Richard of Cornwall Built at Tintagel After the Arthurian Legend

Richard, Earl of Cornwall, acquired Tintagel in 1233 and built the medieval castle whose ruins dominate the headland today. The exposed site offered limited conventional military or administrative advantages for a man of Richard’s wealth and position.

English Heritage argues that Tintagel’s established Arthurian and Cornish legendary reputation was probably a major reason for his choice. The castle is therefore an unusually clear example of legend influencing a real medieval landscape and building project.

Source trail: English Heritage, “Richard of Cornwall, King Arthur and Tintagel Castle”.

Related Journal record: Tintagel Castle.