#Arthurian Literature ~ The Round Table #ourAuthorGang #kingarthur

The Round Table — the most iconic piece of furniture of all time.

By Mary Anne Yarde

Painting where King Arthur presides at the Round Table with all of his Knights ~ Wikipedia

For something so incredibly large, it remains as obstinately difficult to find as Arthur and his knights.

In 1100c. Robert Wace, a Norman Poet, took it upon himself to translate Geoffrey of Monmouth's, History of the Kings of Briton, from Latin to Norman French. But Wace was a poet, and he did not think it disrespectful to fiddle with the original work. He was, after all, improving upon it. He was sure no one would notice if he added a rather large round table to the tale.

Wace presents his Roman de Rou to Henry II ~ Wikipedia.

"...Because of these noble lords about his hall, of whom each knight pained himself to be hardiest champion, and none would count him the least praiseworthy, Arthur made the Round Table, so reputed by the Britons..."

Robert Wace, Roman de Brut, translated by Eugene Mason

Wace had, with his poetic licence, cemented The Round Table into the legend. And from there on in, The Round Table became a prominent addition to the Arthurian romances that were published in the Middle Ages.

By the time Sir Thomas Malory was languishing in jail and composing his great work Le Morte d' Arthur, The Round Table had been so ingrained into the minds of the populous that a story about Arthur would not be the same without The Round Table in it.

The Round Table, like the stories of Arthur, was elaborated, made into something epic in its description. As the numbers of knights were added to the story, the table increased in diameter. And it became a draw for this mythical time — all the knights wanted to join the Fellowship Of The Round Table. It was the ultimate goal for these young, brave men.

Sir Galahad takes the "Siege Perilous ~ WIkipedia 

But for me, this is the most interesting part. The Round Table became so much part of the legend that suddenly we needed to know where it was. Where could it be? Surely somewhere we would find evidence of The Round Table? I mean a table that size isn't going to be languishing in someone's garage, is it...?

 There have been many places that have been associated with The Round Table. By all accounts, it was once seen at Winchester. Indeed, there is a replica still hanging from the wall at Winchesters Great Hall — although this dates back to Tudor times rather than Arthurian times. I hate to say it, but just like with Camelot, you cannot find something that was never there in the first place.

Winchester Round Table ~ Wikipedia.

However, I do wish those who search for the Round Table all the luck in the world, although maybe you want to start with Robert Wace, Roman de Brut…

***

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Glastonbury myths ~ King Arthur #Arthurian #myths #OurAuthorGang

By Mary Anne Yarde

I cannot remember a time when I have not been fascinated with the life and times of King Arthur and his Knights of The Round Table. I guess growing up a stone’s throw from Glastonbury (The Ancient Isle of Avalon) may have had something to do with that. Today I wanted to take a look at the death of this legendary hero.

La Mort d'Arthur By James Archer ~ Wikipedia

How did King Arthur die?

Arthur was mortally wounded at the Battle of Camlann. He was taken to Avalon, where he dies. His famous sword, Excalibur, was thrown back into the lake. A rather abrupt end for such a hero.

Let us fast forward to the 12th century. For Arthur's death, it seems, was only the beginning.

Glastonbury Abbey and King Arthur

A terrible fire had spread through Glastonbury Abbey, and unfortunately for the monks, they did not have the coffers to pay for the repairs.  If only they could encourage more pilgrims to come to the Abbey. What could they do? Pray to God and hope all would be well...?

Pixabay

Well, those monks of Glastonbury were nothing if not pragmatic. If they claimed to have discovered Arthur’s body then surely that would draw the crowds in? And more importantly, it would bring in the money.

Glastonbury Abbey

The timing could not have been more perfect for those monks. Geoffrey of Monmouth had just penned, The History of the Kings of Briton, and thanks to his book, Arthur fever had infected the nation.

If the monks wanted to claim ownership of Arthur then now was the time to do it.

Funnily enough, King Henry II told the Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey that

he knew the exact whereabouts of Arthur's body — for a Welsh barb had whispered in his ear. And the location was... You guessed it, Glastonbury Abbey.

