Avalon ( / ˈ æ v ə l ɒ n / ) is an island from the stories about King Arthur. It first appeared in a book written by Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1136 called Historia Regum Britanniae. In this book, Avalon is described as a magical place where King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, was created and where Arthur later went to heal after being seriously hurt in the Battle of Camlann. Over time, Avalon became an important symbol in Arthurian legends, much like Arthur’s castle, Camelot.

Avalon has been linked to magical activities and figures, such as Morgan, King Arthur’s sister, who was shown as the island’s ruler by Geoffrey and many later writers. Some traditions from Cornwall and Wales say that Arthur did not truly die but will return one day as the "once and future" king. The idea that Arthur rests on Avalon, cared for by Morgan, is a common theme in many medieval stories, including some French tales and works connected to the legend of the Holy Grail.

Avalon is often thought to be the island of Glastonbury Tor. A long-held belief suggests that Arthur’s remains were found and later buried in a grand ceremony, following the medieval idea that Arthur did not survive his final battle. In addition to Glastonbury, other places have been proposed as possible locations for Avalon. Some medieval writings placed Avalon in Sicily, and European folklore connected it to the Fata Morgana, a type of mirage-like illusion.

Etymology

The meaning and origin of the name Avalon have been discussed for many years by experts who study Arthurian legends and ancient languages. Geoffrey of Monmouth, in his book Historia Regum Britanniae (written around 1136), called the place Insula Avallonis, which means "Isle of Avallon" in Latin. Later, in his work Vita Merlini (written around 1150), he referred to it as Insula Pomorum, meaning "Isle of Fruit Trees" (from the Latin word pōmus, meaning "fruit tree"). Today, most experts believe the name comes from the Welsh word afallen, meaning "apple tree" or "fruit tree" (from the ancient Celtic root abalnā, meaning "fruit-bearing"). A Cornish or Breton origin is also possible, with roots in the words aball or avallen(n).

The idea of an "apple" island may be connected to ancient British legends about a magical island in Irish stories, home to Manannán mac Lir and Lugh. This island was called Emain Ablach in Old Irish, meaning "Having Apple Trees" (from the Old Irish word aball, meaning "apple tree"). This name is similar to the Middle Welsh name Afallach, which was used in medieval Welsh stories instead of Avalon. These names are linked to the ancient Gaulish root abballo- ("apple tree") and come from the Proto-Celtic word abūl ("apple"), which is related to words for "apple" in other languages, such as English apple, Russian яблоко (jabloko), and Latvian ābele.

In the early 12th century, William of Malmesbury said the name Avalon came from a man named Avalloc, who lived on the island with his daughters. Gerald of Wales also believed the name came from a former ruler named Avallo. The name Avalon is also similar to Avallus, a mysterious island described by Pliny the Elder in his 1st-century work Naturalis Historia, where amber was found.

Legend

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth in his book Historia, and later writings inspired by his work, King Arthur was taken to Avalon (also called Avallon) after the Battle of Camlann. This was done in the hope that he might recover from his injuries. Geoffrey first wrote about Avalon as the place where Arthur’s sword Excalibur (also called Caliburn) was made.

In his later work Vita Merlini, Geoffrey described Avalon in more detail. He introduced a character named Morgen, a magical woman who was the leader of nine sisters. These sisters ruled Avalon together. Geoffrey’s story, told by the bard Taliesin to Merlin, suggests that reaching Avalon required a journey by sea. The description of Avalon, which borrowed ideas from the writings of Isidore of Seville, shows the island as a magical place.

In Layamon’s version of Historia, Arthur is taken to Avalon to be healed using magical water by a character named Argante, an elf queen of Avalon. In Didot-Perceval, a story about Perceval’s quest for the Holy Grail includes him fighting ravens that turn out to be fairy maidens from Avalon. These maidens are linked to Morgen and her sisters, who may have been inspired by Welsh and Irish myths. In Geoffrey’s story, Merlin never visits Avalon and is unaware of its existence until Taliesin tells him about it after Arthur is taken there. Later stories changed this, showing Merlin with closer ties to Avalon.

In many versions of Arthurian legends, including Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, Morgan the Fairy and other magical queens take Arthur to Avalon after his death at Camlann. They sometimes travel with the Lady of the Lake. Other queens associated with Avalon include the Queen of Northgales and the Queen of the Wasteland. In Vulgate Queste, Morgan tells Arthur she plans to move to Avalon, where powerful magical women live. Some texts, like Perlesvaus, claim to be translations of old Latin books from Avalon. In a Spanish summary of a later story, Avalon is described as the mythical Island of Brasil, hidden by Morgan’s magic.

In some stories, Arthur’s fate in Avalon is unclear. For example, in Vera historia de morte Arthuri, Arthur is taken to Avalon by four men but disappears in a storm. In Lanzelet, Arthur and Loholt are said to still be expected to return. In Stanzaic Morte Arthur, Morgan brings Arthur’s body to Glastonbury for burial. In Alliterative Morte Arthure, doctors from Salerno try to save Arthur but fail. In Gesta Regum Britanniae, Morgan is said to keep Arthur alive with her. In Draco Normannicus, a fictional letter from Arthur to Henry II claims he was healed by Morgan on Avalon. In Didot-Perceval, Morgan tends to Arthur’s wounds in Avalon for 40 years while the Britons wait for him to return.

In Perlesvaus, Arthur is said to have buried Guinevere and her son Loholt in Avalon during his lifetime. In Erec and Enide, a character named Guingomar is described as the ruler of Avalon, possibly inspired by Welsh myths. In Diu Crône, the Queen of Avalon is called Enfeidas, Arthur’s aunt and a guardian of the Grail. In Tristan, a magical dog named Petitcrieu is created in Avalon. In Les Prophéties de Merlin, the Lady of Avalon is a rival of Morgan. In Tavola Ritonda, the Lady of Avalon is the mother of a sorceress named Elergia. In Post-Vulgate Cycle, a damsel from Avalon brings a cursed sword to Camelot.

Avalon has sometimes been described as a valley instead of an island. In Le Morte d’Arthur, Avalon is called an island twice and a valley once. In Joseph d’Arimathie, the valley of Avalon is mentioned as a place where early Christians brought the Grail.

In his final work, Perceval, the Story of the Grail, Chrétien de Troyes wrote about a sea fortress called Escavalon, ruled by an unnamed king. Some scholars believe the name Escavalon is related to Avalon, though others suggest it may have different origins.