Holy Grail History

Others are looking to the springs of Glastonbury, typically to one place where a spring runs red, according to legend, with the blood of Christ. The Chalice Well still exists today, and its water is still red, but the most likely explanation for the colour is the iron deposits in the water. Near to the Chalice Well there is another spring where the water is white - fed by underground caves beneath Glastonbury tor. Some believe that this is a much more likely hiding place where Joseph might have hidden the Holy Grail.

Ancient questors in Cornwall

Apart from the location of the Grail, many questors are drawn to the ultimate questor and legendary ruler of the Britons - King Arthur. He is often presented as a romantic medieval figure and arguments still rage about whether Arthur is a real or a mythical character. The first written reference to King Arthur is found in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th century book The History of the Kings of Britain. Most famously, Arthur, stands on the steps of Camelot Castle and dispatches his Knights on a great quest to find the Holy Grail. But the 'real' Arthur, the man who started all the legends, comes from the 5th century, a time with no written history - the Dark Ages.

Each year, over a million visitors come to the castle of Tintagel on the north coast of Cornwall in search of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Some say Tintagel is 'Camelot' - the seat of King Arthur. Some say it belongs to Merlin, the wizard who masterminded Arthur's birth, rise to power and quest for the Holy Grail. The mysterious cave running right underneath Tintagel is said to be Merlin's Cave.

Credit: Archaeology@Glasgow The piece of slate with the mysterious inscription uncovered at Tintagel.

Recent excavations have revealed dramatic new evidence about Tintagel during the 5th century - the time of the 'real' Arthur. Although less than a quarter of Tintagel has been excavated, incredible amounts of Mediterranean pottery have already been found. Could there be some basis for the legend placing Arthur at Tintagel? In 1998, a 5th century drain-cover was unearthed from the castle which bore an inscription that could change legend into history. The inscription translated as "Artnou made this". Is this the clue that historians, writers and grail-hunters have been searching for? Is Artnou, Arthur? Whatever the truth behind the 'Artnou' stone, it has added greatly to the legend.

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