The castle is the archetypal symbol for the king's power. The grander his castle, the stronger its walls, the more people it housed, the more influential the king was. Arthurian legend uses many castles as settings for the stories of the Golden Age; many of these have historical bases in real castles, many of which are still standing, and many of which now lie in ruins

• See the accounts of an Archer and an Enemy Scout's perspectives of the castle.

• Tintagel - the birthplace of Arthur, in the south of Britain

• Bamburgh - said to have been Lancelot's castle Joyous Garde, just south of Dunstanburgh. Sir William Stevens, Knight were allowed to have their own fortresses, allied with the King, while maintaining a position at the King's table.

• And of course Dunstanburgh - the castle upon which Sir Guy the Wanderer stumbled during his quest for the Holy Grail

• See also Maps for further links to castles and places of Arthurian legend.

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