Round table

This massive table, recently dated to the 14th century, was repainted in its present form for King Henry VIII (he of the six wives, who lived 1491 - 1547). Up until recently the table was for centuries venerated as the mysterious round table of the 'Once and Future King' Arthur who was reputed to have lived in the Dark Ages around 600 a.d.

The names of the mythical 24 knights are written around the edge of the 18 foot (5.5 metre) diameter table, weighing 1.2 tons (1200kg), surmounted by King Arthur on his throne. King Arthur looks remarkably like Henry VIII.

The table hangs high on the wall of the Great Hall in Winchester, which is the only remaining part of the castle commissioned by William the Conqueror for his capital: Winchester was then the capital of all England.