t ab o v e th e ankl e s but in

o s no ,

m o s t plac e s th e r e i s n e d t g t we t at all fo r no e o e ,

a in g l e s trid e w o uld uffi c e t carry o e fr m

s s o n o

bank to bank N r d o e s th e littl e s tr e am in i ts

. o

c o ur s e pa s s thr o ugh that part f th land which

‘

o e

app e al s m o s t s tr o ngl y t o th e i m aginati o n o f t h e

pilgri m I t run s s luggi s hly and m uddily b e n e ath
.
'

t h e h avy l oo king bridg e m uch t o

e -
larg e f r it ,
o o ,

b e aring an al m o t gr o t e s qu e ly t e rribl e nam e in s

co m m e m o rati o n f t h e f e ar ful battl e wh ich t o k

o o

plac e th e r e ab o ut b tw e n King Arthur and h is e e

r e b lli u s n e ph e w Wh e r e S laught e r Bridg — o t

e o . e n

by any m an s an anci e nt s tru tur e by th e way

e c
,

cr o s s e s th e C m l Arthur i s s aid to hav e r e c e iv e d

a an

h i s d e ath w o und and t hav e g iv n a fatal bl o w

-

,
o e

t o M o rdr e d I f we c o uld o nly b e li e v e o e half

. n -

that i s t ld o f S laught e r Bridg e it w o uld b e v e rit

o

ably o e o f th e m o s t fa s cinating s p o t s in all Eng

n

land , M e cca fo r pilgri m s and tud e nt s p o e ts

a s ,

and ro m c i s ts But ala s "Slaught e r Bridg e

an .
,

d e s pit e its we in s piring na m is th e gr e at e s t o f

a -
e,

illu s i n s and th e m o s t s triking o f pr o o f s that th e

o , ,

r eal land f King Arthur is l s t o r c han g e d b e y o nd

o o

all r e c o gniti o n N e v e r can w e b e li e v e that this

.

m o s t in ipid s c e n in all n o rth C o rnwall w s t h e

s e a

p rtio
o f Ly o nn e s s e wh e r e t h e last gr e at battl e in
n o
‘

t h e w e s t wa s f o ught wh e r e Arthu r m e t h i s d o m t o
, ,
2 00 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
wh e r e t h e knight s p e ri s h e d and o f all t h e g r e at ,

and n o bl e c o m pany o e ith e r s id e o nly two kni g ht s

n

s urviv e d t carry o u t th e i r mas te r s la s t b e h e s t

o
’
s .

But t h e traditi o n r e m ain s M o rdr e d had s e t h i s .

h e art o th e kingd o m and Arthu r f o r e saw th e

n ,

e nd N e v e r s ay s th e chr o nicl e r , w s th e r e
“ “
’
’
.
,
a

s e e n a m o r e d o l e full e r battl e in n o Chri s tian land

fo r t h e r e wa s but ru s hing and riding f o ining and ,

s triking and m any a gri m w rd was th e r e s p o k e n

,
o

e ith e r t o o th e r and m any a d e adly str o k e But

, .

alway King Arthur r o d e thr o u g h ut th e battl e o f o

S i r M o rdr e d m any ti m e s and did th e re ri g ht ,

n o bly a n o bl e King s h o uld d o ; and at all t i m e s

as

h e n e v e r faint e d And Si r M o rdr e d that day

.

p u t h i m i n gr e at p e ril and thu s th e y fd t g h t all

’

, i

t h e l o ng day and n e v e r s tin te d till th e n o bl e

‘

knight s w e r e laid t o t h c o ld gr o und And e v e r e .

th e y f o ught s till till it wa s nigh night and by that ,

ti m e wa s th e r e a hundr e d th u s and laid d e ad up o n o

t h e d wn J e s u m e rcy s aid King Arthur ’

o .
, ,

wh e r e re all m y o bl e k ni g ht s b e c o m e ? Ala
a n s

that e v e r I S h o uld s e e this d l e ful day ; fo r no w o ,

s aid Kin g Arthur I m c o m e unt m in e d

‘ ’
,
a o en .

Th e wa s Ki ng Arthur awar e wh e re Si r M o rdr ed

i

l an e d up o n h is s w o rd a m o ng a g r e a t h e a p o f
e .

d e ad m e “
N wgiv e m e m y s p e ar said King ’
n . o ,

Arthur fo r y o nd e r I hav e s pi e d t h e trait o r which

,
2 02 T he L ost L a n d o f K in g A r th u r
man of m y t ri u
ri g in and o f bli g htin g i
s e o s o n

fl u e c e m o ving gl o o m ily thr o ugh t h e dra m a

n , By .

s ome aid to b e Arthur s w s

s a c hild o f s i ’
o n on , n

and cri m e and by o th e r s s aid to b e t h e s o o f

,
n

King L o t and Arthu r s i t e r h is lif w s m i ra c u ’

s s , e a

l o s ly pr e e rv e d wh e n th e kin g
u s rd r e d th lay o e e s

ing f all hildr e n b o rn o May day in t h e h o p e

o c n -

o f r e m o ving t h e infant wh o M e rlin had p ro ,

as

p h e s i e d t o h im shall d e s tr o y yo and all th e

,
“
u

knight s o f y ur r e al m and th e r e aft e r h e play ed

o

a m alignant part i n th e dra m a I f ill n e w w e r e .

-
s

to b b o rn e to th e king M rdr d b r it ; w r
e , o e o e e e

tru t to b e vi o lat e d M o rdre d vi o lat d it ; w e r

s ,
e e

knights t o b e b e tray e d M o rdre d w th e s py and ,

as

inf o r m e r L e ft to rul e th e land in Arthur

.
’
s

ab s e nc e h e u s u rp e d t h e thr n e ; l e ft t guard
, o o

Guin e v e re h e carri e d h e r away and att e m pt e d t o

,

f rc e h e r in m arriag e ; an o utca t h b e a m e
o s , e c

Arthur s d e adli e s t rival and fulfill e d M e rlin p re

’ ’
s

dicti o n I t was h e and t th e racial antag o ni s t

.
,
no ,

wh o was d e s tin e d t o giv e t h e fi nal bl w t o t h e o

O rd e r that th kin g had e s t a bli h e d Te nnys n e s . o ,

f o ll o wing t h e s u g g e ti n f th e hr o nicl e r s h s o o c ,
as

s harply c o ntra s t e d M o rdr e d with Lanc e l t wh o o ,

se

e n e m y h e wa s o t s o m uch b e cau s e Lanc e l o t wa

,
n s

s inful a s b e cau e h i s s i
,
gav e h i m t h e o pp o rtunity
s n

o f s tri king bl o w again s t Arthur s fav o urit e ’

a -
2 04 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar t h u r
ar m y S i r M rdr d
. wr th u t f m e a s ur e
o e ,
o o o ,

laid s i g e t o th e T o we r d e fi e d th e Archbi s h o p
e , ,

and at l e ngth by pr e adi ng e vil r e p rt s o f King

, s o

Arthur dr e w m uch p e pl e t o h is s id e Thi s

,
“
o .

d e f e c ti o n s uppli e d Mal o ry with a fi e o pp o rtunity n

fo r m o rali s ing o n t h e d e faults o f Engli s h m e n wh o ,

re s e ld o m s a t i s fi e d — fo r th e r e m y thing
“
a o a n

pl e a s e u s o t e r m n Wh e n King Arthu r arriv e d

.
”

o ff D o v e r with a gr e at navy o f s hip gall e y s and s, ,

c arrack s h e f o und M o rdr e d and h i h s t awaiting

,
s o

h im . H e r e t h e fi r s t e nc o unt e r t o k pla e and o c ,

M o rdr e d b e in g w r s t e d r m o v e d t Barha m
,
o ,
e o

D wn wh e r e h again uffe r e d d e f e at But th e

o ,
e s . se

s kir m i s h es d e s p e rate a s th e y w r e w e r e but p re

,
e ,

l i m i a ri e s t o th e r e al battl e fo r which b o th id e
n s s

w e r e pr e parin g Mo rd re d s f o rc e w s drawn fr o m
.
’
a

th o se that l o v e d o t Lan l t and fr o m th e

“
n ce o ,
”

p e o pl e f L nd n
“
o K e nt S o t h s e
o o S urr y
, ,
u x ,
e ,

E s ts ex ,S o th f l k and N o rt h fo l k
u o ,
and Arthu r ,

with h i faithful band m o v e d w e s tward pa s t

s ,

S ali bury and o t o t h e s h o r e

s , D e spit e th e warn
n .

ing f Si r G w i e s gh o s t i n o wi e t d
o a a n
’
n s o o

battl e, but t m ak e a m o nth s tr e aty i n o rd e r t

o
’
o

pr fi t by t h pr e s e nc e o f Lanc e l o t King Arthur

o e
,

f o u nd hi m s e lf c o m p e ll e d to e ngag e in th e c o nt e s t .

A fai r a d g e n e r u s o ffe r had b e e n m a d e to M r

n o
‘

dr e d : C o rnwall and K e nt w r to b h is d u ri g e e e
’

n
 C a m e l f o rd and th e La st B a tt l e 2 0
5
K n g Arthur lif ti m e and
i th k in g
’
d ath
s e ,
on e
’
s e

t o hav e all En g land But wh e n th e “

h e wa s .

tr e aty w s m ad e an add e r s tung a kni g ht s f t

a
’
oo ,

and h i cry o f pain w s lik e a clari o n call to

s a

battl e I n m m e nt t h e s w o rd s fla s h e d
'

th e
“

. a o ,

tru m p e ts w e r e bl wn th e h o rn s s und e d ; and at o , o

sun s e t M o rdr e d was d e ad and Arthur had r c iv e d ,

e e

h i d e ath w o und
s -
.
*

Und e niabl y th m o t pi tu r e qu e and r o m anti c e s c s

p o rti o n f th e riv e r C m l i s ab o ut half a m il e

o a an

away fr o m S lau g ht e r Brid g e t ward Tintag e l , o s ,

wh e r e it has w o rn a way b e tw e e n t h e gra s s y hills

and li e s half hidd e n far b e l o w cr o s s e d and re
-

,
-

cr o s s e d c o r e f ti m e by fall e n and in lining

s s o s c

tr ees Th . wat e r s h r e hurry and hatt e r ab ut

e e c o

T he t b ll d d i v r d
a n c ie n ttd d t a a , s co e e ,
a nno a e ,
an o, a

sligh t xt t pp l m t d by D r P r y f ll w v ry
e en su e en e , . e c , o o s e ex

ac t ly th t ry f A rth r l t d y
e s o
gi v oi th r m u
’
s as a s as en n e o a n ce s

ex p t th t i t ri b t S i L
ce a th t
a sc lly r d it d
es o r u ca n e a c s u su a c e e

t S i B d iv r N t d t i l i m itt d t p i t i
) r e e e. o a e a s o e ,
no a o n s

mi d O
s se th m r i g f T r i it y M
. n d y th
e
gh t f o n n o n on a e os o

Si G w i
r ia id t h v
a ne pp r d t th k i g d
s sa o a e a ea e o e n a n

w r d h i m t t fi gh t i f h p ri d h i l i f b t t w it
_

a ne no o e ze s e, u o a

un til S i L l t r t d f m F r
r a n ce o T h p rl y wh i h
e u rn e ro a n ce . e a e c

f l l w d b tw A rth r d M rd d i xt d ri b d b t
o o e e een u an o re s ne esc e , u

j t us m th
as a l g h d b d id d p
on
’
ths dd r
ea ue a een ec e u on e a e
’
s

sting b r gh t b t th w f l h
ou aA vr w i ou e oe u c a n ce s e e as n

C h i t ti r s en W h th w d d k i g h t d r w h i w rd
e . en e ou n e n e s s o

th tw
e h t i m m di t ly j i d b tt yl
o os s d f gh t
e a e
“
o ne a a e,
”
an ou

un ti l l y t h r m w r l f t l i v
on ee en e e e a e.
2 06 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
th e t n e s and fi nd th e ir way ab o ut th e rank
s o ,

w e d s and und e rgr o wth which h e r e and th e re im

e

p e d e th e ir j urn e y I t is with s o m e di ffi culty tha t

'
o .

t h e riv e r i s f o und at all and with gr e at e r d ifli cu l ty

,

that it i s appr o ach e d But th o s e wh o p e rs ev e r e

.

will fi nd wh e r e th e bank s a re s t e e p e s t and th e

,

h e rbag e and w e e d s thick e s t t hat th e br o o k ,

wa s h e s a hu g e e ngrav e d s to n e lying flat and half

e m b e dd e d in t h e e arth This i s King Arthu r s ’
.

grave a s e cr e t plac e and s o n e ar Tintag e l that

, ,

t h e p o e t did o t s t rain fac t s gr e atly wh e n h e

n

p o int d o t that
e u

N th r p l
o o e B rit i p i a ce o n rth ’
a n s s a c ou s e a

W r w rth y f h i d b t wh r h h d h i b irth
e e o o s en u e e e a s .

