From: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Subject: Arthurian Reading List FAQ
X-Last-Updated: 1992/08/18
Followup-To: poster
Summary: This is a periodically posted informational post about books
         that are related to the story of King Arthur and Camelot.  It
         includes novels, poems, research, and a few related stories.
Supersedes: <books/arthurian_713509212@athena.mit.edu>
Reply-To: tittle@ics.uci.edu
Organization: University of California at Irvine: ICS Dept.
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 05:00:28 GMT
Expires: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 05:00:10 GMT

Archive-name: books/arthurian
Version: 1.6
Last-modified: 18 August 1992
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Changes are indicated with |'s.

This is a reading list involving the Arthurian legend.  For its
original inception, I would like to thank the readers of the Camelot
mailing list.  I wrote a good many of the original reviews when I was
a member, but since then a number of people have submitted additional
references for inclusion into this list.

(You can contact the maintainer of the Camelot mailing list at
camelot-request@castle.ed.ac.uk for more information on this
unmoderated list.)

My criterion for these books is that it be concerned with the Arthur
legend in some way.  I have five categories here: novelizations
(fiction), poetry, non-fiction (eg, studies), related and Celtic
tales.

In general, related stories are acceptable (such as Tristam and
Iseult).  Out-of-time stories are acceptable as long as they still
center on the Arthur myth (Kennealy's _Hawk's Gray Feather_) or are
talking about his return (_Sir Machinery_ and others).  References to
Arthurian elements are also acceptable, but I do not put all of them
in (a complete listing would be very large!) only the ones that seem
interesting.  The celtic works are included, because many of them
apparently provide an early genesis for the Arthurian stories, and
others are stories derived from minor characters in the Arthurian
stories (or perhaps the other way around, characters from well known
stories got honorable mention in these later stories --- who can
tell?).

There are a good number of medieval texts on the legend of Arthur.
While most modern readers may find the language frustrating, Middle
English should be accessible to anyone who is willing to spend the
time and effort to read it. Some will find their efforts to be well
rewarded.  Such texts can be found in university libraries, all in one
location, so to find one would be to find almost all of them.  [If you
have such references, feel free to send them to me and I will put them
in a new section; I simply don't have the time to do it myself.]

For serious students, there is of course the International Arthurian
Society.  [Address?]

Disclaimer: I have not vouched for the accuracy of each and every
entry in this list.  I would like also to indicate which books are no
longer in print.  If you find mistakes or have additional information
on a reference, by all means, let me know.  I likewise appreciate any
additions to this list.  Send them to the addresses at the end of this
posting.

Thanks to: Kurt Anderson, Shannon Appel (of the Camelot mailing list),
Richard Barber, Ben Cohen, Peter Davis, James Drew, Gary D. Duzan,
Scott Federhen, Margaret Martin Gardiner, Susan Gere, Steve Hartwell,
Sandra Hereld, Peter Janes, Jane Lean, David Lester, Dave Linton,
William D.B.  Loos, Kevin McGuire, Alex Martelli, Kimberly Passarella,
Craig Presson, William Smith, Steve Thomas, Scott Vandenbe, Janet
Walz, Tom Wicklund, Darren Williams, Jean Wilson, Mary Winters, and
Erick "a six foot hobbit" for their help in putting this list
together.

Table of Contents:
1.  Fiction
2.  Poetry
3.  Non-Fiction and research
4.  Arthurian references
5.  Celtic Fiction



1. Fiction

_The Romance of King Arthur_ (Mayflower, 1979.  Reprint of 1917
Edition.  ISBN 08317-7460-6.)

Ashley, Mike, _The Pendragon Chronicles_ (Peter Bedrick Books, New York,
1991.  ISBN 0-87226-228-6.  paperback.)  Anthology includes stories by
Andre Norton, John Steinback and Jane Yolen.

Berger, Thomas, _Arthur Rex_.  Berger is the author of _Little Big
Man_, _Neighbors_, and a number of other books.  This retelling of the
Arthur legend is somewhat reminiscent of the movie "Excalibur" in
feel.

Bradley, Marion Zimmer, _The Mists of Avalon_ (Del Rey.  Ballantine
Books, New York, 1982.  ISBN 0-345-35049-9.  Hardcover and trade
paperback.)  A female oriented and positive rendition of the Arthurian
legend.  Considerably more sympathetic to the old religions (although
inaccurately depicted) than to Christianity.

