The Story of the Champions of the Round Table [Illustrated by Howard Pyle]

Pyle's King Arthur #2

by Howard Pyle

Written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, the story of the Champions of the Round Table comes beautifully to life. Originally published in 1905.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Fantasy, Arthurian, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Adventure

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1905

About the author

Howard Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people.

During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith.

His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth.

Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).

His sister Katharine Pyle was also a writer and illustrator. Their mother was the children's author and translator M.C. Pyle.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second volume in Howard Pyle’s 4 Volume version of Arthur and Camelot. This book focuses on the adventures of Sir Launcelot of the Lake, Sir Tristram of Lyonesse and Sir Percival of Gales, three of the greatest of the Knights of Arthur’s Round Table. Interestingly, these strong, noble, heroic and manly men seem to have another trait in common—unhappiness in love. Is this because happiness in love is incompatible with heroism or does it say that sacrifice is often required of those granted the greatest gifts? I cannot say. It is just an observation. Only one of the heroes died in this book. The other two will errant on into the next book, The Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions and Launcelot at least into the final book, The Story of the Grail and the Passing of Arthur. The life of a knight errant is not to envied, but we sure could use some these days; there are many wrongs which need righting, damsels in distress, and evil to be vanquished.

The author’s writing is superb in this second volume as well but as I read it on kindle I did not get to enjoy his illustrations. Someday I hope to be able to reread it in book form and revel in the full pleasure of his artwork.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pyle’s tales of the knights of the round table were surprisingly pleasant and engaging. The stories of Sir Launcelot were alright, Sir Tristram phenomenal, and Sir Percival delightful. The illustrations were lovely too. The biggest let down were some of the ending. They were great tales, but I’d find myself thinking “really!? when I got to the finale. But of course, I do understand that the endings are historical such as Tristram’s. I found Pyle referenced his previous book a lot stating thing like “…such a magical lake as hath been aforetime described in the Book of King Arthur” (p.9). I understand that Pyle wrote a book prior to this one, but it was not necessary to be stating it every chapter. Overall, quite a pleasant read and would recommend it to anyone interested in Arthurian tales.

[Puj Doo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some say Howard Pyle washes clean the injustices of the knight era, I think they are right, and that is precisely the reason I love it.
Shakespeare gave us adult jokes and innuendos littered though his stories, because he knew they would sell.
Howard Pyle attempted something that few have the guts to do; He told a story about good people, doing good and moral things-- then sent it into the world, not to astonish us, not to make us gasp or blush, but to give us something to esteem to.
Not because the characters are perfect, (because they aren't.) but to give us an idea-- what if we lived to do what is right?
through our imperfections, through the hard times, when its grueling and when we must deny ourselves what we believe we want most... what if we still chose honor?

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight! Howard Pyle was my introduction to the Arthurian legends when I was just a young whippersnapper and still my favorite.

[Ingrid Blount · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was entertaining, but felt slower than the precious book. I enjoyed Tristan's adventures the most.

[Eva Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the stories. Not always a happy ending but still very good.

[Robert Canter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Arthurian legends have been told and retold by many different storytellers over the years. Consequently, there are many different variations, and this book is only one part of Howard Pyle’s four-volume work. But he brings a lot to the table.

The tragedy of Tristram/Tristan and Isoult/Iseult is one of the biggest love stories in Arthurian legend. What makes Pyle’s version so great is we actually see King Mark of Cornwall get his comeuppance shortly after Tristram/Tristan is killed. Other versions of the story don’t make it clear whether or not King Mark got what was coming to him or not.

For the record, I don’t condone adultery, that’s breaking one of the Ten Commandments. But I don’t think God smiles on men who take a certain woman in marriage mostly to spite another person either.

Sir Percival is one of the three knights that succeed in the quest for the Holy Grail. I don’t remember reading much about him in Le Morte d’Arthur or other versions of the story, so I found Pyle’s version of his origin very fascinating. It’s certainly funny to see an infamous and fully-armed knight overthrown by an innocent youth wearing armor made of twigs.

If you’re a fan of the Arthurian legends, then you’ll definitely want Howard Pyle’s four volumes for your collection.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of four volumes recounting the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table in a readable and entertaining style. This one covers Launcelot, Tristan and Percival, and is certainly another set of satisfying stories even if one takes into account the slight repetitiveness of the style - get used to the odd spear shattering and every knight being affronted by another before challenging them to a duel. There's a slight sense of epic romanticism lost here, though perhaps that's because I first became familiar with Tristan through Wagner's opera and it's pretty tough to replicate that sense of overwhelming tragedy and dreaminess, particularly when you're writing with a younger audience in mind. I did love these though, that sense of found family, discovering one's birthright, achieving knighthood and honour, it's all there ... it's just the love and sex that feels wanting.

