Is situate in the hundred of Lesnewith, and hath upon the north, the
Irish sea; east, Trevalga; south, Lantegles; west, St. Teth. For the
etymology of the first compound word, it signifies the safe, secure,
or impregnable fort or fortress; for the second, safe, secure,
impregnable, or invincible man; or a man so fortified, magnified, or
fenced, by art or nature, that he was not liable to hurt or danger,
referring perhaps to the King or Earl of Cornwall, whose fort or
castle it was; as also the manor of Dundagell, contiguous therewith,
privileged with the jurisdiction of a court leet, and other marks of
grandeur over the adjacent country, still pertaining to the Duke of
Cornwall.
In the Domesday Roll, 20 William I. (1087), this place was taxed under
the name of Dune-cheine. In the Inquisition of the Bishops of Lincoln
and Winchester, 1294, Ecclesia Dundagell, alias Bosithney, was valued
viii_l._ the vicar iiii_l._ vi_s._ viii_d._ In Wolsey’s Inquisition
1521, it was valued 8_l._ 11_s._ 2½_d._ the patronage in the Duke of
Cornwall. The incumbent ―――― Chilcott. The rectory in possession of
――. The parish of Dundagell rated to the 4_s._ per pound Land Tax,
1696, which comprehends the boroughs of Trebennen and Bosithney,
200_l._ 4_s._, which from thence appears to be only adjectives, and
fallen upon the parish, as several other boroughs in Cornwall are.
Those boroughs have a weekly market, and a fair on October 8 yearly.
Trebennen, in the Exchequer, signifies the woman’s town, alias
Trevenna, the spring, marsh, or well of water town.
The arms of these united towns are, King Arthur’s Castle of Dundagell,
port open, on the top three turrets or watch towers. They are
privileged with a court leet, and a mayor chosen annually by a jury
out of the sworn free members, as also with sending two members to sit
in the Commons House of Parliament, elected by the freemen of the
borough that have lands of inheritance there. And the parliament
precept from the sheriff, as also the writ to remove an action from
this court to a superior, must be thus directed:――“Majori et
Burgensibus nostris de Trebennen, alias Bosinny,” otherwise “Majori et
Burgensibus Burgi nostri de Trevenna, alias Bosythny, in comitatu
Cornubiæ, salutem.”
Dundagell gave name and original to an old family of gentlemen,
surnamed De Dundagell, now extinct, of which family was Robert de
Dundagell, who, temp. Richard I., held in this county, by the tenure
of knight service, five knights’ fees. Carew’s Survey of Cornwall, p.
44.
But that which made this place most famous was the castle and palace
of Dundagell, wherein in all probability, the Kings, Dukes, or Earls
of Cornwall, at some time had their residence, for pleasure and
safety, before Cæsar came into this land; and for that it was the
birthplace of Arthur King of Britain, of whom more under. The castle
itself stood on the sea cliff, and a high promontory of land or
island, shooting into the North Sea or St. George’s Channel, fastened
to the main land or insular continent of Britain, by an iron chain and
drawbridge, which Mr. Carew saith was extant about 100 years before he
wrote his Survey of Cornwall 1602. Hence it was that in the Domesday
Tax, 20 William I. 1087, it is called Dunecheine, as aforesaid, viz.
the fort, fortress, or castle chain or chained. Under which drawbridge
the sea formerly did daily make its flux and reflux, through the rocky
passage beneath. But now this passage is barred up by the falling down
of the contiguous cliffs, and want of repair; nevertheless, thereby at
low water is offered to the foot traveller an indifferent way of
access to the castle or island aforesaid. Which island is now by lease
from the crown in possession of Mr. Travers, who sets it to rent for
about 5_l._ per annum, where twice a year about thirty fat sheep are
bred or fed, that thrive to admiration.
The back or outer part of this fort or island, contains about three
acres of land, which affords good pasture for sheep, goats, and
rabbits, whereon is a consecrated well, and chapel heretofore applied
to the service of God, by the Prince Gothlouis, his domestic servants
and soldiers, though now neglected and falling into continual decay.