Pilgri m s fi nd th e ir way to tha t l o n e ly s p o t and ,

r es ting n e ar th e hug e s to n e th ey m a y r e fl e ct at ,

will up o n th e w o ndr o u s p o s s ibility o f th e r e b e

ing af te r all by th e sid e o f thi s str e a m a tang

, , ,

ibl e link with King Arthu r T h e st o n e li e s in .

a n o o k b e tw e e n two r o ck s and thr ee grac e ful ,

and luxuri o u s tr e e s wa tch o v e r i t s if th e y w e r e a

th e m e ta m o rph o s e d t hr e e Qu e e n s w h o r e c e iv e d

t h e w und e d king in t h e m a g ic b o at which g lid e d

o

t o Aval o n All ar ound i s a pr o f o und cal m ; n ot a

.

s o und but t h e o cca s i o nal bu z o f an in s e ct c o m e s z

fr o m t h e l o ng gra s s e s o f th e m e ad o w s ab o v e o r ,

fr o m th e f e rn s and ivy which s pring fr o m th e

2 08 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar t h u r
a l o w pi e ce o f m as o nry fo r its s upp o rt pla e d it , c

at th e f o o t o f h e r i m pr o v e m e nt s wh e r e it s till li e s ,

in o e o f th e natural gr o t s f th e hill Thi s s to n e

n o .

i s tak e n n o tic e o f by Mr Car e w in t h e f o ll o wing .

w o rd s Fo r t e s ti m o ny o f th e la t ba ttl e in which s

Arthu r wa s kill e d th e o ld f o lk s th e r e ab o u ts (
,
vi z .
,

r o und Ca m e lf o rd ) S h w y a s t o n e b e aring
o ou

Arthu r s nam e th o ugh o w d e part e d to Atry

’
, n .

This in s cripti o n h a s b e e n lat e ly publish e d ; b u t s o

inc o rr e ctly that it m y still b e r e ck o n e d am o ng
a

th e n o nd e s c ript s I t i aid th e r e that thi s “

. s s ,

s to n e lay at th e v e ry pla e wh e r e Arthu r r e c e iv e d

c

h i s m o rtal w o und All thi s ab o ut Kin g Arthur

”
.

tak e s i ts ri s e fr o m th e la t fi v e l e tt e r s o f thi s s

I nscripti n which a re by s o m e th o ught t b e

o ,
o

M g ri (
a u q a s i m g i A rth ri ) and fr o m th e n e
u a n u ,
c

o th e r s will hav e it that a s o o f Arthu r w

,
n as

bu ri d h e r e ; b u t th o ugh hi s t ry s w e ll s tradi
e o ,
a a

ti o n affi r m s that Arthu r f o ught his la s t battl e in

, ,

which h e wa s m o rtally w o und e d n e ar this place , ,

y e t that thi s In s ripti o n r e tains anything o f h i s

c

na m e is all a m i s tak e T h e l e tt e rs a re R o man

.
,

and as f ll w : C ti h i c fa c i t fili s m a g a ri By
o o o n u .

t h e i in h i b in g j o in e d to t h e h by th e h want
c e ,

ing i ts cr o s s link th e bad lin e o f th e writing th e

, ,

di s t o rt e d l e aning o f th e l e tt e r I c o nclud e that s, ,

t h e m o num e n t cann o t b e s o anci e nt a s th e ti m e

 C a m e l f o rd and th e L a st B a t tl e 2 09

of Arthur I t s e e m s quit e cl e ar that what i s

.

o w call e d Kin g Arth ur s t m b t o n e w o rigin

’
n o s as

ally call d wh e n i p s iti o n Slaught e r B rid g e a

e ,
n o , ,

na m e which h s b e e n tran f rr d to t h e m o d e rn a s e e

structur That th e s t o n e o nce s e rve d actually

e.

a s a fun e ral m o nu m e nt i s al s o pr e tty o bvi o u s but ,

wh o m it c o m m e m o rat e s is a my s t e ry T h e e . n

grav e d l e tt e r s b e l o ng to an e ra p s t e ri r to o o

Arthu r and th e r e r ,
a fact r l ic s i d b it a e, as ,
e
'

n
'

ably f an e arli e r dat in t h l cality

o e e o .

Grav e s o f King Arthur a re s nu m e r o u s a s

J
o

t o m ak e all clai m s m o r e o r l e s s ridi ul o u s Eve n c .

Ca m lfo rd a if f e arin g that th e e vid e nc e i n e

e ,
s on

c a m a y o t b e s tr o ng e n ugh pr o vid e s an
se n o ,

alt rnativ e and p o int s u t that n e ar at hand i s

e , o

Warb e l o w Barr o w an anci e nt f rtificati o n o f c o ,

o n

s i d e r b l e e xt e nt
a in th e e ntr e f which i s a larg e
,
c o

m o und r e put e d al o t o b e King Arthur s burying

’
s

pla c e I t w o uld b e e asy to r e du th e wh o l e sub

.
'

ce

j ec t t o ab urdity by s aying that if th e r e w e r e a

s

d o ubt that King Arthur e v e r liv e d h i s nu m er o u , s

g rav e o n lu iv e ly pr o v
s that h e di e d many
c c s e

ti m s d e s pit th e traditi o n to o that h e did o t

e ,
e , ,
‘ ‘

d i e at all T h e j u m bl e o f f o o li hn e s s and c o ntra

. s

dicti n s d oe s o t o f c o ur s e aff e ct t h e r e al st o ry ;
o n

it is th e r ultant o f p o pular S pe rs titio n S i a d

-

es u
‘

c o nfu s ing traditi n s Up o n th S m all e s t basis o f

-

o . e

I 4
2 10 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
anci e nt fact s up r s titi o n r e ar s a s tup e nd o us
e

e dific e and th e s e m any clai m s to p o s s e s s King

,

Arthu r s g rav e ari s e fro m th e e a g e rn e s s o f

’ “

a p eo pl e to s upp o rt t h e id e a f th e ir dir e ct c o o n

n e c ti o n with a l o st h e r o and fr o m th e ir re a d i
,

n e s s t at tach his na m e to th o s e plac e s which

o

naturally sugg e st a p o s s ibl e o r a p o e tic c o nn e c

ti o n That a v e ry s tr o ng and S inc e re b e li e f e xi s t s
.

that Ar thu r w s bu ri e d n e ar Ca m e lf o rd is h o w
a ,

eve r ,
n o t t o b e q u e s ti o n e d and th e r e is p e rhap s ,

a b e tt e r r e a s o n fo r c nc e ding t h e p o int i n this

o

ca s e than in all th e o th e rs All traditi o n s agre e .

that th e la s t battl e w s f o u g ht in th e vicinity and

a

that it was fa tal to Arthu r and his burial cl o s e t ,

a

hand is t h e m s t natural o f c nclu s i o ns Mr

o o . .

King an antiquary d e clar e d tha t o th e bank o f

, ,
n

th e C m l a n c o uld b e s e e n a fall e n m a e n o f th e “
a

lat e r B riti h e r having th e na m o f Ar thur i

s a , e n

s crib e d o i t s l o w e r s id e
n but thi s s e e m s to hav e
,

b ee n c o nj e ctur e rath e r than e s tabli s h e d pr o o f .

Y e t it i s fl y ing in th e fac e o f t h e m o s t ch e ri s h e d
o f b e li e fs t ad m i t that any g rav e o f Arthu r e xists
o

—to s a n o thin f a m ultitud e

o f th m If h ‘

y g o e . e

pass e d int o th e land f Fa e ri e if h e did n o t d ie

o ,

but o ly await s a call to c o m again why d o

n
“
e ,
’

we e xp e ct t o fi nd t h e plac o f h i s s e pultur e ? e

why a re t o m b di s c o v e r e d — why a re l o v e ly s p o ts
s
2 12 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
th e black lak e h e hid it a m o ng th m any kn o tt e d
,
e -

wa te rfl g s that whi s tl e d s ti ff and dry ab o u t t h e

a

m arg e Auth o rity f o rg e t a d y ing King s aid

“ ”
. s ,

Arthu r to t h e faithl e s s knight ; but fo r t h e la t s

ti m e a s s e rting his p o w e r h e thr e at e ningly bad e ,

h im to fulfil h is ta s k ; and th e knight ran l e apt ,

d o wn th e ridg e s and thr e w th e s pl e ndid brand ,

int m id wat e r
o -
.

B t h d i p t th
u rf
e re r e m e su a ce , os e an ar

C l th d i wh it m it m y ti w d r f l
o e n e sa e, s c, on e u ,

gh t h i m by th h ilt d b ndi h d h i m
’
A d n ca u e , an ra s

T h r ti m d dr w h im
ee d r i th m r
es, an e un e n e e e.
”

P o e ts in d e s cribing thi s s c e n e hav e f o und it

, ,

s car ly p o s s ibl e to d o o th e r than f o ll o w cl o s e ly

ce

th w rd s f Mal o ry which r e lat e t h e incid e nt with

e o o ,

dir e tn e s and ye t with a char m o f pictur e s qu e

c s

n e s s s carc e ly t o b e s urpa s e d e xc pt by m uch s e

e lab o rati o n —and e lab o rati o n w o uld b e o u t f plac e o

in s uch a ca s e and w o uld d e s tr oy th e s ubtl e e ff e ct

,

I t i i t r ti g t m p r T y
s n e es l i with L g
n o co a e en n s on s
’
n es on

f l l w i T h S p i h S t d t th i m il rity f ph
e o
’
s n e an s u en , e s a o ra s
i g b i g
n e n m rk d Vi t r i
so th at d t b r v th t
e c o a n, e s u en o se

w rd "
.
,
es a

it i i
s v i h th r w t b li v i
n a n e th o f s un o o on s
’
s ea e s o o

l ] th t p i r h im
o ve a e ce s

F l i k E x l ib r or e ca u ,

W ith g m m d d fl h i g h ilt it will t i k

e e an as n no s n .

T h r ri fr m b l w h d th t gr p it
e e se s o e o a a n a as s ,

A d w v i t i th
n i d w il i g v i
a es n e a r: an a n o ce s

A h rd l g t h h r
re ea a on e s o e.
”
 C a m e l fo rd an d th e L a s t B a t tl e 2 1
3

of th e narrativ e Aft e r t e lling of th hiding o f

. e

t h e s w o rd by th r lu tant knight and o f Arthu r s ’

e e c ,

indignati o n at h is e va s iv e w o rd s and l o ng tarry

t h e c h r o nicl e r s ay s : Th e n Sir B div r “
i g
n ,
e e e

d e part d and w e nt to th e s w rd and li g htl y t o k

e ,
o ,
o

it up and w e nt t o t h e wat e r S id e a d th e r e h e
, ,
n

b und th e girdl e ab o ut th e hilt s and th e n h e

o ,

thr e w th e s w o rd s far int th e wat e r s h e m ight

a o a ,

and th e r e ca m e an a rm and a hand ab o v e th e

wat e r and m e t it and cau g ht it and s o h o o k it

, , ,
s

thric e and brandi s h d it and th e n vani s h e d awa y e ,

t h e hand with t h e s w rd in t h e wat e r

” “
T he o .

hand that ar o e fr o m th e m e r e s ay s R e nan i

s ,
’
,
s

th e h o p e o f t h e C e ltic h e r o e s It i s thus that .

we ak p e o pl e d o w e r e d with i m aginati o n r e v e n g e
, ,

th e m s e lv e s o th i r c nqu e r r s F e e ling th m
n e o o . e

s e lv e s to b e str o n g inwardly and w e ak o utwardly ,

t h e y pr o t e s t th ey e xult and s uch a s trif e u l o

, , n o s

ing th e ir m ight r e nd e r s th e m capabl e o f m iracl e s .

”

F ur m il e s t th a s t o f Ca m e lfo rd i s R w
o o e e o

T or , f e e t hi g h i ts s harp spin e bro k e n and

, ,

pr j e cting in parts o d o ubt sugg e ting th e na m e

o
,
n s

it p pularly b e ar s o f th e R ugh M untain O n

'

o o o .

th e l e ft i s Ra m e H e ad an o th e r typical hill bar , , e

and br o wn and it is b e tw e e n th e s e two that D o

, z

m ar e Po o l t h e re p u tgd s c e n e f t h e incid e nt with

, o

t h e s w o rd and t h e m agic hand m a y b e s e e n di m l y ,

2 14 T he L o st La n d o f K i n g A r th u r
g litt e ring I t i a w e ird l e g e nd haun te d S p o t
s -
. .

T h e trav e ll e r find s hi m s e lf hut in b e tw e e n th e s

fr o wn ing hill and b e s id a dark tarn o f m o st

s e

di s m al a p t I t h s b ee n upp o s e d that t h e
s ec . a s

wat e r s o f D o m a re P o o l w e r e nc e tidal and fr om

z o ,

this s upp o s iti o n t h e na m e is d e riv e d d o s m e aning ,

a dr o p and m ri th e s ea I n s t ea d o f b ein g
,
a . un

fath o m abl e h o w e v e r t h e p o o l i s o w nly a fe w

, ,
n o

f ee t d ee p th o ugh i ts black app e aranc e c e rtainl y

,

s ugg e s t s a gr e at d e pth Thi s and all o th e r s up e r .

s t it io s n hav e pr bably b e e n s ugg e t e d by it

o s s

g l o m and d e s lati o n by i t s s ituati o n a m o n g th e

o o ,

dr e ari e s t f hill s and by tragi v e nts fo r whi h

o ,
c e c

th e r e i s s o m e hi s t o ric f o unda ti o n and which o c

curr e d i th e vicinit y T h e wraith o f th e plac e
n .

i s o e Tr e g e agl e an unj u s t and tyrannical m a

n ,
n

o f y o r e wh o in e xpiati o n o f h is m any s in s i s
,

d oo m e d to visit D o m a re P oo l wh e r e a m id th e
z ,

t e rrific s t o rms o th e hill s and m o o r s during

n

wint e r h i s pit e o u s h o wling can b e di s tinc tly h e ard .

