Europe, British Isles, North-West England, Cumberland, Eamont Bridge
Eamont Bridge, Cumberland is in Cumberland.
Europe, British Isles, North-West England, Cumberland, Eamont Bridge, King Arthur's Round Table
King Arthur's Round Table is a 90m diameter Henge with a ditch of around 16m. There appears to have been two original entrances.
1586. William Camden, Britain, or, a Chorographicall Description of the most flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland
18. Not much higher, and not farre from the confluence of Eimot and Loder, where is seene that round trench of earth which the country people tearme Arthurs Table, stands Penrith, which is, if you interpret it out of the British language, The red head or hill (for the soile and the stones there are of a redish colour), but commonly called Perith.
William Camden's plan of King Arthur's Round Table.
Results of the Excavation. Plate E. John Aubrey's copy of Dugdale's sketch of King Arthur's Round Table. The note reads "Out of William Digdale's Visitation of Cumberland in Herald's Office.
Avebury by William Stukeley. PENRITH. At the conflux of the rivers Louther and Eimont there is a remarkable curiosity, that illustrates the method of the religious solemnities of the old Britons, as much as any I have seen. Upon the edge of the Louther, where the bridge now passes it, is a delicate little plain, of an oblong form, bounded on the other slde by a natural declivity: this is used to this day for a country rendezvous, either for sports or military exercises, shooting with bows, &c. On this plain stands the antiquity commonly called King Arthur’s Round Table, and suppofed to be used for tilts and tournaments: it is a circle inclosed with a ditch, and that with a vallum. At first sight we may see that it was intended for sports, but not on horseback, because much too little: the vallum on the outside lies sloping inward with a very gradual declivity, on purpose for spectators to stand around it; and it would hold at least 10,000 people. The outside of the vallum is pretty steep: it was high originally, as may be seen now in some parts; but it is worn down, as being by the side of the common road; and the inhabitants carry it away to mend the highways withal. There are two entrances into the area, north and south, or nearly so: one end is inclosed into a neighbouring pasture: the area had a circle within, somewhat higher in elevation than the other. The outer verge of the vallum is a circle of 300 foot: the composition of it is intirely coggles and gravel, dug out of the ditch. Upon part of the plain are marks of the tents of the Scots army, that accompanied King Charles II in his way to Worcester: they encamped here for some time, and drew a small line across part of the southern circle: this was done within memory.
1725. William Stukeley (age 37) sketched King Arthur's Round Table, Mayburgh Henge [Map] and Little Round Table.
1769. Pennant sketch of Mayburgh Henge [Map] and King Arthur's Round Table.
Cumbria and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. 1769. Plan of 1. Mayburgh Henge [Map], 2. King Arthur's Round Table and 3. Little Round Table and
An Excursion to the Lakes. From thence we went to view a place by the inhabitants called Arthur's round Table, near to Emont Bridge, and about half a mile from Penrith.—This is said to be of great antiquity, but there is no tradition, when, by whom, or for what purpose it was made.—It is cut in a little plain near the river, of an exact circular figure, fave to the eastern and western sides an approach is left to the common level of the plain: —the trench by which it is formed, is near ten paces wide; the soil which has been thrown up on the outward side making a kind of theatre: — the approaches are ten paces wide, and the whole circle within the ditch is one hundred and sixty paces in circumference. —We were induced to believe this was an ancient tilting ground, where justings had been held: the approaches seemed to answer for the career, and the circle appears sufficient for the champions to shew their dexterity in the use of the lance and horse-manship; the whole circus being capable of receiving a thousand spectators on the outer side of the ditch.—It is not probable that this was an intrenchment or fortified camp, it being too small for such purposes; and more particularly it is overlooked by an adjoining rising ground, from whence it might be annoyed by missile weapons. Another reason for the same opinion, given by a learned author, is, that the ditch is on the inner side.
The Beauties of England and Wales: Wiltshire and Westmoreland. At the south end of the village of Eamont, (vulgarly called Yeammon Bridge,) is ARTHUR'S ROUND-TABLE, a curious circle, consisting of a high dyke of earth, and a deep foss within, surrounding an area twenty-nine yards in diameter. It has two entrances exactly opposite to each other, and forming an uninterrupted: plane through the ditch from the outside of the table to its area. Some suppose it to have been designed for tilting matches, and that the champions entered at each opening1 others that it was a Roman amphitheaire.2 Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is still traditionally extolled in these parts for his great splendour and hospitality while he was governor of the neighbouring castle of Penrith, which induces Hutchinson to suppose this circus may have been in use as a tilting-ground in his time.3 On the adjoining plain are a larger ring, with low ramparts, and some smaller ones, at present scarcely visible, as if gymnastic exerscises, for which this county is still famous, had been practised in them. Circles, indeed, have been the theatres of contests in every age. In sudden quarrels the mob formed themselves into a ring, in which the parties settled the dispute by single combat
Considere duces et vulgi stante corona
Surgit ad hos, &c.