Bradshaw, Gillian, _Hawk of May, _Kingdom of Summer, _In Winter's
Shadow_ (Menthuen Paperbacks, Great Britain also Signet Books, 1980
also hardcover by Simon and Schuster.)  The story of Gwalchmai, one of
Arthur's Knights.  He is god-touched with fighting madness and is one
of the brothers of Medraut (Mordred). _Down the Long Wind_ is the single
book volume version of the three books.

Canning, Victor.  _The Crimson Chalice_.  Originally published as _La
Leggenda del Calice Cremisi_.  Translated by Patrizia Rognoni, Codice
Libro 22 006 CN, Casa Editrice Nord S.r.l., via Rubens 25, 20148
Milano, Italia; Copyright by Victor Canning 1976, 1977, 1978, and for
the Italian edition by the publisher in 1990 (first edition, of the
Italian translation, June 1990).  An "Arthur as Celtic Chieftain"
book, with nice twists.

Chapman, Vera, _The King's Damosel_, _The Green Knight_, and _King
Arther's Daughter_.  Out of print.

Chretien de Troyes, _Arthurian Romances_ (Everyman's Library #698.)

Chretien de Troyes, _Perceval, The Story of the Grail_.  (English
translation by Nigel Bryant, ISBN: 0-85991-224-8).  The story of the
making of a knight in both worldly and spiritual terms, and the source
of some of the most dramatic and mysterious adventures of romance.

Christian, Catherine, _The Pendragon_ (Warner Books, 1978.)  A story
told by Bedivere (the original lover of Guinevere before Lancelot
was added to the legend by the French in the 14th century or so).

David, Peter, _Knight Life_ (Ace Fantasy, 1987.) A comedic(?) book
about Arthur's return in modern day.

Gemmell, David.  _Ghost King_ and _Last Sword of Power_.  A fictional
account of the life and times of Arthur, bearing little resemblance to
the usual myths.

Finkel, George, _The Twilight Province_ (London: Angus & Robinson,
1967.)  This is an excellent "young adult" tale about a late Roman,
northern Arthur based on the Bamburgh Castle, Newcastle/Tyne area of
northeastern Britain.

Geoffrey of Monmouth, _History of the Kings of Britain_ (Penguin, 1966.
ISBN 0-14-044170-0.)

Gloag, John, _Artorius Rex_ (New York: St. Martin's, 1977.)  This is
the final volume in a late Roman trilogy with two "pre-Arthurian"
novels titled _The Caesar of the Narrow Seas_ and _The Eagles Depart_.
_Artorius Rex_ is another Romano-Celtic tale which attempts a
historical reconstruction.

Godwin, Parke, _The Last Rainbow_, _Fire Lord_, _Beloved Exile_
(Bantam Books).  His characters are terrific, the sense of time and
place eye opening.  Arthur in the beginning is a native officer in the
Roman legions guarding the northern borders.  

Godwin, Parke, _Invitation to Camelot_ (Ace, 1988.)  An anthology
including stories by Tanith Lee, Morgan Llywelyn, Elizabeth
Scarborough and Jane Yolen.

Haar (Hoar?), J. T.  _King Arthur_ (New York: Crane Russak, c.1967,
1975.)

Hanratty, Peter, _The Book of Mordred_ and _The Last Knight of Albion_
(Ace Fantasy and Bluejay Books.  ISBNs 0-441-07018-3 and
0-312-94271-8.  Paperback and trade paperback.)  A retelling of the
Arthurian legend in a bizarre mix of modern and ancient times.

Jones, Courtway, _In the Shadow of the Oak King_.  It apparently
tries to tell the story in a historically 'realistic' setting (i.e.,
without grafting the high middle ages onto sixth century Britain).

Jones, Mary J., _Avalon_ (The Naiad Press, ISBN: 0-941483-96-7, 1991).
This is set in the closing days of King Arthur's reign and mostly
concerns the Lady of the Lake at that time (Argante, whom I don't
believe appears in any legend; her predecessor is Nimue), with some
recounting of her childhood.  Definitely a feminist reading, and not
as well done as _Mist of Avalon_, for example.  It is also curiously
incomplete.  More books may be planned.

