Castle Anthrax

Castle Anthrax is a fictional stone-built 8th century fortress visited by Sir Galahad the Chaste in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. At this time Zoot was one of the castle's commanders although she frankly admitted, even to passing strangers, that Castle Anthrax was not a very good name. The castle was apparently unique in exuding an atmosphere of peaceable approachability, hitherto a quality entirely at variance with this architectural category. It was also distinguished by a grail-shaped beacon that was visible to approaching travellers.

Castle Anthrax is believed to have stood only a few days" ride from Camelot, but the location of the latter is far from certain - Camelot was the traditional site of Arthur's court, with several locations including Cadbury, Caerleon, Winchester, and Carlisle mooted ("The Once and Future King" by T.H.White, Ace Books edition published by arrangement with G.P.Putnam's Sons, 1987, p.56).

At this time all residents of the castle were female and thanks to the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" some of their names are known to us. The occupants included Zoot and Dingo, identical twins, Midget and Crapper, both varletesses, plus Piglet and Winston, both junior doctors. The castle was unusually well furnished, containing big beds that were both warm and soft.

The community comprised 160 blondes and brunettes, all aged between sixteen and nineteen-and-a-half. Their time was, according to Zoot, generally spent bathing, dressing, undressing and making exciting underwear.

In Castle Anthrax the community had but one punishment for setting alight the grail-shaped beacon. The guilty party was tied down on a bed and spanked. This could lead to further mollocking. The collective spirit of the community would often lead to other members of the community volunteering to suffer a similar punishment.

Upon being invited to inflict the appropriate penalties, Sir Galahad reportedly exclaimed "Look, I can tackle this lot single-handed!""" Honestly, I can cope. I can handle this lot easily." On being warned by Sir Lancelot of the terrible peril he was in, Galahad dutifully volunteered to stay at the castle, explaining "Look, it's my duty as a knight to sample as much peril as I can". Sir Lancelot nevertheless rescued Galahad from the Castle"s guardians on the pretext that grail-hunting was a more urgent priority.