Oct 30 2011
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Felix in his wonderful Gaming Blog, tells us that straight after the final episode of Doctor Who the BBC ran a (very) short trailer which basically consisted of the following screen. He also found two Guardian news artciles that reveal some interesting facts. |
Originally posted 2008-07-07 17:45:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Sep 23 2011
 The King’s Knot in Stirling Castle Pic: roger4336 |
The Telegraph reports that archaeologists searching for King Arthur’s round table have found a “circular feature” beneath the historic King’s Knot in Stirling.
The King’s Knot, a geometrical earthwork in the former royal gardens below Stirling Castle, has been shrouded in mystery for hundreds of years.
Though the Knot as it appears today dates from the 1620s, its flat-topped central mound is thought to be much older. |
Writers going back more than six centuries have linked the landmark to the legend of King Arthur.
Archaeologists from Glasgow University, working with the Stirling Local History Society and Stirling Field and Archaeological Society, conducted the first ever non-invasive survey of the site in May and June in a bid to uncover some of its secrets.
Their findings were show there was indeed a round feature on the site that pre-dates the visible earthworks.
Historian John Harrison, chair of the SLHS, who initiated the project, said:
“Archaeologists using remote-sensing geophysics, have located remains of a circular ditch and other earth works beneath the King’s Knot.
“The finds show that the present mound was created on an older site and throws new light on a tradition that King Arthur’s Round Table was located in this vicinity.”
Stories have been told about the curious geometrical mound for hundreds of years — including that it was the Round Table where King Arthur gathered his knights.
Around 1375 the Scots poet John Barbour said that “the round table” was south of Stirling Castle, and in 1478 William of Worcester told how “King Arthur kept the Round Table at Stirling Castle”.
Sir David Lindsay, the 16th century Scottish writer, added to the legend in 1529 when he said that Stirling Castle was home of the “Chapell-royall, park, and Tabyll Round”.
It has also been suggested the site is partly Iron Age or medieval, or was used as a Roman fort.
The new survey — funded by Historic Scotland and Stirling City Heritage Trust — used the latest scientific techniques to showing lost structures and features up to a metre below the ground.
It also revealed a series of ditches south of the main mound, as well as remains of buildings, and more recent structures, including modern drains which appear at the northern end of the gardens.
Mr Harrison, who has studied the King’s Knot for 20 years, said:
“It is a mystery which the documents cannot solve, but geophysics has given us new insights.
“Of course, we cannot say that King Arthur was there, but the feature which surrounds the core of the Knot could explain the stories and beliefs that people held.”
Read the full story on the Telegraph website.
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Sep 18 2011
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Site member and author William Russeth has received a super review for his book The Fires of Belenus, a romantic tale, that tantalizes readers with rational portrayals of mythical events found in the CuChulainn and Arthurian legends. We are really looking forward to reading this book.
William has asked
William can be contacted through http://mysite.verizon.net/resr5omo/whrhomepage/ or you can leave a message for him on our forums. |
Review from Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction.
Title: Fires of Belenus 4/10/08
Author: William H Russeth
Genre: Historical Adventure/Romance
Length: 377 Pages
Publisher: Wings ePress (Dec 2007)
In Fires of Belenus, William H. Russeth pens an adventurous tale smartly written. You will shiver in the presence of Druids, cower before merciless warriors, and hope in the true spirit of one young man named Eoan. With a little romance to soften this ancient Celtic world, Mr. Russeth weaves a story that is not only entertaining, but surprising in its revealing and intriguing conclusion. I do so want to tell you the ending, but I must refrain. All I can say, is, read the book! You won’t be disappointed.
Reviewed by Lynda Coker, Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction
For more information and excerpts visit the website:
http://mysite.verizon.net/resr5omo/whrhomepage/
William Russeth
Author of “Fires of Belenus” Wings-Press: www.wings-press.com
Originally posted 2008-05-09 10:22:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Sep 13 2011
 King Arthur’s Stone Pic: Go This Place |
The Cornish Guardian in This is Cornwall reports that in July 2011, the Arthurian Centre at Slaughterbridge (Home of King Arthur’s Stone) near Camelford was holding two Living History Weekends on July 23 and 24 and August 13 and 14. The programme included dark age battle re-enactments, archery competitions, falconry display, demonstrations, storytelling and music.There was refreshment stalls and a beer tent.
You can visit the Arthurian Centre website and find out more details about the work they do. |
The centre is located at Slaughterbridge near the medieval market town of Camelford (considered by some to be the site of Camelot) in North Cornwall, and set in 20 acres surrounding ‘King Arthur’s Stone’. Both the inscribed stone and battle are both dated by earliest stories to AD 540.
Visitors can walk through the fields where King Arthur and Mordred met for their last battle.