Katz, Welwyn Wilton, _The Third Magic_ (Groundwood Books/Douglas &
McIntyre, ISBN (bound): 0-88899-068-5 (pbk): 0-88899-126-6, 1988).  A
"young adult" book, this one has one of the more imaginative
retellings of the Arthurian legend.

Kennealy, Patricia, _The Hawk's Gray Feather_ (ROC (division of
Penguin Books), ISBN 0-451-45053-1, 1990). First in _The Tales of
Arthur_, a series in which the later books have not yet been
published.  Builds upon the world of _The Silver Branch_, _The Copper
Crown_ and _The Throne of Scone_ in which the Sidhe were aliens.  This
book is set much earlier.  A good fantasy/SF blend.

Lanier, editor, _King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table_,
(Grosset & Dunlap, 1950. ISBN 0-448-06016-7.)  A reasonable children's
version.

Lawhead, Stephen, _Taliesin_, _Merlin_, _Arthur_ (Avon Books, plus
British and Australian printings. 1988).  _Pendragon_ is supposed to
complete this series, but I haven't seen it in print yet.  Lawhead is
an excellent writer and these stories make a very good read.

Malory, Sir Thomas, _Le Morte D'Arthur_ The classic rendition of
Arthurian legend according the French tradition.  About where Lancelot
in his romantic, very French, form was added, and where the search for
the Grail was put in Christian terms.

Matarosso, translator, _The Quest of the Holy Grail_ (Penguin, 1969.
ISBN 0-14-044220-0.)

McGowen, Tom, _Sir Machinery_ (Folet Publishing Company, Chicago, 1970.
ISBN 0-695-40167-X hardback, 0-695-80167-8 trade paperback.)  An amusing
children's tale set in modern days.  Based upon the notion that King
Arthur will come back to save Britain again.

Monaco, Richard, _Parsival or a Knight's Tale_, _The Grail War_, and
_The Final Quest_ (Berkley Books, New York, 1983.  ISBN 0-425-05143-9.
Paperback).

Newman, Sharon, _Guinevere, The Chessboard Queen_ (New York: St.
Martin's, 1981).

Norton, Andre, _Merlin's Mirror_ (Daw Books, 1975.)  Merlin is a half-
breed: human and space alien, and the war between light and darkness
is recast into a war between two space going races.  The premise is
bizarre, but Norton makes it work well.

Powers, Tim, _The Drawing of the Dark_.  Ambrosius and the Fisher-King.

Price, Robert, _The Last Pendragon_ (Walker and Co. NY 1991) Telling
of Bedwyr, last of the Knights after the Fall, and Irion, son of
Mordred, and the Saxon threat to what's left of old Britain.  Arthur
himself appears only in the prolog.  "Tactics" oriented.

Seare, Nicholas, _Rude Tales and Glorious_ (Clarkson N. Potter, Inc.,
New York.  Hardback).  Classic rendition.  Title says it all.  This is
a retelling of the Arthurian tales.  Merlin is a two bit con
artist/pimp, Gwen is a whore that enjoys giving out free samples,
Arthur is Merlin's assistant.  It is a riot.

Stafford, Greg, and others.  _King Arthur Pendragon_.  (Chaosium Inc.,
950-A 56th Street, Oakland, CA 94608. ISBN: 0-933635-59-1.)  Other
books in the same series: _The Boy King_, by Greg Stafford, ISBN
0-933635-78-8; _The King Arthur Companion_, by Phyllis Ann Karr, ISBN
0-993635-17-6; _Knights Adventurous_, by Greg Stafford, ISBN
0-933635-70-2.  This is part of an excellent role playing game, but
the books are worth reading by themselves as well.  There are several
books the game is made of, purchaseable separately.  Most of it is a
very detailed glossary of people in the various versions of the saga
(with primacy to Mallory's), but almost half of it is spent on similar
glossaries of notable places, of special "things", and many other
fascinating tidbits, such as an attempt at a self-consistent
chronology of Arthur's reign, and so on.

Steinbeck, John, _The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights_
(Del Rey.  Paperback.)  Rendition of Le Morte D'Arthur into modern
day English.  Not complete.

Stewart, Mary, _The Crystal Cave_, _The Hollow Hills_, _The Last
Enchantment_, and _The Wicked Day_ (Fawcett Crest.)  A modern 
retelling of the legend.  The first three are narrated by Merlin,
and the last by Mordred.

