[New post] Visiting the table of King Arthur and his Knights at the Great Hall in Winchester
Stephen Liddell posted: " Have you ever wanted to visit Camelot? It can be rather tricky given no-one is quite sure where it existed or even if it existed at all. One of the contenders for Camelot is Winchester to whatever degree King Arthur can be said to be an historical figu" Stephen Liddell
Have you ever wanted to visit Camelot? It can be rather tricky given no-one is quite sure where it existed or even if it existed at all. One of the contenders for Camelot is Winchester to whatever degree King Arthur can be said to be an historical figure or a mythical legend, a visit to the Great Hall in Winchester is a must to anyone who is into Arhurian stories.
The Great Hall of Winchester itself is one of the great aisled halls of its era and is well worth a visit in its own right but what I particularly came to see was the roundtable of King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable fame.
Inside the Great Hall at Winchester
Sadly carbon dating has proved the table to merely be a 13th imitation of the famous table but nevertheless it is fascinating and inspiring to look at and there aren't that many giant oak tables that are 800 years old.
The tabletop measures 5.5 meters in diameter and weighs 1,200 kg. Though originally a table standing on legs, they were removed centuries ago to be hung on a wall and it has been displayed hanging on the west wall since 1873, when it was moved from the east wall where it had hung prior to that time (since at least 1540, and possibly since 1348).
The artwork you see on the table today dates to the reign of Henry VIII who had the table painted with the Tudor Rose at its center. The outer design is thought to portray Henry as King Arthur on his throne, surrounded by 24 places, each bearing the name of one of the legendary Knights of the Round Table.
As there was no head to the table, it sent a message that everyone who sat around it was of equal status and importance. It was quite rare for a king to do this and that's why it's so famous! I find it fascinating for lots of reasons and it is interesting that it is here at the ancient capital of King Alfred the Great who was such a heroic and indeed broad-minded King, warrior and scholar. In fact before the Normans came and ruined everything in 1066, Anglo-Saxons were even known to elect their king through the Wittengott (an early form of Parliament).
There is a story that the wizard Merlin originally gave the round table to Uther Pendragon. After his death, it was given to Guinnevere's father Leodegrance. Could this have been gifted as part of her dowry when she married Arthur?
Although it doesn't appear in early accounts of the Arthurian Tales, we first hear about it in Roman de Brut by Wace in the 12th-century.
The legend is now so famous that it has become synonymous with King Arthur and Camelot!
In fact, the symbolism of this round table was felt so strongly that during the Middle Ages many round tables were created for 'Round Table Tournaments' throughout Europe.
They were set up as an imitation of Arthur's court for feasting and jousting. One of those was made in Winchester during the reign of King Edward I!
After the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror built Winchester Castle in 1067. Later, Henry III started building a medieval hall to enhance the fortress in 1222. It had beautiful pointed archways and aisled marble columns.
It is believed that the table was made in 1290 for a 'Round Table Tournament' in celebration of the betrothal of one of King Edward I's daughters. Edward I was a King Arthur enthusiast!
The paintwork we see was ordered by King Henry VIII for his visit to Winchester in 1516. You can see the Tudor Rose in the very centre and the image of the king is meant to be Henry as a young man.
The artwork was meant to symbolise that the Tudor dynasty were true descendants of King Arthur to strengthen their claim on the throne of England.
It did suffer some damage during the English Civil War but it has been restored many times since and now proudly hangs in Winchester Great Hall for all to see.
I've been wanting to see King Arthur's Round Table since I learned it really existed which was many years ago. It doesn't matter to much to me that it is only 750 years old and made to honour King Arthur rather than 1350 years old and authentic.
I was rather fortunate as sometimes the Great Hall is very busy with sightseers and indeed towards the end of my visit that was the case but for 10 minutes I had it and the table all to myself which was just perfect.
Up close and personal with King Arthurs legendary Round Table
No-one can be sure how more fact there is in the figure of King Arthur nor indeed where Camelot might have existed; Cornwall, Wales, Winchester, Chester or Cumbria. At a certain level though it is easy to see why Winchester might fit the bill and that's fine by me. One thing that perhaps helps the case of Winchester is that it is undoubtedly the home of an indisputably epic figure of English history who likely comes closest to espousing the chivalrous ideals of King Arthur and his Knights and that is the one and only King Alfred the Great who we will bump into later in this series of Winchester posts.
I enjoyed my day in Winchester so much that I created a special day tour there from London by train. If you'd like to immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful and vibrant old cities in Britain and experience King Arthur. Alfred The Great, Jane Austen, cathedrals, ruined palaces, medieval water wheels and ancient pubs then gallop over to Winchester Tour from London by First Class Train.
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