The Real Camelot.

Camelot is on the map as "Cadbury Castle", situated at the village of South Cadbury, 11 miles from Glastonbury, the Isle of Avalon, the celtic"Ynys Witrin"
First written use of Glastonbury being "Avalon" C. AD 946.

This probably is the ancient Camelot, but it is not the type of "castle" which comes to mind when talking of them; it is a fortified town rather than a castle or fort.
Between the fort and the nearby river Cam, was found a hastily dug mass grave of men and boys, evidently fallen in battle. It maybe the grave of the fallen of the battle of Camlann, Arthur's last battle which was probably fought to defend this castle from the Saxon invaders.
"Camlann" maybe the original British/Celtic name for this place, and Arthur may have known it as such.

Also near here are two Saxon villages: Queen Camel and West Camel: of course both post-date the history of this place.

The documented battle, Mount Badon, or "Mons Badonicus" in which Arthur defeated the Saxons is in the next county, Wiltshire, at Liddington, another 'fort'. It has the Saxon name "Badanburh", Celtic/British name "Badan". It stands on a sort of dark-age front-line between the Saxons and the Britons.
The battle was probably fought in AD 499.


The earliest reference of Cadbury being Camelot, has now been pushed back to an earlier time than that of John Leland, writing in 1542, who was thought to be the first to call this place Camelot, writing of it as such from his study of folklore, etc., but now we know it was named from a much earlier date.
During the years 1966-1970 an archaeological excavation was carried out here. As well as finding that this place was used from the Neolithic period, 5,000 years ago, It also found that it was occupied during the bronze & Iron-ages, when the first fortifications were laid. These were earth banks fortified with huge boulders, dressed to shape.
The Iron age occupants were of the Durotriges tribe.

In AD 61, Roman soldiers, travelling from the nearby settlement of Ilchester, attacked the fort and massacred most of its residents, probably as punishment for sending men to support Queen Boudicca's uprising against the Romans, in the East.
Human remains showing signs of the violence of that attack were discovered in this fort's SW gate.
Evidence of Roman occupation of the site after the massacre have also been found.
The Roman army left Britain around AD 410..

Archaeology has established features UNIQUE to the Arthurian period, and to this site, even though other "Forts" of this type were reused during the time. This is also the largest re-fortified site: 18 acres.

Arthur may have been the "Riothamus" of history, who led military campaigns throughout Britain and Gaul, modern France, at the right time.
Riothamus is not a name but a title and approximates "Supreme leader" in modern English.
It may explain the numerous "Arthur" place names in the UK.
This site in Somerset was most likely to have been his home-base.

The mound in the SW corner of the Fort, named "Arthur's Castle" is shown; on it archaeologists found evidence of a large feasting hall of Arthur's time.
Camelot also had huge earth embankments, ditches and dykes, a large palisade fence and watchtowers on the top rampart..
.
In this video, views from the fort, towards Beacon hill, and views of the castle from the Beacon itself, at Sunset, are shown. Images from two visits are seen.
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The last two photos here are of the site of Arthur's tomb, in Glastonbury abbey. His remains, with his queen, were found in AD 1191, and resited in front of the High altar in AD 1278. Glastonbury is the renowned Isle of Avalon, topographically and historically it is actually well deserving of the name. It's only 11 miles from this castle, and a pathway called "Arthur's Causeway" leads to and from the Isle.

GHOSTLY

People living near hear report hearing ghostly sounds of battle on some nights, and Arthur & his knights, legend says, can be heard riding back from Avalon on Midsummer's eve, and the night of the full-Moon.

When the Romans invaded, the whole of "Britannia" was ruled by many Celtic tribal kings.
Only after the Saxon invasion was there a "Wales".
This site was inhabited by the same people who were driven into Wales: the celts.
During the dig of 1966-70, potsherds dating from AD 460/70 and 510/20 were found; this means that the site is not "too late" to be Arthurian. Further, the director of the dig, Leslie Alcock, is not "embarrassed" to be associated with the search for Arthur as has been quoted.

News cuttings from 1966-70:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552246558eCMyHM

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[Jeffro307]

Garn Boduan near Nefen in Wales is an enigma. It may not be Camelot but it has great significance 'Merlin the Briton was held famous in the world. He was a king and prophet; to the proud people of the South Welsh he gave laws, and to the chieftains he prophesied the future. Viti Merkini. What lays beneath?

[mikesey1]

@Jeffro307

A very interesting point; one I had not heard before (which makes a change!)

One has to remember, however, that Wales as such didn't exist until the Saxons had driven the Celts to the far-flung west of the Roman "Britannia", now Wales.

At the time of the Roman invasion, the tribes they found everywhere were all Britons.

This does not preclude the existence of a Briton, who may have been a Druid named Merlin. Thanks for the note.

[Jeffro307]

@mikesey1

It would be wrong to classify Merlin as a Druid. He was a real man whose understanding of the cosmos exceeded the boundaries of religion and politics. He was simple in his ways however he did have political power due to his abilities. He was a celebrity during his time who worked together with King Peredur who allowed Merlin to establish a base at Garn Boduan. There Merlin worked as a sage and helped the King run much of Northern Wales. Much has to found at that site.

[mikesey1]

@Jeffro307

His name is thought to be a corruption of "Melkin" who definitely was a real person!

Thanks for the note.

[MrEasilee]

Sorry but this is all rubbish.

Type in Alan Wilson to get the true history of Kings Arthur and Arthur ll.

[mikesey1]

@MrEasilee

That is your opinion only.

All books written about Arthur are all largely surmise, without any real historical evidence, and there was no definitive evidence found to connect Arthur to this site either. However, only a small part of this "fort" was excavated, but even that gave archaeological artifacts relevant to the period that he was reputed to have lived.

The proximity to an Isle of Avalon and a logical Mount Badon battle site looks set to confirm this site as Camelot.

[jusbarryman]

I've seen this vid before and I love it every time,you got a great page thanks for all your work in getting them to us

[saltwaterballads]

Fascinating place. Great photography.

[mikesey1]

@triffiks

Thankyou John. sometimes I wish that I'd made it a bit better, but it seems liked, so no sweat!

[triffiks]

This video never ceases to amaze me Mike, its truly is an inspiration 200% good (-: J )0(

[mikesey1]

@BabaBoom96

Next!

I think that Arthur's grave could well have been hidden for many years, and it certainly was not celebrated by the Saxon monks who came later. The lead cross found with his remains in AD 1191 was probably created and placed by his grave by Abbot Dunstan in the AD940s upon the occasion of the Abbot raising the level of the ancient cemetery by 8 feet where Arthur was buried; the cross was a sign of Arthur's last resting place for later observers (or doubters)

[mikesey1]

@BabaBoom96

Hello.

Camelford of course is in Cornwall, and really anything is possible!

However I still remain convinced that this site is in fact "Camelot (or Camlann as it actually was called) as I haven't found any other place which compares, either in folklore, history, nearby places of relevance and actual archaeological evidence, though nothing has definitively given the name of Arthur to the Warlord who lived here. Kelliwic I've heard of. (!)