H i s punish m e nt i s t e m pty t h e p o o l with a li m p e t

o

S h e ll and it m y b e d e to h is lab o ur s that t h e

,
a u

wat e r s hav e s o c o n s id e rably di m ini s h e d in bul k

s inc e th e tim e that th e y w e r e un fath o mabl e “
.

B u t Tr e g e agl e l o udly m o urn s b e cau s e h e c o n s id e rs

h i s ta s k a h o p e l e s s o e a d th e n t h e Evil P o w e r
n ,
n

c o m e s in p e r s o n and pursu e s h im r o und and r o und

 C HAPTE R X
G LA ST O N UR A N D H A S S ING O F A R TH UR
OF B Y T E P

A d th y r w d f r m h e l d
n so e d Si B d iv r
o e o t an ; an r e e e

b h ld ll h l d i g with h im T h S i B d iv r
e e a t e a es o . en r e e e

i d Ah m y L rd A rth r wh t h l l b m f m
cr e , o w u , a s a e co e o e no

y g
e fr m m
o d l v o m h r l e, m g mi an ea e e e e a on e a on ne

ene mi C m f rt th y l f id h K i g F I wi ll g
es ? o o se ,
sa t e n . or o

i t
n o h v l t f A il
e h l m
a e f m y gr i v
o w d
v on , to ea e o e ou s ou n

A d i f th v m h r f m pr y f my l
‘

”
n ou ne er o re ea o e, a or s ou .

M l y a or .

W h th r h K i g w r t h r e e t e n e e e e e o r n o t,

H vrk w v r ld
ee ne e ne e, n or e e co e,

F f r m th t d d d ir f l d y
or o a sa an e u a e

H vrmrw ee m ldne e o e as seen e on o e .

P y R li q e rc e u es .

0 th r t i m f v r d i l wh r
, ee hes p l th t a ou e s e, e e s
’
t e a ce a

m i ght
Be wi th th y l f se co m pr a ed fo r g l yor or l
d e i gh t
Wh i ls t Gl a s to n b u ry s too d ?
fl

r t A rth r t m b
N ot g ea h ly J p h gr v
u
’
s o , n or o os e
’
s a e,

Fr om ri l g h d p w r th i r
sa c e d b e t va o e e s a c re on es o sa e,

H wh th t G d i m
e, o t hi apul h r b r gh t
o n an o s se c e ou ,

O r h wh i h f r th f ith tw l v f m
e, c b ttl
-
o e a e e a ou s a es

f gh t — D yt
ou . ra on .

A Q U A INT o l d w o rld l o o k is up o n th e fac e o f th e

-

c ity f m any l e g e nd King Arthur s isl e o f

o s,
’ “

r e st I t li e s d ee p in a gr e e n w e ll wat e r e d vall e y
.
” -

2 16
 T h e P a ss i n g o f A r th ur 2 17

and its s t ee p s udd e n hill th e T o r ri s ing abruptl y , ,

t oa h e ight o f o v e r fi ve hundr e d f e e t and r o wn e d c

with a l n ly s quar e t o w e r s ee m to s h e lt e r and

o e ,
s

k e e p watch up n th traditi o nal appl i s land o e e -

.

T h e o r chard lawns re s ee n e v e rywh e r e with a

th e ir d ee p gre e n carp e t and th e cr o k e d bran c h e s

-
o

o f innu m e rabl e fruit lad e n tr e e s ca s ting gr o t e s qu e -

s had ws up n it T h e wh l e y e ar r o und th e
o o . o

w t e rn air s re bal m y th o u g h in pit e f h o ary

es a ,
s o

l eg e nd and p o e tic e ul o g y Gla t o nbury h s f e lt th e s a

e ff e ct s o f t e rrific s t o r m s whirlwind s and e arth , ,

quak e s I ts hi s t o ry — hi t o ry o f m arv e l and

. a s

w o nd e r in e xtricably m in g l e d f r m an y c e nturi e s
,
o

with s up e r s titi o n — tak e s s far back int th e u o

m i s ty pa s t wh e n t h e anci e nt B rit o n s na m e d th e
m ar s hland o ft e n fl o o d e d by th e wat e r o f th e
,

Bri s t o l Chann e l Y y s wyt ry o r I ni s vitr e a th e ,

n n , ,

Gla s s y I s land ; e ith r it h b e n s ur m i s e d o e ,

as e , n

a c c unt o f th e gla s t e n
o r blu e gr e e n l ur o f o -
co o

it s urfac e o r fr o m th e abundan e f gla s s

s ,
c o
“ ”

o r w o ad ) t o b e f o und in t h vicinity O n
(
*
th e e .

G l t b ry pi
a s on f m r it u o ccu es a or e s e of Dr u i d i c a l wo r
Sh ip d Pr f
, r Rh y b l i v h
an o es so s e e es t e n a me rr p to b e a co u

ti on f h B i t i h w rd g l t
o t e r s o a s en , k
an th D r idoa , e u s

cu ltiv ti g b th h k d h pp l
a n o t e oa an t e a f trp t f
e as os e a re n s o

th ire s a c edr m is tl te oe . Gl e s te n a b u r h , y C n T yl r
sa s a on a o ,

wa s a ssim i a ed lt by t he Sa x on s to th i r g t i l f rm G l
e en e o es

ti b rh b rh wh i b pp by
.

n g a -
u or Glaes ti n g -
u ,
ch ein g su osed a
2 1 8 T he L os t L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
o th e r hand Pr f e s s o r Fr e e m an b e li v e d that Gla s
o e

t o b u ry wa s t h e ab o d e and p e rhap
n th e p o s e s s s

si n o f o e Glaes ti g wh o n di s c o v e ring that

o n n ,
o,

h is cattl e s tray e d t o t h e rich pastur e s s e ttl e d in ,

that part which i n th e natural o rd e r o f thing s

,

b e ca m e Glaes tin g a b u rg h That it was v e ritably .

an i s land ad m it s o f o d o ubt ; th e circui t o f th e n

wat r c s till b trac e d ; and wh e n th e R o m ans

e an e

in turn m ad e di s c o v e ry o f th e fruitfuln e s o f th e s

r e gi o n e ncl o s e d by t h e wat e r s o f th e w e s te rn s e a ,

th e y d e n o m inat e d it I n s ula Av l o ia o r I l e o f a n ,
s

Appl e s Thi s w s th e f o rtunat e i l e

. a e l e brat e d
“
s ,
”
c

in th e anci e n t o d e o f which Ca m d e n h a s giv e n s . u

a ve rs i on wh e r e un fo rc e d fruit s and willing

,
“

c o m fo rt s m ee t wh e r e th e fi e ld s r e quir e
,
”
o
“
n

rustic hand b ut o nl y Natur e s cultivati o n wh e re ’

T h f rtil p l i
e e with r d h rd
e a ns pr d co n an e s a re ou ,

A d g ld
n pp l h i i v ry
o en a es s ne n e e

T h e i fl wi g o f t h e s e a m ad e i s land s
n o n o t o nly n

o f Gla s t o nbury but o f Ath e ln e y B ec k e ry and

, , ,

M e ar e ; and o t m any c e nturi e s a g o wh e n a

n ,

t e m p e t rag e d th e s e a wall w s br k e n d o wn and

s ,
-
a o

t h e Chann e l wat e r s w e pt up t h e l w l y ing land

s o -

al m o s t a s far a s Gla s to nbury Church T h e s i m pl e .

f l t y m l g y t m th h i i g
a se e o o o gl
ea n y tw e s n n or a ss o n

w as m i tr s l t d by th W l h Y y Wid i th I l d
ans a e e e s as n s -
rn, e s an

o f Gl ass.
 T h e P a ssi n g o f A r th u r 2 1 9

r e c rdo of thi
v e nt r ads : T h e br e ach f th e
s e e o

s e a flo o d
-
wa s Januar y 0 th A g ain in 2 ,

1 7 3
0 w a s Gla s t o nbury thr e at e n e d with a d e l u g e
’

and th e wate r w s fi v e f ee t d ee p in i ts str ee ts ;

a

but s g e o l o gi s t s a re abl e to a ffi rm that th e s e a

a

i s r e e ding fr m t h e w e s t e rn c as t it is unlik e ly
c o o

that uch cata s tr o ph e s will r e cur A littl e la y

s . z

s tr a m
e t h e Bru e al m s t e ngirdl e s t h e city and
, ,
o ,

thus p e r m it s th e inhabitant s with ee m ing r e a s o n s

abl n e s s to r e tain fo r Gla s t o nbur y t h e na m e l v e d

e o

b e s t — th e I s l e f Aval o n That R o m an na m e h s
o . a

b e e n full o f dr e a m y s ugg e s tiv e n e s s t o th e p o e t s ’

m ind ; and th o u g h th e p e t s Aval o n m a y o ft e n

’
o

hav e b ee n an e nchant e d city th e ba s e l e s s fabric ,

“

f a vi i n t h e Aval o n o f S o m e rs e t
°

”
o s o ,
w ith i ts ,

two str e e ts f o r m ing a p e rf e ct cr o s i ts Abb e y s ,

ruin s i ts antiquiti e s and its s lu m br o u s a s p e t

, , c ,

is as s ur e dly o t unw o rthy o f t h e l eg e nd s clu s t e r

n

ing ab o ut it .

O nly by d e vi u s path can Glas to nbury o nc e

o s
,

th e r e m o t e S hrin e fo r d e v o ut pilgri m s fr o m all

part s f th e land b e r each e d fo r it i s s till s m e
o , , o

what t o f th e c o m m n track But to wand e r

ou o .

awhil e in th e appl e c o untry i s d e lightful alik e t -

o

t h e m ind and th e phy ical s e n s e — to drink in i ts s

a s s o iati o n s to inhal e it s war m sw e e t ai r to e e

c , , ,
s

th e gl e a m o f whit e bl o s s o m s and t h e cri m s o n

2 20 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
so ft e ning up o n t h e r o und rip e n e d h e e k o f th e c s

p e nd e nt fruit th e s e re th e s o urc e f e nj o y m e nt
, a s o

and th e e l e m e nt s o f th e charm C o untl e s . s

gard e n s e d fo rth a rar e p e rfu m e and th e qui e t

'

s n ,

o f t h e wh o l e c i ty in t h e m id t f r hard s and s o o c

s t r e a m s and s h o wing th e r e lic s f b y g o n e pl e n o -

s

d o u r h s a lulling e ffe ct up o n t h e trav e ll e r wh o

a

c o m e s fr o m th e r o aring t o wn and t h e bu y m art s .

Wh e n th e twin dark t o w e r s o f W ll s Cath e dral e

a re fading s had w lik e i n t h e di s tanc e t h e

o -
w ne

stran g pi tur f th e i s land vall e y i s r v e al e d

e c e -

o -
e .

Th e re s tr tch t h e l o ng l e v l m e ad o w s o f d e e p
e e

e m e rald ,
th e r e gl o o m s a f o r s t o f t re e s wh o s e e

twi s t e d branch e s a re bri g ht with appl e bl o s s om s -

.

T h e hig h T o r hill l o o k t e rn and bar e but c o s y

s s ,

and i nviting i th e t o wn b e l o w with i ts r o w s o f

s

irre gular h o u s e s m any o f which da te back to l o n g

,

pa s t da y s whil e o th e rs c o n s titut e d o f s t o n e with

, ,

which th e a rchit e ct s f D s t s and o f B e k e t s

o un an
’
c
’

ti m e wr o ught s e e m t b e a r m ut e tribut e to th e
,
o

fa m o us e r wh e n t h e Abb e y was in its gl o ry and

a

r e v e r e nd pilgri m s fr om afar ca m e to brin g o bla

ti o n s t tha t hall w e d h rin e T o da y th e vi s it o r
o o s .
-

find s a w e lc o m e at th e Inn e built in 47 5 fo r “

1

t h e d e v o ut t rav e ll e r s wh o m t h e Abb o t c o uld n o t

acc o m m o dat e within th e wall s Of th e Abb ey ; and

s o fe w a re t h e chang e s o f t im e that th e l o fty
2 2 2 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
0

by arch aeo l o gi s t s l e d t o th e di s c o v e ry that a p re

hi s to ric lak e villag e in r e m o t e ti m e s o ccupi e d th e
-

s it e. Excavati o n s r e v e al e d t h e r e m ain s o f hu m an
habitati o ns an d o f s ucc e s s iv e ccupati o n by t h e o

s ame rac e — rac e which hunt e d t h e b o a r t h

a ,
e

r o e buck and th e d ee r and wh o s e s o l e a e c m

, ,
o

pl i s h m e t wa s t h e m akin g o f c ar s e rud e p o t
n o
,

t e ry . But thi s p e o pl e h s pa e d away and o t a ss n

e v e n a traditi o n o f i t s e xi s te nc e i s e xtant I t wa s .

at a m u h lat e r p e ri o d th o ugh l o king back

c , , o

ward th e ti m e s ee m s far di s tant that th e fi r s t

, ,

l eg e nd f Gla t o nbur y t o o k root and fl o w e r e d

o s .

