ST. TEATH— TINTAGEL earlier Norm, building, and a fragment of the old font. The name entered into a by-word ; " send her to Temple Moors," was said of a reprobate woman, and perhaps referred to the Templars' efforts at reforming a wild uncivilised people. TINTAGEL (5 m. N.W. of Camelford Station) has a distinct claim to be the most famous spot in the duchy. It had a wide reputation long before the railway had opened Cornwall to the British public ; Welsh bards, Breton minstrels, German minnesingers, British chroniclers, had all assisted to spread abroad the tale of Arthur, and with Arthur the name of Tintagel was inseparably connected. In speak- ing of Arthur it needs the greatest caution to separate the true, or rather the probable, from the false or improbable. There is absolutely no certainty, except a very certain voice of persistent tradition. Geoftry of Monmouth, who deserves to rank high among our historical novelists, is at least accurate in his description of Tintagel: "It is situated upon the sea, and on every side surrounded by it ; and there is but one entrance into it, and that through a straight rock, which three men shall be able to defend against the whole power of the king- dom ". Geoffry wrote about the year 1 1 50, and at that time it is certain that none of the present building existed. Ancient as the re- mains are, both on the rock and on the main- land, they cannot be earlier than the late twelfth century ; yet many visitors have a delightful 237
