Avalon (or Avillion)
The enchanted island of Arthurian legend. This terrestrial
paradise was known in Welsh mythology as Ynys Avallach (Isle
of Apples) or possibly related to the Celtic king of the dead
named Avalloc or Afallach. In Geofrey of Manmouths twelfthcentury
chronicle of King Arthur, Historia Regum Britanniae, it
was noted that Arthurs sword was forged in Avalon, and he was
returned to Avalon after his last battle so his wounds could heal.
In 1191 the monks at Glastonbury announced that it was
identical to Avalon and that they had discovered Arthurs burial
site. As evidence they produced a cross bearing Arthurs name
and the places name, Avalonia, which had been found alongside
an exhumed body. Today, replicas of the cross are sold at
Glastonbury Abbey.
Sources
Lacy, Norris J. The Arthurian Encyclopedia. New York Garland
Publishing, 1986.
