GC14FRF King Arthur's Camelot (Multi-cache) in South Wales, United Kingdom created by opus100

This cache has been archived.

opus100: After thinking long and hard we have decided to archive this cache. At the moment we are on the brink of starting a project that will take up much of our time and we simply don't have the opportunity anymore to place and maintain this cache. We made a few trips to Caerleon to set up new questions and find a hiding place closer to the starting point, but as other things are developing and needing our attention, we have to let go. Thanks to all who have visited!

Opus100

GC14FRF ▼

A cache by opus100 Message this owner

Hidden : 7/18/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

On the morning we plotted this cache in Caerleon, preparations were being made for the Caerleon Arts Festival 2007. Stalls had been set up by people dressed up in historical costumes, ancient weaponry and other artifacts were put on display in several fields and there were even excavations going on in Priory Field.

Caerleon is a small, ancient town situated along the river Usk and it has a long and rich history. Before the arrival of the Romans there was already a large hill fort (Lodge Wood Hill Fort), which may have been built around 600-300 BC, to the north west of the town. Archeologists found pottery and jewellery there dating from the middle and late Iron Age.

In addition, the Romans made their mark by building an amphitheatre and a legionary fortress to garrison their Second Legion Augusta in around AD75. The name of the fortress was Isca, named after the river Usk and it must have housed about 5500-6000 men. This legion was used to respond to the uprisings of the local people, who fought against the Roman invaders.

Around 400 AD the Romans left Britain after which the Saxons, who came from northern Europe, invaded the country. According to legend, King Arthur fought against these invaders around the end of the 5th century. Until this day it is not known whether he really existed, but if so, it has been suggested that among other places his residence Camelot might have been Lodge Wood Hill Fort in Caerleon. In that case, King Arthur’s Round Table could have been the Roman amphitheatre just outside the fortress.

Norman remains can be found near Castle Street where a huge motte can be seen just behind the castle wall. The original castle was probably a tower made of wood on top of the mound and was later replaced by a stone tower. The stone for this building may have been taken from the Roman remains. The tower is no longer there, its stone was ‘recycled’ again in order to build homes for Caerleon residents and for the Mynde walls. The tower near the Hanbury Arms was also part of the castle.

The Mynde Walls around the former castle area date from the 19th century when a local businessman and magistrate, John Jenkins, wanted to protect his property Castle Villa (later called The Mynde) from the Chartists, who demanded the right to vote.

The walk consists of a short, compact tour through the town of Caerleon and of the longer final walk to the cache. It can be completed within 1½ hours. If you are interested in the history of Caerleon then why not visit the National Roman Legion Museum or the Roman Baths Museum (both free admission: please check this site for further information), which you come across on your walk through town? Close to a number of virtual waypoints there are also notice boards which tell you a lot about the interesting historical features. In addition, there are plenty of pubs where you can have a drink or something to eat on your way. Keep your eyes out for the wooden and stainless steel sculptures which have been made by artists during the Caerleon Arts festivals held from 2003 and onwards … One of them is King Arthur by Sarka Vachova, pictured below.

King Arthur

Always keep a close eye on children and dogs due to the traffic in and outside the town! The very last part of the walk may be a little wet underfoot especially after heavy rain and in summer there may be the occasional bramble or stinging nettle.

You can park at N51º 36.550 W002 57.433. Close by you will find a bronze relief set in the pavement which marks the West Gate of the Roman Fortress.

To find the cache answer the following questions:
VC1: N51º 36.502 W002º 57.438
How many steps are there (only count the ones with the diamond-shaped pattern!) = A

VC2: N51º 36.600 W002º 57.557
Three signs are attached to one pole. Find the name of an organization at the bottom of the red sign (4 letters). What is the position in the alphabet of the last letter? = B

VC3: N51º 36.615 W002º 57.342
Which year was the restoration of the peace in? Last digit = C

The old building nearby was built on the site of the Roman Legionary Headquarters Building.

VC4: N51º 36.558 W002º 57.176
The third digit of the year mentioned here = D

VC5: N51º 36.617 W002º 57.014
How many merlons (= ‘saw-tooth effects of the battlements’) are on the marked (highest) part of the Mynde wall (this is also the highest part of the wall) across the road? = E

Behind the wall you can see the high motte.

VC6: N51º 36.511 W002º 57.116
The third digit of the year mentioned here = F

The cache, FOR WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO CROSS THE BRIDGE, can be found at:
N51º (A + B + D).(A – E)(F)(E) W002º ((A * F) + E).(F)((A * C) - 2).
It is placed somewhere along the Usk Valley walk.

(Sources: www.caerleon.net and www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/caerleon)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre n fgbar

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

This cache has been archived.

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King Arthur's Camelot Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

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Geocache Description:

Attributes

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