It’s May of the year 1233 and Richard, Earl of Cornwall, younger brother of King Henry III, is getting ready to purchase some land. In exchange for three manors, he will be the lucky owner of a small parcel high on the hills of Cornwall's rugged coast. The island of Tintagel is an unfriendly piece of headland connected to the mainland by a narrow land bridge.
Why exchange three fine manors for something so inhospitable? Because this seemingly godforsaken plot of land has a very special history. As wet and rocky as it is, every breath of wind is filled with magic and enchantment. You see, this is thought to be the very spot of King Arthur's conception, and 1233 is a time of Arthurmania.
A Bit of Arthurian History
The legend of Arthur goes back to 549 AD, but the medieval historian Geoffrey of Monmouth was the guy who fanned the flames of his popularity during the middle ages. Old Geoffrey wove a spicy tale of desire and wizardry. It centers on the great king of England, Uther Pendragon, and his lust for a woman named Ygerna.
Now, Ygerna happened to be the wife of one of his barons, Gorlois of Cornwall. In order to protect her from the lovesick king, Gorlois safely tucks his beloved wife behind the walls of Tintagel Castle. Thinking her safe, he leaves. After all, the place is…
