King Arthur's Knights / The Tales Re-told for Boys & Girls

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22396

Title

King Arthur's Knights / The Tales Re-told for Boys & Girls

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Henry Gilbert retells the legendary tales of King Arthur and his Knights for young readers, simplifying the old-fashioned language of the original Morte D'Arthur and Mabinogion. This collection focuses on chivalry, adventure, and moral lessons, guiding boys and girls through quests involving magic, treason, and the ultimate tragedy of Camelot's fall.

Summary up to 500 words

In the dying days of King Uther Pendragon, the wizard Merlin interprets a prophecy of a red dragon rising to conquer pagans. Upon Uther's death, Merlin orchestrates a gathering of nobles at St. Paul's, where Uther names his son, Arthur, as heir, securing the succession against ambitious barons. Arthur's reign is marked by the arrival of the noble Lancelot and his tragic romance with Queen Guinevere, which eventually leads to the kingdom's ruin. Tensions escalate with the treacherous Mordred and the invisible, evil knight Garlon. The narrative details the deaths of key figures like Sir Gawaine and the rebellion of Mordred, culminating in a final, bloody battle. King Arthur is mortally wounded, and his body is taken to Avalon. Lancelot, consumed by guilt over his role in the kingdom's destruction and the death of his friend Gawaine, finds Guinevere. After she dies, Lancelot brings her body to Glastonbury, where he lies beside Arthur's tomb at Glastonbury, ending the age of Camelot. Henry Gilbert retells these classic tales of chivalry, emphasizing the duties of a perfect knight: protecting the distressed, speaking truth, keeping one's word, and defending right against might. The stories, drawn from sources like Malory's *Morte D'Arthur* and the *Mabinogion*, illustrate that while magic and adventure abound, the core lesson remains the merit of the 'fine old name of gentleman.' The text highlights the simple yet hard duties of knighthood, noting that despite wizards and trolls, courage, humility, and faith ultimately win through every peril. The narrative follows the arc from Arthur's coronation to his final battle, where he throws Excalibur into the water before being taken away by a barge of fair ladies. Lancelot's journey ends in penance and death beside the tomb of his lord and lady, serving as a poignant conclusion to the era of Camelot.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Romance