The most northerly and remote part of this island is called Pen-dew,
or Pen-diu, that is to say black head, so named from the black cliffs
and rocks thereof; a well known seamark, amongst mariners. The cliffs
all round this island and decayed castle are from the sea
inaccessible, excepting in one place on the east, where is an
indifferent landing place for boats; but the same is artificially
barred with a long lofty and strong wall of lime and stone, through
which was a gate, called in British, Porth Horne, Anglice Iron Gate,
leading to the hill. Under this island the sea runneth through a
natural cave or arch of rocks, where boats may pass at full sea
without danger, though scarcely without horror and amazement of the
passengers; which tremendous place gave occasion to a British bard to
describe the same in verses, mentioned by Camden in his Britannia, viz.
Est locus Abrini sinuoso littore ponti,
Rupe situs media, refluus quem circuit æstus
Fulminat hic latè turrito vertice, castrum,
Nomine Tindagium veteres dixere Corini.
Thus Englished by Mr. Carew, p. 286, Lord Dunstanville’s edition:
There is a place within the winding shore of Severne sea,
On midst of rock, about whose foot the tides turnkeeping, play;
A towry topped castle here, which blazeth over all,
Which Corineus’ ancient brood Tindagell Castle call.
However, I think, the meaning of the author is rather thus in English
prose: “There is a place in the intricate windings of the Severn sea,
situate in the middle of a rock, which the waves or billows of the sea
compass or flow about, a towering top of a castle, shining or blazing
abroad far and near, which the old or ancient Cornish call Dundagell.”
Of this place Joseph of Exeter, a priest of that Cathedral, that went
with King Richard I. into the Holy Land, and described the wars
thereof, in his poem called Antiochesis, written at Antioch 500 years
past; a person excellently skilled in the Greek and Latin tongues who
after his return from the Holy Land, was made Archbishop of Bourdeaux
(see Hooker and Isaac), hath these words (thus Englished) of Dundagell.
From this blest place immortal Arthur sprung,
Whose wondrous deeds shall be for ever sung,
Sweet music to the ear, sweet honey to the tongue.
Look back, turn o’er the great records of fame,
Proud Alexander boasts a mighty name,
The Roman annals Cæsar’s actions load,
And conquered monsters rais’d Alcides to a god.
But neither shrubs above tall pines appear,
Nor Phœbus ever fears a rival star;
So would our Arthur in contest o’ercome
The mightiest heroes bred in Greece and Rome.
The only prince that hears this just applause,
Greatest that e’er shall be, and best that ever was.
From which words it is evident Joseph had seen Merlin’s prophecy of
King Arthur.
The History of King Arthur and his progenitors is this:
After the death of Ambrosius Aurelius, anno Dom. 497, succeeded to the
dominion of Britain, some say his brother, others a Britain named
Uter, alias Uter Pen-dragon; that is to say in British the terrible or
dreadful head or chief dragon, so called, as our historians tells us,
from a direful, bloody, or red dragon, pourtrayed in his banners of
war with a golden head, as is to this day borne in our imperial
standards of war, in memory doubtless of the red dragon mentioned in
Merlin’s Prophecy, by which the British nation is figured. For his
paternal coat armour, as Upton saith, was, in a field Vert, a plain
cross Argent; in the dexter quarter the image of the blessed Virgin
Mary, holding the image of her blessed Son in her right hand, Proper.
He likewise gave for his cognizance of Britain, d’Or, deux dragons
Verd, coronés de Goules, contrelés, or endorsed.
Which prince, about the fourth year of his reign, having had divers
notable victories over his enemies the Saxons, killing Pascentrus, the
son of Hengist, and Gwellimoore King of Ireland, taken Octa and
another son of Hengist, and Cossa, his nephew, prisoners, and routed
their forces; he resolved the Easter after to make a kind of triumphal
feast and solemnity for the principal nobility, gentry, and soldiers,
of his kingdom; and ordered likewise that their wives and daughters
should also be invited to his court, to congratulate his victories
against his Pagan enemies. Now this feast was to be kept at
Caer-Segont, id est, the city or castle of conquest or victory,
afterwards called, by the Saxons, Cell-Cester, id est, Great Castle,
now Winn-Chester, as much as to say, the overcoming, conquering, or
winning castle, as before; the very place where the Emperor
Constantine first put on the purple robes, in order to his dignity.
