by Mike Ashley
Chapman, Vera (1898–1996), The Green Knight (UK, 1975), The King’s Damosel (UK, 1976), King Arthur’s Daughter (UK, 1976), all three reissued in one volume as The Three Damosels (UK, 1978) (m)
Although drawing its raw material from Malory and Gawain and the Green Knight, this series introduces new characters. Behind all three novels is Morgan le Fay’s desire to destroy Arthur and his court, but pitted against her are not Arthur or his knights but three women. In the first book it is Vivian, granddaughter of Merlin, in the second it is Lynett (the Lady of the Fountain in the Mabinogion), and in the third it is Arthur’s own daughter Ursulet, after Arthur’s death. These were the first books to consider Arthur’s decline from the female perspective. The last book became the basis of the animated feature film Quest for Camelot.
Chapman, Vera (1898–1996), The Enchantresses (UK, 1998) (m)
This follows the lives of the three sisters (triplets) Morgan, Morgause and Viviane, trained in witchery by Merlin, whose actions, some by design, others by chance, are all linked to the fate of their half-brother Arthur. The novel forms a greater framework for the earlier episodes in The Three Damosels.
Christian, Catherine (b.1901), The Sword and the Flame (UK, 1978; as The Pendragon, US, 1979) (m)
Essentially a retelling of the traditional story of Arthur from the viewpoint of Bedivere, with a degree of rationalisation to give the story verisimilitude. The role of the women at court is underplayed – Morgan surprisingly so – but the characters are finely realized.
Clare, Tom, King Arthur and the Riders of Rheged (UK, 1992) (h)
The author contends that Urien and his son Owain of Rheged were the actual leaders that performed the deeds attributed to Arthur (Arctures - The Northern Bear). Strongly Celtic, with many of the well-known characters and a magical atmosphere, the author’s story is both credible and absorbing (information courtesy of Larry Mendelsburg).
Clarke, Lindsay (b.1939), Parzival and the Stone from Heaven (UK, 2001) (m)
Labelled “a grail romance retold for our time”, this novel, which grew out of a radio play broadcast in 1995, follows faithfully Wolfram’s original romance but presents it in a form that highlights many parallels to our lives today, points which Clarke delineates in a fascinating afterword. He contrasts the innocence and purity of Parzival with the earthiness of Gawain and the corruption of Arthur’s other knights, creating a world every bit as familiar today as it was in Wolfram’s time.
Closs, Hannah (1905–1953), Tristan (UK, 1940; US, 1967) (h)
A retelling of the story of Tristan and Isolde, but using modernistic techniques that heighten the intensity of the relationships between the individuals.
Cornwell, Bernard (b. 1944), The Winter King (UK, 1995), Enemy of God (UK, 1996), Excalibur (UK, 1997), known collectively as The Warlord Chronicles (h)
An individualistic retelling of the Arthurian story which shows the depth of Cornwell’s research into both the whole Arthurian story – he uses many sources – and the military circumstances of the day. Cornwell creates a hitherto unknown narrator for the third-person perspective on events, Derfel, a Saxon slave who has grown up in Merlin’s household. On one level he effectively takes the place of Bedivere, but on another he is the future of the land. After his death, Uther is succeeded by his lame grandson Mordred, still a child. Uther’s illegitimate son Arthur becomes Mordred’s guardian and Warlord of Dumnonia, determined to bring peace to Britain, especially in the conflict with Powys. The trilogy describes the two basic struggles. Arthur faces conflict from without, from the Saxons, and conflict from within, the desire by Merlin to retain the old religion, to which end Merlin is seeking the ancient treasures of Britain, in particular the Cauldron. Merlin is Arthur’s main enemy. In Cornwell’s version Morgan le Fay is the wife of Archbishop Sansum, the figurehead for Christianity. All of the key episodes and set scenes are present, but they take on a different glow in the light of Cornwell’s creativity.
(Note: Cornwell’s Grail Quest series, Harlequin (UK, 2000), Vagabond (UK, 2002) and Heretic UK, 2003) is not Arthurian but is set during the Hundred Years’ War, in which a soldier, Thomas of Hookton, has become involved in a search for the Grail.)
Cramer, James Douglas, The Song of Arthur (US, 2001) (f)
Unusually, this is set after Camlann, during Arthur’s final days in Avalon. As Arthur wrestles with his own conscience and memories, Percival (here Arthur’s nephew) struggles with the idea of becoming king.