Stone, Brian, translater.  _Sir Gawain and the Green Knight_.
(Penguin Books, many reprints.  c1959.  ISBN 0-14-044092-5.)
Beautiful translation.

Sutcliff, Rosemary, _Sword at Sunset_ (Coward-McCann, Inc, New York,
1963.  Hardcover and paperback available.)  A telling of Arthur as he
might actually have been, a local Celtic warlord.

Sutcliff, Rosemary, _The Light Beyond the Forest_ (1979) and _The
Sword in the Circle_ (1981) (London: Bodley Head.)  You can see from
the dates that these are somewhat later than her adult novel _Sword at
Sunset_.  They are technically "young adult" titles.

Tolstoy, Nikolai, _The Coming of the King: A Novel of Merlin_ (Bantam
Books, 1989.  Trade paperback.)  Very closely based on the Welsh
mabinogion -- poetry rendered into prose.  Makes no attempt at
"realism": the grotesquely fantastic has its day here.  Lyrical
writing, worth reading.  Long.

Treece, Henry, _The Great Captains_ (New York: Random House, 1956.)
This is another sort of Celtic late Roman novel with characters such
as Artos the Bear/Artorius, dux bellorum, Bedwyr, Cie, Medrawt, and 
Drostan.  An excellent story, but not one for the squeamish.  

Turton, Godfrey, _The Emperor Arthur_.  This is another late Roman
historical reconstruction.  Highly recommended.

Twain, Mark, _A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court_.

Wagner, Matt, _Mage: The Hero Discovered_ (Graphic novel).
A story of Arthur's return.

Warner, H. [Muan?], _Merlin's Godson_, _Merlin's Ring_.

White, TH, _The Once and Future King_ and _The Book of Merlin_
(Berkley Books, ISBNs: 0-425-06310-0 & 0-425-07282-7, respectively.
Original copywrites in 1939 and 1940). A retelling of the legend from
the earliest stories.  More comedic than some of the other versions.
Be warned, _The Book of Merlin_ rehashes many themes and stories from
TOFK.  It's good, but if you experience deja-vu while reading it,
well, that's why.

Wolf, Joan, _The Road to Avalon_ (Onyx Novels, a subdivision of
Penguin Books.)  A romantic retelling, casting familiar characters
into startlingly different relationships.

Wolfram von Eschenbach, _Parsival_ (Penguin, 1980.  ISBN
0-14-044361-4.)  Allows great insight into the mind of Chivalry for
those with the patience.

Woolley, Persia, _Child of the Northern Spring_ and _Queen of the
Summer Stars_ (Poseidon Press, New York, London, Toronto, etc.)  The
story of the life of Guinivere, from her point of view.  There is a
third book in the series out now, but don't know its name.


2.  Poetry

Carley, James P., introduction.  _Mathew Arnold and William Morris_
(_Arthurian Poets_ series, Woodbridge, Suffolk, and Rochester, NY:
Boydell Press 1990, ISBN: 0-85115-544-8).  Arnold's "Tristram and
Iseult" is the first modern English retelling of the Tristram legend,
a melancholy interpretation of the theme; Morris' different approach
apparent in the rich sensuality of his "The Defence of Guenevere."

Carley, James P., ed., introduction.  _A.C. Swinburne_ (_Arthurian
Poets_ series, ISBN: 0-85115-546-4).  Some of Swinburne's most
important poetry recreates the Arthurian legends from a modern
perspective.  Includes _Tristram of Lyonesse_.

Carley, James P., ed., introduction.  _E.A. Robinson_ (_Arthurian
Poets_ series, ISBN: 0-85115-545-6).  Robinson's Arthurian poems,
published between 1917 and 1927 won him a Pulitzer Prize.

Dodds, David, ed., introduction.  _Charles William_ (_Arthurian Poets_
series, ISBN: 0-88115-291-0).  Contains _Taliessin through Logres_ and
_The Region of the Summer Stars_, as well as twenty-four of William's
earlier poems on Arthurian themes from his collection _The Advent of
Galahad_ (many never published before), and fragments designed to form
a sequel to _Region_ which also appear for the first time.

Robinson, Edwin Arlington, "Merlin"(1917), "Lancelot"(1920) and
"Tristram"(1927). Verse retelling of the Arthur legend.  The last one
won the 1928 Pulitzer Prize for poetry.  