Amongst other princes and confederates that attended this solemnity,
Goth-lois, or Goth-Louis, id est, purple back or spear, Prince, King,
or Earl of Cornwall, with Igerna, his lady, graced the same with their
presence. And it was observable that in this great assembly, the said
lady, for beauty, port, and mein, exceeded all other women then
present. With whose unparalleled demeanour and charms, King Uter was
so much taken and delighted, or intoxicated rather, that for several
days he omitted all other most necessary affairs of his kingdom, in
order to enjoy her company. Yea, so violent was his affection, that he
could not restain or curb his passion, but kissed and courted her
openly, even in the sight of her lord and others. Whereupon Gothlouis
was so possessed with jealousy that he took the first opportunity,
without leave taken of the king or his nobility, together with his
duchess and servants, and posted from Winchester, towards his own
country of Devon and Cornwall. He had not been long gone, but the
notice thereof was soon brought to the king, who took it in so ill a
part, by reason of his inordinate affection to his lady, that
forthwith he sent messengers after him, to let him know that he had
further occasion to use his counsel about affairs of the nation.
But Gothlouis so highly prized his lady, who by this artifice he
foresaw would be exposed to the king’s attempts, that he sent back
positive answer that he would not come. At which return the king grew
more enraged, and sent the Prince of Cornwall word, that if he
persisted in his obstinacy, he would invade his country, and beat his
towns and castles about his ears; but in vain were his menaces, for
Gothlouis returned him word that he was, as his predecessors time out
of mind had been, a free prince, and owed him neither homage nor
allegiance. Nevertheless, as his countryman, he acknowledged himself
his ally and confederate against all foreign opposers, and would keep
his articles of agreement; but if Uter were not contented with this
answer, but would forcibly invade his country and property, he would
endeavour to keep and preserve the same against him and his adherents.
Whereupon King Uter denounced hostility against him, and sent him
defiance as an enemy, and forthwith set all things in a posture of war
against him. Neither was Gothlouis less solicitous to keep his country
and duchess from Uter’s possession or indeed vile usurpation.
In brief, therefore, as aforesaid, King Uter having raised a great
army of soldiers, under pretence of chastising the pride and contempt
of Gothlouis, marched with them towards his territories, which
extended as far as Axminster, where he no sooner arrived than he falls
a plundering the country, and burning the houses of the inhabitants,
with the terror whereof some fled away, and others submitted to his
mercy. Gothlouis being then at his chief palace and castle of
Caer-Iske, id est, the Fish Castle or City, situate upon the Fish
River, now called Exe, as the City is Exeter, and hearing of this
affrightment and revolt of the people on the east part of his
dominions, and fearing the cowardice of his citizens of Caer-Iske, he
quitted the same upon Uter’s approach with his army, and fled from
thence with his lady, and posted themselves in this castle of
Dundagell, where he left his duchess, himself retiring to Dameliock
Castle, now in St. Veye or St. Vewe, where his army lay entrenched
within a treble walled fortification of earth, still extant, and
retaining its name, wherein he had laid up sufficient provision and
ammunition for his camp and soldiers, &c. And there also he was
promised to receive assistance of soldiers from one of the five Kings
of Ireland, which were daily expected.
King Uter understanding of Gothlouis’ departure from Caer-Iske, soon
marched after him with his army into Cornwall, and laid siege to the
castle of Dameliock, that is to say, the house or place of skirmish,
battle, or hazard of war, and no sooner approached the lines, but he
sent an herald or trumpet to Gothlouis, demanding the surrender of
himself and castle on mercy. Gothlouis, rewarding the trumpet,
returned answer, “that he gave King Uter no just cause of war, or for
breaking the league or invading his country, and wasting the same in
such barbarous manner. But especially, he being a free prince, neither
could nor would betray his trust, or give up his dominions and
subjects to an unjust invader.” At which answer King Uter was so
enraged, that he gave order for a straight siege of the castle, and
forthwith made many violent assaults by storm in several places
thereof; but he was as stoutly repulsed and driven back by the
besieged. In this manner, with various success, for many days the
siege and war continued, which occasioned the many camps,
fortifications, and intrenchments in those parts, called Castle Kitty,
Biny, Castle Kynven, &c.
