South Cadbury
| South Cadbury | |
| Somerset | |
|---|---|
 South Cadbury church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST632256 |
| Location: | 51°1’43"N, 2°31’27"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 284 (2011[1]) |
| Post town: | Yeovil |
| Postcode: | BA22 |
| Dialling code: | 01963 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | South Somerset |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Somerton and Frome |
South Cadbury is a village and parish in Somerset. The parish includes the village of Sutton Montis. It is famous as the location of the hill fort of Cadbury Castle, thought by some to be King Arthur's Camelot. The parish forms part of the hundred of Catsash.[2]
History
- Main article: Cadbury Castle, Somerset
The name Cadbury means Cada's fort and refers to Cadbury Castle,[3] which is immediately to the south-west of the village. It is a vast Iron Age hill fort covering an area of around 20 acres. The site has seen human occupation from Neolithic times until the late Saxon period.[4] It was famously partially excavated by Leslie Alcock in the 1960s, when, amongst other things, an Arthurian period feasting hall was discovered. Since John Leland made reference to local traditions of a connection with King Arthur in the 16th century, there has been widespread speculation that this was the location of Camelot. King Arthur's Well sits at the foot of the hill and the local public house, the Red Lion, was renamed The Camelot when it was remodelled in 2004.
In the Domesday Book of 1086 the manor is recorded as held by Turstin FitzRolf.[5]
Geography
South Cadbury is located 7½ miles north-east of Yeovil. The village lies just south of the main A303 road from London to the West Country, which runs through the north of the civil parish. As well as South Cadbury itself, the parish includes the village of Sutton Montis to the south of Cadbury Hill. This is one of three large hills in the centre and south-eastern portion of the parish, the others being Littleton Hill and the Beacon. There is a hill fort on Cadbury Hill and a disused quarry on Littleton Hill.
Religious sites
South Cadbury Church of England parish church is dedicated to Thomas Becket. It largely dates from the 13th and 15th centuries, but was widely restored in 1874. Many of the fittings date from this time. However, it does boast a 15th-century roof, with angel brackets and carved bosses, and an early wall painting of St Thomas.[6] The church is a Grade-II* listed building.[7] The 18th-century poet and satirist, Charles Churchill was at one time curate at South Cadbury.
Sutton Montis parish church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It has Saxon origins and includes surviving work of the 12th century. It is a Grade-I listed building.[8]
References
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about South Cadbury) |
- ↑ "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. http://www.somersetintelligence.org.uk/files/Somerset%20Census%20Key%20Statistics%20-%20Summary%20Profiles.xls. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ↑ "Somerset Hundreds". GENUKI. http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SOM/Miscellaneous/. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
- ↑ Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimborne: The Dovecote Press Ltd. pp. 154. ISBN 1-874336-26-1.
- ↑ "Cadbury Castle, South Cadbury". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/55105. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ↑ http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk
- ↑ Camelot Parochial Church Council. "South Cadbury: The Church of St Thomas a Becket". The Camelot Parishes. http://www.camelotp.webspace.fish.co.uk/html/south_cadbury.html. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ↑ English Heritage. "South Cadbury CP: Sherborne Road (West side): Church of St Thomas a Becket". Images of England. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?pid=1&id=445879. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ↑ English Heritage. "South Cadbury CP: Church Hill (West side): Sutton Montis: Church of the Holy Trinity". Images of England. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=445809. Retrieved 27 November 2006.