Pixabay

Coincidence? I don't think so.

The monks dug in the exact location that the King described and sure enough they discovered a huge oak coffin beneath a lead cross bearing the inscription.

“Here lies King Arthur buried in Avalon.”

Inside the coffin, there were two bodies. A man and a woman. It is said that the woman’s golden hair crumbled away when the monks touched it.

This had to be Arthur and his Queen Guinevere. For the monks, it was like winning the lottery. Pilgrims travelled from afar to stand at the tombs of Arthur and Guinevere, and Glastonbury Abbey soon had more than enough money to make the repairs.

Digging up King Arthur

Fast forward to November 2015.

For four years a team of archaeologist dug in the grounds of the Abbey looking for Arthur’s grave. And what did they discover...?

Glastonbury Abbey

“With the other legends there is a possibility of genuine belief or misunderstanding, but with Arthur and Guinevere I’m afraid there can be no question – the monks just made them up.”

Roberta Gilchrist, professor of archaeology at the University of Reading

You can read the full article of Roberta Gilchrist findings here.

In four years those archaeologist debunked a thousand years of history. But the truth, I think, is even more fascinating.

Glastonbury Abbey ~ Pixabay

Reference:

Unless otherwise stated all images are my own.

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Cover Reveal ~ The Du Lac Princess #Arthurian #Histfic #ourAuthorGang

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I can finally reveal the cover of The Du Lac Princess (Book 3 of The Du Lac Chronicles). The Du Lac Princess has been an absolute joy to write, and I can not wait to share the next instalment to my award winning series, The Du Lac Chronicles, with you! 

Briton 500 AD

The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant.

Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.

Book Extract:

“Soon I will be entertaining some very important guests. I am celebrating my victory over Budic and his broth—”

“I need to know this because…?” Amandine queried, interrupting him. “Do you expect me to take part in the celebrations? Do you want me to dance on Merton’s grave? Will that satisfy the masses?”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Philippe scoffed. “You are not invited. It is your skill I desire. You were married to Garren. You know how such celebrations are organised.”

“You want me to plan it? Go to Hell.”

“I saved your life,” Philippe reminded her again.

“No you didn’t,” Amandine disagreed. “Don’t you understand? I died the same day he did.”

“I know that you are an exceptional seamstress, and you can make even the mundane look beautiful,” he continued as if he had not heard her.

“You are out of your depth, aren’t you?” Amandine realised, and a smile pulled at her lips. “You don’t know how to be a king, do you? You don’t know how to act, or how to entertain such influential people. You have no idea about the proper etiquette.”

Philippe raised his head and looked calmly into her face. “If you don’t help me then I am sure the Church would love to take you back under their wing,” he threatened.

But the threat did nothing to dampen Amandine’s amusement. “There are others you should ask. I am not the only one who knows how such things are organised and besides, no one would listen to me. You forget…I am damned,” she continued to giggle at the irony.

“I wasn’t expecting you to leave this room.”

“I see,” Amandine scoffed.

Philippe surprised her by kneeling down on the floor in front of her. Everyone knew that Philippe had a thing about cleanliness. He was obsessed with it. Kneeling on the floor was surely a no no, up there with petting the castle’s dogs. He must be truly desperate, Amandine thought but did not say.

Philippe’s hand reached for hers and then he paused, thought better of it, and his hand dropped away. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but Merton was a cruel, evil man and with time, you will come to see that. I saved you from him. I saved you from the consequences of loving him. I need your help. I have invited many dignitaries. I have to impress. Please, show me how and I swear,” he placed his hand on his chest, where his heart rested, “I will protect you forever.”

“Protect me?” Amandine laughed, although there was little humour in it. She watched as Philippe rose back to his feet. “I am a du Lac. You and I, we will always be enemies.”

Copyright © 2017 Mary Anne Yarde

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Mary Anne Yarde is an award winning author of the International Best Selling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Briton and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, the Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.