Crompton, Anne Eliot (b.1930), Merlin’s Harp (US, 1995) (f)
A YA book inspired by the idea that Gildas disliked Arthur because he had robbed churches for his war-chest. Gildas takes an untypically major role in this unusual treatment. It is the tale of Niviene, a Fey, daughter of the Lady of the Lake (Nimway), sister of Lugh (Lancelot), and apprentice to Merlin, who lives on the magical island of Avalon. The strife at Camelot threatens to endanger Avalon, and Merlin uses Niviene’s special talents to help save the kingdom. There are two sequels, featuring the same characters but not bound as a trilogy. Gawain and Lady Green (US, 1997), whilst retelling the story of Gawain and the Green Knight, explores the conflict between Druidism and Christianity. In Percival’s Angel (1999), Percival is shown as a human raised amongst the Fey whose quest is to develop his human side as a knight. The story really explores the anguish of coming of age and the loss of innocence.
Crossley-Holland, Kevin (b.1941) The Seeing Stone (UK, 2001), At the Crossing Places (UK, 2002), King of the Middle Marc (UK, 2003) (h/m)
Known as a poet and folklorist, Crossley-Holland has also written a simple guide for children to the Arthurian world in The King Who Was and Will Be (UK, 1999). His YA Arthurian trilogy is, predictably, refreshingly different. It is set at the time of Richard I and the Crusades. The hero is a young squire, Arthur de Caldicott, anxious to become a knight. Through his friendship with Merlin, the squire acquires the “seeing stone” which enables him to view Arthur’s world. The trilogy then shows the growing parallels between the squire’s world and Arthur’s, especially once the squire accompanies his Lord on the Crusades. Crossley-Holland neatly retells the stories of both the Dark Age Arthur and the Arthur of the romances.
Cunqueiro, Alvaro (1911–1981), Merlin and Company (Spain, 1955; UK, 1996, trans. Colin Smith) (m)
Set in a timeless medieval Europe, built as much from the romances as from history, it depicts Merlin and Guinevere who have “retired” to Spain to escape their past but the kings and princes of Europe still demand their services.
Davies, Andrew, The Legend of King Arthur (UK, 1979) (h)
The book of the TV series (see page 557).
Deeping, Warwick (1877–1950), Uther and Igraine (UK, 1903) (h)
One of Britain’s most popular novelists in his day, Deeping visited the Arthurian world four times, once with the time-shift novel The Man Who Went Back (UK, 1940). He significantly reworked the traditional story, which unfortunately anodised some of the relationships. In Uther and Igraine, we learn that Uther had first met her long before their encounter as described by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Igraine is a novice nun, driven out of her abbey when it is burned to the ground. She makes her way to Winchester where she meets Uther who is at that time disguised as the wandering knight Pelleas. Uther is shown as pious and caring, unlike the man of the legend. They become involved in the war in Wales before the climactic scenes at Tintagel. The Man on the White Horse (UK, 1934) is set in 367AD in the last days of Roman Britain, and though it features people with Arthurian names and anticipates a hero who will fight the barbarians it is not directly Arthurian. Similarly, although Artorius appears in The Sword and the Cross (UK, 1957), the main character is Gerontius.
Dickinson, Peter (b.1927) Merlin Dreams (UK, 1988) (f)
A YA collection of nine stories and two poems plus interlinking material that helps piece together Merlin’s life. In Dickinson’s version Nimue has helped Merlin to rest in an enchanted sleep and he dreams various episodes in his life including most of the
key traditional Arthurian moments, set in a well-visualized Celtic world.
Ditmas, E.M.R. Gareth of Orkney (UK, 1956) (m)
A YA book retelling, in slightly rationalised terms, Malory’s story of Gareth “Beaumains”. The same author’s Tristan and Iseult in Cornwall (UK, 1969) is a non-fiction study.
Drake, David (b.1945) The Dragon Lord (US, 1979; revised, 1982) (h/f)
Set in the sub-Roman period it features Arthur as the leader of a band of mercenaries fighting the Saxons. But Arthur wants to be a genuine Dragon Lord and he sets Merlin the task of raising a dragon and the means of controlling it. Arthur’s companions are known by the later names, such as Gawain and Lancelot, though the background is clearly Celtic.
Duggan, Alfred (1903–1964) Conscience of the King (UK, 1951) (h)
One of the more unusual historical novels told from the viewpoint of the renegade half Briton-half Saxon Cerdic/Coroticus, who was the son of Eleutherius. In a single-minded drive for survival and power Cerdic kills all who cross him, except for Arthur, and survives Badon to found the kingdom of Wessex.
Edwards, Rex, Arthur of the Britons (UK, 1975) (h)
The book of the TV series (see page 553).
