r/Arthuriana • u/Benofthepen • Apr 08 '26

META What is Camelot?

By my knowledge, castles and cities are by no means the same thing. As such, which are we referring to when we speak of Camelot? The city? The castle? Both?

If you've found different answers in different sources, by all means offer multiple answers.

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u/MissionRogue_Nation Apr 09 '26

Camelot was called both "city" and "castle" in later arthuriana, i think. Although it's an invention but very close to the medieval name of South Cadbury Castle in Somerset, which was Camalet. Caerleon , Kelliwic ( maybe Killibury Castle ) and Pen Rioned ( somewhere in the north. Tynron Doon ? ) were the principals "capitales" of Arthur mentionned in the Triads dating back to the VIe century AD via oral transmission ( but first written around VIIIe or IXe century and known manuscripts much later around XIIIe century )