Whereupon King Uter being more desirous to obtain the Lady Igerna,
than to shed blood, or take the fort of Dameliock, thought of nothing
more than how to get possession of her. In order to which, he was so
vain as to inquire whether the said lady was within the said castle,
and whether she was in so good state of health as when he saw her at
Caersegant. To which questions answer was made, that fame reported
nothing to the contrary as to her health, but for her person, that was
not in Dameliock Castle, but kept in a much more secure place, within
the impregnable fort of Dundagell. Then, inquiring further of a
deserter what manner of place that was, he was told it was a castle
munified by art and nature, and of so narrow entrance over the sea and
rocks by a drawbridge, that three armed men at once would keep out his
whole army, maugre all their skill and strength. At the relation of
which circumstances, King Uter seemed mightily dismayed, so that his
countenance changed through anguish and perplexity of mind, which put
him into such great anxiety as was Ahab for want of Naboth’s vineyard,
David for Bathsheba, and Nero for Sabina Popeia, other men’s wives.
King Uter Pendragon, in this extremity, as not being able to reduce
Dameliock Castle by storm, nor, if he could, would that redress his
grief, by procuring the sight of Igerna, resolves upon this expedient,
to dislodge part of his soldiers and troops from Dameliock, and march
with them to Dundagell, in order to try the fortune of war in both
places. But as soon as he came in sight thereof, the same appeared
more formidable, tremendous, and invincible, than what report or fame
had spoken of it. For in those days the wit and force of man, could
not oblige that castle to a surrender, unless through bribery or
treachery of its defendants, for that the same could neither be
scaled, battered, or starved.
The consideration of which put Pendragon into greater sadness and
perplexity of mind, through the charge and fatigues of war, the stain
of his honour in these unsuccessful attempts, but chiefly for that he
could not obtain the fair Igerna; whereupon he grew sickly and took
his bed, his physicians despairing of his life. When it happened, as
historians tell us, that one Ursan, of Richardock, a place near
Dameliock or Dundagall, one of King Uter’s cabinet council, advised
him to send into Wales, for the old British prophet Merlin, and try
whether he could do that by his magic art which neither the art or
courage of men of war could effect; whereupon Pendragon sent for the
prophet, who when arrived to his camp was made acquainted with the
premises, and immediately bid the king to be of good comfort, for that
he doubted not but in short time he would introduce him to the company
of Igerna, without further bloodshed or hostility.
The king gladly heard this discourse, and promised to follow any
expedient he should prescribe, in order to obtain the lady; and
further assured him of a great reward, in case his project succeeded.
Whereupon Merlin ordered the king, together with Ursan, of Richardock,
to attend him one night in the twilight, with whom in secret manner he
went towards the drawbridge gate of Dundagell Castle, where, making a
noise, the sentinel or porter demanded in the dark who they were?
Merlin being transformed into the shape of Bricot, a servant that
waited on Gothlouis, and lay in his chamber, made answer that his
master, Duke Gothlouis, escaped from the siege of Dameliock, was at
the gate for entrance. The porter apprehending he heard the very voice
of Bricot, and seeing at some distance two persons talking together,
the one King Uter metamorphosed into the shape of Duke Gothlouis, and
another, viz. Ursan, of Richardock, transformed into the shape of
Jordan, of Dundagell, he let down the drawbridge, and so gave them
opportunity to enter into the insular castle aforesaid, where he had
further confirmation of the identity or reality of their persons, by
their speech and apparel, as far as the night would permit him.
Whereupon he forthwith joyfully conducted King Uter to Igerna’s
chamber, who, not discovering the fraud, gladly received him as her
lord; when that very night was begotten that valiant, noble, and
religious Prince Arthur, who for his brave, facinourous, and heroic
achievements, made his name glorious in his days, as it is still the
paragon of ours.
Now on that same night his soldiers were so careful and valiant in the
siege of Dameliock Castle, that they stormed it with their scaling
ladders, but were as stoutly driven back by the besieged; whereupon,
Duke Gothlouis resolved no longer to be thus cooped up, or confined in
walls or trenches, but either to conquer or die, and the next morning
sallied forth with a party of soldiers, and assaulted his enemies in
their quarters by surprize: but alas! the success was not answerable
to his courage and resolution, for King Uter’s men were all in
readiness to receive his charge and onset, so that in the brunt of the
first encounter Gothlouis was killed on the spot, his party slain or
routed, and all that were taken in arms put to the sword. The castle
of Dameliock yielded on condition of life, though some say otherwise,
the plunder to the king’s soldiers.
