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The Death of King Arthur

by Peter Ackroyd

First published 2011

Amazon
4.1(228)

The Death of King Arthur retells Thomas Malory’s Arthurian cycle in modern prose. Arthur’s birth through Merlin’s intervention, the drawing of the sword, the establishment of Camelot and the adventures of the Round Table lead into the stories of Tristan, Lancelot and Guinevere and the knights’ search for the Holy Grail.

The ideals of chivalry are steadily undermined by divided loyalties, forbidden love, family vengeance and Mordred’s treason. Ackroyd streamlines Malory’s interlocking tales while retaining their magic, violence and fatalism, bringing the kingdom from its heroic foundation to Arthur’s final battle and the destruction of the fellowship he created.

Historical Periods

Arthurian BritainLegendary setting, conventionally c. 5th–6th centuries CE

Genres

Dynastic & Royal Fiction Historical Fantasy Mythological Fiction War Fiction

Historical people

King ArthurLegendary; traditionally placed in the 5th–6th centuries Tristanlegendary Merlin Guinevere Morgan le Fay Lancelot

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