Celliwig

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Celliwig or Kelliwic, is perhaps the earliest named location for the court of King Arthur. It is mentioned in the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen which may date from the 11th century. It may be translated as 'forest grove'.

The story describes the court as being at Celliwig in Cerniw, the Welsh word for Cornwall. The story describes Arthur's warriors at the court in depth.

Later parts of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein, or Welsh Triads, mention Arthur and "Three Tribal Thrones of the Island of Britain" and locate one of his courts as being at Celliwig. Caradoc was his chief elder at this court. They also states that at Celliwig Mordred struck Gwenhwyfar a blow. This may have led to the Battle of Camlann. The triads state that Bishop Bytwini or Bedwin was chief bishop there. The early Welsh poem Pa Gur may also mention the court.

[edit] Location

Celliwig was identified by older Cornish antiquaries with Callington, and also at Callywith. Rachel Bromwich, the latest editor of the Welsh Triads, matched it to Kelly Rounds, a hill fort in the Cornish parish of Egloshayle.

However there is also an area called Cerniw in Gwent which might be the site of the court as well. So it has been suggested that this court might be the hillfort of Llanmelin, near Caerwent. As Caradoc is connected to Gwent this might support this idea.

[edit] See also