European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 10, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Hand carved throne awaits Welsh King Arthur with so Many pretenders to the throne dedicated arthurian Durf Cresell Reese is taking no chances an elaborately carved Royal seat awaits the sleeping King Arthur As soon As he awakens. And Reese is quite sure that it is to Caerleon that the Welsh King will return. Originally a roman legionary fortress Caerleon in Southeast Wales has been proposed As the City of the legion that Tennius describes in his Historia Brittnum As the site of Arthur s ninth Battle. Chester in Northern England has also been named As a possibility. But cae Leorr As the most famous Reese contends because earlier it was not just a roman Camp but a magnificent City. And since Camelot was also described As a splendid and important City Only Caerleon fits the an even earlier source for his belief comes from the Maui notion a collection of Early Welsh stories orally passed Down from the fifth Century and compiled centuries later in the White Book of Rhydderch and the real Bookoff Hergest four of the 11 stories put the famous King in Caerleon. In 1135/based on these Welsh tales Geoffrey of Monmouth also placed the King s court in Caerleon writing a lavish description of the City s splendours. Later French romances further elaborated on his description with Chretien de troyes christening the King s Home Cambet supporting his claim too says Reese is Caerleon s strategic location on the River Usk in the Southwest t Corner of Wales an area which would eliminate such contenders As Cornwall. Why would the King of the remaining residual britons be fighting his Battles in the most Remote and least important part of Britain Caerleon is Well placed for All its needs highly accessible from the East and highly accessible by sea. And both Geoffrey of Monmouth and Chretien de this Reese also thinks that the centuries Long subjugation of the Welsh by the English plays a part in the Story. It was an important propaganda move on the part of the Plantagenet King Henry ii to have Giraldus Cam Rensis a Welsh cleric present in Glastonbury when the grave of King Arthur was discovered. Since the Welsh believed their hero King was Only sleeping proof that Arthur had died would destroy the myth of their celtic Champion s return. Forss Jayn traendly of 8&s Jayn traendly russe Reese right is keeping Arthur s throne warm until the King awakens. Merlin $ face left adorns the chair. The idea for the throne evolved out of his importance to reassert Arthur s relationship to Wales. Reese commissioned Wood Carver de Harrison to carve the Dicair out of a Quarter of a ton piece of Elm and symbolize the Welsh connections. The face of Merlin was chosen he explains because Merlin was a Welsh wizard part spirit part Man part magician the source of the arthurian realm. He put the chair on display at Centre in Caerleon and is planning a sister chair for sir Lancelot. Yet although Reese is convinced that Arthur is a Welsh Champion he does recognize the Competition s need a a hero. The plat agents needed to legitimize its Rule As did the tudors for whom the round fable at Winchester was created. And this need for Arthur is even greater today for everyone he feels confirmed by the number of visitors that come to Caerleon to explore the City and the circular roman ruins known locally As the King s round table. There is just too much truth in Arthur to ignore it he declares and just enough fantasy to keep it Ever town also claims True. Round table Caerleon is Small and you can see most sights by walking. Shelf try is Best known for its roman ruins including the Barracks Baths and an impressive Large Amphitheater which was designed to seat 6,000 spectators. Because it encircles a great Oval Mound locals claim it is the True round table. The Parish Church is dedicated to the Welsh priest Caradoc of Llancarfan who first associated the name. Glastonbury with Avalon. The Hanbury arms the oldest inn in the City is also where the poet Tennyson stayed while writing the idylls of the King. Visitors can still sleep overnight in the room where he created his famous work. Caerleon s strategic location is Ideal for exploring the Southwest Corner of Wales. Farther North of the City near Geoffrey of Monmouth s Hometown Are the ruins of intern Abbey about which William Wordsworth wrote in his famous poem. Northeast of this site Are the ruins of the Llanthony priory whose medieval residents also claimed to have found the grave of King Arthur to counter Glastonbury s discovery. If you also want to explore some of the Beautiful Welsh Countryside from Here you can go Pony trekking with groups such As Llanthony Pony trekking. Costs run at 9 pounds about $15 for a half Day and 14 pounds $23 for a full Damper person. Wales is Castle country and the Southeast s location on the Border of England Means it s Well fortified with numerous strongholds such As Raglan Castle Tretower court and Castle and Chepstow Castle and Tower Wall. Caerphilly Castle near Cardiff is one of the most magnificent surviving fortresses of the medieval Western world a whole Trail of these castles continues along the Southern Borders to the West. If you plan to drive in that direction you can also Stop in the City of Carmarthen the supposed Birthplace of Merlin. Not much remains of the magician s presence. His huge Oak once stood in the Road protected by the Prophesy that if it were destroyed the town would fall. Unfortunately Merlin s magic was nothing against the advances of City planning and the tree was Cut Down and put on display in the civic Center however the City is none the worse for it and retains its Strong Welsh character evident in the Welsh language you can hear on the streets. The More modern Bard Dylan Thomas also lived South of Carmarthen in the township of Laugharne. The boat House museum contains Memorabilia an Art gallery and a bookshop All dedicated to the late poet s life and work. Jayne traendly november 10, 1994 stripes Magazine 7
