By: Marcia Abramson
One Sunday morning, my late husband and collaborator, Marty Abramson, and I found our way to British Rail in London and headed off to Edinburgh, Scotland, to find Robin Hood's bailiwick in Sherwood Forest. He was known to rob the rich to aid the poor. The ride was very comfortable, and I must confess, the service was far superior to the Long Island Rail Road. The only admonition I can offer is try not to take the journey on a Sunday, since many of the attractions are closed. However, it was still a worthwhile trip back to an enduring legend in British history. But the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table has held our interest for nearly a millennium, first in ancient manuscripts, then on the musical stage, and presently in movie theaters. Visitors can now explore some of the many locations in Britain that claim links with the Arthurian Chronicles. Legends will have us believe that Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table traveled throughout England, Scotland and Wales. I am told that a good place to follow in the footsteps of Arthur's Britain is in the south-west county of Cornwall, a stronghold of Celtic resistance to the invading Saxons. Arthur was said to have been born in Tinfagel Castle, only 15 minutes from the popular fishing village of Padstow. You can still see dramatic ruins dating from the 12th century. There is also a sixth century site on an island behind the castle, more contemporary with the king. A short distance from Cornwall., the county of Somerset has several Arthurian associations, famous for Cadbury Hill Fort, first described in the 16th century as the original locale of Camelot, his famed citadel. Somerset also has an intriguing Arthurian link at Glastonbury Abbey, a nearby hilltop called Glastonbury Tor. The now ruined abbey is said to be the oldest Christian sanctuary in the British Isles. Legend has it that Arthur was brought here for burial. There is a plaque designating the spot where builders, in 1191, working on the restoration of the abbey uncovered his tomb. Tourists can see depictions of the Round Table throughout England, Scotland and Wales. I saw one of the finest in the cathedral city of Winchester, in Hampshire, England's ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great. There is also a wooden table hanging in the Great Hall which in all probability dates back to the 14th century and was probably made at the command of King Edward II and later repainted on the orders of King Henry VIII, who is shown in the guise of Arthur at the current table. Stirling Castle in Scotland has the earthworks in a field below the castle walls and is said to be the site of a stone slab, known as the Round Table where the Knights used to meet. A huge crag above the capital city of Edinburgh has been known as Arthur's seat since the 15th century. The earliest source of the Arthurian legend, the once Roman fort of Caerleon in South-east was Arthur's chief city rivaling the later Camelot in its splendor and importance. Arthur was crowned there and held his first court at Caerleon, which presently contains the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre and extensive buildings. A central earth mound was once known as the Round Table.Bamburgh Castle is a huge medieval fortress on the coast of north-east England, purported to be the original site of Sir Lancelot's castle. This northern most part of England is scattered with thousands of years of history and heritage, from Hadrian's Wall, the northern most point of the Roman Empire to the Holy Island of Lindisfame.Organized Arthurian tours to Britain are available, but for the independent traveler, many Arthurian attractions are available to the public using the Great British Heritage Pass. It offers great savings for visitors exploring historic sites by allowing them entry into nearly 600 castles, stately homes and gardens in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.For further information you can call toll free 1 (877) 899- 8391 or check with your local travel professional.
Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail:mascribe@aol.com
