Throughout the centuries, there has been a great fascination with King Arthur and the tales that have evolved over time. Stories of this chivalrous character have touched upon a variety of locations , some real and some imagined. In this article, we will explore some of the sites associated with this great knight.
When it comes to holding court, there are many different places that have made an appearance in text regarding King Arthur. Those who enjoy following Arthurian legend and the romantic tales that have followed will find the below locations quite interesting:
Caerleon on-Usk in Newport , found in South Wales , Geoffrey of Monmouth mentioned this location.
Researchers usually show an interest in Caerleon because it seems to possess a great deal of archeological significance, as it once served as a Roman legionary fortress. Between around 75 and 300 AD, the site served as a headquarters for Legio II Augusta. It was also an Iron Age hill fort at one time. The name itself translates into “fortress of the legion” in Welsh. When an excavation took place at the grounds , important Roman remains were uncovered, such as a military amphitheatre, barracks, and baths. If you listen to Gildas, the Caerleon site had seen its fair share of martyrdom with two early Christians , Aaron and Julius.
London , Geoffrey of Monmouth makes mention of this location
Carlisle, Cumberland , Arthur is stated as having a court located on the western edge of Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall was built during the Roman Empire , a fortification comprised of stone and turf. The wall spread across what is known as the modern-day England and served as the second of three fortifications of its kind that decorated Great Britain , joining Gask Ridge and the Antonine Wall. The purpose of these walls was to avoid military raids associated with Pictish tribes, who were ancient inhabitants of Scotland. Over time, Hadrian’s Wall gained a more recognizable reputation out of the three, as it has produced the most evidence of its physical presence in the remains discovered by modern-day researchers.
Cardigan , it was Chrétien de Troyes who made mention of this site
The history of Cardigan starts in 1093 when Roger de Montgomery (a Norman that became the first Earl of Shrewsbury) founded the town. A stone castle was rebuilt in 1171. The coming years would see the castle fend off attacks during the English Civil War. Since the Early Middles Ages, the town of Cardigan has continued as a port. Throughout the Middle Ages, it became an important site until the Elizabethan times rolled around.
In case you were wondering who Chrétien de Troyes was , he was a French poet (or a poet-composer as they were called in those days) during the late 12th century. When it comes to examples of some of the best medieval literature , it is his works on Arthurian themes that have gained acclaim.
