My theme for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is – Places I Have Been. After some contemplation I decided to limit it to Places I Have been in the UK, this is because I have been to far more places in the UK and have very limited experience of places outside of the UK. I hope you enjoy my post.

King Arthur

King Arthur was a legendary King, and it is claimed that he ruled over Britain in the 5th or 6th Century. Though there is no evidence that King Arthur existed (and if he did the likelihood is that he was solider in post Roman Britain), Arthur features very heavily in a lot of medieval literature. It is believed that it was Eleanor of Aquitaine who first commissioned the story of wise King, with the glorious Kingdom, known as Camelot. She spent a lot of time locked away in solitude so she was an avid reader. Since then there have been various books written and movies filmed. Even though his existence cannot be proved it doesn’t stop various areas of the UK laying claim to having been part of legend.

Now I have never been to Tintagel Castle, where it is claimed that Arthur was conceived. It is on my list of things I want to see. There is a statue there now I believe of King Arthur. As you know I have been to Winchester, it was mainly because of Jane Austen, but it was also to see the Round Table. Winchesters Great Hall is the place where they believe the Arthurian legend was first penned. Built in the thirteenth century it is an interesting building. Inside the great hall is a round table, which for years lay claim to being the round table that King Arthur used in Camelot. It has since been dated and it was Edward I who had the table made. Henry VIII then had it repainted in homage to King Arthur. It was stated that King Arthur had a round table so everyone would be equal and have a view of the king.

Glastonbury

Another place I have visited that is believed to have connections to King Arthur, is Glastonbury. Glastonbury is best known for the music festival it holds every year, which I have never been too. Going to a music festival has never appealed to me. My brother went a few times and loved it, as you can gather we are very different. Glastonbury is a very beautiful village. Glastonbury I am led to believe is connected with Merlin, who was Arthurs Wizard. Glastonbury has a long association with myth and magic. It was at Glastonbury Tor, a hill just on the outskirts of Glastonbury, where Arthur is said to have travelled to, to be healed by the monks who lived there. I am not sure how successful they were as, Glastonbury also claims to be the site of King Arthurs tomb. Many believe though the monks in the medieval times made up the story to make money, but it would be nice if it was true.

There are many more places where King Arthur is claimed to have pulled a sword from a stone or visited the lady in the lake, besides battles and places of birth for all of his knights. In fact at some point in the future I might do series and visit all of the places associated with King Arthur.

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Thank you for reading x