Christopher Gidlow

Very informative

Several reviews have already stated that this book is a bit dry. I get the feeling that this is intentional. This is not a book about the drama and intrigue of Henry's court. It is a painstaking, hour by hour account of a purely typical day. The differences from castle to castle are touched upon as are the differences between the Queens but all is averaged out to show as typical a non-feast day as possible. If read as a page from a daily journal of household management, then this is sure to please.… (meer)

The first half of this long-awaited book, "From History," is a critical re-examination of all the earliest Arthurian sources (Gildas, Nennius, the Welsh Annals, etc.) in the light of the latest historical research. By taking nothing for granted, Gidlow comes up with several surprising and persuasive insights.

The second half, "To Legend," examines how later authors (from the Mabinogion through the Welsh Saints' Lives to Geoffrey of Monmouth) added the magical deeds of legendary heroes to this historical Arthur, turning him into a figure first of folklore, then eventually of chivalric romance. Again, by examining the layers of this dubious source material in chronological order, Gidlow adds to our understanding of how Arthur came to be viewed primarily as a figure out of legend.

The author makes a convincing case that Arthur, victor at Mount Badon, could have filled any of a number of roles in post-Roman Britain, and that -- but for the 'taint' of the later, legendary material -- scholars would have no reason to deny his essential historicity.

Gidlow's easy familiarity with the many aspects of Arthuriana -- in history, romance, literature, and 'King Arthur shared my postcode' crank scholarship -- shines through. This book is an easy read, and a rewarding one. Highly recommended.… (meer)