Author: Allingham Publisher: ISBN: 9781782814283 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 292
Book Description
The story begins when retired police superintendent seventy-year old Arthur Thomas, has been, for many years, an emotionally locked down childless widower. He believes that his love of the Arthurian romantic legends of Camelot inspired him to persuade fellow frustrated inmates Tristan, Percival and Geraint to leave the Laurels, a depressing NHS rehabilitation unit where bureaucratic incompetence has held them incarcerate. The reader knows, but Arthur does not know, that his inspiration comes from King Arthur, who rests in Avalon until it is his time to return as the 'Once and future king'. He has sent Merlin to inspire Arthur Thomas and his three companions, to keep alive the spirit of chivalry by taking on the mantle of Grey Haired Knights, each to go alone to find and follow an honorable quest. Their vow to return, one year hence, to tell true tales of their adventures changes what they first thought of as a fanciful idea into a fateful commitment. For his Quest, Arthur Thomas decides to recover 'La Source' an Ingres masterpiece, stolen from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris by a gang led by Terrance Servient-Higgins, a man who radiates evil. Although there is a substantial reward on offer for information that leads to its recovery, Arthur's aim is to bring to justice whoever murdered the museum guard during the robbery. The gang know of his intention and threaten to kill him if he interferes with their plans. Despite the threat, he decides to continue. He believes that the gang will keep watch on him. Regardless of the ever-present frisson of fear, he treats his search as a game of hunt the thimble. He believes that if he gets close to finding the painting their reaction will disclose where they have it hidden. His quest takes him to The National Gallery in London and to art galleries in France, Spain and Italy. Events gradually change Arthur. He learns to accept friendship both male and female. In Vernon, he makes a firm friendship with Alaine Cartet, an enthusiastic French tourism officer. In Paris, Madam Declare, a restaurateur of the old school shelters and encourages him. In the museum at Montauban, birthplace of Ingres, he meets and falls in love with Galiena Vercente. Galiena invites him to Rome to look at what she thinks is a copy 'As good as the original stolen original'. Arthur recognises that is the original. The insurance company use a clever sting operation to recover the painting and it pays Arthur the substantial reward. When Arthur learns that Galiena is the Contessa Emiglia Romagna he struggles with romance. Despite her giving him many clues, he cannot see how a retired plodding policeman could possibly sustain a lasting relationship with a vibrant Italian Contessa. In a thrilling climax, he penetrates razor wire, a modern equivalent of a forest of thorns, draws base metal from a stone to make a weapon and uses fire from his hands to overcome three assassins, hired by Servient-Higgins, who are holding the Contessa hostage as a lure to trap and kill him. His heroic acts break down the barriers that have kept him from declaring his love. The police arrest the right person for the murder of the museum guard. Right has conquered might and all ends well.
Author: Publisher: Chicago Review Press ISBN: 0897332873 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 318
Book Description
The legend of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table dominates the mythology of Britain, but could this story prove more fact than fiction? Recent archaeological findings have lead Geoffrey Ashe to believe there is more truth to Arthurian legend than previously accepted. The Quest for Arthur's Britain examines the historical foundation of the Arthurian tradition, and presents the remarkable results of excavations to date at Cadbury (reputed site of Camelot), Tintagel, Glastonbury and many places known almost exclusively to Arthurian scholars.
Author: Caitlin Matthews Publisher: Gothic Image Publications ISBN: 9780906362723 Category : Literary Criticism Languages : en Pages : 172
Book Description
Dynamic new translation of Arthurs First Quest, a clear revelation of a pivotal British Mystery. The 9th century Welsh poem, Preiddeu Annfwyn, or The Raid on the Underworld, ascribed to the 6th century poet and shaman Taliesin, is one of the oldest and most enigmatic documents relating to the mythic hero Arthur. Just a mere 61 lines, it contains within vital clues to the Celtic Mystery traditions as it describes the descent of Arthur and his men on the ship Prydwen into the region of Annwfn--the in-world or underworld of Celto-British tradition, where Arthur journeys to steal the wonder-working cauldron from the Lord of Annwfn. This poem hides many secrets within its shimmering lines. The cauldron is one of the Thlysau or Treasures, hallowed otherworldly objects that are the source of illimitable power. Arthurs quest for the cauldron of the underworld is a precursor of many more famous quests, while the cauldron itself is the forerunner of the Grail. Accessible to the general reader, yet also supported by deep scholarship
Author: Edward Donald Kennedy Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 1135367205 Category : Literary Criticism Languages : en Pages : 368
Book Description
Examining the origins of the Arthurian legend and major trends in the portrayal of Arthur from the Middle Ages to the present, this collection focuses on discussion of literature written in English, French, Latin, and German. Its 16 essays, four published here for the first time, deal with such matters as the search for the historical Arthur; the depiction of Arthur in the romances Erec and Iwein of Hartmann von Aue; the way Arthur is depicted in 19th-century art and the Victorian view of manhood; and conceptions of King Arthur in 20th-century literature. Six of the essays, originally published in French and German, are translated into English especially for this book. Two essays have been substantially revised. An introduction offers a general discussion of the development of the legends in the countries of Europe. Works discussed include medieval and Renaissance chronicles (Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, Wace's Roman de Brut, Polydore Vergil's Anglica Historia, Scottish vernacular and Latin chronicles), medieval romances (the Lancelot en prose, the Mort Artu, the Post-Vulgate Roman du Graal, and works of Chrétien de Troyes, Hartmann von Aue, and Sir Thomas Malory), Spenser's Faerie Queene, Tennyson's Idylls of the King, and T.H. White's Once and Future King. A bibliography lists selected major secondary studies of King Arthur as well as major reference works.