Duroliponte
Cambridge is a historic city loocated in Cambridgeshire, England. It is situated by the River Cam which runs through the city.
An obscure local tradition even said that Cambridge was the site of Arthur’s final Battle of Camlann, though this would seem to stem from false etymology, and it could be said that any place-name having “Cam” in it might be considered a worthy contender.
Cambridge | 0 to the 9th century AD
Roman Period | 1st – 5th centuries
During the Roman occupation of Britain, the region that would later become Cambridge was likely inhabited, and the Roman presence in the area is evidenced by the nearby Roman towns of Duroliponte (present-day Cambridge) and the Roman road known as Via Devana, which passed through the region. Duroliponte was a small Roman settlement located on the northern bank of the River Cam. It served as a trading and administrative center, likely supporting the agricultural activities in the surrounding countryside.
Saxon Settlements | 5th – 11th centuries
In the Saxon period, the area saw the establishment of settlements. The name Grantabridge (later Cambridge) suggests the existence of a bridge over the River Cam, indicating the presence of a settlement.
Viking Invasions | 9th century
The ninth century was marked by Viking invasions in various parts of England. While the historical records for Cambridge during this specific time are scant, the broader context of Viking raids and settlements in England influenced the region.
Cambridge University
Cambridge University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. The university’s official founding is often associated with the granting of a royal charter by King Henry III in 1231. However, the origins can be traced back even earlier, with scholars and teachers congregating in Cambridge in the early twelfth century.
Nicholas Cantelupe (also spelled Cantelowe or Cantlow) was an English clergyman and nobleman of the fifteenth century. He held various ecclesiastical positions throughout his life, including as the Bishop of Bangor from 1415 until his death in 1441. He claimed he had received the University of Cambridge’s charter from Arthur. He wrote Historiola et origine almae et immaculatae Universitatis Cantebrigiae to tell the story.
An even less likely tradition, current in Elizabethan times, was that the university had been founded by the Spanish Prince Cantaber in Anno Mundi 3588 (since the creation of the world).
See also
Kynotus | The Legend of King Arthur