Erskine, John (1879–1951), Galahad (US, 1926) (m)
The noted author of The Private Life of Helen of Troy enjoyed producing thinly disguised satires transposing the life and morals of the 1920s into historical settings. Galahad, sub-titled “enough of his life to explain his reputation”, considers the tragic life of Elaine, the equivalent of the post-war “new woman”, who desired Lancelot and craved a child which, when it grew to maturity and realised it was illegitimate, spurned its parents. Well written, the novel suffers by being too close to the era it is lambasting, but will doubtless regain its reputation for later generations. Erskine repeated his experiment with Tristan and Isolde (US, 1932), in which the Saracen knight Palamedes finds that the renowned chivalry of Arthur’s court is but a veneer. He becomes involved in the Tristan > Isolde > Mark triangle, which is further complicated by Brangain’s love for him. Erskine also wrote “Seven Tales from King Arthur’s Court” (American Weekly, 1940), a series retold direct from Malory, with some twentieth century seasoning, which was not collected in book form.
Evans, Quinn Taylor, Dawn of Camelot (US, 1998) (f)
Evans (real name Carla Simpson) has written a six-book series of historical romances called “Merlin’s Legacy”. The first three feature the daughters of Merlin who have lived for centuries and have romantic entanglements in the times of the Vikings, Normans and Crusades. The fourth book, Shadows of Camelot (US, 1997), concerns Merlin’s son Truan who travels back in time to help defend Camelot. Dawn of Camelot takes place at the time of Arthur and is the story of Merlin’s sister Meg who falls in love with Arthur’s childhood friend Connor. Merlin and Meg work together to protect Arthur so that he can save Britain. Its direct sequel, Daughter of Camelot (US, 1999), is about Meg and Connor’s daughter Raine. Strictly for romance fans.
Faraday, W. Bernard (1874–1953), Pendragon (UK, 1930; reprinted US, 2002) (h)
A first-person account by Arthur of his battle to save Britain from the Saxons. The battle accounts are so vivid and the temper of the novel so passionate that it has been suggested that Faraday was writing out his angst of his experiences in the First World War. It culminates in the Battle of Badon, which Faraday places at Badbury Rings.
Finkel, George (1909–1975), Twilight Province (Australia, 1967; as Watch Fires to the North, US, 1968) (h)
YA novel of how Bedwyr saves Artyr and how together they organise the Romano-British resistance. An original feature is their travels to Rome to acquire Thracian cavalry horses.
Fisk, Alan (b.1950), The Summer Stars (UK, 1992) (h)
The autobiography of Taliesin as he travels through Dark Age Britain.
Frankland, Edward (1884–1958), The Bear of Britain (UK, 1944; as Arthur the Bear of Britain, US, 1998) (h)
The story of Arthur’s twelve battles across Britain and on to Camlann. Written during the War years it reflects the struggle for survival of the British against invasion. Frankland places Badon at Liddington Castle.
French, Allen (1870–1946), Sir Marrok (US, 1902) (m/f)
The story of Sir Marrok who, after his return from Arthur’s wars against Rome, finds his wife has betrayed him, and is turned into a werewolf. The second half of the novel was reprinted in The Mammoth Book of Arthurian Legends, edited by Mike Ashley (UK/US, 1998).
Friesner, Esther (b.1951), Up the Wall (US, 2000) (f)
A collection of mostly humorous stories including “The Death of Nimuë” and “Three Queens”.
Gemmell, David (b.1948), Ghost King (UK, 1988) (f)
Part of Gemmell’s Sipstrassi series about Stones of Power, which are fragments of meteorites that confer special powers. The first, Wolf in Shadow (UK, 1987), takes place in the far future but this volume is set at the end of the Roman Empire and features the Warrior Culain (based on Cú Chulainn, though also a Merlin figure), known as the Lord of the Lance, and a young Uther Pendragon (here called Thurso), who are fighting the Germanic invaders. Uther becomes High King but with the sequel, Last Sword of Power (UK, 1988), Uther’s soul is trapped in Hell and a new leader must be found. The other books in the series move beyond the Arthurian period. Gemmell uses the Grail and Excalibur elements from the Arthurian legend to create an inventive heroic fantasy.
Gloag, John (1896–1981), Artorius Rex (UK, 1977) (h)
Arthur’s rise and fall is told by Caius Geladius (Kay) to the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Caius reports that Arthur is eventually abandoned by his companions as the local kings grow in strength.