S o pur e fragrant and b e autiful i that tr a ur e d

, ,
s e s

bl s s o m that i t w o uld s e e m ruthl e ss t o att e m pt

o

t o plu k it by t h e r o o t s fr o m th e gr o und and t

c , o

c a s t it a id e s a w o rthl e s s w e e d o f ign o ranc e

s a

and s up e r titi o n I t bring t u s th e m e m o ry o f

s . s o

that ti m e wh e n th e S o o f Man wa s o e arth ; it n n

i s a s e e d bl o wn fr o m that land whi h H i s p re c

s e nc e s anctifi e d N e arly two th o u s and y e ar s a g

. o

t h e crucifi e d Na ar e n e w s watch e d by ag o ni s e d
z a

c r wd s up o n Calvary J o s e ph o f Arim th m
o . a a a ,
“

g o o d m a n and a j u t b e gg e d th e d e ad b dy s ,
”
o

fr m Pilat e and buri e d it in h is o w gard e n

o n ,

th r e b y incurrin g t h e fi e rc e r e s e nt m e nt o f th e
e

J e w s He fle d fr o m Pal e s ti ne f e aring f r h is
.
,
o

lif and s o nrag e d w e r e h is e n m i s t h i

e, e e e a s
T HE O LDE P I L G RI M S
’
1N N , GL A S
’

I O N B U RY
‘

" To fa c e p .
2 2 4 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
m et by a b o i t e r o u s m ob o f th e h e ath e n and that
s , ,

plantin g h is pilgri m s s ta ff i n th e e arth h e kn e lt ’

,

d o wn to pray ; and s h e pray e d th e hard dr y a , ,

s ta ff b e gan t o bud and giv e f o rth fragranc e and

b e ca m e a living tr e e Th e n s aid J o s e ph O ur .
,

Go d i s with s and th e h e ath e n tran fix e d b y

u ,
”
,
s

t h e m ira l e w e r e c o nvinc e d and pacifi ed S o

c , .

run s t h e e arli e s t Chri tian l e g e nd in E ngland s ,

and s a fitting s e q u e l we l e arn that o t l o ng

a n

aft e r J o s e ph s m i s s i o n had b e gun th e fi r t Chri s

’
s

tian hap e l wa s built and

c upi e d pa rt o f t h e , occ

sit e which t h e m s t b e autiful f h o ly h o us e s

on o o

w s aft e rward s r e ar e d— Gla s t o nbury Abb y

a St e . .

J e ph s Chap e l m agnific e nt in ruin i o e o f

os
’
, , s n

th o s e hall w d plac es in whic h o e might sp e nd

o e n

h o ur s in s il e nt c nt e m plati o n Th r o ugh many o .

c e nturi e s t h e l e g e nd f th e H ly Th rn h a b e e n o o o s

pr e s e rv e d and Gla s t o nbury h s r e m ain e d di s tin

,
a

g u i s h d by et h e fact that th e r e th e wint e r th o rn

“

h a s bl o s s o m e d e v e ry Chri s t m a s m indful o f o u r
L rd o r a s a pupil o f C t s wr o t e in 1 52 0
o ,
”
,
ax on
’

to wh r e e th e Gl a st o n b ry g l i d
u ed t w r Sh i
o e s ne a nd

r l t th t
e a es a

Pr e se n tl y
He r y ti ll ti l h
o d e on h d gi d d s , un e re a c
’

A pl f pp l tr
a ce by h T h r T r
o a e
-
ee s , t e o n -
ee

W h r fr m S J p h i h p d y
. e e o t . o se n t e a st a s prea c h d
’
.
”
2 2 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
c o m m nplac e s o rt s tand s i n i ts pla e
o I t is c .

strang e we r e ad to s a y h ow m uch this tr ee

, ,
“

wa s s o u g ht aft e r by t h e cr e dul o u s ; and t h o ugh

n o t an unc o m m o n walnut Qu e e n Ann e King , ,
’

Jam es and many o f th e n o bility o f th e r e al m

, ,

e v e n wh e n t h e ti m e s o f m o nki s h s up e r s titi n had o

c e a s e d gav e larg e s u m s o f m o n e y f r s m all cut

,
o

tings fr o m th e o riginal T h e walnut tr e e h w

.
”
,
o

e v e r n e v e r vi d with th e H o ly Th o rn in p o p
,
e u

l ri ty
a T he
. Ath e nian O ra l e (6 9 0 ) wri g gl e d
“
c 1

tte d i g a b e li e f i n t h e
i

ou t of th d i ffi c u l ti e s
e a n n

buddi ng o f th e hawth o rn tr e e with charac te ri s tic

ing e nuity and s uppli e d an xa m pl e that m o s t o f
,
e

u s w uld gladl y i m itat e T o an inquir e r wh

o . o

a s k e d f r inf o r m ati o n and an o pini o n th e

o ,

“
O racl e r e pli e d ( n o n e to o gra m m atically ) All ,

tha t Mr Ca m d e n ay s o f it i that if any o e

. s s
,
n

may b e b e li e ve d in m att e r s o f this na tur e thi ,

s

h a s b e e n a ffi r m e d t o h im t o b e tru e by s e v e ra l
,

cr e dibl e p e r s o ns ; it wa s o t in Gla s t o nbury it n

s e lf, but in Wi rral Park hard by it ; h w eve r , o ,

th i s s up e rstiti o u s tr e e tru e o r fals e was c u t

d ow
,

n i n th e la s t r e f o r ming g e th o ugh i t s eem s

,

a ,

th e y did o t mak e s uch r o o t and branch w o rk

n

with it b t tha t s o m e s tumps r em ain e d at l e as t

u ,

s o m e branch e s o r graft s o u t o f it w e r e s av e d and ,

s ti ll gr o wing in th e sam e c o untry ; th ough wh e th e r

 T h e P a ssi n g o f . A r th u r 2 2
7
th y hav e th e s a m e virtu e with th e f o r m e r o r that
e ,

had any m o r e than any th e r hawth o rn w d o n t o ,

e
’

pr e t nd to d t e r m in e an y m o r e than th e f o r
e e e

m e nti o n e d hi s t o rian T h e b e li f in th e tr e e and

”
. e

th e kn o wl e dg e o f i t p e culiar pr p e rti e s w e r e s o
s o

wid es pr e ad that S e dl e y s v r s o C o rn e lia wh o

-
’
e e n
,

“
bl m e d in th e wint e r o f h e r day lik e Gla t o n
oo s s

bury Th o rn w s e a ily und e r t o d Bi s h p G o d

a s s o . o o

m an writin g t o th e L rd G e n e ral O liv r Cr m w e ll

,
o e o

in 6 5 s aid h
1 2 ,
uld find o t ra l l au e
e co n na u c s

e ith e r in t h e il r o th r cir u m stan e s fo r th e e

so o e c c x

t ra rd i
o ry haract e r o f th e tr e e
na c Thi s I kn w .
“
o ,
”

s aid t h pr e lat e that G d fi r s t app e ar e d to M s e

“
e ,
o o s

in a bra m bl bu h ; and that Aar n r d b in g

e s o
’
s o ,
e

dri e d and with e r e d did budd e ; and th e w r e ,

es e

G o d s acti n s and H is fi r t acti o n s ; and truly

’
o ,
s , ,

Gla s t o nbury w s a plac e n o t e d fo r h lin e s and

a o s ,

th e fir s t r ligi o u s f o undati o n in England and in

e
, ,

e ff e ct w ,
t h e fi r s t di s s lv e d ; and th e r e in
as w o ,
as

s uch a barbar o u s inhu m anity a s Eg y pt n e v e r

h e ard th e lik e I t m a y w e ll b e that thi Whit e
. s

Th rn e did th e n pring up and b e gan to b l s o m e

o s , o s

o n Chri s t m as da y to g iv a t e ti m ny to r e ligi n,
e s o o ,

and that it d o th fl uri h in p e r s e cuti o n and s o o s ,

”

f o rth I fi i te m e anin g s and ig i fi c a e s c o uld

'

. n n s n nc

b extract e d fr m t h e l e g e nd that fanta t ic ca s k e t

e o , s

o f man s a rt and d e vising which is m ad e t o e n

’
2 2 8 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
shrin e th e s m all pur e p e arl of t ruth I f this w e r e .

t h e p lac e fo r s e r m o n s it m ight b e po int e d o u t th a t

t h e vitality f t h e Th o rn i s an e m bl e m o f t h e
o

vitality o f th e r e ligi n it c o m m e m o rat e s ; but o u r

o

duty i s to t rac e its c o nn e cti o n with hi s t o ry T h e .

l e g e nd h a s b e e n s o m e what alt e r e d in f o rm in
o rd e r t bring it int o dir e ct a s s ociati o n with th e
o

building o f th e Abb e y Thi s ew v e r s i o n o f th e

. n

m iracl e is that J o s e ph o f Ari m ath ae a wa s c o m

m a d e d t o build a church i n h o n o u r o f th e Vi rgi n
n

Mary but fi nding tha t th e nativ e s w e r e di s tru s tful

,

o f h i m and h i s m i s i o n h e pray e d
s lik e Gid e n , o ,

fo r a m iracl e F rt hwith h is s ta ff b e gan t o s h oo t

. o

f rth l e av e s and bl o s s o m s and t h e unwith e r e d

o ,

Th o rn t o k r o o t Be that s it may th e fir s t
o . a ,

Chri s tian s built a chap e l o f twi s t e d ald e r in th e ,

f o rm o f a parall e l o gra m 6 0 f e e t l o ng and 2 6 f e e t

,

br o ad ( to c o m e t o d e tail ) and having

s , a wind o w “

at th e w e s t e d and o e at th e e a s t ; o ea ch
n n n

s id e w e r e thr e e wind o w s and n e ar th e w e s te rn

,

angl e w s a d o o r e ach s id e
a A re pr e s e nta ti o n
.
”

o f t h e fi r s t building fo r Christian w o rship e r e ct e d

in this c o untry i s f o und o an o ld d o cu m e nt o w

n n

in th e B riti s h Mus e um and it i s said to hav e

,

b ee n c o pi e d fr o m a plat e o f bras s which had b ee n

a ffi x e d to an adj o ining pillar T h e chap e l is .

vari o u s ly r e fe rr e d to in anci e n t r e co rd s as
2
3 0 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th ur
e sp e cially s th e H o ly Grai l i s clai m e d t b e n o w
a o

i n s af e k e e ping by m o r e than o e far di tant n -

s

Abb e y As f r th e s e c o nd r e li i t i s s aid th at
o c,

St J o s e ph c o nfid e d th e m e m o rial to h is n e ph e w
.

I s aac wh o s e al e d up t h e bl o o d in two vial s and

,

s e cr e t e d th e m fr o m t h e i nvading R o m an pa an s
g .

Wh e n dang e r m e nac e d h i m h e hid th e phial s in ,

an anci e nt fi g tr e e wh ich h e t h e n ca s t int o th e

-

s ea .Carri e d by t h e wav e s to Gaul th e fi g tr e e ,

-

w s ca s t up at t h e sp o t which o w f o r m s F eca m p
a n

harb o ur ; and th e r e a few c e nturi e s lat e r it wa s

f o und with th e two phial s s e cu r e F e arl e s s Duk e .

Richard o f N o r m andy w s s o i m pr e s e d b y th e a s

di s c v e ry that h e built an Abb ey i n which fi tly to

o

e n s hrin e t h e Pr e ci o u s Bl o o d and F ecamp Abb ey ,

b ears witn e s s alik e to h is faith and his d e v o ti o n .

I t wa s up o n th e s t o ry o f th e Grail that chr o ni c l e rs

s e iz e d with avidity aft e r B o rr o n had o nc e S h o wn

i ts capabiliti e s — st o ry o w b e li e v e d by many t o
a n

b e al m o s t wh o lly o f C e ltic o ri g in t h e S c g re l ,
an a

b e ing n o n e o th e r than F i o nn s h e aling cup Mr ’

. .

Nutt t o wh o s e e xhaustiv e w o rk o n t h e subj e ct

,

r e f e r e nc e h s pr e vi o u s l y b ee n m ad e has t o ld
a ,

Th H ly G r i l i p i t d
e o t i p rti l r t G
a s o n e ou n a cu a a enoa

C t h d r l I t w b r gh t f r m C r i
a e a . as iou o ae s a ea n 1 10 1 , s a

h x g
e a l d i h f t w p lm wi dth
on a s o d w l g p
o a s
’
, an as on su

p d t b f r l m r ld wh i h i t r m b l i l r
os e o e o ea e e a , c e se es n co o u

an d b ri ll i y a nc .
 T h e P a ss i n g o f A r th ur 2
3 1

us v e ry f o r m rudi m e ntary and d v e l o ped

of e ,
e ,

in which th e Grail l g e nd h s app e ar e d and o f e a ,

e v e ry xplanati n advanc e d s t o i ts me anin g

e o a .

