Camelot

Nationality/Culture

Romano-British/Celtic

Pronunciation

CA-muh-lot

Alternate Names

None

Appears In

Le Morte d'Arthur

Myth Overview

Camelot was the location of King Arthur 's court and the site of the famous Round Table of Arthurian legend . The wedding of Arthur to his queen, Guinevere , took place in the town of Camelot, and the magician Merlin built a castle there for the couple to live in. The castle served as headquarters for King Arthur and his knights as well. A special hall held the Round Table, where Arthur and the knights would plan their campaigns. The hall also contained lifelike statues of the twelve kings who had tried to overthrow Arthur. All had been defeated by him and were buried at Camelot. Each statue had a lighted candle. According to Merlin, the candles would stay lit until the Holy Grail —the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper—was found and brought to Camelot. It was from Camelot that the knights rode out to perform good deeds and to search for the Holy Grail.

Camelot in Context

Scholars have long debated the location of Camelot, just as they have debated the identity of King Arthur. In early times, it was associated with the town of Camulodunum (now called Colchester), an important site during the days of Roman rule in Britain. Other possible sites include Caerleon in Wales and the English towns of Camelford and Cadbury. In his book Le Morte D'Arthur, Sir Thomas Malory identified the city of Winchester as Camelot. England's King Henry VII had his first son baptized in Winchester Cathedral and named Arthur. In all likelihood, however, Camelot represents a mythical place, not a real one.

Key Themes and Symbols

As the center of King Arthur's realm, Camelot represents a society in perfect harmony, also known as a Utopia. Modern Utopias are generally based on the idea of equality among citizens, which is symbolized by the Round Table at Camelot. The kingdom of Camelot ultimately fails due to the flaws of the humans who control it. In this way, Camelot is similar to other mythical places, such as the Garden of Eden and Atlantis .

Camelot in Art, Literature, and Everyday Life

Camelot appears in some form in nearly all retellings of the King Arthur legend. The I960 Broadway musical Camelot, as well as the 1967 film adaptation of the musical, emphasizes the importance of the setting as a symbol of King Arthur's reign. The mythical Camelot has even inspired the construction of a real-life theme park in Lancashire, England. The term “Camelot” is frequently used to describe the three years (from 1961 to 1963) during which President John F. Kennedy served as president of the United States. Although the United States was hardly considered a Utopia during this time, many people felt that Kennedy— like King Arthur—would lead his country and people toward a brighter future.

Read, Write, Think, Discuss

The knights of the Round Table were renowned for their “chivalry.” Using your library, the Internet, and other available resources, research the origins and history of chivalry. Where did the idea come from? Why did it take hold among the nobility of Europe? When did the principles of chivalry fall out of favor? Write a brief paper summarizing your findings.

SEE ALSO Arthur, King; Arthurian Legends; Guinevere; Holy Grail; Merlin