Camelot

This article is for the Kingdom of Camelot. For the castle, see Citadel, for the city, see Camelot City/Gallery.

Camelot is a kingdom founded by the legendary King Bruta. From the time of the Great Purge, magic was all but wiped from the land after the death of Ygraine Pendragon. It has been ruled by the Pendragon family after being conquered by Uther Pendragon. In modern times, Camelot has been turned into myth. Its last known ruler was Queen Guinevere Pendragon, who presumably ruled as Queen Regent after her husband, King Arthur, died.

City

A prominent feature of Camelot is the citadel. The upper quarter of the city is the portion closest to the castle where the artisans such as Guinevere and her father, Tom the Blacksmith, used to live. A tavern called The Rising Sun is located near the citadel and is frequented by the Knights of Camelot. The lower quarter is closer to the edge of the city where the lower classes live. When Nimueh poisoned the water supply with the Afanc, the lower quarter was cordoned off as this was where most of the victims were (The Mark of Nimueh).

Every year, Camelot hosts the Tournament of Camelot. Competitors from across the five kingdoms travel to the city to take part for a prize of 1000 gold pieces.

Citadel

In the middle of the city is the castle where the royal family (Uther, Arthur, and Morgana) and the nobility live, and where court is held. The castle is large and constructed of white brick. It has several tall towers and complex architecture and is considered Camelot's greatest asset in war as it is known to be virtually impregnable. Within the castle grounds are the quarters of the court physician, where Gaius and Merlin live. The citadel houses a garrison of at least 12,000 men and, before Morgause's invasion by her immortal army, had never fallen in a siege. It is currently the home of Guinevere Pendragon, the Queen of Camelot.

Government

Camelot is an absolute monarchy that was ruled by Uther Pendragon who made all decisions until he was deposed by his daughter, Morgana, and her half-sister Morgause. Morgana, however, was soon overthrown by Merlin, Arthur and his common-born knights (The Coming of Arthur). She later on conquered the kingdom with the help of southern warlord Helios, however, Arthur, later on, took back the kingdom once more.

Camelot is shown to be a very wealthy kingdom as it offers a prize of a thousand gold coins for participation in its tournaments and Agravaine stated many kings desire the wealth and power of the kingdom, this is also the reason that Cenred wished to conquer Camelot for its riches.

Arthur Pendragon took over the kingdom as the Prince Regent when it became clear that Uther's spirit was broken by Morgana's betrayal. Arthur formally succeeded his father as king when Uther eventually succumbed to wounds dealt him by an assassin (The Wicked Day) sent by the vengeful King Odin.

Camelot is widely known for its laws banning all forms of magic and enchantments on penalty of death, usually by burning or beheading. Such laws have been in place for more than twenty years, having been enacted during the Great Purge that followed the birth of Arthur and the subsequent death of Uther's beloved wife Queen Ygraine. These laws make Camelot, and Arthur specifically, the target of several attacks from rogue Warlocks and Witches, such as Nimueh, Morgause, and Morgana Pendragon who seek to avenge their murdered kin.

Military

Camelot is shown to possess a very powerful military led by the Knights of Camelot. Their coat of arms is a golden dragon on a red background. Knights and high ranking officers wear red cloaks over their armour and archers seemed to be armed with crossbows. As said by Cenred, "...they have a reputation as a fearsome fighting force." Morgana also states that the Knights of Camelot are "...famed as the greatest knights in five kingdoms" (The Sword in the Stone, part 1) even Helios a great warrior himself stated without the Siege tunnel plans an attack on Camelot would be suicidal. Also, it was because of the Knights the kingdom did not fall to Cenred's army despite them being outnumbered two to one, however, this must be attributed to the fact that the knights are professionally trained and Cenred had a mostly mercenary army and the castles formidable defences.

Because the kingdom fell to Morgause and Morgana's army, it can be assumed that most of Camelot's army was destroyed fighting the immortal army. They were replaced with the Blood Guards and Cenred's immortal army until Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table took back the kingdom and rebuilt their forces (The Coming of Arthur).

They also fell to Morgana and her army again, mostly because they were caught off guard. Quickly afterward, though, they took back the kingdom despite being outnumbered three to one (The Sword in the Stone Part 2).

Regions

Main article: Land of Myth.

The City of Camelot is surrounded by forests and fields. There are minor settlements throughout the lands held and protected by Camelot. Two examples are the village Lancelot came from and the small village that was attacked by the Griffin (Lancelot).

Maps of Camelot

History

Main article: Timeline

The kingdom of Camelot was founded by the ancient king Bruta. For centuries, the land has been through endless cycles of war with other Kingdoms, the High Priestesses of the Old Religion and Dragons

