Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-26234227-20150716125329/@comment-24674051-20150716183001

I think we are overthinking things.

Camelot is a realm within the Fairy Tale World (or so I assume). Just like there was England before the Discovery of America, England during the American Revolution, and England today, I picture Camelot being very much similar.

Camelot of Pre-Dark One Rumple could be the kingdom that is involved with Killian's Naval experience (either as Friend or Foe). Arthur wouldnot be king in this Camelot, but some ancester might be. And Merlin could still be involved even here.

Camelot Pre-First Curse would be concurrent with Snow and Charming. And given the reference to Excalibur in Season 3, This could be early in Arthur's reign, or even just before the beginning of it. As for the time of the Dark Curse, we don't know for sure the location of Camelot, but I would not be surprised if it was near Sherwood, and we know that Sherwood was covered by Cora's protection spell. And if Merlin or the Apprentice are involved with Present day camelot, there's nothing to say that a second protection spell wasn't cast to protect that kingdom from being affected by Snow's curse.

Bottom Line, Camelot can exist for centuries without any special magical details. It's denizens, though, would not last for centuries, and that has never been stated.