Tintagel Castle

In 1139 Geoffrey de Monmouth published his 'History of Britain' and claimed that Tintagel was the birthplace of King Arthur. Although there may have been the remains of the community established by St Juliot in the 6th century, when Reginald, Earl of Cornwall built his stronghold here in 1145 there was no record of Arthur's castle.

Reginald, the illegitimate son of Henry I, was responsible for the Great Hall and Chapel. In the middle of the 13th century further buildings were added by Earl Richard, the younger brother of Henry III. The main part of the castle dates from his tenure.

In the 14th century, with other Cornish castles, it was passed into the ownership of the Black Prince. He carried out some restoration but after his death the castle fell into decline. It was used as a prison at the end of the 14th century but was never used again as a fortress.

Today it forms part of the Duchy of Cornwall.

Coastal erosion has resulted in the castle being part the mainland and part on a peninsula.

The narrow causeway that connected the castle to the mainland in Geoffrey of Monmouth's time has been washed away and access to the castle is now by two steep stairways.