Lake of Avalon

Avalon is the home of the immortal Sidhe. It appears to be accessible, albeit only with powerful magic that may well be beyond the abilities of human sorcerers, through the bottom of a lake near Camelot, though this is likely not the only gateway between the worlds. (The Gates of Avalon)

Appearances

 * Series 1
 * The Gates of Avalon (first appearance)
 * Excalibur
 * Excalibur


 * Series 2
 * The Lady of the Lake
 * The Lady of the Lake


 * Series 3
 * The Changeling
 * The Eye of the Phoenix (mentioned only)
 * The Coming of Arthur: Part Two
 * The Coming of Arthur: Part Two


 * Series 4
 * Lancelot Du Lac


 * Series 5
 * TBA

In the legend
Avalon is classically portrayed as an island. Known as the "Isle of the Blessed," it is first mentioned in the 1136 work of Geoffrey of Monmouth (not to be confused with Geoffrey of Monmouth), Historia Regum Britanniae as the island where Excalibur was forged, and where Arthur was later taken to recover from the wounds he suffered in the Battle of Camlann. In the 1150 work Vita Merlini, Geoffrey describes Avalon as the home of nine sisters, the chief of whom was the enchantress Morgana.

Historicity
Avalon is the anglicisation of mediaeval Welsh word "Annwn" (pronounced an'oon), the Otherworld of Welsh mythology. The Otherworld was where the Fairies (the Sidhe, as they were known in Ireland—Twyleth Teg as they were called in Wales) held court, and was where warriors went when they died. The Celts believed in the practise of reincarnation or transmigration of the soul; you would get a new life in another body after death.

By 1190, Avalon had become associated with Glastonbury, and particularly Glastonbury Tor – which was, at one time, a legitimate island surrounded by marshes – when monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to have found the bones of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. This discovery has since been proven a hoax, however Glastonbury Tor remains of superstitious significance to some Neopagans and the local community.