Silent Guardian

Posted on by Louise Bunting

arthur-statue

embodied

in resolute metal,

he watches

from the rocky heights,

forever awaiting his call to arms,

a silent guardian

poised

in enigmatic grandeur,

the once and future

mingling

of legend and history

arthur-statue-2

This post is for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. This week’s theme is things made by human beings. 

The pictures were taken at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, and are of a statue called Gallos, which is the Cornish word for ‘power’. The statue was inspired by the legends of King Arthur – who, it is said, was conceived at Tintagel – but it can also be seen as a representation of the old kings of Dumnonia, a kingdom of the 5th and 6th centuries that stretched across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. It is thought that this dynasty made Tintagel the site of their summer court.

If you’d like to know more about the statue, there’s an interesting article from The Guardian that you can find here.

14 thoughts on “Silent Guardian”

    1. I think he’s quite a new arrival – only placed there earlier this year. 🙂 I found him to be a great subject to photograph! Thanks for visiting, Ali.

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    1. It is a great statue, isn’t it. I’m glad they didn’t just create a solid, entirely human looking, figure. The strange body of it really captures the character’s ambiguous nature. I love all myths and legends, but King Arthur is definitely one of my favourites (only behind Robin Hood – I’m a Nottinghamshire girl, after all!). I’m glad you liked it, PJ. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.

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      1. I love how the statue is shaped too and I love the story of King Arthur! I like the story of Robin Hood too but my favorite is King Arthur.

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  5. Wow – a stunning piece – striking for its negative space as much as for its positive space. And one that you captured beautifully with so few words. A plaque of your words should sit at his feet….don’t you think?

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    1. Thank you for such a lovely comment, Jeanne. 🙂 I’d actually just read an article on making use of negative space not long before I took this picture, so it was very much on my mind as I was lining up the shot. It would be truly wonderful to see my words on a plaque by the statue! 😀

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