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King Arthur's Death

The Alliterative Morte Arthure
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( 804 ratings, 117 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
King Arthur's Death is a new translation of the Middle English poem known as the Alliterative Morte Arthure, a source for Malory's Morte d'Arthur. Set at the end of the 14th century, the epic explores themes of war's horrors, the solitude of kingship, and the cost of arrogance. The narrative follows Arthur as he faces demands from Imperial Rome to pay tribute, his refusal setting off a quest to defend his realm against foreign domination.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in classic literature, medieval history, and Arthurian legend, as well as those who appreciate richly illustrated editions that provide both heroic action and thoughtful political commentary.

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A new translation of the classic English poem that inspired Malory, stunningly illustrated with linocuts by the author.

A new translation of the classic English poem that inspired Malory, stunningly illustrated with linocuts by the author

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A new translation of the classic English poem that inspired Malory, stunningly illustrated with linocuts by the author.

King Arthur's Death (commonly referred to as the Alliterative Morte Arthure) is a Middle English poem that was written in Lincolnshire at the end of the fourteenth century. A source work for Malory's later Morte d'Arthur, it is an epic tale which documents the horrors of war, the loneliness of kingship, and the terrible price paid for arrogance.

This magnificent poem tells of the arrival of emissaries from Imperial Rome demanding that Arthur pays his dues as a subject. It is Arthur's refusal to accept these demands, and the premise of foreign domination, which leads him on a quest to confront his foes and challenge them for command of his lands.

Combining heroic action, probing insight into human frailty, and a great attention to contemporary detail, King Arthur's Death is not only a lesson in effective kingship, it is also an astonishing mirror on our own times, highlighting the folly of letting stubborn dogma drive political decisions.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783529087

Publisher: Boundless Publishing Group Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 18 February 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Unbound

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 159.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 224

About the Author

Michael Smith comes from Cheshire and read history at the University of York, specialising in English and European mediaeval history. In later years, he studied as a printmaker at the Curwen Print Study Centre near Cambridge. He lives in Ware, Hertfordshire.His first book, a translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, was published by Unbound in 2018.

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