28 C O N T E X T 1 2 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 S Gus Astley Student Award 2011 winner Emma Anderson with commendation award winners Grant Prescott (left) and Tristan Dewhurst (right) at the annual school dinner conservation officers took place in London the following year. Professor Martin Biddle gave a detailed talk about the Great Hall of Winchester Castle and ‘King Arthur’s’ Round Table, fixed to its wall. Built on the remains of the Roman walls, Winchester was one of the greatest castles in Europe when it was finished in 1235. It had five chapels and a round tower similar to that at Windsor. The round table now on the wall of the Great Hall is thought to date from 1290. The date, established by dendrochronology and carbon dating, fits with the evidence that it was made for Edward I to celebrate the marriages of three of his children that were due to occur in that year. In that era people dressed up for weddings, including wearing Arthurian costumes. Biddle’s view was that the round table was probably built by a wheelwright and was not painted until 1516, on the orders of Henry VIII. Julia Foster R J Smith & Co Traditional Builders Reception sponsor RJ Smith Refreshments sponsor Purcell Tour sponsor Selway Joyce Supported by English Heritage & Winchester City Council The IHBC would like to thank the sponsors of this year’s Annual School
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=