Early on the same morning, before King Uter and the duchess were out
of their chamber, or had on their wearing apparel, to the great
astonishment of the porter, centinel, and the garrison, a messenger
arrived at Dundagell Castle, giving a full account of the tragical
fact. But when he was admitted to the Duchess’s bedchamber, and saw,
as he verily believed, Duke Gothlouis in her company, he could hardly
credit his own report; especially the Duchess Igerna being of the same
opinion. But then, alas! so unavoidable a thing is fortune or fate,
the prophet Merlin began to uncharm and dissolve his former spells and
incantations, so that King Uter appeared no longer as Gothlouis Duke
of Cornwall, but sole monarch of Britain; his companion, not Jordan of
Dundagell, but Ursan of Richardock; and the third, not Bricot, but
Merlin the prophet, to the great admiration of all spectators.
Whereupon the king took leave of the Duchess, and posted to his army,
then in possession of Dameliock Castle, and ordered search to be made
for the dead body of the duke; where at length it was found in common
soldier’s apparel, extreme bloody, mangled, and cut. Whereupon he
called an embalmer, who forthwith embalmed the body with salt and
aromatic spices, to prevent putrefaction till a military interment
could be prepared for him, which a month after was splendidly
provided, the King and Duchess being chief mourners; when, a few days
after, King Uter publicly married Igerna the duchess, by whom as
aforesaid he had a son named Arthur and a daughter named Amye.
Lastly, it is observed by our annalists upon the foregoing history,
that after this bloody war, and unjust fact of King Uter’s, he never
had any tolerable success against his Saxon enemies; but in many
battles was worsted by them, and finally, some of them understanding
of a good spring or well of water, whereof he usually drank, they
secretly envenomed the same, so that afterwards the king, drinking his
customary draught thereof, soon after, with intolerable pains, died in
the fifteenth year of his reign, and the flower of his age, anno Dom.
515, fulfilling that saying in the Sacred Writings, “The same measure
that ye mete shall be measured to you again, brimfull and running
over.” So that I shall conclude this history in the words of St. Paul,
“O the height of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are
his judgments and his ways past finding out!”
After the death of King Uter Pendragon, his son and heir Arthur,
begotten as aforesaid, succeeded to his dominion of Britain, anno Dom.
515, but as others say 518. He is therefore rightly named by some
authors, Arthur Mab Uter Pendragon, viz. Arthur, the son of Uter
Pendragon. Which name Arthur is probably derived from the British
Arthou, a good or sharp pointed weapon. Of this King Arthur, long
before his birth, had Merlin prophecied to King Vortigern:
“Aper etenim Cornubiæ succursum præstabit [si non potius
erit] et colla eorum sub pedibus suis conculcabit, insulæ
oceani potestati ipsius subdentur; et Galicanos saltus
possidebit; tremebit Romulea Domus sevitiam ipsius; et
exitus ejus dubius erit; in ore populorum cœlebrabitur, et
actus ejus cibus erit narrantibus. Sex posteri ejus tenebunt
sceptrum,” &c.
Which in English amounts to this:
“That the boar of Cornwall shall bring aid and assistance,
and shall tread the necks of our enemies under his feet, the
islands of the ocean shall be subject to his power, and the
Gaulish forests he shall possess, the house of Romulus shall
tremble at his wrath. As for his death or end, it shall be
doubtful or uncertain. His name shall be celebrated by the
people, and his famous acts shall be food to those that do
relate them. Six of his lineage shall sway the sceptre,” &c.
King Arthur no sooner succeeded to his father’s dominions but he
applied himself with great piety and religion to administer law and
justice to his people, the best expedients to establish a tottering
sceptre. In the next place he took care to fortify and strengthen
himself with soldiers and arms against his Saxon enemies, a mighty and
warlike people, then possessed of the greatest part of this kingdom by
the late misfortunes of his father and other princes, in battle with
them, so that only Wiltshire, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, and Wales, made
up his dominion. Against these King Arthur drew into the field a
mighty army of soldiers, and after eleven pitched battles against
them, overthrew their whole armies, and obtained the total dominion of
this kingdom, and confined the Saxons, on condition of tribute and
submission, only to the kingdom of Kent. And recorded it is by
annalists, that in one of those battles which King Arthur had with
them, he girded himself with an approved sword, called Callib-burne,
with which in one day he slew with his own hands 800 Saxons. It seems,
this weapon was like Goliah’s sword wrapped in the ephod, there was no
sword like it. And thus, according to Merlin’s prophecy, did the boar
of Cornwall bring help and assistance, and tread Britain’s enemies
under his feet.