Wh e th e r th e l e g nd i ba s e d up n Chri s tiane s o
‘

can nical o r uncan o nical writin g

o r wh e th e r it s ,
o

i s an anci e nt aga int which a Chri tian e l e m e nt

s o s

w s i m p o rt e d
a wh e th r it w s xtan t in any
,
e a e

d finit e f r m b e f r e th e ti m e o f R o b e rt d e B o r
e o o

ro n o r wh e th e r it w s a fabricati o n o f th e
,
ar to e a

which m any m o nki s h fabl es hav e b e n tra e d a re e c ,

p int s which to di s cu s i n d e tail w o uld r e quir e

o s ,

and hav e had v o lu m e s d ev o t e d t o th e m Within

,
.

fi fty y e ar s ( 8 0— 5) th e r e w e r e e i g ht v e r s i o n s
1 1 12 2

o f th e st o ry i n whi h t h e id e a f t h e Grail was

c o

e lab o rat e d and we kn o w h o w th e id e a h a s b e e n

,

d e v e l o p e d and e nrich e d and id e ali s e d until o u r

o wn ti m e T h vani s h e d Va s e o f H e av e n that
“
. e

h e ld lik e Chri s t s o w H e art an Hin o f Bl o o d

’
n ,
”

h s b e e n a m arv e ll usly f e cund s ee d o f in s pirati o n

a o

t o r o m anci s t and p oe t P e rcival and Galahad re . a

t h e high e s t hu m an c o n c e pti o n s o f purity and th e ir ,

qu e st i s th e m o s t e l ti g and e nn o bling up o n '

xa n

which h e r o e s can s e t f o rth Y e t a s we hav e .

,

alr e ady s ee n th e c o nclu i n cann o t b e r e s i s t e d

, s o

that th e st o ry had i ts r o o t in pa g ani s m and that ,

th hi s t o ry o f th e Grail is n o thin g but th e hi s t o ry

e

o f t h e gradual tran s f r m ati o n o f o l d C e ltic f lk o o

2
32 The L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
i n to a
p oe m harg d with Chri s tian s ym b o l
'

t al e s c e

i s m and m y tici s m Thi tran s f r m ati o n at “

s . s o
,

fi r s t t h e in e vitabl e o utc o m e o f i ts p re Chri s tian -

d e v e l o p m e nt wa s ha s t e n e d lat e r by t h e pe rce pti o n

,

that it wa s a fi tting v e hi l e fo r c e rtain m o te l and c

s pi rit ual id e a s Aval o n lying o t f t fr o m th e

”
.
,
n a

w es t rn e b e y nd which traditi n s aid w e r e th e

s ea o o

happy i s l e s o f th e bl e s s e d d e ad was t h e Cymric ,

e quival e nt fo r t h e C e ltic paradi e and thus did s ,

Gla s t o nbury b e o m e a s s oc i a te d wi th th e gl o ri o u s
'

l e g e nd which hav e m ad e i t in th e ey e s o f t h
s e

ro m i s t t h e m o t sacr e d and w o ndr o u s city o f

anc s s

e arth S o m a y Gla s to nbury truly b e s aid to

.

g ath e r r und it o all th e n o bl e s t m e m o ri e s alik e o f

th e ld e r and th n w r dw e ll e r s in t h e land
o e e e .
”

N o r i s it s urpri i ng that i n a plac e o f S O much

s

r e putati n m o d e rn m arv e l S h uld b e r e p o rt e d to

o s o

o c cur o r w o nd e rful di s c o v e ri es b e m ad An e .

e lixir wa s f o und i n t h e ruin s o f t h e Abb e y i n 1 86

5 ,

on e grain o f which b e ing dr o pp e d up o n an o unc e

,

a d a q uart e r o f m e rcury was f o und t o trans m ut e

n ,

th e m e rcury int o an o unc e o f pur e g o ld An o th e r .

g rain o f it dr o pp e d u po n a pi e c e o f m e tal cu t o u t
,

o f a war m ing pan turn e d th e m e tal int o s ilv e r

-

, ,

and thi s with t h e warming pan w s s e nt t o Qu ee n -

a

Eli ab e t h tha t s h e m igh t fi t th e pi e ce with t h e

z
“

plac e wh e r e it wa s cut o u t .
2
34 T he L os t L a n d o f K i ng Ar th ur
th r e e wa s a ki n g th t a h i gh t E ve l a k e , th t a had g r t w rr
ea a e

a ga i n s t t h e S a ra s i n s , a nd in es p e cia l a ga i n s t one S r i a as n ,

th e wh i h w K i c as n
g E ve l a k e
’
s c os i n , a ri h k i
c n
g a nd a

m i gh t y th wh i h e c ma r ch ed n i gh th i l s a nd , a nd h is n a me

ll d T l "m
,

w as ca e
'

o 0 e le Fit S p e n es . o, u on a day th es e t wo
m e t to d oe b a tta ile . Th J ph h en os e , t e so n of J pho se of

Ara m a th y , w t en un o t Ki
t ld h i m th t h
g E ve l a k e , a n d n o a e

w ld b
ou e l ft h i b l
d i s c o m fi te d a n d s l a i n e b u t if h e
f e s e e e ve o

th ld l w d b l
e ou a p th w l w A d t h h
an e ee ve u on e ne a . n en e

s h w d h i m th ri gh t b l
e f th H l y T r i ity th wh i h e ee ve o
'

e e e o n , e c

h e gr d wi t h
a eel h i h rt d th r t h i a h i ld w m d s a , an e s s e as a e

f or K i g E l k i th n m
ve a f h i m th t d i d
e, p th
n e na e o a e u on e

r ; d th thr gh h i g d b l
c os s e an en h h d th ou s oo e ee ve ee a e

b tt r f Ki g T ll m F r wh K i g E l k w i
,

e e o n o o e. o en n ve a e as n

th r w f t h h i ld d
O

th b tt i l
e a a e,l th t e e as a c oa se a o re e s e , an

wh h w i th gr t t p i ll h l t p t w y th
en ee as n e e a es er ee e u a a e

l th
c oa d th
,
an hi mi w
en fig r f m
a n on s ene es sa a u e o a an

u p th ron wh r th r gh th y w r d i m f rt d
e c osse , e e ou e e e s co o e .

i t b f l l th t m f Ki g E l k
’
A d n so e e h d hi h
a d
a an o n ve a e s a s an

s m itt ff
en d b ro hi h
, d ian hi th r h d ea d e s an n s o e an ,
an

J ph l l d th t m
os e ca t h i m d b d h i m g wi t h
e a an un o ,
an a oe

g d d v ti
oo e d t oh th on r ; d an th t
ou c e c os s e an as s oo n as a

m h d t
an h d th
a r with h i h d i t w
ou c e wh l
e c os se s an , as as o e

as v r it w b f r T h
e e as ft r t h r f l l g t
e o e. en s oo n e a e e e e a re a

m il
e rva t h t th r e, f th a h i ld t ti m v i h d
e c os s e o e s e a one e an s e

a w y t h t m wi t wh r i t b m A d th r w
a a no an s e e e ca e. n e e as

K i g E l k b pti d d f th m t p rt l l th p p l
n ve a e a se , an or e os a a e eo e

o f th t i tti
a S c ft r J p h w ld d p rt d
e. o s oo n e a e ose ou e a ,
an

K i g E l k w ld g with h i m wh th r h w ld g
n ve a e ou o e e e ou o or

no t ; d anby f rt th y m i t t h i l d wh i h t
so o u ne e ca e n o s an , c a

th t t i m w
a ll d G r t B i tt i
e as ca d th r t h y f
e d ea r a ne , an e e e ou n

a
gr t f l ea p i m t h t p t J p h i p ri
e on an A d by a u os e n son . n so

f rt tid i g m t w rth y m th t h igh t M

o u ne n s ca e un o a o an a on

dr m a es ,d h mbl d
an ll h i p p l f t h gr t
ee a s se e a s eo e, or e ea

r w th t h h d h rd f J ph ; d h m i t
e no n a e a a o os e . an so e ca e n o

th l d f G r t B i tt i
e an o d d i h rit d th f l
ea p im
r a ne , an s e e e e on an
 T h e P a ssi n g o f A r thu r 2
35
a nd co n s u m e d h im , a nd th r with
e e d e li v r d J ph
e e os e ou t of

p rison . A d ft r n a e th a t , a ll th e p pl w r t r
eo e e e u n ed to t h e

C h r i t i f i th
s an a .
”

A rdin g t Mal ry it wa s N o t l o ng afte r

cc o o o

that that J o s e ph w
,
”
laid in his d ath b ed as
“
e ,
”

h i s la s t act b e ing to m ak e a cr o s e o f h is o w e “
s n

bl o d up o n th e S hi e ld b e f o r e g iving it to Kin g
o

Ev e l k a N w m a y y e e s e e a r e m e m branc e that
e o

I l ve y
o h e s aid
ou ,
fo r y e e s hall n e v e r s e e thi s
,

s hi e ld but that y e e s hall t h i k o m e and it n e n e ,

s hall b e l w y e s s fr h s it i
a a aw And n e v r
es a s no . e

s hall o m b e ar e thi s s h i l d e ab o ut h i n e ck
n an e s e

but h e e S hall r e p nt it unt o th e ti m e that S ir

e ,

Galahad th e g o o d knight b e ar e it I t i th e .
”
s

g e n e ral O pini n that J o e ph o f A ri m a t h wa w s

o s a

buri e d in th e gr o und s urr o unding th e church o f

h i s f undati n f r a burial gr o und to c o ntain a
o o
,
o

th u s and grav e s had b e n pr par e d in h is ti m e

o e e .

Willia m f Mal m e s bury wr t e that t h e r e w e r e

o o

pr es e rv e d in that c n e crat e d plac e th e r e m ain s

o s

o f m any s aint s r i s th r e any s pac e in t h

,
no e e

buildin g that is fr e e o f th e ir a h e s S o m uch s o s .

that t h e t n e pav e m nt and ind ee d th e id e s o f

s o e ,
s

t h e altar it s e lf ab o v e and b e l w i s cra m m e d with

,
o ,

t h e m ultitud e o f t h e r e lic Rightly th e r e f o re s. , ,

it is call e d t h e h av e nly s anctuary o e arth o f s

e n ,
o

larg e a nu m b e r o f s aint s it i s th e r e p o s it o ry .
”

Th e r e i s cl e ar r e c rd o f wh o i m m e diat e ly s u c
no o
2
36 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
ce e d e d J o s e ph but h is m ini try wa s carri e d o
,
s n

by St Patrick wh o wa s a nativ e o f Gla s t o nbu ry

.
, ,
*

by S t David by Gilda s and by Dun s tan I t wa s

.
, ,
.

S t Patrick wh
. r e turning fr o m h is lab o u rs i n
o,

I r e land in 4 6 1 f und that th e church built with,

o

wattl e s fr o m t h e m ar s h was i n a stat e o f d e cay ,

and e r e ct e d a s ub tantial e dific e o T o r H ill d e di s n ,

c a te d to S t Mary and St Micha e l H e wa s

. . .

Gla s t o nbury s fi r s t abb o t th o ugh this fact i s

’

t raditi o nary rath e r than hi t o rical and h is grav e s ,

wa s n e ar th e altar o f t h e riginal church An o .

o rat o ry had pr e vi o u ly e xi s t e d o t h e s it e having s n ,

b e e n f o und e d a c e ntury aft e r J o s e ph s arrival by ’

t wo s aint s Ph g us
,
and D u ru v i u s T h e
a an an .

Abb e y it s e lf ow b gan to tak e d e finit e s hap e th e

n e ,

ey es f all Chri s tian s b e ing drawn to Gla s t o nbury

o

by r e a s o n o f its s acr e d r e c o rd I n th e sixth .

c e ntury in King Arthur s ti m e it wa s appr o ach

,
’

ing i ts fuln e s s f p o w e r and n e arin g that z e nith

o

o f fa m e and pl e nd o u r which did o t d e clin e f r

s n o

n e arly a th o u s and y e ar s .

Acc o rding to P r fe s o r Fr e e m an Glast o nbury o s ,

b eca m e in th e y e ar 6 0 th e gr e at s anctuary o f
,
1 ,

S m h i t ri
o e p rh p with b tt r r
s o a ns , d l r e a s e e ea so n , ec a e

th t h
a w e b r i 4 5 t K il p tr i k D m b rt
as o n n l ittl
0 a a c , u a on , a e

t w t th j t i
o n a e f th L viu nc d C ly d on H i
o e e n an e. e s

v ri ly r p rt d t h v d i d i 49 3 d 5 7 m p l i g
a ou s e o e o a e e n an 0 ,
so e ac n

hi s a g t 88e a d th r , t an o e s a 1 2 0.
 T h e P a ssi n g o f A r th ur 2 37

th e Briti s h in th e plac e o f A m b re s b u ry which had ,

but lat e ly fall e n H w it g r e w h o w it wa s rul e d

. o ,

b y gr e at l e ad e r s in th e church h o w it b e a m e th e ,
c

l r g e s t t h e m o t b e autiful th e m o s t w e althy o f
a ,
s ,

all abb ey s h o w its fall wa s c o m pa s s e d and h o w

, ,

th e la s t o f i t s abb o t s an a g e d m a w s dragg e d
,
n, a

t o t h e h ill t o p and hang e d a re hi s t o ric fact s which

-

b e l o ng t a dat e far lat e r than that with which

o

we re c o nc e rn e d
a We cann o t e v e n dw e ll up o n
.

