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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

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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
At King Arthur's New Year feast, the mysterious Green Knight challenges the Round Table knights to a deadly game: one blow to behead him, with the challenger seeking the Knight a year later to receive the same. Sir Gawain accepts, decapitates the stranger, who miraculously survives. Bound by honour, Gawain must embark on a perilous quest to find the Green Knight and fulfil his pledge, facing his fate with courage.

Michael Smith's expert translation revives this classic Arthurian romance in its original poetic style, enriched by his deep understanding of medieval history and culture. The edition features exquisite illuminated lettering recreations and detailed linocut prints, enhancing the authentic medieval atmosphere.
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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 edition is ideal for students of medieval literature, scholars of Arthurian legends, and general readers captivated by chivalric tales and historically grounded poetry. The vivid illustrations and accessible translation also make it suitable for those new to the Gawain poem seeking a richly immersive experience.

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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the definitive masterpiece of medieval alliterative poetry, and Michael Smith has both translated and illustrated this stunning new edition of the poem

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the definitive masterpiece of medieval alliterative poetry, and Michael Smith has both translated and illustrated this stunning new edition of the poem

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

It is New Year at Camelot and a mysterious green knight appears at King Arthur's court. Challenging the knights of the Round Table to a Christmas game, he offers his splendid axe as a prize to whoever is brave enough to behead him with just one strike. The condition is that his challenger must seek him out in a year and a day to have the deed returned. Sir Gawain accepts and decapitates the stranger, only to see him pick up his head, walk out of the hall and ride away on his horse. Now Gawain must complete his part of the bargain, search for his foe and confront what seems his doom...

Michael Smith's translation of this magnificent Arthurian romance draws on his intimate experience of the North West of England and his knowledge of mediaeval history, culture and architecture. He takes us back to the original poetic form of the manuscript and brings it alive for a modern audience, while revealing the poem's historic and literary context.

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with detailed recreations of the illuminated lettering in the original manuscript and the author's own linocut prints, each meticulously researched for contemporary accuracy. This is an exciting new edition that will appeal both to students of the Gawain-poet and the general reader alike.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783525607

Publisher: Boundless Publishing Group Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 July 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Unbound

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 159.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Michael Smith comes from Cheshire and read history at the University of York, specialising in English and European medieval history. In later years, he studied as a printmaker at the Curwen Print Study Centre near Cambridge. He lives in Ware, Hertfordshire.

www.mythicalbritain.co.uk

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