Read about the legends and the history in our exhibition room, watch a video presentation on the site and legends. There is something for everyone including brass rubbing, children’s quiz, a nature trail; gift shop and, for our smaller visitors, a play castle.
As part of the Festival of British Archaeology the centre hosted an archaeological dig until July 31. Students and tutors from Winchester University will continue to excavate a 13th-century abandoned village site as well as other interesting ‘targets’. Members of the public are welcome to visit and even join in (full training can be offered at extra cost).
The Arthurian Centre is dedicated to the history and legends of King Arthur. Slaughterbridge is the site of the last battle between Arthur and Mordred’s armies, the Battle of Camlann.
An inscribed memorial stone from the 6th-century marks the site of this event. Beautiful walks past the 12th-century excavation site lead to the stone and the recently discovered 18th-century garden created by Lady Falmouth.
The centre contains an extensive exhibition explaining the development of the Arthurian stories alongside Cornish history from the Bronze Age to the present era. The exhibition now also contains some original armour from the 1981 John Boorman film, Excalibur.
Battle re-enactments, archery, falconry display and demonstrations.
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Jun 01 2011
King Arthurs poems written and narrated by King Arthur Pendragon.
King Arthur Pendragon, crowned ‘Raised Druid King of Britain’ on 3 January 1998 on the ancient Coronation Stone by representatives from 5 Druid Orders, is also the Titular Head and Chosen Chief of The Loyal Arthurian Warband, a Pagan Priest, and Druid Swordbearer with an unshakeable belief in the Divine and his place in this system and most widely known for his role as an environmentalist, and Eco-warrior.
His battles with the British Government (in the form of English Heritage) and campaigns for the right of everybody to enter Stonehenge at the Solstices have earned him great respect among many. King Arthur has also written of his experiences in The Trials of Arthur: The Life and Times of a Modern-Day King (http://thebighand.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/the-trials-of-arthur-now-back-in-p… )
 Arthur Pendragon Pic: Warband.org |
Druid members of LAW may be found at Avebury on the nearest Saturday to celebrations of the eight-fold wheel, in London on Primrose Hill on the nearest Sunday to each Solstice and Equinox and at Stonehenge on the dawn of the Solstices and Equinoxes, performing public Ritual and Ceremony (English Heritage & Wiltshire Constabulary permitting). The Loyal Arthurian Warband is a vast network of people working together throughout the world towards a vision of Truth, Honour & Justice ( http://www.warband.org.uk/ ). |
The ancient Summer Solstice festivals are still widely celebrated in Britain, Cornwall, Ireland and parts of Northern Europe.
In the northern hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is when the sun reaches it farthest point north of the Celestial Equator. This day has the greatest amount of time between sunrise and sunset making it the longest day and shortest night of the year and falls around June 21st every year. In the southern hemisphere, the winter and summer solstices are reversed.
The Midsummer Solstice, also referred to by Neopagans as Litha, signifies the turning point of the Summer Season in the cycle of the year.
The Goddess is now at her most fertile as the seed planted earlier in her womb grows with the sun. Handfasting ceremonies and weddings at this time demonstrate enduring ties with the Druids’ celebration of this day as the ‘wedding of Heaven and Earth’ resulting in the belief of a ‘lucky wedding in June’.
The Sun King is also at His strongest now, bringing the promise of a great harvest which ensures the continuity of life in the face of the oncoming darkness of winter.
| Stonehenge has been used over 5000 years as a temple, burial ground, a place of gathering, for magic, for ritual, and as an observatory. Built between 3200 BC and 1600 BC, Stonehenge lies 9miles north of Salisbury Hill in Wiltshire and is the world’s earliest earthwork to contain specific lunar and solar alignments, composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones. That the Summer Solstice Sun rose close to the Heel Stone, and the Sun’s first rays shone into the centre of the monument portrays the particular importance placed by its builders on the Solstice and Equinox points of the year. |
 Magical Stonehenge Pic: LuluP |
Many spiritual beliefs still center on Stonehege, considering the location a cross roads of power and central hub of influentual ley lines alive with earth energy.
King Arthurs poems written and narrated by King Arthur Pendragon,
As King Arthur, Celestial Elf, member of the Druids of the Second Realm
(a seedgroup formed by members of the RL Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids:
http://www.druidry.org/ )
The Two Knights; Sethos Lionheart, Yichard Muni,
Druids; Yichard Muni, LaPiscean Liberty, Pesadilla Dionysus,
Druid Priestesess; Gilfalma Ashbourne, Dea Theas,
Cristian Monk; Patx Piaggio,
Hippies; Hotsprings Hawker, Josetta Peapod,
FAElf, Paix Chambers,
Pagans; Shaman Lightstone,
Grateful thanks to Laufey for providing authentic period Cauldron.
And to Mikki Miles for allowing use of Carnyx.
