Gwent, Wales
According to Geoffrey of Monmouth's twelfth-century
History of the Kings of Britain, this was Arthur's chief city. In
a lengthy description, it is made to rival the later Camelot in its
splendour. It contained two minster churches where choirs sang praises
to God non-stop, and a college of 200
 |
| The Round Table
was once believed to have stood here. |
scholars skilled in the arts of astrology and
prediction. This is where Arthur was crowned and held his first court,
presiding over a rich company including liveried knights and their
ladies.
The present site contains the ruins of a fine Roman amphitheatre
and extensive buildings, including bath houses and barracks. Until
recent times, the central mound of the amphitheatre was called 'The
Round Table'. Geoffrey's account probably lies behind this identification,
and it was almost certainly prompted by his own patriotism - Monmouth,
where Geoffrey was born, lies only a little way to the north. The
town's Roman name, City of Legions (Caer-Leon) led to its identification
as the possible site of the ninth of the twelve great battles fought
between Arthur and the Saxons.
|
|
|