Note 1. Pennant's North Tour.
Note 2. Archaeologia, Vol. 5.
Note 3. His. of Cum. I. 310. [Note. Reference to An Excusion to the Lakes Page 91].
Cumbria and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. 02 Aug 1882. ART. XLII.—On some Earthworks [King Arthur's Round Table, Little Round Table and Mayburgh Henge [Map]] near Eamont Bridge. By WM. Atkinson. Read at that place August 2nd, 1882.
Cumbria and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. THE ROUND TABLE.
Cumbria and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. 1891. Art. 16. — Mayburgh [Map] and King Arthur's Round Table. By C. W. Dymond, F.S.A.
Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Volume 40 Pages 169 to 206. IN 1938 Professor R. G. Collingwood produced, in these Transactions (xxxviii, 1-31), an Interim Report on the excavations of 1937 at King Arthur's Round Table. Illness prevented him from completing the task, and the final investigation was conducted by the writer, to whom it had been entrusted, between 10th July and 27th August, 1939. Eight workmen were employed throughout, while the experienced Mr. W. Cruddas of Greenhead acted again as foreman. Mrs. Spence undertook the task of Excavations Secretary and Guide, and superintended the filling-in during the anxious days preceeding the outbreak of war. Dr. J. E. Spence devoted the first week of his vacation to joint direction, while Miss M. Cross and Miss K. S. Hodgson gave voluntary help in the more delicate tasks. It was particularly useful to have Mrs. Collingwood's presence for a week during the excavation. Mr. Hay and Dr. Goodchild gave much valuable advice on geological problems. Mr. R. Morton Rigg, as during the first season, undertook the organisation of labour and tools most generously lent by the Penrith Urban District Council. Captain Anthony Lowther, on behalf of Lowther Estates Limited, kindly extended permission to excavate, with the consent of the tenant, Mr. W. Bainbridge of the Home Farm; while H.M. Office of Works authorised excavation of a scheduled monument, a visit being paid by Inspector P. K. Baillie-Reynolds. To all these helpers and to Major Porter, I offer heartiest thanks for their assistance. Among many visitors I had the pleasure of welcoming Messrs. Grahame Clark and J. F. Grimes. Finally three trenches were made through the so-called Little Round Table (see Appendix) and, in co-operation with H.M. Office of Works, the surviving standing-stone in the adjacent circle at Mayburgh [Map] was secured against collapse.
Europe, British Isles, North-West England, Cumberland, Eamont Bridge, Little Round Table
Little Round Table is a Henge two hundred metres south of King Arthur's Round Table; it is mostly destroyed
Avebury by William Stukeley. Just 400 foot from the verge of the south entrance is another circle [Little Round Table], 300 foot in diameter, made contrary wise to the former: the vallun is small, and the ditch whence it was taken is outermost. Thus these two circles and the interval make 1000 foot in length; and there is just room enough without them, next the river and next the bank, for a circus or foot-race, according to the old manner of the Grecian, which were always celebrated by the sides of rivers.
Centum ego quadrijugos agitabo ad flumina currus, &c. Virg. and probably Britilh chariots had here their courses. On the southern end it is manifest they contrived it just to leave room enough for the turn; and it required good sklll to drive a chariot so as not to fall there, or into the river. It must be understood, that the bridge at present, and another of wood formerly a little below it, have impaired the banks by the more southern circle. This is the most delightful place that can be imagined for recreation; the rapid river Louther runs all along the side of it; the Eimot joins it a little way off, in view: beyond is a charming view of a vast wood, and of Brougham castle [Map]; beyond that, the ancient Roman city, and the Roman road going along under the high hill whereon is the beacon. But these are things later in time than our antiquity.
