LEGENDS OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS

'It is little else than an abridgement of Sir Thomas Malory's version of them as printed by Caxton - with a few additions from Geoffrey of Monmouth and other sources - and an endeavour to arrange the many tales into a more or less consecutive story.' - James Knowles in his preface to the eighth edition, published 35 years after the original in the 1890s. The Prophecies of Merlin, and the Birth of Arthur, Uther attacking the Saxons followed by his death, Merlin's advice to the Archbishop, the Miracle of the Sword and Stone, the Coronation of King Arthur, the Sword Excalibur, the Siege of York, the King Rescues Merlin, King Arthur Conquers Ireland and Norway and slays the Giant of St Michael's Mount and conquers Gaul, the Lady of the Lake, the Sullen Knight, the Marriage of King Arthur and Guinevere, the Founding of the Round Table, Enchantment of Queen Morgan le Fay, the Lombards are Defeated, the Adventures of Sir Tristram, Merlin is Bewitched by a Damsel of the Lady of the Lake, Galahad is Knighted by Sir Lancelot, the Queen is Accused of Murder, she is condemned to be burnt, and retires to a nunnery, Sir Lancelot Goes on a Pilgrimage and the collection ends with the Death of King Arthur. Romance, mystery, this masterful retelling recounts the discovery of the mysterious Merlin and his prophecies surrounding the birth of Arthur and while Arthur and his knights fight the dark magic of Queen Morgan le Fay, rescue damsels in distress and defend the kingdom against its enemies, it is the virtuous Sir Galahad who must attempt the greatest quest of all - the search for the Holy Grail, before Arthur's destiny is fulfilled. 301pp in glamourous large new full price softback.