Godwin, Parke (b.1929), Firelord (US, 1980) (h)
Godwin reconstructs a complex but plausible Celtic society in which the part-Pict Arthur has the vision and pragmatism to unite the defence against the Saxons. This is one of the best Arthurian novels, with credible characters and a believable culture. The sequel, Beloved Exile (US, 1984), is about the struggle by Guinevere and the remaining warriors to survive and ultimately integrate into what has become an alien Britain dominated by Saxons. The Last Rainbow (US, 1985), though treated as part of this sequence, takes place earlier and is the story of St Patrick, though it includes a meeting with Ambrosius Aurelianus (see also Hawks, Kate).
Greeley, Andrew M. (b.1928), The Magic Cup (US, 1979) (h)
Greeley retells what he believes is the original Grail story from Irish legends and includes his counterparts for Arthur (Cormac MacDermot), Guenevere (Finnabair) and Merlin (Columba).
Guler, Kathleen Cunningham, Into the Path of Gods (US, 1998), In the Shadow of Dragons (US, 2001) (f)
The first two volumes in the projected four-volume YA sequence, Macsen’s Treasure. Set in the fifth century, before Arthur’s reign, it is the story of the Welsh spy Marcus ap Iorweth and the psychic woman Claerwen who become involved in Myrddin’s quest for Macsen’s Treasure, the sacred symbols of the British High Kings.
Haar, J. T. Koning Arthur [King Arthur], (Holland, 1967; US, 1973) (m)
A YA retelling of the Arthurian story but with the fantastic elements rationalised and with Modred (here Guinevere’s brother) shown as the mastermind behind Arthur’s demise. Rather too short for any depth of character it is, nevertheless, a sharply delineated storyline. Haar also wrote his version of Parcival (Holland, 1967), which has not been translated.
Hamilton, Lord Ernest (1858–1939), Launcelot (UK, 1926) (m)
An almost exact retelling of the Lancelot story from Malory, including the mock-archaic English, but overlaid with the shallow mores and conventions of the 1920s. Guenevere is depicted as the villain of the story whilst Launcelot appears as easily led.
Hanratty, Peter, The Last Knight of Albion (US, 1986), The Book of Mordred (US, 1988) (f)
Best read in reverse order of publication. The Book of Mordred is the story of Arthur’s son in his own words, depicting a well meaning but misunderstood individual who is
forced onto the Grail Quest to become a man. Here the Grail is Dagda’s Cauldron. The second book is set twenty years after Camlann and follows the quest by Percevale, the last surviving Round Table knight, to find Mordred, who had created the Waste Land when he destroyed Arthur’s realm. Anachronistically we learn at the end that these events all take place before the Roman conquest.
Hawks, Kate (pseudonym of Parke Godwin), The Lovers (US, 1999) (m)
A retelling of the story of Trystan and Yseult against the back-cloth of Arthur’s Britain. Told from the viewpoint of Sir Gareth who here was originally an Irish peasant, Deigh mac Diarmuid, but who becomes Lord Trystan’s stablemaster before achieving knighthood.
Headlee, Kim, Dawnflight (US, 1999) (h)
The author wanted to revise the reputation of Guenevere by portraying her as a strong-willed warrior queen. Here she is the Pictish princess Gyanhumara, betrothed to the British warlord Urien, but soon to become the lover of Arthur. The story follows their relationship through Arthur’s battle campaign, starting at Aberglein in Caledonia. Although marketed as a romance this is one of the more original of recent historical re-creations.
Herbert, Kathleen, The Lady of the Fountain (UK, 1982) (h)
Relocates the story into Cumbria, the true territory of the traditional story’s hero, Owain of Rheged. Herbert also wrote a trilogy, Queen of the Lightning (UK, 1983), Ghost in the Sunlight (UK, 1986) and Bride of the Spear (UK, 1988). These are set in Northumbria in the early seventh century, thus a hundred years after Arthur of Badon, but feature memories of Arthur plus many historical characters associated with Geoffrey’s Arthur. The trilogy tells the stories of various warrior queens of the north.
Hollick, Helen (b.1953), The Kingmaking (UK, 1994), Pendragon’s Banner (UK, 1995), Shadow of the King (UK, 1997) known collectively as the Pendragon’s Banner trilogy (h)
Another creative attempt at an historical Arthur. Set in the mid fifth century, and following Geoffrey Ashe’s theory that Arthur was Riothamus, this series explores some interesting new avenues. Hollick makes Gwenhwyfar the daughter of Cunedda, and Arthur’s second wife. His first was Winifred, daughter of Vortigern, by whom Arthur was the father of Cerdic. Bedwyr, Cei, Morgause and Morgaine all feature as does, unusually, Amlawdd, here portrayed as the brother of Melwas. Although not as convincing as some other historical re-creations, this trilogy is to be admired for its efforts to be original and authentic.