Settings - where did all this take place?
As with all kings, especially warrior kings, Arthur did not have just one residence. There are various places that Arthur, his court, and his knights, lived and fought. Below are some of the most notable. Here is a map of Britain at the time of Arthur's supposed reign, and another map of significant landmarks. Here are several maps of the area and time.
Arthur's birthplace
Tintagel Castle in Cornwall was the seat of Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall. This place is noteworthy because it has been named the birthplace of King Arthur, according to legend.
Possible Camelot sites?
Caerleon is a town in Wales, north of Cornwall. It is mentioned in both The History of the Kings of Britain and Le Morte d'Arthur as an important city in Arthur's kingdom, almost as a capital city. Architecture shows that there was a large, fortified city there, presumably built during Roman occupation, but maintained and enhanced during later years.
Read more here.
Interestingly, one of the most striking features that remains in Caerleon is a large, round Roman amphitheater. This has led to suggestions that the Round Table was not actually a table, but a metaphor referring to this structure.
Read more here.
Interestingly, one of the most striking features that remains in Caerleon is a large, round Roman amphitheater. This has led to suggestions that the Round Table was not actually a table, but a metaphor referring to this structure.
Cadbury is an town near Glastonbury, and another area that could have been the basis for Camelot. It has the ruins of an old, Iron Age fortress.
More rationale here and here
More rationale here and here
Possible Avalon site?
Glastonbury is a town the Somerset region of southwestern England. Centuries ago, it used to be surrounded by marshy land, and was considered a bit of an island, and is one of the prime locations for what scholars believe was the island of Avalon during Arthur's time. In Glastonbury, there is a large tower on a raised area, called Glastonbury Tor and an old church, Glastonbury Abbey, where some claim to have found the body of King Arthur. Here is information on his grave.
More rationale can be found here and here and here and here and here!
More rationale can be found here and here and here and here and here!