Filmed on location at;
Misty Mountains co Tymus Tenck
Gaia Rising/Anam Turnas co Enchatress Sao
Stonehenge c1500BC at Woods of Whimsy co The James Madison University, SecondLife (http://www.jmu.edu/news/madisonscholar/SecondLife.shtml )
Gaia Rising/Anam Turnas co Enchatress Sao
Royalty Free Music via Kevin MacLeod of incompetech.com;
( http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/ )
Licensed under Creative Commons;
( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ )
Scissors, Numinous Shine, Calls from The Winter Ether, Earth Prelude, Enchanted Journey,
Also sound samples from freesound ( http://www.freesound.org/ )
Filmed on SecondLife via Snowglobe 1.4.2.
Made using Frapps, Serif MoviePlus X3 on Windows XP.
Conceived, Directed and Produced by Celestial Elf 2011.
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Apr 29 2011
 Alan Garner Pic: Warwick Uni. |
The University of Warwick has issued the following press release on the 21st January this year. It commemorates the astounding work that famed children’s author Alan Garner has done to promote the joys of mythology and literature to a younger generation (my opinion).
The University of Warwick has awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters to acclaimed Cheshire author Alan Garner. He received his honorary degree of Doctor of Letters at a degree ceremony on Thursday, 20 January 2011. The degree has formed part of a year of celebrations for Alan Garner as October 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of his first published novel The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. The book has never been out of print and has been enjoyed by several generations of children. |
One of his many books is the novel Red Shift (1973) which plays on the astronomical term Red Shift as well as being a play on words that can describe a form a of clothing – a red shift or red petticoat. During his acceptance speech he particularly thanked the University for providing him with the new Red Doctoral robes which he called “His very own Red Shift”. Just before receiving his degree he also gave a podcast interview on his work.
| Alan Garner is a prize winning author whose novels are not only firmly established as classics of English literature but are also loved and treasured by both children and adults.
His family roots are in Cheshire where he was born, and the area around Alderley Edge where he lives now, and that area has greatly influenced his writing. Many of his works, including The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Moon of Gomrath, and more recently Thursbitch draw on the legends and geography of Alderley Edge. |
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His inspiration has come from Alderley Edge’s history, mythology and archaeology and from his own local explorations. He is particularly interested in the language of the area (which he describes as ‘North-West Mercian Middle English’) and has tried to reproduce its cadences in modern English.
His first three books - The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, The Moon of Gomrath and Elidor – were fantasy, and marketed for children. However he has also written acclaimed novels that are aimed at adults such as Thursbitch (2003).
His fourth book, The Owl Service (1968), was also aimed at children. It won both the Guardian Award and the Carnegie Medal and established him as one of the UK’s leading writers.
The Owl Service was also made into an 8 episode TV series. It was produced in 1969 and televised in the winter of 1969-1970 and Alan Garner himself wrote the scripts. It was the first fully-scripted colour production by Granada Television and was filmed almost entirely on location in Wales. It remains one of the most haunting children’s TV series ever made. An audio dramatisation of The Owl Service was also produced and transmitted by BBC Radio 4 in 2000. Many of his other works have been adapted for television and in 1981 he himself made a film, Image and Landscape, which won first prize at the Chicago International Film Festival.
His other novels include Strandloper (1996) and Thursbitch (2003); he has also written collections of short stories – The Stone Book received the Phoenix Award from the Children’s Literature Association (USA) in 1996 – and The Voice That Thunders, a collection of essays and lectures published in 1997. In 2001, Alan Garner was awarded the OBE for services to children’s literature.
More useful links to interviews with Alan Garner etc:
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Dec 18 2010
 Proposed Visitor Centre Pic: this is Somerset |
This is Somerset reports that the Iron Age inhabitants of Somerset’s Avalon Marshes might have thought prehistoric architects were at work if they could see designs for the striking thatched visitor centre proposed for their old homeland.
The conical thatched buildings have been dubbed a “flotilla of coracles” by the partnership, including Natural England, which is planning the scheme. . |
The marshes are a network of wetlands of international importance for wildlife and archaeology. The remains of Iron Age houses lie under bumps in fields near Glastonbury, while an ancient log boat, pelicans’ bones and prehistoric wood and hurdle roads still lie in the peat.
The area receives more than 70,000 visitors each year. The new centre, which would be built on a former cafe and garden centre site at Shapwick Road, would include a café and shop promoting local food and craft products. As well as space for local businesses and dedicated education areas for activities being developed through a Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership project.
Mark Watson, on behalf of the partners, said:
Our inspiration was to try to create a contemporary yet ancient shelter found in the marshlands of the Somerset Levels. The materials we are using are also sustainable, from the green oak frame to the lime plaster walls and ceilings. And from the sweet chestnut rain screen cladding to the water reed thatched roofs.
