Sylchestre
Silchester is a village in the county of Hampshire, England.
Constantine, Arthur’s grandfather, and Arthur (in some versions) were both crowned in Silchester. In Arthur’s time, Maugan, Baldulph (or Balien) served as Silchester’s Archbishop.
N.L. Goodrich suggests that, instead of being the English city of this name, it was Silchester on Hadrian’s Wall.
Silchester | 0 to 9th century AD
Pre-Roman and Roman Period | 1st century AD
There was an Iron Age settlement belonging to the Celtic Atrebates tribe situated nearby the location of modern-day Silchester.
In the first century, during the Roman occupation of Britain, the site was transformed into a Roman town known as Calleva Atrebatum. It served as a regional center and administrative hub. It had defensive walls, public buildings – basilica and amphitheater – and private residences. The town had economic importance, and archaeological evidence suggests the presence of markets and trade.
Roman Decline | 5th century
As the Roman Empire faced decline and instability in the fourth and fifth centuries, Roman towns in Britain were increasingly abandoned. Calleva Atrebatum was likely abandoned in the early fifth century as Roman influence waned in Britain.
Post-Roman Period | 5th – 9th centuries
Following the departure of the Romans, the site of Calleva Atrebatum saw a decline in population and urban activity. It is likely that the Roman walls provided some level of defense, and parts of the town may have continued to be inhabited, but on a smaller scale.
Anglo-Saxon and Viking Periods | 5th- 9th centuries
During the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods, various groups migrated and settled in different parts of Britain. The exact impact on Silchester during this time is not as well-documented. The region may have experienced changes in governance, culture, and demographics.
See also
Earl of Silchester | The Legend of King Arthur
Sources
Historia Regum Britanniae | Geoffrey of Monmouth, c. 1138
Roman de Brut | Wace, c. 1155
Brut | Layamon, late 12th century to mid-13th century