S t Pa t ri k s s o j o urn at Gla t nbur y r up o n

’
. c s o ,
o

D st s r e tir e m e nt to i ts cl o i t e rs in o rd e r to
’
un an s

de v o t e hi m s e lf to tudy and m u s i H e r e it was

s c.

that h e wr e tl e d with th e Evil O e in p e r o n whil e

s n s

lab o uring at h i s f o r g e ; h r e it was that h e av e nly e

visi n s w r e v uch af e d t h im ; h e r e it wa s tha t

o e o s o

h e b e gan h i w o rk o f r e f o r m ati o n in t h e Church

s

and m ad e th e Abb e y th e c e ntre o f r ligi o u s i e n

flu e c e in t h e kingd m
n Aft e r th e lap s e f o . o

c e nturi e we gaz nly up o n t h e ruin s o f t h e

s e o

fabric and fr o m th e m l e arn h o w m aj e s tic th e

,

t e m pl e in i ts pri m e m u s t hav e b e e n c m pr e h e nd ,
o

ing a littl e f th e truth half r e v e ale d and half c

o on

c e le d
a in th e S il e nt s t o ri e d plac e s with th e i r
s hatt e r e d wall th e ir cru m bling archway s th e ir
s , ,

unr o o f e d cha m b e rs th e i r wind o w s dark e n e d with

,

trailing w e e ds and th e i r fl o o rs o v e rgr o wn with

,

lank g ras s es a n d m o s s .
2
38 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
King Arthur s c o nn e c ti o n with Gla s t o nbu ry c
’
an

n o t b e d e e m e d wh o lly m ythical th o ugh th e m y s ,

te r o u s ly b e autiful narrativ e which t e ll s o f h i s la s t

i

day s in Aval o n s e e m s to o p e tical fo r r e ality o .

Th e r e re h o w e v e r th e r link
a ,
t s o g e n e rally
,
o s ,
no

r e c o gni s e d c o nn e cting h im with thi s c o n e rat e d

, s c

plac e Gla s t o nbury w

. t nl y h is i s l e o f as no o
“

r e s t ; o r wa t h e Abb y kn o wn o nl y to h im
i )
n s e as

a S hrin e He clai m e d o r i t w s clai m e d f r h i m

.
,
a o ,

that h e w s d e sc e nd e d o h i s m th e r s s id e fr om
a n o
’

J e ph o f Ari m ath a t h e g e n e al o gy b e in g thu

os ae , s

g iv e n : H e l i is t h e n e ph e w o f J o s e ph b e gat
an , ,

J s hua ; J o s hua b e gat A m inadab ; A m inadab b e

o

gat C a s te l lo s ; C s t ll b gat M v a l ; Ma v e l
a e os e a e a

b e gat L a m b o rd wh o b e gat I g e rna o f wh o m Uth e r

,

P e ndrag o n b e gat th e fa m o u and n bl e Arthur s o .

”

Gla s t o nbury in additi o n t i t c l e brity as a

,
o s e

Chri s tian s anctuary w o uld th e r e f r e hav e a clai m ,

o

up o n King Arthur s att nti o n fo r t h e s ak e o f h i’

e s

v e n e rat e d anc e s t o r th o ugh th e r e s ee m s littl e

,

r e a s n to d o ubt that in his day it was th e cyn o su re

o

o f th e e y e s o f all wh o claim e d t o b e within th e

r e ligi o us f o ld Lady Charl o tt e Gu es t in o e o f
.
,
n

t h e valuabl e n o t e s t o h e r tran s lati o n o f t h e M a

b i og i o
n call s att e nti o n to a r e c o rd o f Willia m
n ,

o f Mal m e sbury which pr o v e s h o w m uch Gla s t o n

,

bury wa s i King Arthur s mind o all o cca s o n s

n
’
n i .
2 4 0 T he Lost La n d o f K i n g Ar t h u r
( str o ngly r e mini c e nt f th e la s t war with Mo r
s o

dre d a s r e lat e d by Mal ry ) r e ad s lik e v e ritabl e

,
o ,

hi s t o ry Whil e e ngag e d in s ubd uing th e s avag e

.

h rd e s i n Wal e s
o d C o rnwall and i n b e ating
an ,

back th e advancing Sax o ns h e f o und tha t th e ,

Re x Re b e ll u s M e lvas had s t o l e n awa y h is wif e

Guin e v e r e and carri e d h e r to Y n y s wytryn King
,
.

Arthur gath e r e d a larg e f o rc e and s e t o u t with ,

his knight s t tak e su m m ary v e ng e anc e o th e

o n

ravi s h e r wh o m h e f rthwith b es i e g e d A w e ll
,
o .

kn o wn antiquary h a s f o und r e a s o n to b e li e v e
that Arthur s f rc e wa s a nu m b e rl e s s multi
’
o
“

tud e ; but at all e v e nt s th e r e i s littl e d o ubt that

M e lva s wh o wa s nly an u d e rlo rd w o uld
,
o
“
n ,
”

hav e b e e n h e avily d e fe at e d had a battl e e n s u e d .

’
B ut c o nflict wa s av o id e d by t h e i te rx e tio n o f n f n

Gilda s t h e Abb o t wh o c o m m and e d M e lva s to

, ,

r es t o r e Guin e v e r e to h e r rightful l rd and th e n o ,

s ucc e e d e d in r e c o ncilin g th e two f o e s Th e y b o th .

e nd e d by s w e arin g fri e nd s hip and fi d e lity t o t h e

Abb t and t h e fact s g o far to S h o w th e p o t e n

o ,

t i lity o f that dignitary a t this p e ri o d

a Thus by .
,

e stabli s hing King Arthur s c o nn e cti o n wi th Glas

’

t o n b u ry we incr e as e th e lik e lih o o d o f h i s ch oo s

,

ing t h e h o ly plac e at Aval o n fo r his las t r e s t ing

plac e H e kn e w th e s hrin e w e ll and had vi s it e d
.

th e frui tful balm y is land vall ey i n wh ich h is

,
-
 T h e P a ssi n g o f A r th ur 2 4 1

anc e s t o r s na m e wa s d e e ply r e v e r e d ; and wh e n

’

his ti m e dr e w nigh h e c o uld think o f o sw e e t e r n ,

b e tt e r sp o t in which to s e e k fo r p e ac e C o rn .
“

f rt thy e lf e s aid th e king to w ee ping S i r

o s ,
”

B e div e r e aft e r th e last battl e and d o as w e ll a s ,

“

th o u m ie t fo r in m e e i s
a s ,
tru s t fo r to tru t no s

in ; f r I wil int o t h e val e o f Avili o n fo r to b e al e

o

m e o f m y gri e v o u s w o un d ; and if th o u n e v e r
h ee r e m o r e o f m e pray f r m y s o ul e ,
And with o .

t h e thr e e m o u r in g qu e e n h e pa s s e d fr o m t h e
n s

bl o dy fi e ld o f C m l up th e wat e rs o f th e B rist l
o a an o

Chann l t o th e i s l e
e

Wh r f ll t h il
e e ia s no
y w a ,
o r ra n , or a n s no ,

N v r wi d b l w l d ly
or e e n o s ou .
”

King Arthur b e ing w und e d in battl e was

,
o ,

br o ught to Gla s t o nbury to b e h e al e d o f h i s w o und s

by th e h e aling wat e r s o f that plac e an o l d r e c o rd ,

run s But h is w o und w s to o gri e v o u s ; and

. a

th o ugh M e rlin pr o ph e s i e d that h e cann o t d ie “

,

t h e cu rr e nt traditi o n i s that wh e n h e r e ach e d th e

s acr e d i s l e h e ca m e unt o h is e d I n th e ti m e
‘
n .

o f t h e fi rst Plantag e n e t wh e n th e fam e o f King ,

Arthu r was r e viv e d s e ar h wa s mad e a t Gla s t o n

,
c

bury fo r th e b o n e s o f t h e gr e at Briti s h chi e f .

H e nry I I wa s th e n o h i way to I r e land and

. n s ,

H e nry o f El oy s th e n Abb o t o f Gla s t o nbu ry

, ,

und e rt o o k th e task fully in te nding o d o ubt , ,

n ,

1 6
2 4 2 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th u r
that it s h o uld b e s ucc e s s ful B e tw e e n two pillar s
.

at a d e pth o f nin e f e e t a st o n e w s f und with a a o

l e ad e n cr o s s in s crib e d o i ts und e r s id e in Latin

n ,

“
H r e li e s buri e d th e r e n wn e d King Arthu r in
e o ,

t h e i s l e o f Aval o n and s e v e n f ee t l o w e r d o wn
hi s b dy was f o und in an ak e n c o ffi n T h e
o o .

hi t o rian S e ld e n giv e s u s an in s tru c tiv e r e p o rt o f

s

h o w King H e nry wa s induc e d t s e t ab o ut t h e

o

strang e e nt e rpri s e o f di s o v e ring th e r e m ains o f

c

King Arthur H e t ell s . that th e kin g in h i

us s

e xp e diti o n t o ward s I r e land was e nt e rtain e d by

“

th e way in Wal e with bardi s h o n g s wh e r e in

s s ,

h e h e ard it affi r m e d that in Gla s t o nbury ( m ad e

al m o s t an i l e by t h e rive r s e m brac e m e nt s ) Arthur
s
’

w s buri e d b e twixt t wo pillar s

a H e th e r e f o r
. e

gav c o m m and m e nt to H e nri o f Bl i s th e n Abb o t

e o , ,

t o m ak e s e arch fo r t h e c o rp s whi h wa s f o und in

, c

a w o o d e n c o ffi n ( Gi ra l d aith o ak e n L e land think s

s ,

ald e r ) s o m e S ixt e e n f o t d e e p ; but aft e r th y had

,
o e

digg e d nin e f o t th ey f o und a s t o n e o wh o s e

o n

l o w e r s id e wa s fi t a l e ad e n cr o s s (
x cr o s s e s fi t x

up n t h e t o m b s o f o ld Chri s tian s w e r e in all plac e s

o

o rdina ry
) with h is na m e inscrib e d and th e l e tt e r,

s id e o f i t turn e d t o t h e s t o n e He (. King Arthur )

w a s th e n h o n ur e d with a s u m ptu o us m o nu m e nt
o ,

and aft e rward s th e s cull s o f h im and h is wif e

Guin ev e r e w e r e tak e n o u t ( t r em ain a s s e parat e
o
2 44 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th ur
th e y f e ll all to p o wd e r T h e r e f e r e nc e t o t h e
.

d e pth o f t h e grav e r e m ind s u s that St o w i n h i s ,

C h r ic l
on d e clar e s that King Arthu r wa s buri e d
e,

sixt e e n f ee t und e rgr o und t o pr e v e nt th e Sax o ns

o ff e ring any indignity to h is c o rps e which ,

Almighty God fo r th e s in s o f th e Brit o n s aft e r

, ,

ward s p e r m itt e d h e disapp o intingly c o nclud e s

,
”
.

Ca m d e n s acc o unt o f t h e di s c o v e ry is i n th e s e
’

w o rd s : Wh e n H e nry I I King o f E ngland had

“
, ,

l e ar e d fr o m th e s ng s o f th e B riti s h bard s that

n o ,

Arthur t h e m s t n o bl e h e r o o f th e Brit o n s wh o e
,
o ,
s

c o urag e had s ft e n s hatt e r e d th e Sax o ns was

o o ,

buri e d a t Gle s s e b ry b e tw e e n two pyra m id s he

n u ,

o rd e r d s e ar c h t o b e m ad e fo r t h e b o dy ; and t h e y
’

had s carc e d ig g d e v e n f e e t d ee p but th e y light

’
s ,

up o n a c ro s s d s t o n e (
’
cippus ) o r a st o n e i n th e
back part wh e r e o f wa s fa s t e n e d a rud e l e ad e n
cr o s s s o m e thing br o ad Thi s b e ing pull e d o u t
,
.
,

app e ar e d t o hav e an in s cripti o n up o n it and und e r ,

it al m o s t nin e f o o t d e e p d e p o s it e d th e b o n e s o f
, ,

t h e fa m u s Arthur
o T h e l e tt e rs hav e a s o rt o f
.

barbar o us and G o thic app e aranc e and a re a plain ,

e vid e nc e o f t h e barbarity o f t h e a g e which w s ,

a

inv o lv e d i n a fatal s rt o f m i t that o o e w s

o s ,
n n a

f und to c e l e brat t h e na m e o f King Arthur

o e .
”

T h e m o s t d e tail e d acc o unt o f all is giv e n in J o s e ph

Ri ts o s s ch o larly wo rk o n King Arthur and th e
’
n ,
 T h e P a ssi n g o f A r t hu r 2 45

fa m o us antiquary s o ut s p o k e n co m m e nt s
’
th on e

r e c rd s and o th e r l e g e ndary rh d m o ntad e s

o
“
o o
”

o f t h e m o nk s o f Glast nbury can b e r e ad with o

a m u e m e nt s w e ll a s with pr fit I t i a s u ffi
s a o . s

c ie tly r e m arkabl e fact that n o n e o f th e chr o nicl e r

n s

agr e e in th e i r d e tail s and Matth e w Pari s d i ,

s

t i n c tly d e clar e s that t h e l e tt e r s in s crib e d up o n t h e

t o m b c o uld in wi s e b e r e ad o ac c o unt o f t
“
no n oo

m uch barbari m and d e f o r m ity Antiquary Le ”

s .

land was s c e ptical a t o th e c o ffi n and Willia m s ,

o f Mal m e s bury aid s pulchr “

1 4 3)
( T
1 h e e e o sf
Arthur w s n e v e r s e e n ; but d s pit e all c o
a
”
,
e n

t ra d ic t i s and d o ubts th e di s c o v e ry s e e m s to
on ,

have b e e n g e n e rally acc e pt e d as g e nuin e whil ,

e

f r m an y r e a n s it wa s gratifying to t h e p e o pl e
o so

o f that and s ub s e qu e n t ag e s Caxt o n w uld hav e . o

r e gard e d it s m o s t e x e crabl e infid e li ty to hav e

a
“

had a d ubt up n th e s ubj e ct At Gla s t o nbury

o o .

we i ndubitabl y s e e m to g e t n e ar e r th e r e al Arthu r
than we re abl e to d in an y o f th e th e r l o cali ti e s
a o o

m e nti n e d by G eo ffr e y and th e lat e r ch r ni l e r

o o c s.

