- Origins and Early Development
- Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances
- Name has multiple spellings including Camaalot, Camalot, and Cameloth
- Medieval texts locate Camelot somewhere in Great Britain
- Most scholars consider it entirely fictional
- Medieval Literature
- Chrétien's poem first mentions Camelot in 1170s
- Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae established Caerleon as Arthur's main court
- Camelot gained importance through Lancelot-Grail cycle
- Camelot's precise location remains unknown
- Modern Interpretations
- Thomas Malory identified Camelot with Winchester in 15th century
- Cadbury Castle excavations in 1960s suggested possible Camelot location
- Modern Arthurian stories often portray Camelot as symbol of Arthurian world
- Name inspired various media adaptations and cultural references
- Controversies
- Some scholars suggest Camulodunum (modern Colchester) as possible location
- Others propose Camelford, Camelon, or Viroconium as alternatives
- Archaeological evidence supports Cadbury Castle as possible Camelot
- Modern interpretations often maintain Camelot's symbolic nature