Tintagel’s Royal Palace from the Dark Ages

Hello Friends,

This week I’m continuing the theme of Britain’s mythical King Arthur. Tintagel is a historic site which is located on a rocky peninsular on the Cornish coast in England. The place has long been associated with the legend of King Arthur.  

At the site, Archaeologists have previously uncovered pieces of pottery and glass dated from the 5^th to 7^th Century. Some of the artefacts were imports to England and believed to have come via old trade routes from Mediterranean areas. Wines from Turkey. Olive oil from Greece and Northern Africa. French glass cups.

What archaeologists found in 2016 was different to the shards that were legacies of the Roman occupation of the country. Some enthusiasts call the new finds spectacular. Trenches that were dug revealed thick stone walls, steps and flagstone floors which could be indicative of high-status buildings – potentially a royal palace complex. More digs sites are planned.

Around 600-700 A.D. the castle site was abandoned as the bubonic plague swept through the country. It was during the 12^th Century that Tintagel gained its reputation as the birthplace of King Arthur. It is still not known if Arthur was a real King, a historical figure, a literary creation or not British at all. Tintagel is where history meets legend.

The video, “We Love Tintagel” from Cornish Cottages has a good aerial view of the rocky island of Tintagel. It looks like a good place to visit with mysteries and legends. You can get outdoors on walking tracks and visit medieval places, shops and artisans. They make traditional Cornish pasties. Do they have turnip in them? (not my favorite veg).

You can read more about the archaeological digs below.

Luxury at Tintagel in the Early Medieval Period: This summer archaeologists have been excavating in Cornwall at Tintagel, the famous site for Arthurian Legend. The results are exhilarating.

Enjoy your weekend,

♥ Ashlyn