1725. William Stukeley (age 37) sketched King Arthur's Round Table, Mayburgh Henge [Map] and Little Round Table.
Cumbria and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. 1769. Plan of 1. Mayburgh Henge [Map], 2. King Arthur's Round Table and 3. Little Round Table and
An Excursion to the Lakes. At a little distance from the round table, and nearer to Emont Bridge, is another circular ditch [Little Round Table], with a very low rampart, but of much greater size, being seventy paces diameter, without any apertures or advances.—If we presume the other was intended for feats of chivalry, this may be supposed calculated for pedestrian exercises,
Cumbria and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. 02 Aug 1882. ART. XLII.—On some Earthworks [King Arthur's Round Table, Little Round Table and Mayburgh Henge [Map]] near Eamont Bridge. By WM. Atkinson. Read at that place August 2nd, 1882.
Cumbria and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. Southward from the Round Table, centrally distant from it about 225 yards, and with little more than the width of a road between it and the river Lowther, there formerly existed a slight annular embankment, known as the "Little Round Table," vestiges of which were visible until about the year 1878, when, according to Mr. William Atkinson, the last traces were obliterated in widening the approaches to the new lodge-gates of Lowther park. He describes what he saw as consisting of "a low circular ridge.... not more than 6 to 9 inches above the level of the surrounding ground, and from 3 to 5 feet broad at the base."3 There is some difference of state ment between authorities who give the diameter of this ring. Stukeley, partial to round numbers, calls it 100 yards, and says, "the vallum is small, and the ditch whence it was taken is outermost."4 Hutchinson, who wrongly locates it "nearer to Emont Bridge," (Lowther bridge?) describes it as a "circular ditch, with a very low rampart,.... without any apertures or advances;"5 and puts the diameter at 70 paces. It is clearly shown on a well-engraved plan in Pennant's First Tour in Scotland, 1769, herewith reproduced in facsimile on a rather smaller scale. The outer diameter measures 80 yards, after making a needful adjustment of the slightly erroneous scale attached to the plan. No ditch is shown,—the size is too small for that,—but there appears to have been an entrance, or at least a gap, through the bank, a little east of the north point, not quite in the direction of the Round Table, which is somewhat west of north. Mr. Atkinson does not mention the ditch, which may have disappeared. He estimated the diameter of the ring at from 60 to 80 yards. On a comparison of the data, we may probably assume that the latter figure is very near the truth. The authors of Beauties of England and Wales, after referring to the Round Table, somewhat obscurely describe this inclosure as follows:—"On the adjoining plain are a larger ring with low ramparts, and some smaller ones, [rings?] at present [1814] scarcely visible."6
Note 1. Locally pronounced "Yammon:" whence, perhaps, Yeoman's bridge, an old form of the name.
Note 2. Measured on the 25-inch ordnance map, which, however, is not always quite trustworthy as to the smaller dimensions and distances.
Note 3. Trans. Cumbd. and Westm. Ant. Soc., vol. VI, P. 444.
Note 4. Itinerarium Curiosum, Cent. II, P. 43.
Note 5. Excursion to the Lakes, 1773-1774, p. 91.
Note 6. Westmorland vol, p. 111.
Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Volume 40 Pages 169 to 206. IN 1938 Professor R. G. Collingwood produced, in these Transactions (xxxviii, 1-31), an Interim Report on the excavations of 1937 at King Arthur's Round Table. Illness prevented him from completing the task, and the final investigation was conducted by the writer, to whom it had been entrusted, between 10th July and 27th August, 1939. Eight workmen were employed throughout, while the experienced Mr. W. Cruddas of Greenhead acted again as foreman. Mrs. Spence undertook the task of Excavations Secretary and Guide, and superintended the filling-in during the anxious days preceeding the outbreak of war. Dr. J. E. Spence devoted the first week of his vacation to joint direction, while Miss M. Cross and Miss K. S. Hodgson gave voluntary help in the more delicate tasks. It was particularly useful to have Mrs. Collingwood's presence for a week during the excavation. Mr. Hay and Dr. Goodchild gave much valuable advice on geological problems. Mr. R. Morton Rigg, as during the first season, undertook the organisation of labour and tools most generously lent by the Penrith Urban District Council. Captain Anthony Lowther, on behalf of Lowther Estates Limited, kindly extended permission to excavate, with the consent of the tenant, Mr. W. Bainbridge of the Home Farm; while H.M. Office of Works authorised excavation of a scheduled monument, a visit being paid by Inspector P. K. Baillie-Reynolds. To all these helpers and to Major Porter, I offer heartiest thanks for their assistance. Among many visitors I had the pleasure of welcoming Messrs. Grahame Clark and J. F. Grimes. Finally three trenches were made through the so-called Little Round Table (see Appendix) and, in co-operation with H.M. Office of Works, the surviving standing-stone in the adjacent circle at Mayburgh [Map] was secured against collapse.