Arthur stone

The Arthur stone was discovered in 1998 in 6th Century ruins at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, England. Apparently used originally to dedicate some building or other public structure, it was broken down and used as a drain when the original structure was destroyed.

Related Topics:
1998 - 6th Century - Tintagel Castle - Cornwall - England

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Its Latin inscription reads: PATER COLI AVI FICIT ARTOGNOV; the (approximate) translation reading, Artognou, father of a descendant of Coll, has had (this) constructed. The name "Artognou" could mean "descendant of Arthur".

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According to Arthurian myth, first recorded by Geoffrey of Monmouth, King Arthur was born and raised at Tintagel Castle. However, as the current Tintagel Castle had not been constructed at the time of Geoffrey's writing; something had to have influenced his placing of Arthur's birthplace there. Of further note is the fact that, in his History of the Kings of Britain, Geoffrey lists one of Arthur's relatives as Coel Hen (Old King Cole), likely the same "Coll" listed on the Arthur stone.

Related Topics:
Arthurian myth - Geoffrey of Monmouth - King Arthur - History of the Kings of Britain - Old King Cole

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Also found in the 6th Century fort at Tintagel were numerous remains of expensive pottery, glasswork, and coins from Spain and the Byzantine Empire; it would have had to be a powerful state to have sustained trade with the Mediterranean. Before the discovery of the Arthur stone, the fort at Tintagel had been suggested as a possible location of Camelot.

Related Topics:
Spain - Byzantine Empire - Camelot

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The "Artognou" of the stone, while possibly being the powerful ruler of Tintagel and Cornwall and being in the proper timeframe for the "real" Arthur, was almost certainly not him; it is most likely that a single, historical Arthur never existed. However, the memory of Artognou could certainly have been a basis for the historical king Arthur.

Related Topics:
Cornwall - Basis for the historical king Arthur

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