British Heritage: June/July 1998 Letters

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British Heritage

Your March issue on the Age of Arthur had an excellent topic but a poor rendition. Looking for Arthur at Tintagel or Glastonbury is a futile exercise, as you allude to in the Letter-Box.

I believe the most exciting study of Arthur was done by Norma Lorre Goodrich in her book titled King Arthur (Harper & Row publishers 1986). I am disappointed that her book was not listed among the recommended reading. It would have been refreshing and eye-opening to many of your readers if you had taken them to such sites as Loch Arthur, near Beeswing in south-west Scotland, where Arthur spent his youth; to nearby Queen Ygern’s castle mound behind Caerlaverock Castle where he was probably born; and to tiny Peel Island, just off the west coast of the Isle of Man, where he was probably taken after the battle of Camlann.

Perhaps you will consider a reprise on this subject.

Joseph K. Geiger,
Marion, Ohio

Editor’s note: There are indeed many theories and theorists whose work we were not able to include within the confines of one issue, and we encourage readers who are interested in the subject to do some exploring on their own, both through the several scholarly volumes in which these theories are expounded upon, and by travelling to the hundreds of sites throughout Britain that claim Arthurian associations.

At the same time, we caution readers against the very natural tendency to accept a favourite writers’ interpretation of Dark Age history and ancient sites as the last word. There are already a large number of plausible interpretations of the events that inspired the legends, many of which are mutually incompatible. It is at once a frustrating and intriguing aspect of the mystery that many of the explanations that sound thoroughly convincing must necessarily be mistaken. We make no effort to pass judgment on the merits of each theorists’ case, but leave that enjoyable task to our readers.

Another source you may wish to avail yourself of in your quest for answers is the World Wide Web. A number of interesting websites focus on the Arthur legends and origins. Some of those we found most interesting are listed below:

The Britannia Internet Magazine’s King Arthur pages (edited by Arthurian scholar Geoffrey Ashe)
The High Kingdom of Britain King Arthur pages
The King Arthur LinkFinder

By the way, Norma Lorre Goodrich’s book can also be purchased via the Internet ($13.60 paperback). Place your order at: www.amazon.com

HEARTFELT THANKS

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for publishing my letter describing my experiences in England during the Second World War (’Wartime Recollections’, February 1998, page 6). In particular, my remarks about the BBC’s radio programmes caught the attention of BRITISH HERITAGE readers from all over the United States. Several wrote to say how much the popular radio shows (such as ITMA, The Tommy Handley Show, and Much Binding in the Marsh) helped keep their spirits up during those difficult times; others mentioned how–thanks to the BBC’s wonderful radio adaptations of classic literature–they too became lovers of good books and good music.

One correspondent was kind enough to tell me about the Evacuees Reunion Association, formed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the War. The organization publishes a monthly magazine, organizes reunions, and helps evacuees still suffering from the trauma of being evacuated. To reach them, write to: Evacuees Reunion Association, James Roffey, Secretary, Beck Cottage, Clayworth, Notts., DN22 9AD, England, or telephone 01777 817294.

Another man wrote to remind me of the food shortage that still existed after the War and how he had to ‘queue for three bananas’ at the corner shop. (He also mentioned, however, how in those days you could get fish and chips for three pence and a cup of tea for a penny!)

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