Arthurian romance in southern England by Steenie Harvey
Some of England's most famous legends revolve around "the once and future king," King Arthur. Guarding one of Cornwall's myriad windy headlands in England's west country, Tintagel Castle has long been linked with Arthurian mythology. A tourist magnet since Victorian times, the 12th-century ruins receive thousands of visitors every year. Few care that the Arthur story is far older than the castle itself. 
| All that remains of King Arthur's castle at Tintagel, Cornwall. Photo courtesy of www.istockphoto.com |
More layers to the myth
Ignore the dozens of "Arthur" shops and cafés in Tintagel village-instead, let imagination take over. If you've an ounce of romance in your soul, you can almost picture The Sword in the Stone, the towers of mighty Camelot, and the silken banners of knights riding into battle. Listen closely: the Cornish wind seems to carry the faint sound of clashing swords and axes chopping off Saxon heads… Arthurian tales are complex, as, throughout the centuries, writers continuously added more layers to the myth. Along with Arthur, the cast includes Queen Guinevere, Merlin the Magician, Sir Lancelot, and the wicked Morgan le Fay. The other great Arthurian site is in Somerset, at Glastonbury and the Isle of Avalon. In 1130, the chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote History of the Kings of Britain, which mentions that, after Arthur was mortally wounded on the battlefield, he was "carried to the Isle of Avalon." Cashing in
Glastonbury's Abbot cashed in on this medieval bestseller by unearthing what were reputedly Arthur and Guinevere's bones. Pilgrims began flocking to the town in droves-willingly donating money for a new abbey. No DNA checks were available in the Middle Ages, but few visitors doubted the skeletons belonged to Arthur and his queen. 
| Early morning mists near Glastonbury Tor, Somerset-still fascinating visitors through the centuries.
Photo courtesy of www.istockphoto.com |
The old Celtic name for Glastonbury was Avalon and its "isle" was Ynis-witrin or the Isle of Glass. Although not strictly an island, it was once surrounded by flooded marshes. These marshes probably made Glastonbury Tor (Hill) seem to be rising from a mirror. Reputedly hollow, Glastonbury Tor is a legendary entrance to the Celtic otherworld. To reach the summit, you take a spiral path that winds for seven circuits-seven is a magical number in Celtic mythology. It's hard figuring how this ties in with Arthur's bones, but legend has it that the king and his knights lie sleeping inside the hill. If England needs them, they will awake. Tintagel Castle, Cornwall PL34 0DB; tel: +44 (0)1840-77-0328. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter. Closed Dec. 24, 25, 26 and Jan. 1. Entrance: £4.50 ($8.75) adults, £2.40 ($4.70) children. B&B accommodation can be found locally for around £35 ($70) pp/pn. Check the website: www.cornwall-online.co.uk | 
