T is for Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

Legend links this site – a rocky headland amid wild and romantic scenery – with King Arthur, who is said to have been born here: England’s most famous King - Arthur son of Uther Pendragon.

The improved path and walkway down to the
island bridge

Arthur, through early writings, is held to have been the leader of the native Celts, who in the 6^th C, kept the invading Saxons at bay, during the breakup of the Roman Empire.

There are remains here of earlier settlements associated with the monastery which grew up around the cell of St Juliot, a Celtic missionary who came to Tintagel about 500 AD. 

Looking down on the site

Prior to that it is thought the Romans may well have traded from here controlling their inland and coastal conquests, confirmed by Roman coins found in a drawstring leather purse.

Over time the stone huts attracted noble governors, with the site becoming a royal Castle attached to the Earldom of Cornwall; amongst its distinguished lords was Edward III’s son Edward, the Black Prince, who commissioned some of the surviving buildings.

Looking south-west from
Tintagel Island

Out of interest – Edward III  (1312 – 1377) is one of only five monarchs who have ruled England or its successor kingdoms for more than fifty years ... and his reign saw vital developments in legislation and government – in particular the evolution of the English parliament.  Another by –the- by ... he was born at Windsor Castle ...

The precariousness of the site meant that storms took their toll and by the 16^th century the central portion connecting the inner ward with the lower ward and part of the great hall had been washed away by the sea.

The site then became derelict until interest in the Arthurian legend revived in the 19^th century.  Tennyson’s poems popularised that legend and the ruins were stabilised and repaired in 1850s.

A sea fortress

Tennyson ‘s “Idylls of the King” is a cycle of twelve narrative poems retelling the legend of King Arthur, his knights, his love for Guinevere and her tragic betrayal of him, and the rise and fall of Arthur’s kingdom.

The site is now under the care of English Heritage who over time have created walkways around the castle, up and down the cliffs, and have erected a wooden bridge across the isthmus for the safety of visitors.

King Arthur’s Great Hall – Frederick Thomas Glassock (d 1934), a custard millionaire, realised and dedicated the indoor attraction to the Arthurian legend.

One of the stained glass windows
made out of local stone - see the site
at King Arthur's Great Hall

It has featured in many tv programmes and films: the hall includes an authentic round table and granite thrones surrounded by 72 fabulous stained glass windows.  These windows were created by a pupil of William Morris, tell the story and show the Coats of Arms and weapons of the knights.

The legend of King Arthur is brought to life with spectacular laser lights, music and a narration by the actor, Robert Powell.  KingArthur’s Great Halls certainly bring the legend to life ... 

That is T for Tintagel Castle in Cornwall – a ruin, where the seas have torn at the cliffs, leaving us with the folklore of King Arthur to a large extent tantalisingly unknown ... part of the ABC series Aspects of British Castles.

Bob Scotney featured Spofforth Castle, North Yorkshire on Saturday

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories