The Arthurian legends : an illustrated anthology / selected and introduced by Richard Barber.

Includes bibliographic references (p. 221).

1 The Welsh tradition: the annals of Wales, The history of the Britons, The life of St Carannog. -- 2 The history of the kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth: The mythical history of Arthur's reign. -- 3 The death of Arthur. -- 4 Culhwch and Olwen (from The Mabinogion): The accomplishment of the great tasks. -- 5 The lay of Sir Launfal by Marie de France. -- 6 Yvain or The knight with the lion, by Chretien de Troyes: Yvain wins Laudine. -- 7 Tristan by Gottfried von Strassburg: Tristan and Iseult in exile. -- 8 Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival learns about the grail. -- 9 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Gawain's journey and adventures at the Green Chapel. -- 10 The most piteous talke of the Morte Arthur Saunz Guerdon by Sir Thomas Malory: The day of destiny: the dolorous death and departing. -- 11 The Tudor historians: Polydore Vergil, John Leland. -- 12 The Gothick revival: The grave of King Arthur by Thomas Wharton; The misfortunes of Elphin by Thomas Love Peacock. -- 13 The Victorian image of the legends: Idylls of the king by Alfred Tennyson - Lancelot and Elaine; Tristram and Iseult by Matthew Arnold; The defence of Guenevere by William Morris; Tristram of Lyonesse by Algernon Swinburne. -- 14 The twentieth century: Taliessin through Logres by Charles Williams; The crowning of Arthur; Taliessin at Lancelot's mass; The once and future king by T.H. White

'Here for the first time is a single volume which gives the reader an idea of the power and range of Arthurian literature from its beginnings to the present day. All the great Arthurian writers are represented, from France, Germany and England, and the text is complemented by a superb selection of illustrations, from early medieval sculpture through the riches of illuminated manuscripts to the Pre-Raphaelite painters. Each excerpt is set in its historical and literary context....'

Hardcover