The buildings will be an attractive and inspiring destination, and we expect the centre to serve as a hub from where people can explore the wider area of the Somerset Levels and Moors. We also want to provide new economic opportunities for local people.
There will be an open day at the Lifelong Learning Centre at Shapwick Road, from 10.30am-2.30pm on Saturday, January 8. At 12.30 there will be a presentation.
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Dec 10 2010
 The Devastated Holy Thorn Pic: Glastonbury People |
The BBC reported on Thursday 9th December that the Holy Thorn on Wearyall Hill in Glastonbury had been chopped down earlier that day. They reported that: a historic tree of religious significance in Glastonbury has been cut down overnight, prompting a police investigation.
The Holy Thorn tree on Wearyall Hill is thought to have been planted by Joseph of Arimathea nearly 2,000 years ago.
Wendy Plumtree, who lives nearby, said:
It’s like one of those moments where you close the door again and open it to see if your eyes are deceiving you.
There are several Holy Thorn trees located around Glastonbury.
On Wednesday, a ceremony was held at nearby St John’s Church where a sprig from the Holy Thorn was cut for the Queen.
This is a tradition which dates back more than 100 years, where the Queen places the sprig on her dining room table on Christmas Day.
One of Glastonbury’s more charming and enduring legends is that of he Glastonbury Holy Thorn. Joesph of Arimathea, Jesus’ great uncle and the owner of the tomb where Jesus’ body was lain after his crucifixion, is said to have brought the now famous hawthorn to Glastonbury when he visited England during hs mission to spread the word of Christianity throughout the land.
| Arriving at Glastonbury, which was then a series of island hills rising from the flooded Somerset Levels, it is believed that Joseph of Arimathea climbed Wearyall Hill to plant the staff which once belonged to Jesus (which came into his possession at the time of his nephew’s death – Joseph being Jesus’ last surviving male relative). As the staff was pushed into the fertile soil of Wearyall Hill, it is recorded that it magically took root and sprouted branches and leaves – becoming Glastonbury’s famous Holy Thorn tree. More than this, whereas Hawthorns usually only flower once a year – in the Spring, the Glastonbury Holy Thorn flowers twice yearly – it’s blossoms coinciding with Christianity’s greatest festivals – Christmas and Easter. This was believed by many to be symbolic of the trees celebration of its original owner’s birth and resurrection. The Glastonbury Holy Thorn’s fame was thus sealed. |  The Christmas Blossom Pic: Welcome to Glastonbury |
Cuttings from the Glastonbury Thorn are also sent to the Queen for display on her dinner table each Christmas – a tradition started by James Montague, Bishop of Bath and Wells during the reign of James I when he sent a cutting of the Holy Thorn to Queen Anne.
[Source]
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Sep 20 2010
 Pic: Overlook |
Overlook Press announced the publishing of a new book that attempts to determine the truths behind the Merlin myth. They say: Merlin: the very name summons up images of the wizard of Camelot—magician, prophet, and counselor to Arthur. The legend is famous but the truth is less well known: Merlin was a real historical figure, a champion of the old way of the Druids, a British man who hailed not from England or Wales, as traditional wisdom would have it, but from Scotland. Adam Ardrey, who stumbled upon some of the hidden sources of Merlin’s life while researching the history of a Scottish clan, offers compelling evidence that links a very real Merlin figure into the histories of other real and prominent 6th century figures. Ardrey brings back to life Merlin’s role in the cataclysmic battles between reason and religion in 6th century Britain—battles that Merlin would ultimately lose. |
Originally posted 2008-08-22 10:46:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Sep 20 2010
 Pic: BBC |
An historic hill claimed as the place where King Arthur married his queen is for sale.
Part of Castle Hill at Knucklas, near Knighton in Powys, is being sold under action later in November. According to legend, Guinevere, daughter of the Welsh giant Gorgyrfan Gawr, became betrothed to Arthur on hill’s grassy slopes. |
It was also the site of a Norman castle built in the 13th Century, before being destroyed by Owain Glyndwr’s forces. The castle was built by the Norman knight Roger Mortimer to help keep the Welsh population in check, but it was later overrun.
There are only traces of the castle left on the hill now. The land is being sold in two lots on 27 November. Estate agent Jenny Layton from McCartneys in Knighton said it was a “rare opportunity to purchase a site of historical importance”.
Legends and myths about Arthur have seen him cast as a king who held court in Wales, a Scottish politician and a Cornish warrior. It is generally believed however that the there was an actual historical figure, probably a Romano-British warrior leader, who battled to keep the Saxons out of Britain. Early Welsh texts do not refer to him as a king, but as an emperor or war leader.
Details of the Land Auction can be found here
Originally posted 2008-11-03 10:24:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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