The city of Winchester is the site of the great Winchester Cathedral. The soaring Gothic cathedral also has a sizeable section from its earliest Roman-style structure, from around the year 1000. For readers of Malory, of course, Winchester was the site of Arthur's administrative capital and, in the Roman War account and in many other places in the text, it is to Winchester that Arthur goes to when he is to hold a holiday feast (such as Pentecost) and to consult his advisors. In fact, Winchester preceded London as the capital of England and the Bishop of Winchester was a very powerful figures. One such bishop was William of Wykham who founded Winchester College.
