Realms of the Round Table

John Matthews

The most influential and famous legend in literature retold for a new generation by one of the world’s leading Arthurian experts and illustrated by internationally acclaimed Tolkien artist, John Howe.

From the moment when an obscure Celtic hero named Arthur stepped upon the stage of history sometime in the 6th century, he gave birth to a literary phenomenon that is still hugely popular. From a few oral tales and traditions concerning the life and deeds of this man, circulating throughout Europe from the 7th century onward, sprang a vast edifice of stories about 'King' Arthur and his noble knights.

Today there can be few people who have not heard how the boy Arthur drew the Sword from the Stone, or of the love of Lancelot and Guinevere, or how the knights rode out in search of the Holy Grail. Realms of the Round Table sets out to offer an extensive selection from these forgotten tales.

Here, there will be a rich mix of Arthurian love stories and darker tales from the Forest; readers will experience a heady mixture of magic, faerie lore, wisdom, and mystery, capturing stories of some of the great knights and others less well known, and reaching from high adventure to mystical accounts of the Grail. Several of the stories have not appeared anywhere in the English language, and all will surprise and capture anyone who has ever been enchanted by tales of Camelot.

John Matthews has been involved in the study of the mysteries of Britain, including the Arthurian legends and the Grail myth, for almost fifty years. He has published over ninety books on King Arthur and the Grail. He has also short stories, poetry and children’s books, most notably Pirates, which was on the New York Times bestseller list for twenty-two weeks. His book, Arthur of Albion, was a multiple award-winner.

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