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Tintagel Castle - Cornwall

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 8 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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Tintagel Castle - King Arthur's Birthplace

 

Tintagel Castle is one of the most mysterious and beautiful historic sites in Britain. Situated on the west coast of Cornwall, Tintagel is built on the remains of a coastal headland which is gradually being eroded by the sea. Historians believe that it dates back to the 13th century and it has been long associated with the legend of King Arthur.

Nowadays, Tintagel is maintained by English Heritage. Only ruins are left and there is a long climb up wooden stairs to reach the site, but the majestic views and atmospheric location are worth the journey.



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Tintagel on Flickr 

Tintagel is a truly magical place and you can see why from this selection of stunning photos on flickr

Merlin's Cave by </mark>

Tintagel and King Arthur 

"They found a naked child upon the sands Of dark Tintagil by the Cornish sea; And that was approven King:"
Tennyson (Idyll of the Kings)


There are many myths and legends associated with Tintagel and the surrounding area. Geoffrey of Monmouth, the King Arthur populist who lived in the 12th century was the first to connect Arthur with Tintagel in his 1136 work Historia Regum Britanniae, or History of the Kings of Britain. Monmouth cited Tintagel as the spot where 5th century King Arthur was conceived circa A.D., 480-500.

Another popular myth which surrounds Tintagel is that of Merlin's Cave which can be found below the castle and visited via the beach at low tide. It is said that Merlin lived in a cave below fortress of Tintagel while King Arthur grew up, to be his teacher.

King Arthur in Literature 

There are hundreds of books about King Arthur, but I have selected some of the best fictional tales here. I can recommend the Roger Lancelyn Green book if you want an easy and highly readable introduction to Arthurian Legend. Both my mother and I are big fans!

Le Morte D'Arthur: Complete, Unabridged, Illustrated Edition

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The Once and Future King

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King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

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The Winter King (The Arthur Books #1)

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A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (Bantam Classics)

Release Date: 10/01/1983

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Tintagel Castle by J.M.W. Turner (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) 

This depicts the castle in 1815.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Tintagel Castle - Links 

Tintagel Castle
Tintagel Castle is most famous for its association with legendary British King, Arthur that is set on a dramatic and picturesque headland.
Britannia King Arthur: Tintagel Castle
Discussion concerning Tintagel Castle & King Arthur. An interesting summary discussing recent excavations and investigations into the likely history of the site.
Timeless Myths - Arthurian Legend
Information and reference on King Arthur. Here you will find some analysis about the existence of Arthur.
Tintagel-King Arthur Country
King Arthur's Tintagel Cornwall For Visitors & Locals News,Trebarwith, Boscastle.

King Arthur Movies 

There are a lot of King Arthur movies to choose from ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. Click on the arrows to reposition the list and vote for your favourites.

Have you been to Tintagel? Would you like to go? Share all here! 

susannad

A wide range of info on the Matter of Britain 5* I would love you to join the group 'All About Arthur' http://www.squidoo.com/groups/arthur
It would be an honour to have this lens there

Posted August 20, 2008

Snakesmum

Thanks for dropping by my Petsnakes lens! Glad you liked Ben the Boa - they are beautiful animals.
I love reading about Merlin the Magician - Mary Stewart wrote a great trilogy about the Arthurian legend.
Jean

Posted November 09, 2007

photogold

great lens about a fascinating castle , 5 stars. Check out
my lens

Posted November 05, 2007

dc64

Great lens! Five stars from me.
Debra

Posted October 30, 2007

MarilynBB

The picture of the castle doorway is the one I use on the cover of my book Questing Marilyn. I love Tintagel Castle. You have some informative information here.

Posted October 25, 2007

 
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Meloramus

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I have been fascinated by Arthurian Legend for many years and have visited many of the sites connected with King Arthur.

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