The King's Knot in the grounds of Stirling Castle
Posted on 08/26/2011 1:05:30 PM PDT by Palter
Archaeologists searching for King Arthur's round table have found a "circular feature" beneath the historic King's Knot in Stirling.
The King's Knot, a geometrical earthwork in the former royal gardens below Stirling Castle, has been shrouded in mystery for hundreds of years.
Though the Knot as it appears today dates from the 1620s, its flat-topped central mound is thought to be much older.
Writers going back more than six centuries have linked the landmark to the legend of King Arthur.
Archaeologists from Glasgow University, working with the Stirling Local History Society and Stirling Field and Archaeological Society, conducted the first ever non-invasive survey of the site in May and June in a bid to uncover some of its secrets.
Their findings were show there was indeed a round feature on the site that pre-dates the visible earthworks.
Historian John Harrison, chair of the SLHS, who initiated the project, said: "Archaeologists using remote-sensing geophysics, have located remains of a circular ditch and other earth works beneath the King's Knot.
"The finds show that the present mound was created on an older site and throws new light on a tradition that King Arthur's Round Table was located in this vicinity."
Stories have been told about the curious geometrical mound for hundreds of years -- including that it was the Round Table where King Arthur gathered his knights.
Around 1375 the Scots poet John Barbour said that "the round table" was south of Stirling Castle, and in 1478 William of Worcester told how "King Arthur kept the Round Table at Stirling Castle".
Sir David Lindsay, the 16th century Scottish writer, added to the legend in 1529 when he said that Stirling Castle was home of the "Chapell-royall, park, and Tabyll Round".
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Arthur, ping.
The King's Knot in the grounds of Stirling Castle
Cue Monty Python-esque music here...
Great! The enchanted forest can’t be far.
It’s not my fault.
Well, it is certainly round.
Very cool! I’ve always loved the King Arthur legends. It’s wonderful to know it isn’t all myth.
Landing pad.
Looks like a great place to drink Scotch.
I think I am one of the only people in the world that doesn't like the King Arthur stories, or at least, three of the main characters (the king, the girl, and the best friend - good ol' lance).
Well, I love the tales, even though some of the characters acted in ways that were less than noble.
I saw Camelot on Broadway in 1962..Awesome!!
I remember reading a long time ago that there's a belief that the whole "Sword from the Stone" thing was actually based on the discovery of how to create iron from iron ore.
Mark
that actually makes a bit of sense. a lot of legends are just flowery ways of telling real-life acts.
as for those quotes from the 1400-1500’s literature, they are most likely wannabes trying to steal some glory. The Arthur legend dates back to pre-1000 AD I think. every castle in Britain has been claimed as Camelot over the last 1000 years.
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
If I went ‘round saying I was an emperor, just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!
Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help!
Help! I’m being repressed!
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