Tennyson, Lord Alfred,  _Idylls of the King_ (Signet, 1961.) 

About the _Arthurian Poets_ series: A volume on John Masefield is in
preparation. All the volumes contain the complete Arthurian poetry of
each author; for example, the Charles Williams volume has much
previously unpublished poetry.


3.  Non-Fiction and research

Alcock, Leslie.  _Arthur's Britain_. Penguin Press, 1971.
Documentary evidence of King Arthur's historical existence.

Ashe, Geoffrey, _From Caesar to Arthur_ (London: Collins, 1960.)

Ashe, Geoffrey, _Quest for Arthur's Britain_ (London: Granada; New
York: Praeger, 1968.)

Ashe, Geoffrey, _King Arthur in Fact and Fiction_ (NY: Nelson, c.1969,
1971.)

Ashe, Geoffrey, _Camelot and the Vision of Albion_ (London: Heinemann;
NY: St.  Martin's, 1971.)

Ashe, Geoffrey, "A certain very ancient book" _Speculum_ April, 1981,
pp.301-323.

Ashe, Geoffrey, _Kings and Queens of Early Britain_ (London: Methuen,
1982.)

Ashe, Geoffrey, _Avalonian Quest_ (London: Methuen, 1982; London:
Collins/Fontana, 1984.)

Ashe, Geoffrey, _Guidebook to Arthurian Britain_ (London: Longman's,
1980; London: Aquarian Press, 1983.)

Ashe, Geoffrey, _The Discovery of King Arthur_ (Guild, London, 1985.
ISBN N/A.)  Provides convincing accounts of the historical
roots of the legends and of who the original Arthur actually was.

Ashe, Geoffrey, _King Arthur's Avalon: The Story of Glastonbury_.
Glastonbury is the legendary Avalon, site of Arthur's grave and
source of much fanciful speculation and scholarly interest.  The
author reveals Glastonbury's distinctive character in the dark ages
as the meeting place of Saxon and Celt; the glory of its Abbey as
the center of English and medieval civilization; and the significance
of its legends in the mystical theory of the Holy Grail -- a primary
factor in the development of European religious thought.

Barber, Richard.  _The Arthurian Legends: An Illustrated Anthology_.
Here for the first time is a single volume featuring the power and
range of Arthurian literature from the beginnings to the present day.
Illustrated.

Barber, Richard, _Arthur of Albion: an introduction to the Arthurian
Literature and Legends of England_ (London: Boydell Press, 1961.)

Barber, Richard, _The Figure of Arthur_ (London: Longman's, 1972.)
This title surveys the Arthurian controversy, works over the early
sources, and ends up with Arthur as a modern British national hero.

Barber, Richard, _King Arthur: Hero and Legend_ (Woodbridge, Suffolk,
and Rochester, NY: Boydell Press 1988, ISBN 0-85115-254-6).  Current
version of _Arthur of Albion_.

Barber, Richard, ed., _Arthurian Literature_, vols. I-X.  Diverse
papers and studies.

Clancy, Joseph P. _Arthur and his Britain_ (NY: Praeger, 1971)

Coghlan, Ronan, _The Encyclopaedia of Arthurian Legends_ (Rockport, MA:
Element, 1991. ISBN 1-85230-199-6.)

Dunning, R. W. _Arthur the King in the West_ (NY: St. Martins's, 1988)
This is an argument for a "Cornish" King Arthur.

Fife, Graeme, _Arthur the King: the Themes behind the Legends_ (NY:
Sterling Publishing, 1991.  ISBN 0-8069-8344-2.)  The development of
Arthurian literature including the themes of chivalry, courtly love,
hunting, magic and the Holy Grail.  Color, b/w illustrations.

Goodrich, Norma L., _King Arthur_ (Harper&Row, 1986.  ISBN
0-06-097182-7.)  Also wrote _Merlin_.

Jung, Emma and Marie-Louise von Franz, _The Grail Legend_ (Sigo Press,
1986. ISBN 0-938434-08-X.)

Hibbert, Christopher _The Search for King Arthur_ (London, 1972?)
Another one of the survey studies of the legend of Arthur.