But no sooner was this land settled in peace at home, but plots and
designs from abroad were laid to disturb the tranquillity thereof. For
at that time the Romans, having made a peace with their enemies the
Vandals, sent messengers to King Arthur, demanding 3,000_l._ per annum
tribute, a prodigious sum in those days, many years in arrear,
according to the agreement Julius Cæsar made with King Cassibellan,
and was still due to the senate. At which demand King Arthur was so
distasted, that he sent away the messengers in scorn, and prohibited
any Romans ever after to come into this land upon that account.
Especially for that the Romans for many years had voluntarily quitted
or forsaken the government thereof, so that the Britains had neither
their protection nor aid against their Saxon or other enemies. When
these messengers returned to Rome, this contempt of King Arthur was
resented by the Senate, who thereupon unanimously voted a war against
him. And accordingly a great army was raised in order to conquer and
reduce this land, which arrived here under conduct of Lucius, their
prince or emperor, as historians tell us, together with ten kings, his
confederates and auxiliaries. Against these king Arthur advanced with
a mighty host, and gave them battle, where, after a sharp and bloody
conflict, the Roman Emperor Lucius was slain, his body afterwards sent
to Rome, the whole Roman army routed, and the greatest part of them
put to the sword, and those whose lives he spared he made his feodors
and vassals.
But, alas! notwithstanding King Arthur’s good fortune in this island
against the Romans, he was not contented therewith, but he resolved to
be further revenged upon them for his wrongs, bloodshed, and
indignity, and for prevention of any such invasion for the future, to
make a descent with his army upon the Roman territories in Gaul,
especially for that from thence the Romans were assisted with great
numbers of soldiers, under Lucius, to invade his kingdom of Britain.
Whereupon King Arthur, with a considerable fleet of ships, and a great
army of soldiers, landed in Normandy, then called Neustria, and
summoned the people either to come and submit to his sceptre, or give
him battle. But they, confiding in the strength of the Roman legions
in that country, slighted his offer, and gave him battle, in which
contest they were totally overthrown, routed, or slain. So that, soon
after the province of Normandy submitted to his mercy, cast down
armour, and payed tribute. Whereupon he gave to Gaius his taster, the
earldom of Andegavia, now Angieurs; and to Bedeverus, his cupbearer,
the dukedom of Normandy, for their good services. In memory of which
donations, it grew to a custom amongst the kings of France, for many
ages after, to make their tasters and cupbearers Earls of Andegavia
and Normandy.
After this victory King Arthur dislodged his forces, and advanced
further into the Roman Gaulish provinces, and subdued by conquest to
his sceptre Flanders, Burgundy, Aquitain, and Andegavia, and as some
tell us afterwards Poland, and obliged those people to pay him an
annual tribute according; as Merlin had predicted of him, that the
Gaulish forests he should possess, and that the house of Romulus
should tremble at his wrath. After those victories he returned safe
into Britain, and then also by his fleet and army reduced to his
dominion, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, Norway, Dacia, and
made them all tributary, which also was foretold by Merlin in those
words, “the islands of the ocean shall be subject to his power.”
When, after he had established peace in all those lands, and returned
into Britain, he instituted an honourable order of knighthood, called
the Knights of the Round Table, the most antient order of knighthood
in the world, chiefly to promote self-denial, and prevent differences
amongst his nobility and gentry or soldiers, who had well deserved of
him and his country, for their good services at home and abroad, that
so no occasion of dispute might arise about precedence, in merit,
antiquity, valour, wealth, honour, or nobility, amongst them, for that
all the knights of this his order were alike equal in those respects
in his esteem, and might sit down indifferently at the table, go in
and out of the house or church, field, or market, before each other as
they came without exception; being an allowed rule amongst them, that
the highest seat at the court, senate, church, or table, did no more
argue the worth, value, religion, valour, or prudent conduct of a man,
than the precedence of a military officer did prove him more valiant
than his soldiers. The place of meetings of those knights was at
Winchester aforesaid, where they assembled yearly at Pentecost or
Whitsuntide.
He gave the same religious Christian coat armour as was given by his
father, which I have blazoned before; and in testimony of his thirteen
victories over so many crowned heads, he bore also in a field Azure,
thirteen imperial crowns Or, as Upton tells us.