Wh e th e r h e wa s th e m o narch d e s crib e d in th e
r m anc e s o r a s e m i barbar o u s chi e ftain l e ading
o -

t h e B rit o ns t a final th o ugh o nly t e m p o rary

o , ,

vict o ry again s t th e Sax o ns th e r e r e m ain s th e ,

s a m e li k e lih o d f h is c o nn e cti o n with th e fi r s t

o o

Abb e y rai s e d in th e land .

2 4 6 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th ur
On auth rity o f Gildas we l e arn that wh e n
th e o ,

th e Abb o t br o ught ab o ut p e ac e b e tw e e n Arthu r

and M e lva s b o th king m ad e o ath n e v e r to vi o lat e

,
s

t h e h o ly plac e and b o th king s g av e th e Abb o t

,

m uch t e rrit o ry in t o k e n o f th e ir gratitud e If .

,

h o w e v e r it i s hard to r e c o n il e th e d e ath o f King

, c

Arthu r with M e rlin s pr o ph e cy it is hard r s till ’

,
e

t o acc o unt f r t h e disc v e ry

o f h i s b o n e s and h i s o o

grav e in fac e o f th e anci e nt triad which d e clar e d

‘

h i s grav e to b e unkn o wn and r e m e m b e ring which ,

T e nny s o n r e lat e d
H i g v Sh ld b m y t r y
s ra e ou e a s e

F r m ll m l ik h i b i th ;
o a en , e s r

whil e th e o ld e r p o e t t e ll s h o w h e r yg e s in a n

fa e ri e . Th e r e wa s h o w e v e r a s ub s tantial , ,

r e a s o n fo r th e finding o f King Arthur s t o m b by ’

H e nry f B l i s fo r at that ti m e th e r e v e nu e s
o o
,

br o ught b v pi lgri m s t o th e hrin w e r e t s u ffi s e no

ci e nt to pr o vid e fund f r th building T h e c o s o e . n

t e s t b e tw ee n W e ll s and Gla t o nbury had al s o s

b e gun and th e di s c o v e ry o f th e b o n e s o f a s ain t

,

wa s o e o f t h e s ur e s t m e th o d s o f o btaining an
n

advantag e Acc o rding to S t o w s C h r i l e th e ’

. on c ,

b o d v wa s f o und o t e n l o e d within a t o m b o f
“
n c s

s t o n e but within a gr e at tr e e m ad e h o ll o w lik e a

,

tr o ugh t h e which b e ing digg e d up o n and o p e n e d

,
"
,

th e r e in w e r e f o und th e b o n e s o f Arthu r which ,

 '

2 4 8 T h e L o st Land o f K i n g A r th ur
r o o d s c o unt e r
,
m ad e by th e m o nk s to s e rv e
s

a s c o in and e v e n th e r e liquary c o ntaining a s m all

,

pi e c e o f b o n e upp o s e d to b e o f S t Paulinu s s e nt
s .
,

o r l e ft by St Augustin e hi m s e lf fo r th e purp o s e
.

o f e s t abli shing t h e m o difi e d f o r m o f th e B e n e

di e tin e rul e d o o t quit e tak e u s back to th e

,
n

S ixth c e ntury Th o ugh th e actual dat e o f King

.

Arthur s d e ath i s o t kn o wn and th o ugh h is a g e

’
n ,

i s vari o u s ly giv e n fr o m j u s t o v e r fi fty to pa s s ing

nin e ty and th u g h th e r e is o c o n s e n s u s o f
,
o n

Opini o n a s t o t h e l e ngth o f h i r e ign w e n e v e r s ,

h e r o f h im at a lat r dat e than 6 0 4 ; and e f r un o

‘

tu na te ly all t h e Gla s t o nbu ry r e lic tak e u s ba k s c

at m o s t to th e t e nth c e ntury Y e t e nthu s i as tic .

Drayt o n m ight w e ll b e carri e d away with th e

th e m e with which Glast o nbury s uppli e d him ; and
r e m e m b e ring t h e m arv e l s o f i ts pa s t and th e
Spl e nd o u r o f it s a s p e ct i n h i s o w day h e ask e d n ,

what plac e w s c o m parabl e with th e thr e e ti m e s

a
“

fa m o u s i l e ? s

T o wh m d id t tho m m it t h t m
s m t t k p
ou co a on u en o ee ,

Wh ent gr t A rth r t m b
no ea h ly J p h gr v e
u
’
s o , n or o os e
’
s a

F m ri l g h d p w r t h i r h l y b
ro sac e e a t o v e e o ones o sa e ?

Thi s i s o e o f th e in s o lubl e myst e ri e s T h e re

n .

m ain s o f Arthu r and Guin e v e r e a re s tat e d t o hav e

had n o bl e burial by King H e n ry s c o m m and in a ’ “

fai r t o mb f marbl e and th e cr os s o f l ead b e ar

o ,
e
2 50 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r th u r
All that w r e m ain s in a o ciati o n with h is
no ss

na m and h is final act s and h i unc m pr e h e nd e d

e
, , s o

fat e i s th e Abb ey s urpa ingly b e autiful i n ruin

, ,
ss ,

f o und e d in ti m fad e d al m o s t fr o m th e rec o llec

es

ti o n s o f a rac e ; it i s its e lf half m y s t e r y and half

m o nu m e nt T h e s tat e li e s t o f i t
. c ha m b e r s till s s

b e ar s th e na m e f St J o s e ph s Chap e l and it s e lf
o .
’

with i ts d e licat e t rac e ry i ts e xqui s it e ly d es ign e d ,

wind o w s i ts carv e d pillar s i s lik e a fairy tal e in

, ,

s to n e T h e littl e chur h built with wattl e s fr o m

. c

t h e m arsh b e ca m e th e hur h triu m phant and th e c c

chur h s upr e m e ly b autiful in aft e r ti m e Wh e n

c e -
.

t h e s e c o nd H e nr y vi it e d it t h e alr ady v e n rabl e

s e e

Abb e y w s a pil f archit e ctural w o nd e r s and

a e o

m agnific e nc e thank s to t h e lab o u r s o f Abb o t Har

,

l e wi nu s I t w s h e wh o d s i g n e d and e r e ct e d
. a e

tha t v e ritabl e g e m o f archit e ctur e g o rg e o u s ly ,

o rna m e nt e d and fini s h e d in cla s ic grace whi h s , c

s e rv e s s m e m o rial t o th e fi r s t Chri tian

a aint in s s

England I m aginati o n cann o t r e ali s e s a y

.
“
,
”
s

e chr nicl e r h o w grand and b e autiful m u s t

“
on o ,

hav e b e e n th e vi e w fr o m St J o s e ph s Chap e l .
’

thr o ugh its l o ng drawn fr e tt e d ai l e s up to t h e

-
s

high altar with it f o ur c o rn e r s s y m b o li s ing th e

s
,

G o s p e l to b e S pr e ad th r o ugh th e f o u r quart e r s o f
t h e w o rld T h e m at c hl e s te m pl e w s o v e r a
”
. s a

hundr e d f ee t l o ng e r than W e s tm inst e r Abb e y ;

 T h e P a ss i n g o f A r th ur 2 5 1

and i ts s pa i u s n e s wa s o nly quall e d b y i t

c o s e s

rich es L fty m ulli o n e d wind o w r o s e n e arly to

. o s

th e vaulting richl y di g ht and ca s tin g a d im

,

r li g i u s li g ht ; an d th e pr fu s e d c o rati o n s f
e o o e o

t h e wall t o o k th e f r m f running patt e rn s o f

s o o

f liag e while vivid painting s o f th e

o ,
and s tar s sun

gav e c o l ur and ani m ati o n t th e c o ld s t o n e

o o .

Littl e w o nd e r that th e g o rg o u s Abb y in all it e e s

l v e lin s s and n o bl e pr o p o rti o n s w s d e e m e d a fi t

o e a

ting r e ting — plac e fo r king s and s aint s Clai m i ng

s .

S t J o s e ph s i t f und e r i t w s al m o s t in natural
. a s o ,
a

s e qu e n c e that it s h o uld m ak e clai m to b e th e

s hrin o f t h e la t and gr e at e s t o f t h e Chri tian
e s s

ki n g t h e Arthur wh o m G eo ffr e y o f M o n m o uth

s ,

had m ad e r e n wn e d — th e m o s t king and knight

o
“

o f t h e w rld and m o s t l o v e d o f th e f e ll o w s hip o f

o ,

n bl e knight s and by turn th e y w e r e all u p

o ,

h o ld e n I t wa s t Gla t o nbury that t h e

.
”
o Bi s h o p s

f Cant e rbur y and t o o k h is g o o d s and

”
o fle d , ,
“
liv e d in p o v e rty and in h o ly pr ay e r s wh e n th e
war with M ordr e d br o k e t T o thi h e r m it ou . s

ca m e Sir B e div e r and f o und him by a t o m b

'

e,

e w grav e n s aid S i r B e div e r e wha t

“
n -
S ir .
, ,

m an i s th e r e int e rr e d that y e pray s o fa s t fo r?

“
Fair s o s aid t h e h e r m it
n ,
”
I w t o t v e rily ,
“
o n
,

but by d e e m in g But thi s night at m idnight .

, ,

h e r e c m e nu m b e r o f ladi e s and br o ught hith e r

'

a a
,
2 52 T he L ost L a n d o f K in g Ar th ur
a d e ad c o rps e and pray e d m e to bury him ; and
,

h e r e th e y ff e r e d an hundr e d tap e r s and gav e m e

o ,

an hundre d b e sant s Ala s s aid S i r B e div e r e

.
“
,
”
,

“
tha t wa s m y l o rd King Arthur tha t h e r e li e th ,

buri e d in thi s chap e l Th e n Si r B e div e r e

s w o o n e d and wh e n h e aw o k e pray e d that h e
,

m igh t abid e th e r e h e nc e f o rth and liv e wi th fast

ing and pray e r s Far fr o m h e nc e will I n ev e r
.

go ,
said h e by m y will but all th e days o f m y
,
“
,

lif e to pray fo r m y l o rd Arthu r .

”

Gla s t o nbury to day a m id all i ts ruin s p o liati o n

-

, ,
‘

and chan g e hint s v e rywh e r e o f th e gl o ry o f it s

,
e

pa s t T h e char m o f it ling e r s th o ugh t h e e xc e l

.

l e nc e o f i t has vani s h e d I n its stilln e s s and .

s e clusi o n i t r e tains an o l d w o rld air o f b e auty -

an d o f s i m plicity ; tim e which has o v e rthro wn s o

m uch h s taint e d n ugh t
a T w e r wall and r oo f
o . o , ,

mingl e th e ir gr ey and br o wn and re d in th e p e ac e

ful vall e y which th s parkling rivul e t s wat e r and
e

e ntwin e s with s ilv e r thr e ad s T h e s h e lte r e d

a .

gard e n s up o n which th e sunligh t fall s luxuri o u s

a re b o unt e o u s a s e v e r th e y w e r e and o e m ight ,
n

al m o st e xp e c t to s e e i n th e s had o wy c o ns e crat e d '

plac e s c o wl e d and h o o d e d m o nk s pacing n o i s e

l e s sly th e ir ey e s int e nt up o n black l e tt e r m is s al s
,
-

o r uplift e d to b e h o ld t h e m agic and s pl e nd o u r o f

h ill and dal e T h e winding r o ad h a s f e lt th e pr e s

.
2 54 T he L o st L a n d o f K i n g A r t h ur
h rd e and uph e ld t h e Chri s t
o Glast o nbu ry .

with s t oo d th e h e ath e n and b o a s t e d to th e la s t o f ,

n e v e r having fall e n int o acril eg i o u s hand s I t s .

w s Chri s tian alway s —t h e Church o f martyr s lik e

a

I d ra c tu s o f s aints lik e Cuthb e rt Patrick David

n , , , ,

and Dun s tan and o f kings li k e Ina E d m und and

, , ,

Arthur T h e m a s iv e wall n bly with s t o o d th e

. s s o

a s s ault o f ti m e and th e ruin s o f to day re t h e

,
-
a

w o rk o f t h e ic o n o cla s t d e to d e s e crati o n and ,

u

n o t d c ay e T h e r e m nant s
. re path e tic in th e i r a

s ignificanc e ; t h e s c e n e o f m utilat d b e auty is e

m o u rnful b e y o nd xpr e si o n Y e t th e b e auty re

e s .

m ain s th o ugh i t i s
, o t t h e b e au ty o f s pirituality
n

a nd lif e but o f t h e e th e r e ality o f d e ath

, As we .

g a e we a re with a byg o n e
z
g and g e n e rati o n a e ,

and that a g e s ee m s to i m bu e o u r th o ught and

ting e o r r e fl e cti o ns Ev e rywh e r e m y b e s e n
u . a e

m e m e nt o e s ; all s o und s a re lik e h e s faint and e c o ,

fa r ; all ight s sre d im with ha e a Gla s t o nbury z .

i s fo r r e tr o s p e cti o n T h e ai r i s full o f traditi o n s ;

.

i ts hi s t o ry d e al s with phant o m s and i ts o p e ning

pag e i s o f m yths .

