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GRAIG LLWYN

The Theory: Blackett & Wilson claim that their King Athrwys of Gwent & Glywysing, an historical monarch of controversial early 6th or mid-7th century origin lived at the real Camelot. This, they locate at Castle Field in Graig-Llwyn near Lisvane (Glamorgan). Castle Field has sulphur pits nearby which lead Blackett & Wilson, like Barber & Pykitt, to derive the name Camelot from Caer-Melyn (Fort of Yellow). The name was apparently rendered Castrum Mellitus (Fort of Honey) by the Romans; hence Caer-Mellit or Camelot in French.

Modern Archaeology: Castle Field is a very small Iron Age hillfort, seventy-nine metres long by fifty metres wide. It has close-set multiple defences, whose banks appear to be mostly of earth with no sign of stone revetments. There have, as yet, been no archaeological excavations on the site.

Possible Interpretations & Criticism: This ancient site at Craig-Llwyn seems rather small to have been the chief residence of King Athrwys of Gwent & Glywysing, let alone the great city of Camelot. On the whole, Barber & Pykitt's identification of Caer-Melyn as Llanmelin near Caerwent is to be preferred. Perhaps future archaeological investigation will finally settle the matter.