The history of the United Kingdom will not be separated from the stories of its rulers. The valor and courage of the Kings and Queens in this country always make an impression on the hearts of its people. Call it Richard I "The Lionheart", Henry V, Queen Victoria, and of course Queen Elizabeth II, whose names are famous and worldwide until now. But when it comes to British rulers, there is one King whose name will not escape the memory of the British people. He is King Arthur.

The existence of the figure of King Arthur has been a topic of debate among historians and society in general. It is thought that Arthur was a ruler of Roman Britain who led an army against the Anglo-Saxon invasions around the 5th century. There are also those who mention Arthur as the ruler of the medieval kingdom of Dumnonia.

Not a few also think Arthur is just a fictional character created by medieval poets and writers. Nonetheless, King Arthur has been an integral part of British royal history, and his name is always remembered as a representation of the strength, courage and patriotism of a king.

If you are a lover of history and mythology, in England there are places that are believed to have a connection with the legendary King. Although the existence of King Arthur is still a mystery, these places are still worth visiting and have interesting stories to learn.

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

Located on the peninsula of Tintagel Island, Tintagel Castle is thought to have originally been a stronghold during the reign of the Romans in England around the 4th century. Further studies later estimated that the castle was then ruled by the ancient English kingdom of Dumnonia in the early Middle Ages. Until now, this site is associated with the legend of King Arthur.

Geoffrey of Monmouth, in the 12th century in his Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), cites Tintagel Castle as the birthplace of King Arthur, the result of Uther Pendragon's relationship with Igraine, wife of Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. It was his work that inspired Richard, Earl of Cornwall, who was the brother of King Henry III, to build a castle on the site.

Until now, Tintagel Castle is open to the public and has become a popular tourist destination because of its historical value and stunning scenery. If you visit there, it is guaranteed that your eyes will be spoiled and your imagination will be carried away in a magical and mysterious atmosphere. At the Tintagel Castle tourist site, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the ancient fort while learning about its history, walking along the beach below the castle and exploring Merlin's Cave at low tide.

The Round Table, Winchester

The stories of the legends of King Arthur certainly cannot be separated from the patriotism of the brave and loyal Knights. Well, for those of you who have read or heard about the legend of King Arthur and his knights, you must be familiar with this one object. Yes, The Round Table, or the Round Table, is an important part of the stories of King Arthur.

This table that can accommodate 150 people is the place where the King sits with the Knights to discuss matters related to the kingdom. The round table shape is said to have a philosophy that the King and all the knights sitting at the table have the same degree.

Now, if you want to see this historical icon, you can visit Winchester Castle. This ancient building in Hampshire, England was built in 1607 and now remains only the Great Hall which was built during the reign of King Henry III. Inside the Great Hall, there is a miniature The Round Table decorated with the names of the 24 knights of King Arthur.

The replica of the Round Table, named the Winchester Round Table, was made during the reign of King Edward I circa 1250-1280, and redecorated during the reign of Henry VIII. Even though it is very old, until now the Winchester Round Table can still be enjoyed by tourists who visit the Great Hall.

Dozmary Pool, Cornwall

Dozmary Pool is a lake located in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. At first glance, this lake does not look much different from other lakes. However, this lake holds a story that makes it very famous. In legend, this serene lake is the abode of the Lady of the Lake. It is said, Lady of the Lake, or Nimue, is a witch who gave the sword Excalibur to King Arthur.

In some versions, the gift of Excalibur to Arthur made him king of Camelot in his father's place. When Arthur died fighting in the Battle of Camlann, one of his knights, Sir Bedevere, threw Excalibur into the lake, where Nimue's hand emerged from the lake and took the sword.

Until now the Dozmary Pool is still believed to be the place where Excalibur is buried. Previously believed to be bottomless, today the lake is no more than 2.7 meters deep. In addition to being a tourist place because of its legendary value, Dozmary Pool has been used as a research and nature conservation location, and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England since 1951.

Myth or fact, the name of King Arthur has been immortalized as one of the most famous kings in England. The greatness of the legendary King Arthur has inspired the world for generations.

Thanks for reading.

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