Jenkins, Elizabeth _The Mystery of King Arthur_ (NY: Coward, McCann &
Geoghegan, Inc., 1975; London: George Rainbird, 1975.)  This is a
pictorial coffee book in the best sense of the word.  It's the
standard survey through the material with contemporary illustrations
ranging from a photograph of the white horse at Uffington and the late
Roman cataphract from Dura-Europos proceeding through mediaeval
illustrations, many in colour and ending up with the Victorian
paintings of William Morris and Edward Burn Jones.

Lacy, Norris J., ed, _The Arthurian Encyclopedia_ (ISBN:
0-85115-253-8). The first reference book to offer a comprehensive and
critical treatement of Arthurian topics.  This work involves over 50
scholars and contains a wide range of entries in the arts and media;
Arthurian characters; history, legend and archaelogy; themes and
motifs; and a wealth of literature.  Illustrated.

Loomis, Roger Sherman, _The Grail: from Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol_
(Princeton: Princeton U. Press, 1991. ISBN 0-691-02075-2.)

McCarthy, Terrence, _An Introduction to Malory_ (ISBN: 0-85991-325-2).
Malory's approach to his material is discussed, as are his sources,
and his individual contribution; finally, Malory and his book are
placed in their historical context.

Mathews, John, _An Arthurian Legend_ (London: Aquarian Press, 1991. ISBN
0-85030-909-3.) [sp. of author's last name?]

Matthews, John, _The Elements of the Arthurian Tradition_.  Who was
King Arthur?  What is the Holy Grail?  Who were the Faery Women of
Arthur's Court?  What is the Fellowship of the Round Table?  Who are
the Dwellers in Avalon?  Answers these and other questions about the
legend of Arthur.

Matthews, John, _The Elements of the Grail Tradition_.  Here, in
vivid historical detail, Matthews reveals the many facets of the Holy
Grail and its tradition.  Includes explanations of the myth of the
Fisher King, the Four Hallows, the "Holiest Earth" of Glastonbury and
the Wasteland.

Saklatvala, Beram, _Arthur, Roman Britain's Last Champion_ (Newton
Abbot: David & Charles, 1971.)  An unconventional study of King Arthur.

Simpson, Roger, _The Athurian Revival and Tennyson, 1800-1849_ ISBN:
0-85991-300-7.  A study of the interest in Arthurian literature in the
early part of the nineteenth century.  There is a complete
bibliography of early 19th-century Arthurian poetry, drama, and prose
fiction together with catalogues of paintings and illustrated books.

Tolstoy, Nikolai, _The Quest for Merlin_  (Little, Brown, 1985.  ISBN
0-316-85066-7.)

Whitaker, Muriel.  _The Legends of King Arthur in Art_.  ISBN
0-85991-306-6.  This is a study of works of art inspired by legends of
King Arthur and his knights and produced over a period of nine
centuries in Europe and North America.  It covers illuminated
manuscripts, printed books, sculpture, pavements, all paintings, easel
paintings, etc.

Wildman, S. G.  _The Black Horses, English Inns and King Arthur_
(London: John Baker, 1971).  


4.  Arthurian references

_The Arthurian Book of Days_.  Contains Arthurian events related to a
particular point in the year.  Illustrated with copies of rare
paintings and illuminations. [Author, publisher?]

_The Mabinogion_ (many translations.) The Mabinogion is the collection
of Welsh stories and legends, where elements of the Arthurian legend
can be found.  These probably form the basis for the legend as we have
it today, though scholars seem to revise their opinions every now and
then.

Coney, Michael Greatrex, _Fang, the Gnome_. (Signet/New American
Library, ISBN 0-451-15847-4).  The main characters are Fang, Nyneve,
Avalona (the non-human who teaches Nyneve) and Merlin (Avalona's son).
Arthurian characters who appear: Tristam and Iseult, Arthur, and
Galahad - with the other characters appearing only in "the Game"
played by Nyneve, Avalona and Merlin.  The Game is used to enter an
alternate reality and influence the characters there. Eventually the
other reality merges with that of Earth and the Arthurian story
becomes a reality.