Lastly, after this prince had thus vanquished his enemies abroad and
at home, had restored the Christian Religion, eclipsed by the Saxons,
ordained this useful order of knighthood, and done all the good
offices a just, pious, and religious king could do to his subjects, he
was at last, as many others, ungratefully dealt with by his own
people, who at the instigation of his discontented cousin Mordred on
the Roman Pictish title, confederated with the Saxons as against a
bastard, and rose a great army in Cornwall in opposition to his power;
against whom King Arthur marched with his army, and gave them battle
at a place near Camelford. Where, though he obtained the victory, and
Mordred was slain, yet in that battle King Arthur received his mortal
wounds, so that, soon after, in order to a cure, he retired to the
vale of Avallan, id est, the apple valley, near Glastonbury, Somerset,
where he lies buried.
King Arthur’s usual place of residence, where he kept his court (as
Hennius the Briton tells us, who flourished anno Dom. 600), was at
East or West Camellot, near Cadbury, in Wiltshire.
There was extant in the Welsh tongue in bard’s verses 1170, temp. Hen.
II. a song which said that the body of King Arthur was buried at the
Isle of Avallan, near Glastonbury, between two pyramids. Whereupon
King Henry ordered search to be made after his corpse, as that most
classical and authentic author Giraldus Cambrensis, who was an eye
witness thereof saith, who relates, that after the pioneers had sunk
about seven foot deep, they lighted upon a stone in form of a cross,
to the back part thereof was fastened a rude leaden cross, something
broad, with those letters inscribed: “Hic jacet sepultus inclitus Rex
Arturius in Insula Avalonia.”
Two feet beneath this cross they then also found two coffins made of
hollow oak, wherein were the bones and skeletons of King Arthur and of
Genevour his wife, the hair of the said lady being then whole and of
fresh colour, as Fabian saith, but as soon as touched it fell to
powder. This history, for substance is gathered out of Galfridus and
other chronologers, John Trevisa’s book of the Acts of King Arthur,
temp. Henry IV. John Lidgate, a monk of St. Edmondsbury, who wrote a
tract of King Arthur’s Round Table, anno Dom. 1470, William Caxton,
the author of that Chronicle called Fructus Temporum, who also wrote
the history of King Arthur, 1484, Nicholas Upton, Canon of the
Cathedral Church of Wells 1440, and others.
King Arthur’s three admirals at sea, as appears from the book of
Thriades in British, were Gerint ab Erbyn, a nobleman of Cornwall, for
then Cornwall and Devon were one county or province, slain at
Lhongporth, now London, by the Saxons, anno Dom. 540; March ab
Meircyon, and Gwenwynwyn ab Nau.
There is yet extant in the British tongue an elegy upon the death of
this Gerint, which amongst others contains those words. Ray
Rhytharmaur mab Erbin.
Yn Longborth yllas Gerint,
Gur deur o godir Dyfneint,
Wyntwys yn Lladhgyt as ledeint
Yn Llongborth llas y Arthur,
Guyr deur Kymmuvint o dur
Amheravdyr llywyadyr llauur.
In Longporth was slain Gerint,
A man beloved of Devon,
Overcome in fight or vanquished
In Longporth where he was slain for Arthur,
A man beloved, that commanded over the water,
Admiral or General of a fleet great.
King Arthur also, by reason of the great schism in the Church between
the Arian and Catholic Clergy, instituted the order of Knights of the
Holy Trinity, and built the Chapel of Trinity at Restormell.
Pierce Gaveston being made Earl of Cornwall by King Edward II. and
afterwards banished for his wicked practices, and put to death by
licence of that king, took out of the jewel house a table of gold, and
tressells of the same, that once belonged to King Arthur, and
delivered them to Amery of Friscoband, a merchant, to be carried into
Gascoigne, where they were sold at a great price to his own private
advantage, as our chronologers tell us.
But in memory of King Arthur, Roger Mortimer soon after, at such time
as he and Queen Eleanor his concubine, wife of Edward the Second,
governed this kingdom, in imitation of him, kept a round table, to
which many noble knights belonged and frequented, to his infinite cost
and expense, which by him were called the Knights of the Round Table.
(Heywood’s Chronicles, p. 193.)
The Isle of Man being conquered by William Montacute, Earl of
Salisbury, temp. Edward III. he caused him to be styled King of Man,
and gave him leave to institute at Windsor, in a chamber two hundred
feet round, in imitation of King Arthur, a society of Knights of the
Round Table. (Daniell’s Chronicle, p. 196.)