Camelot



[] This is a clip from the movie //Monty Python and The Holy Grail//, a *spoof* of a King Arthur tale, which is called the Camelot Song/Knights of the Round Table.

Many people have asked the question, where was Camelot (which some believe is Cadbury Castle) located? Archeologists have evidence that supports the theory that Camelot was located at Cadbury Castle, which was occupied by a chieftain who could have possibly been a real life King Arthur; still, some do believe that Camelot could have been at Camelford in Cornwall or at Winchester in Hampshire. We probably will never know where Camelot was or if Camelot even existed, but from what we can tell from the myths, it must have been beautiful, imaginary or not.

Camelot came about in the twelve century romances, and evolved into a symbol of the Arthurian world. It was supposedly the place where King Arthur lived and ruled with his wife Guinevere. It was first mentioned in the poem, Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart written in the 1170’s. Camelot is depicted as a marvelous city along a river downstream for Astolat, another city. Camelot is surrounded by plants and forests. It is described as a breathtaking city that was talked about as if it were perfect. Inside the castle, there was the famous round table where the knights would meet and discuss topics. They even saw a vision of the Holy Grail and vowed to find it. Jousts were held in the meadows of Camelot and the castle was eventually destroyed by King Mark of Cornwall. Camelot is just a symbol of Arthur’s court and universe. In 1542, John Leland reported to locals around Cadbury Castle that the castle could be the original Camelot. In the 1960’s a musical was produced called "Camelot" by Allen Jay Lerner and Fredrick Loewe.

 A scene from Camelot the musical

The name “Camelot” was often used to refer to John F. Kennedy’s presidency. This term was used because the musical “Camelot” came out shortly after Kennedy’s election. It was one of his favorite musicals, and Kennedy’s wife, Jacqueline Bouvier, used the term “American Camelot” while talking to a journalist shortly after Kennedy’s death. Camelot has come to mean a place or time of perfection and complete happiness. The term stuck with the Kennedy presidency because it was said to be a period of hope and optimism in U.S. history.

Modern Representations of Camelot:

“Camelot” the Musical:

“Camelot” the Musical was based off the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. []

//Monty Python and the Holy Grail:// //Monty Python and the Holy Grail// is a British movie that is a spoof on the story of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail.  []

Magic Tree House Book Series: //Christmas in Camelot, Haunted Castle on Hallow’s Eve//, and //Summer of the Sea Serpent// all take place in Camelot and involve the two protagonists going on a journey in order to save Camelot.

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">//Avalon High//: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">More recently, the movie, //Avalon High,// has premiered on Disney Channel. The story is based off the book, //Avalon High//, by Meg Cabot. The movie is about a girl who believes her new school is really Camelot and her classmates are reincarnations of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. [|http://sitestowatchmovies.info/files/12896517][|23-54.jpg]