Guinevere The White Lady

The ancient name for Old Oswestry Hill-Fort is Caer Ogyrfan which translates as the City of Gogyrfan. Gogyrfan was the legendary father of Guinevere. Old Oswestry Hill-Fort was probably the site of the final stand by Cynddylan, the last descendant of the historical Arthur to rule in Shropshire. 10th Century records show that the Saxon
king Oswy defeated Cynddylan, in 658AD. Excavations suggest Old Oswestry dates back to 700BC and was among the largest of the forts within the territory of the Celtic Cornovii tribe. Subsequent phases enclosed the hilltop and enlarged the defences to form an impressive fort of 68 acres defended by a series of five ramparts.The fort appears to have been deserted during the Roman period but it is likely, due to the importance of Oswestry, that it was reoccupied during the Anglo-Saxon period.

The name Guinevere derives from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, the White Lady of Celtic mythology. In the most famous Arthurian romance,Thomas Malory’s ‘Le Morte d’Arthur’ (circa 1470), Guinevere retires to a secluded priory after Arthur’s death. According to a 16th Century rendition of Malory’s tale, Guinevere retires to White Ladies Priory.
Although the present ruins date from the Middle Ages, ecclesiastical buildings were often constructed on older, sanctified sites. At the time of the Norman Conquest,White Ladies Priory housed a small foundation of Augustinian
canonesses, called White Ladies after the colour of their undyed habits. Early Welsh poetry says that the treasures of Powys, seemingly the crown jewels of King Arthur himself, were hidden at the site of Much Wenlock Priory after
the Anglo-Saxons defeated Cynddylan around 658AD. Probably the last Briton to rule in Shropshire, Cynddylan is described in ‘The Song of Llywarch the Old’ as Arthur’s heir. The treasures of Powys remain undiscovered to this day. A monastery was founded at Wenlock shortly before 690AD by Merewald, a member of the royal house of the kingdom of Mercia. Wenlock was re-founded as a Cluniac Priory by Roger de Montgomery after the Norman Conquest.
The remains of the church that can be seen today are those of the impressive 350ft long church which was reconstructed during the 1220’s. The striking ruins stand in a peaceful setting with attractive gardens and topiary. Legend says that Arthur became king by drawing a sword from a stone. Local folklore sites this event at
Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle. Fifth Century leadership disputes between rival warriors were often resolved in single combat, the victor drawing a ‘sword of office’ from a stone altar; a practice that may have given rise to the legend of the sword and the stone.Ancient Britons are known to have used megalithic circles for tribal rites and kingship duels could have been fought at Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle. Set on dramatic moorland, Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle was erected over 3500 years ago and many legends are connected with the site. Around 80 feet
in diameter, this ancient ring is believed to have had both religious and ceremonial purposes.