Tintagel Castle
The Tintagel Castle (English: Tintagel Castle, Cornish: fort Dintagell = fortress of the narrow access ) is located on a peninsula on the west coast of Cornwall, not far from the village of Tintagel. For her to climb steep and disposals, it is connected by a narrow isthmus to the mainland. In the legend she is with the genesis of the mythical King Arthur (English: Arthur) connected.
The late antique and early medieval complex
There you will find little evidence of pre-Roman and Roman settlements, may existed in Roman times a trading route leading past Tintagel, whereupon two Roman milestones could indicate from the environment.
Getting older excavations took place in the 1930s under CA Ralegh Radford ( Ministry of Works ). Layers, the focus first on the "Search for King Arthur ", after a reinterpretation of the place as an " early Christian Celtic monastery " of the 5th found by Radford - 8th century instead.
Recent excavations between 1990 and 1999 can be due to the large volume and high quality of imported material found (partly from the eastern Mediterranean and Spain) and the encountered building structures become more of a significant " royal residence " close to central places function, which is probably from the middle of 5. century existed until the beginning of the 7th century and in which you tried to hold on to ancient Roman traditions as well as contacts with the Mediterranean.
A 1998 unearthed fragment of a shale with late antique Latin inscription ( " FATHER ... COLIAVIFICIT ... ARTOgNOV ... COLI ficit " ) in this case has probably less to the presence of the mythical King Arthur back when. Rather to the continued existence of the Latin alphabet and late antique culture in southern England
The high medieval system
The medieval castle was probably built around 1230 due to the by Geoffrey of Monmouth mid-12th century quickly spread in England and Europe Arthur legend, as the medieval fortress was strategically at that time very little sense, since it apart was located on the trade routes and maritime transport. Due to the location and dimensions with very narrow walls they would have contemporary siege engines can not withstand, and had a total of probably more representative character. Its builder was Richard of Cornwall, who may thus have been raised in a series with the just as popular King Arthur and wanted to speak with the support legitimizing " ancestors " his ruler's claim. Apparently, the castle was also soon abandoned after it was built back in the 15th century and referred to as forfeited.
Saga
According to the Arthurian Legend ( by Geoffrey of Monmouth: History of the Kings of Britain (ca. 1135-1138 ) ) hosted the procreation of King Arthur held in the days of Uther Pendragon Castle Tintagel was therefore a certain Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall. Here Gorlois hid his wife, Igraine, Uther the coveted for himself. In order to be able to approach unnoticed Igraine, Merlin gave him the appearance of the Duke. The plan worked, and Igraine received the future King Arthur.
In the Tristan saga Tintagel is the King Mark's castle and an important action scene.