On to the next!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second of Pyle’s four-volume rendition of the Arthur legend, herein we experience some general knight errantry.

In particular we are introduced to Mr. Chivalry, Launcelot of the Lake, complete with fay origins.

Tristram and the Belle Isoult get their time to cry.

Likewise Percival slaps Kay for his general obnoxity.

Pyle continues to tame the Arthur accounts. Adultery is hereby denied in the first knight, removed in the second, and, well, Percy is Percy: he has to attain the Sangreal after all. Thus no changes (morally) with the last son of Pellinore.

Interesting (to me) note, these three are the key figures of Medieval Arthurian Romances, stories of which Pyle includes some key particulars herein.

(Lyonesse is an under-used setting... About 70 more years and I’ll be there, Jack)

[Júlia]

Sabe o medo de ler um clássico pela primeira vez e não entender nada, foi assim que me senti antes de ler ou melhor abrir ele. A partir do momento em que comecei lendo todo aquele início longuíssimo dos clássicos, vi que não tinha nada com que me preocupar, por que só na apresentação do livro e do autor eu sabia que poderia confiar no livro e que seria bom. E foi, não é uma leitura cansativo, e não é difícil.
As histórias são boas e divertidas, mesmo não sendo sobre coisas tão populares, eu achei muito atual e com mensagens subliminares maravilhosas.
Cumpriu ser um mundo de fantasia, na visão de um homem qualquer, que de repente, recebe poderes importantes. Meu personagem favorito foi o Merlin que morre por amor e confiança.

[Christen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book almost as much as his first volume.

I think what I valued most in this book is that the protagonists here -- Tristam, Percival, and Lancelot -- all seemed to do the right thing, even if it created cost or pain to themselves, just because it was the right thing to do.

I also really enjoyed hearing Percival send word back to Sir Kay that he was going to pay him back on behalf of the servant girl over and over. The whole thing read like an inside joke.

I'm a little sad that I am half way done with these books, but I am looking forward to cracking open the next one. They are so pleasant to read.

[Daniel Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story of the Champions of the Round Table is the second of an Arthurian quadrilogy by American author and illustrator Howard Pyle. Written in 1905, it covers three of Arthur's most famous knights: Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram, and Sir Percival.

Like the first volume, Pyle presents the court in a favorable light (Sir Launcelot's love for Guinevere is entirely noble, for example) and he fleshes out the earlier Medieval stories. In this volume, Arthur is largely absent. The bulk of the book is about Sir Tristram, and his tale (along with Sir Percival's) are particularly well done. It is repetitive (the "solve all problems by jousting" gets old), to be sure, but solid.

[Gwendolin Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second of Pyle's King Arthur books. Pyle is by far my favorite King Arthur author. This book, unlike the first, follows the story of three knight of the round table, rather than following King Arthur himself. I love the way Pyle writes, and his beautiful illustrations (I think it's a crime to publish any Howard Pyle book without his original illustrations, they are absolutely amazing, I would line my wall with his illustrations if I could). I also like how he portrays the knights (at least of the round table) as actually good, chivalrous knights. After reading his King Arthur books, it's impossible not to feel inspired to be a good person in the world.

[Bastione · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely enjoyable to learn about the famous champions of folklore...I will likely finish the set. It was worth the read especially due to cultural significance. However, as a book it is limited to basic details of many stories about each character. My favorite stories have intricate details about a persons inner workings, and many believable personalities within the characters. The over riding themes were the same in each story, bravery, honor, beauty, fame...so it was just four stars for me.

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stroies as they are told earn three stars, but Pyle's illustrations make it worthy of three.
This is on of three books on the Arthurian myths by Pyle and I have them all.

[Rachel]

very good read.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Pyle's books, and especially this version because I typeset and published it :)

[C4acre · Rating 3 out of 5]

It amuses me that this book tells you what is going to happen before it does.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had fun reading the stories about the characters I had heard about for years but didn't really know.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

[Christine Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and fun to read. I love Pyle's theory of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want the Middle Ages and King Arthur, this is a book for you. I would recommend a hardback with illustrations, but this is an excellent read.

[Ravenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this continuation of the legend of King Arthur.

[Rob Sobieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about heroes of the past.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the most entertaining part of reading this was having read it after reading the first half of Don Quixote and really getting the humor there a lot better as a result.

[Tom Helmick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of a five volume series from my childhood that is filled willed with the adventures of the knights of the round table. Fun reading.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories of Lancelot, Tristam, and Percival. I listened on audiobook. I didn’t like Lancelot or Tristam, but the stories were entertaining. I’m interested in learning more about Percival.