The remains claimed to have been those of Arthur were found in 1190 in a grave about fifty feet to the south of the third bay of the Lady Chapel. They were found between two 'pyramids' of tomb shrines.

Gerald of Wales, who lived at the same period, wrote that the bodies were found at a depth of about seven feet and were enclosed in a hollowed out tree trunk. He further recorded that a lead cross, about a foot long, was fixed to the underside of a piece of stone.

The cross was kept in the Abbey and the image was recorded in the 1607 edition of Camden's 'Britannia'. The Latin inscription read 'HIC IACET SEPTULTUS INCLITUS REX ARTURIUS IN INSULA AVALONIA'. The translation is 'Here lies buried the renowned King Arthur in the Isle of Avalonia'.

The site is now a grassed area, merely marked with a notice. In ancient times the site would probably have been marked by large stone crosses.

(A well preserved example of a tomb or pyramid shrine can be found in Peterborough Cathedral).