Tak e y o ur s tand on We ry a ll H ill and br o o d a ,

awhil e up o n th e s urr o undin g s Y o u thrill to think .

tha t h e r e St J o s e ph m ight hav e pau s e d ; that

.

h e r e wh e r e li e s a s t o n e e ngrav e d with J A h is
,
‘

. .
,

with e r e d pilgrim s sta ff might hav e bur t int o’

s
2
56 T h e Lo st L a n d o f K i n g Ar th ur
th e e n d i s to b e cal m autu m nal subdu e d Th e r
, ,
. e

i o e l o ng quiv e ring str e tch o f cardinal in t h e

s n

w e st but e l s e wh e r e t h e s ky i s w o nd e rfully s o m br e
, ,

y e t e xqui s it e ly s o ft and p e arly cl e ar T h e furth e r .

m o s t limit o f th e val e fa s t b e c m e s invi s ibl e fad

o ,

ing i m p e rc e ptibly appar e ntly m e rging int o th e

,

s ky s it b e c o m e s a pur e d ee p blu e
a H e r e and .

th e r e a purpl e p ak o f t h e rang e o f hill s running

e

s e award ri s e s s harply and pi e rc e s th e thin gau y z

cl o ud s which th e wind brings up T h e whit e .

r o ad gl e am s b e l o w wh o ll y d e e rt e d y e t fancy
,
s ,

m y c o nj ur up p e tr
a e s glidin g at nightfall al o ng
c es

th e o nc e hall o w d way t o t h e s hrin e

e O n thi s .

s t ee p hill al o n e cl o ud high y o u f e e l that th e

, ,
-

s il e nc e i s m y s tical and w o nd e r if th e s l e e ping city

,

with i ts gh s t and traditi o n s is lik e th e fabl e d

o s

ci ti e s o f e nchan te r s whi c h ri s e at night with o ut

f o und ati o n and di s o lv e lik e m i s t in th e e arli e s t
s

ligh t o f m o rning .
 I N DE "
M
( a i n ly o
f oerson s a n d pl a ces )

A B E RYS T W YT H , re li cs n ea r, B id g
r e, h is d ea th
2 00 :
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2 8 —
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,

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K
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80 A rvi rag u s , in g, 2 2 3
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s o a t,

A mb i ro s u s ,
,

15 A li A m b i
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A i n eur n , h is t es ti m o n y to A v l (A v il i )
a on on 43 51
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r 9 u r, d e sc r6 e 2 1 et se
q S ee
Gl t b y
.

A rd e ryd d , 6 6 , 7 1 , 8 2 a s on ur

A rn o d , l Mt
a th e w,
quo t ed , 30 ,
35. 8 0 B a d b u ry Ri n g s , 1 53
A RT H U R A A ) ( rtu s rc tu ru s ; B M
a d o n ( on s B a d on i cu s ), 4,
Ki g — h i wid p
,

n d f m s es re a a e, 1 3, 51 , 1 52 —6
2 3 S x pp ; f a on o o n e n ts o ,
Ba gd e m a gu s , S ir, 77
l l g i l fig B
,

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2 7 6 C xt h i id1 a on o n s en
,

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D
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t t h i l ar c c ron c e rs , B a rh a m o wn , 1 56 , 2 0 4

Bt
,

9
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B tl K A
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o f, 1 8 ; th e e e m e n ta h e ro , l l a t es, ing
’
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29, 33, 1 49 ; h is d o m a i n , 6 2 , 1 2 5, 1 51 ; th e a s t a t l
31 . 3,8 6 —
39 , 4 59 . 6 4
:
C a m e l fo rd , 1 9 8 , 2 00 1 , 2 0 ,
4
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S c o tch re fe re n c e s , 52 , 6 8 , 2 0 8 ; wi h t M v
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h is b t
ir h , 90 ; h is c o ro n a Be d i ve re , S i r, 2 0 5 n , 2 1 1 , 2 1 3,
Tb
.

ti on , 1 1 5 h is Rou n d a le , 2 51
13 0 58 ; as —wa rrio r, 1 49 ; Be l e n u s , 12 3
a s na on a ti l
h e ro , 1 50 , 1 51 Bl km p t 3
ac o re , oe , 0
h is a t e a t b tl B
a d on , 1 55 6 ; B l i (B l y ) 8 3
a se e s
I ly
,

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1 60 ; at a m e o t, 1 59 et C l B wG g q td
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,

90 n
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B o rs , S ir, C t ti p l 39
o ns a n no e,
B o scas t e , l 10 1 C rmo 7 a c, 10
Bo s s in e y, 1 0 1 , 1 8 3 C i k M 96
ra rs .
,

k
,

Bre c n o ck , 46 , 49 , 1 44
Bréc él ia n d e ( B ro ce l ia n d , B ro c e D v id S 6 3 36
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B it y
r ta n , 4 3, 6 8 Di E m y 7
n as r s, 1,
B iv ru e , r e r, 2 1 9 D 46
o u a rn e n e z ,
Byh r t o n s , th e , 3, 4 , 4 7 D m oz P l —4 a re oo 2 11 1
—2
,

B u d e, 1o 1 D ytra q d on ,
44 u o te , 1 , 1 55,

7 1 1
C d b y C m p—
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S o m e rs e t , Dry d 3 en , 0

141, 1 60 , 1 71 2 D u b ri c (
D u b ri ti u s ), 1 1 5, 1 2 5,
C a d wa l la , 5
C a e rle on , 3 9 , 53 ; d e scr e d , ib D u n ch i n e , 9 3
1 1 3— 29 D t
u ns a n , 2 3 6, 2 37
C a e rwe n t, 1 2 5, 1 2 6 , 1 6 8

C a m d e n , q u o t e d , 9 6 , 2 44 t
E c o r, S ir, 90 , 1 80
C l iv r
a m e , r e , 1 98 9
—
-
i b
E d n u rg h , 52
C f
a m e l o rd , 55 7 , 1 0 1 ; d e Ed wa rd ,I K in g , a t Gl t a s on

ib
scr ed , 1 9 4 et s eq b ry
u 2 49

C a m e li a rd , 39 , 4 6 —
.
,

9 il H l
E d on i l s , 51
Ca m e o t,l d e s c r e d , 1 59 etib E me rs on , q u o te d , 33
se
q. E t ta rd e , 1 6 4
C t
a ra c a c u s , 12 9 E ve l a k e , K
i n g , 2 35
C a rb o n ek , 38 E cax li b ru , 2 1 1

C a re w, t i
h is o r a n , 9 5
C a rm a r h e n , t M l
er in s
’
a e a t, Cv F re e m a n , P ro fe s s o r, q u o ted ,
6 L 78 1 53, 2 1 8 , 2 36
C a ro b a i s e , 46 F re re , J . K .
q u o te d , 1 36
C l D
,

a st e e n is , 49

C tl D
as e a n -
in a s , 1 1 1
-
Ga isn a r 2 1

C a ttra e th , a t e o f, 9 —
,

b tl 10 Gl a ahad, 3, 4 1 , 1 4 5, 2 1 48 ,
C xt
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C f Bry
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c h a ra c e , 1 6 1 3 1 66 , -
2 04
Cl M
,

t i fl
e ts , th e , a n d h e i r n u e n ce Ge o fi re y o f o n m o u th ,
t y
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2 3, 31 , 35, 66 , 1 76 , 2 1 3, G t e ra in , 1 2 9

30 , 2 31
2 G i bb on, 2 7
C i
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s oria n , 1 0, 12
C l
, ,

h a ice H i ll , 2 2 9 3 l 6 a l s3t 2 4 6
l ‘

C v
le ed o n , 1 72 Gi ra l d u s C a m b rie n sis, 20
2 60 I n d ex
M l A h r 49
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S a ra s, 1 90 , 1 9 2 , 1 9 3
M B d i S—
,

o ns a on c u s . ee
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S c i , 40
M d d 9
o r re 3 12 2 00 tt
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, ,

o rr s , a 0 2 6 , 30 , 6 8 , 1 4 1 , 1 4 2
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M t S Mi h l
,
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My d i E m ry 6 7 7
r n s, , 1 il t
S c h e s er, 1 1 6 n .

il
S u res , th e , 2 4 , 4 7 , 1 2 6
N a n ta n l e od , in g, 4 K l B
S a u gh te r rid g e , 1 99 2 0 5 ,

N e n n iu s, 1 2 , 1 6 S n o wd o n , 7 1 , 76
V vi
N i m u e ( i en ), 7 2 , 77
' '

r
S o mm e , D r , 2 6 , 2 9
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.

o rd e n , o n i n a ge , 9 7 t y
S ou h e , 2 9
N t D v
ut , a id , 1 9 1 S o u ve s tre , E m e , 8 1 il
p
S e n s e r, 30 , 7 7 , 2 33
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’

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.
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P d g C l 5
,

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S wi n u rn e , q u o e d , 30 t
P ih 4
enr t , 1 1
P en y V 44 an, 1 T a l h a i ra n , 1 2 9
- -

P iv l (P if l P v l )
e rc a e a rz a , e rc e a , Tla i e s in , 9 , 1 1 , 12 9

34 1 86 89 1 1 Bi k
T en r n , quo t ed , 1 35
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P il S i g 46 6 5
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so n , a e r eo n ,

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tio n o f C
a m e o t, 1 70 ; o n l
Q uo i s , t A rth u r s ,
’
8
4 9
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l eg e n d , 1 9 3 ; o n o rd re d , M
Re n a n , 46 , 8 0 , 1 76 2 03
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Ri so n , j o s e h , 4 6 , 1 54 ,
56 1 T e ra b yl , 9 1 , 9 2
Ro c ky V ll y T
a e l 83
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Ro m e , 6 5 1 51 , 1 57
,

T h o m a s t h e Rh m e r, 1 04 y
T bl — Ti t l b
,

Ro u n d a ; hi
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,

1 1 et se . ts T o r, th e G t b y
la s o n u r , 2 2 0,

sy m b li m 4 5 o s 1 2 36 , 2 55
Ro w T o r, 2 13
,

T ris tra m a n d s euI lt , 44 , 4 6 ,

8 9 , 1 0 3 6 , I 74-

S a n cgrea l , th e . S ee “
Ho ly T wee d , t h e , 6 8 , 6 9 , 70
G il ra
S a n d w ch , i 1 58 i
Ur e n , 11
 I n d ex 2 61

Usk , iv
r e r, 6 7, 1 1 5, 1 19 W y A ll (Wi l W ll )
ea r rra o ra
Uh Ut H ill 3
,

t er ( er) , Ki n
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74 : 75, $9 . 90 , 1 32 W dm p l
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,

an a tt e a t , 1
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m
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,

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W l f m E h b h 89
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8
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W L d h 38
as te an s, t e,
R I CH A RD C A
L Y S ons, Lm rrn o ,
B RE A D S T RE ET H I LL, s c. , AN D

B UNG Y ,A s u rrou c.
T HE T OWER O F LONDON

Fortres s , P a l a ce, and Pri son

By C H A RLE S a . HA RP E R

A thu or o L d
f Ru ra lN k
Th Hi t i oo s ro u n d on on ,
”
e s or e s

f E gli h R d With 5 I ll t ti ”
o n s oa s, e tc .
, e tc . 0 u s ra ons.

C w 8 6 ro n vo , 8 . n et .

T he Tw L o p p
e r of hi y
on d o n gloc c u ie s a o s i t io n in th e s tor of
E n a nd
h
u n m a tc ed by l a ny l F
of th e a n c ie n t c a s t es o f th e a nd. ro m t h e t i m e o f

W l C
i l ia m th e Tw L g f h
on q ue ro r t h e o er of o n d on fi u re d o rt m o re an d m o re
l ly
c os e as w y
t h e c e n tu ri e s gl h S v g e nt on t h e s to r o f th e En is o e re i ns a n d

gl h p p l
t h e En is eo h h y
i t i s n o t t o o m u c to sa y t a t th e i n t i m a te s to r o f
e , a nd

T
th e f h y gl
o we r is , i n a c t, t h e h w ll
is t o r o f E n a n d I n t is b oo k a n a cc ou n t i
f l A h lv g h y pl
.

b e o u n d a i ke o f th e rc i te c t u re a n d t h e i i n is to r of t h e ace , a n d

wh l
o f t h e pri so n e rs h p Tw G Tw H
os e b oo d wa s s ed u o n o er ree n or o er i ll
l h yf ph g ph M W S
.

T h e i l u s tra t io n s a re c ie fl ro m a fi n e s e t o f o to ra s by r

C p ll
. . .

a m be .

MEMORIA LS OF S T . PA UL S
’

C AT HEDRAL
By A RC HDE A C ON S I N C LA I R

Wi h m y I l l t ti
t an u s ra ons in bl k ac a nd wh it e a nd s il v p i t
er o n ,

by L i W i ou s e rte r. D m y 8 16 e y o, 5 . n e t.

Th i i s h i iv h i y
s an aut or ta t e s to r o f th e C h lfa l
t e d ray ro m th e ea r i es t da s to
p
th e A h
re s e n t b y th e rc d e a co n of L w ll
o nd o n , gv g
an d it i ai m a t i in a

pp l
o u a r a nd a tim th e s a m e t C h l h y
e a n a c c u ra t e a c c ou n t o f th e at e d ra
'
s is to r
p
T he p ilf
ic tures a re a s ec a ea tu re , b e ing l y
o f u n u su a be a u t .

C H AP M AN 8c H ALL, LT D .