Baigent, Michael, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln.  _The Holy Blood
and the Holy Grail_. (Corgi, 1993, ISBN 0-552-12138-X, many reprints.)
What it did was propose a revolutionary theory about what the "San
Greal" was (a deliberate distortion for "Sang Real", the bloodline of
Jesus - not just through lots of hints, such as the obvious reference
through "Fisher King" with the Greek connection of the fish for Jesus,
as well as the "I shall make you fishers of men" phrase in the Gospel,
etc - but also through meticulously detailed research).  Not directly
about Arthur, but Arthur's connections with the Holy Grail myths are
too strong to ignore.

|Bradley, Michael.  _Holy Grail Across the Atlantic_.  1988.  Bradley
|carries on where Baigent, et al, leave off.  As well as utilizing
|their book, he directly cites further details about an apparent
|conspiracy to introduce 'clue-books' in famous libraries in France and
|around Europe, over many decades. Bradley traces the Holy Grail from
|'Before the Flood' - to Arthur - and from there across the Atlantic, -
|to Nova Scotia - (before Columbus), its possible residence in Montreal
|for many years, and then supposed return to Europe.

Cooper, Susan, _Over Sea, Under Stone_, _The Dark Is Rising_, _The
Green Witch_, _The Grey King_, _Silver on the Tree_.  Celtic derived
fantasy, some references to Arthur.  While these are "children's
books," they present good reading for adults as well.

Kay, Guy Gavriel, _The Summer Tree_, _The Wandering Fire_ and _The
Darkest Road_.  Also known collectively as "The Fionavar Tapestry."
Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere are, in various forms, called back to
assist in defeating The Unraveller in the one True World, Fionavar.

Lewis, C.S., _That Hideous Strength_ (part of a three book set).
While it does have much non-Arthurian material, it does deal a good
bit with the line of the Pendragons and one of the characters is the
awakened Merlinus Ambrosius.

Spenser, Edmund, _The Faerie Queene_.  An excellent work and is
Arthurian at least in some of its sections, and should be
comprehensible to anyone who can read Malory.

Walton, Evangeline, _Prince of Annwn_, _The Children of Llyr_, _The
Song of Rhiannon_ and _The Island of the Mighty_ (Del Rey, 1970).
Modern reworkings of _The Mabinogion_.  Excellently written.  May be
hard to find -- is it in print?


5.  Celtic Fiction

_Irish Fairy and Folk Tales_ (Dorset, 1986.  ISBN 0-88029-073-0.)

Alexander, Lloyd, _The Book of Three_, The Black Cauldron_, _Castle of
Llyr_, _Taran Wanderer_, _The High King_.  Based on Celtic mythology,
these are excellent "children's" books.

Bedier, Joseph, _Romance of Tristan & Iseult_ (Doubleday Anchor, 1945.)

Flynn, Casey, _The Gods of Ireland_ (Bantam/Spectra).  This is a
series of books which retell the mythic cycle of Irish legends.  The
individual books are short and do stand alone, at least the first two
do.

Gantz, Jeffrey, _Early Irish Myths and Sagas_  (Penguin, 1981.  ISBN
0-14-044-397-5.)

Humphreys, Emyr, _The Taliesin Tradition_, (Black Raven, 1983.  ISBN
0-85159-002-0.)  Boring.

Jackson, Kenneth, _A Celtic Miscellany_ (Penguin, 1951.  ISBN
0-14-044247-2.)

Jacobs, Joseph, _Celtic Fairy Tales_  (Dover, 1968.  ISBN 0-486-21826-0.)

Llywelyn, Morgan, _Red Branch_ (Ivy Books, Ballantine Books, 1989.
ISBN: 0-8041-0591-X.  Retells the story of the Irish warrior-hero:
Cuchulain, the Hound of Ulster.  Has also written _Grania_, _The Horse
Goddess_, and _Lion of Ireland_.

Paxson, Diana L., _The White Raven_ (Avon Books, 1988).  Retelling
of the Tristan/Iseult legend, from the point of view of Iseult's
slave/maid.  A pretty, romantic sort of tale.

Rolleston, T.W., _Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race_  (Constable, 1911.
recent reprint, no date.  ISBN 0-09-467720-4)

von Strassburg, Gottfried, _Tristan_ (Penguin, 1960. ISBN
0-14-044098-4.)

Weston, Jesse L. _From Ritual to Romance_  (Anchor, 1957.)  A work on
the grail.

Yeats, Wm. Butler, _The Celtic Twilight_  (Signet, 1962.)

Yeats, Wm. Butler and Lady Gregory, _A Treasury of Irish Myth, Legend,
and Folklore_ (Avenel Books, 1986. ISBN: 0-517-48904-X.  Irish tales,
plus the legend of Cuchulain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cindy Tittle Moore

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