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where King Arthur
battled to save his Queen?
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- This is an old legend
told about King Arthur and Glastonbury Tor in Somerset. It was
first written down in the 12th century.
* * *
- In the Dark
Ages,
Glastonbury Tor was the hilltop home of a King of the Summer Country
(Somerset) called Melwas.
- Melwas fell in love with
the High-King Arthur's wife, Queen
Guinevere.
- When she was out riding
one day in Westminster (in London), Melwas and his men
kidnapped the Queen.
- They took her to
Glastonbury Tor and locked her up in the Kings' fortress
there.
- King Arthur heard what
had happened and took a big army to Glastonbury and surrounded
the Tor.
- There was lots of
fighting as King Arthur tried to get in. This is called a
'siege'.
- Eventually, a local hermit, called
Saint Gildas, came to the Tor and got the two groups
talking to one another. This is called 'mediation'.
- Melwas agreed to give
back Queen Guinevere and everyone was happy - especially
Glastonbury Abbey which got lots of land in thanks for the
peace.
* * *
- Archaeologists have
excavated (dug up) the top of Glastonbury Tor.
- They found the remains
of several buildings dating from King Arthur's time, the 6th
century.
- Although there was not
really room for a great hall, lots of animal bones showed
whoever lived their liked feasting.
- The people there must
have been important as they were able to import (bring to this
country) pottery from around the Mediterranean Sea.
- Metalworking also went
on there.
- Do you think this was
the home of King Melwas?
- Do you think King Melwas
really knew King Arthur?
* * *
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