Camelot & the Arthurian legend

[Barnyard]

Well met! Wondrous well, my lords & ladyships, ’tis most splendid day! Gramercy... I keep Sir Gawain and the Green Knight at my bed if I need to loose a train of thought at night. Old English poetry takes me into the story as if I were watching a shadow theatre skit.

I felt that it was time to have a Camelot discussion location. There are so many books in the Arthurian genre which ones have you read and recommend? For me it is my comfort zone. If I need to escape, if I can't decide what to read, Camelot is always there; waiting in libraries, the used & new bookstores, the thrift stores sometimes end up with some of the more obscure. I have a small amount of living space, though Merlin and Arthur have their own book shelf.

The Mabinogion is one of my favorite compilation of medieval prose. T.H. White, Mary Stewart, Marion Zimmer Bradley are definite modern pillars.

For me as I have mentioned in other discussions, I am completely in love with Jack Whyte's nine book series the Camulod Chronicles starting with Roman times (Arthur's grandfather) in The Skystone I love the battle strategies, weapon histories, appreciation for horse knowledge, saddlery, swordsmiths, the extreme male point of view that this series encompasses is wondrous and beautiful, it feels physical, historical, his descriptions of location, the characters, it took me over a year to read the almost 9,000 page series and it definitely was captivating. ["I am Schmendrick" & I wish I could reread this book series forever] My favorite book of the Camulod Chronicle is the stand alone brilliance that is Uther best read as #4, because it is a parallel story to The Eagles' Brood.

BBC Merlin is starting its 5th season this week. This is a lovely series, beautiful horses, filmed at the French castle Château de Pierrefonds.

Any book/film suggestions? Can't wait for J.R.R. Tolkien's new book The Fall of Arthur! What do you guys prefer in your Arthurian legend?

[Sarah]

I love the whole Arthurian legend, unsure if Camelot ever existed but I am sure that there is some truth behind the legend., I visited Tintagel castle in Cornwall which was supposedly connected with Arthur and Camelot stunning place and you could imagine all the commotions of the Camelot happening there. I love the series Merlin obviously not 100% sticking to the original legend but all the main parts are there.
Have to admit I havent read many books on the topic so will def give the ones you mentioned a go.

[Catherine]

I love the legend of King Arthur, for several reasons. It is linked to my region, its belief and its myths. We have Magot Rock, Forest Brocéliande. The Magic at each crossed paths.
But I also like the nobility of Prince Arthur, the ideal knights, defend the weak, seeking justice for all. this story is full of poetry, which blend the real and the unreal.

[Paola]

Oh! I'm fond of Arthurian legends, and The Adventures of Merlin is one of my favourite TV shows!

Though it was not true, I like very much the idea of Merlin being the same age as Prince Arthur. Merlin's creativity and humbleness opposite to Arthur's bravery... they complete each other....

Another movie I can suggest about this topic is "The Last Legion", according to which, Uther was basically Romulus Augustus, the last Western Roman Emperor, and his tutor Ambrosinus was Merlin.

This movie is based on a novel of the same name written by Massimo Valerio Manfredi.

[Astrid]

Since aged 5 I have devoured all things Arthurian (struck by incurable "Arthur-itis"). I published a fanzine on Arthur in the mid nineties. The Legend of Arthur is timeless and speaks to all ages. I even enjoy "Monty Python's" "take". Yes, "The Last Legion" is a great film -- I think close to "reality" in terms of historical setting. I've not read Whyte's books, but I'm going to order the first book, based on recommendations from you. I enjoyed Rosemary Sutcliffe's "Sword at Sunset". I have read a lot of Geoffrey Ashe's non fiction, but I found "The Discovery of Arthur" perhaps one of the best. My family went to Cornwall a month or so ago, and returned with a gift for me - a book on Arthur ("The Secret Land"), which is still in my TBR pile.

[Barnyard]

Yay! So glad to hear from you Astrid! I love the 'Arthur-itis'! I just got home from working at an Excalibur Medieval Festival at the end of September & we have another one this weekend. So fun to become immersed in that time period with other people who are just as passionate! =) So much fun, and the Jousters are a great group of folks from the Seattle Knights. My role is to ride the Draft horse and drive the pony cart.

[Emily]

I am very much in love with the Arthurian legends. I have actually visited the church where he was supposedly crowned (if you believe in his existence). I find the whole legend very romantic and first became interested in it after reading Meg Cabot's Avalon High.
I do feel that Genevieve was misunderstood.