People of Importance in Camelot

Former King Uther Pendragon - former king of Camelot. He was removed from the throne, unfit to rule as a result of Morgana's treachery. Died when protecting Arthur from an assassin sent by King Odin.
Former Queen Ygraine Pendragon - former Queen of Camelot, alongside Uther Pendragon. Unable to conceive naturally, resulting in Uther asking Nimueh for assistance, possibly without Ygraine's knowledge. She died in childbirth to keep the life-and-death balance even, which caused Uther to initiate in the Great Purge.
Former King Arthur Pendragon - former Prince and later King of Camelot. Became king after Uther died. Husband of Queen Guinevere, brother-in-law of Sir Elyan and best friend of Merlin. Died due to a fatal wound inflicted by his former good friend Sir Mordred; waiting to rise again.
Queen Guinevere Pendragon - Morgana's former best friend and former maidservant. She was the wife of King Arthur and Queen of Camelot, sister of the late Sir Elyan and best friend of Merlin. Alongside Merlin and Gaius, was an unofficial member of the Round Table and served as one of her husband's main confidants. She became Arthur's heir upon her husband's death at Mordred's hand, as she and Arthur had not yet had children of their own when he died.
Former Lady Morgana Pendragon - ward and secret daughter of Uther. Temporarily crowned queen of Camelot after deposing Uther. She was the result of Uther's affair with her mother, Vivienne, whilst Gorlois was away. She struggled to gain loyalty from the people of Camelot during her two reigns. Later she escaped Camelot with her half-sister, Morgause, and continued to plot against Camelot. Eventually killed by her archenemy Merlin, using Excalibur.
Vivienne - a Lady of Camelot and the wife of Gorlois, with whom it is likely she had her daughter, Morgause. When Gorlois was away at battle, Vivienne had a brief affair with Uther Pendragon and conceived Morgana. She had Gorlois believe that he was the father of her second child. It is likely that he never found out about his wife's affair. Vivienne was most likely a witch and passed on her magical powers to her two daughters.
Sir Tristan de Bois - also known as the Black Knight. The brother of Ygraine and Agravaine de Bois, the brother-in-law of Uther Pendragon, and the uncle of Arthur Pendragon.
Sir Agravaine de Bois - the brother of Ygraine and Tristan de Bois, the brother-in-law of Uther Pendragon, and the uncle of Arthur Pendragon. After Uther was mentally broken by Morgana's betrayal, Agravaine acted as Arthur's advisor, though he was secretly in league with Morgana. He was killed by Merlin after discovering his secret.
Gorlois - Uther Pendragon's best friend and the husband of Vivienne, possible father of Morgause and beloved stepfather to Morgana. Killed in battle.
Merlin - Arthur's servant, secret protector and best friend, and Gaius's ward and apprentice. The best friend of Arthur's beloved wife, Guinevere. Destined to protect Arthur so that he could unite Albion under one high king. Served as an unofficial member of Arthur's Round Table and was a direct enemy of Mordred and Morgana. Waiting for Arthur to rise again.
Gaius - Court Physician, former follower of the Old Religion and sorcerer. An advisor to Uther Pendragon and the guardian and father-figure of Merlin. A member of the Court of Camelot and an unofficial member of Arthur's Round Table alongside Merlin and Queen Guinevere. Later became Guinevere's mentor after Arthur's death.
Morgause - A powerful sorceress and Morgana's beloved maternal half-sister and lieutenant. Sacrificed to the Cailleach after being fatally injured by Merlin.
Edwin Muirden - Former Court Physician, attempted to kill Uther (deceased).
Lady Catrina - briefly queen, deceased. True form was a troll.
Nimueh - High Priestess of the Old Religion and former friend to Uther. She allowed Ygraine to conceive an heir, though she claimed she didn't know Ygraine's life would be taken. She was killed by Merlin.
Knights of Camelot - The original knights of Camelot were defeated by Uther Pendragon when he conquered Camelot. His men then became the new Knights of Camelot.
Knights of the Round Table - an elite order of knights, created by Arthur Pendragon during Morgana's first reign.
Mordred - Former Knight of Camelot and trusted friend of King Arthur Pendragon. Enemy of Merlin. Turned traitor and ally of Morgana when Arthur killed Kara. Dealt Arthur a mortal wound at the battle of Camalann, and was in return killed by Arthur.
Geoffrey of Monmouth - Court Genealogist and keeper of the royal library. Host for important events such as the wedding of Uther and Catrina and Arthur's coronation. A good friend of Gaius.

In The Legend

Camelot is the most famous castle and court in the Arthurian Legend. It was first mentioned in Chrétien de Troyes's The Knight of the Cart, and located at Caerleon, in Wales. It's Thomas Malory, in Le Morte d'Arthur, who, then first, identifies Camelot with Winchester, which is most familiar to English speakers today, as Thomas Malory's compilation remains the main reference of Arthurian legend. The most notable people there are King Arthur, Merlin, Uther Pendragon, Ygraine, Guinevere and Morgana le Fay. Even though it is said that Caerleon is Arthur's castle, Camelot is the one castle that is mentioned the most.

Later, the British cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth (c. 1095 – c. 1155) would describe Camelot in his pseudohistory literary work Historia Regum Britanniae ("The History of the Kings of Britain"), as the center of the Kingdom of Logres, which he claimed was named after the legendary king Locrinus. The name "Logres" is derived from the Welsh word Lloegyr, referring to England (called Lloegr in Modern Welsh). Most often in the context of the Arthurian legends, the kingdom of "Logres" is used to describe the Brittonic territory roughly corresponding to the borders of England before the area was taken over by the Anglo-Saxons.

Kingdom of Camelot

Queen: Guinevere Pendragon
Court Physician: Gaius
Keeper of the Royal Library: Geoffrey of Monmouth
Knights: Sir Leon • Sir Percival • Sir Brennis • Sir Cador • Sir Geraint
Other Allies: Merlin • Annis • Odin • Rodor • Mithian • Godwyn • Bayard • Elena • Alined • The Diamair • Vivian • Olaf
Former Allies: Morgana Pendragon † • Nimueh † • Cedric † ? • Cornelius Sigan † • Tristan de Bois † • Lady Catrina † • Edwin Muirden † • Uther Pendragon † • Agravaine de Bois †• Sefa• Mordred †