In this enchanting version of the story of King Arthur, the renowned American illustrator and storyteller Howard Pyle displays his unique talent for capturing and stimulating the imaginations of the young. Inventively retold and vividly illustrated, these stories describe the perilous and thrilling adventures of King Arthur and his knights in that glorious age of chivalry and honor.
After showing how Arthur established his right to the throne by drawing the sword from the anvil, the author then relates the story of Arthur's battle with the Sable Knight and his securing the sword Excalibur ― the most beautiful and the most famous sword in all the world. He tells of Arthur's confrontations with the Duke of North Umber and Sir Pellias, describes King Arthur's wooing and wedding the Lady Guinevere, and tells of the establishment of the Round Table. Tales are told, too, of Arthur's knights, including Merlin the Wise, Sir Pellias (or the Gentle Knight) and of course, Sir Gawaine. One of the key points in the book is Arthur's search for the answer to the riddle What is it that a woman most desires? with his life at stake.
This is the definitive children's version of the Arthurian legend, for generations a special favorite with youngsters of all ages. Its reputation, richly deserved, rests as much upon the illustrations as on the delightful tales themselves. And no wonder, for as an illustrator of children's books, Pyle had no peer. Bold and unforgettable as only Pyle's skilled hand could make them, these drawings convey at a glance the whole aura of that splendid age and help to make this a book that boys and girls will cherish for years to come.
These stories have inspired numerous film adaptations, including the 2017 release King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Eric Bana, Djimon Hounsou, and Annabelle Wallis.
Table of Contents:
The Book of King Arthur
PART I
THE WINNING OF KINGHOOD
Chapter First
How Sir Kay did Combat in a Great Tournament at London Town and of How He Break His Sword. Likewise, How Arthur Found a New Sword For Him
Chapter Second
How Arthur Twice Performed the Miracle of the Sword Before Sir Ector and of How His Birthright Was Discovered Unto Him
Chapter Third
How Several Kings and High Dukes Assayed to Draw the Sword Out of the Anvil and How They Failed. Likewise How Arthur Made the Assay and Succeeded Therein
PART II
THE WINNING OF A SWORD
Chapter First
How There Came a Certain Wounded Knight Unto the Court of King Arthur, How a Young Knight of the King's Court Sought To Avenge Him and Failed and How the King Thereupon Took That Assay Upon Himself
Chapter Second
How King Arthur Fought With the Sable Knight and How He Was Sorely Wounded. Likewise How Merlin Brought Him Safe Away From the Field of Batttle
Chapter Third
How King Arthur Found a Noble Sword In a Very Wonderful Manner. And How He Again Fought With It and Won That Battle
PART III
THE WINNING OF A QUEEN
Chapter First
How King Arthur Went to Tintagalon with Four of His Court, and How He Disguised Himself for a Certain Purpose
Chapter Second
How King Ryence Came to Cameliard and How King Arthur Fought With the Duke of North Umber
Chapter Third
How King Arthur Encountered Four Knights and of What Befell Thereby
Chapter Fourth
How the Four Knights Served the Lady Guinevere
Chapter Fifth
How King Arthur Overcame the Enemies of King Leodegrance, and How His Royalty Was Proclaimed
Chapter Sixth
How King Arthur Was Wedded in Royal State and How the Round Table Was Established
The Book of Three Worthies
PART I
THE STORY OF MERLIN
Chapter First
How Queen Morgana le Fay Meditated Evil Against King Arthur and How She Sent a Damsel Beguile the Enchanter, Merlin
Chapter Second
How Merlin Journeyed With Vivien Unto the Valley of Foyousness and How He Builded for Her a Castle at That Place. Also, How Her Taught Her the Wisdom of Magic and of How She Compassed His Downfall Thereby
Chapter Third
How Queen Morgana le Fay Returned to Camelot and to the Court With Intent to Do Ill Will to King Arthur, Also How King Arthur and Others Went a-Hunting and of What Befell Thereby
Chapter Fourth
What Befell Sir Accalon, and How King Arthur Fought an Affair-at-Arms With Swords, and How He Came Nigh to Losing His Life Thereby
PART II
THE STORY OF SIR PELLIAS
Chapter First
How Queen Guinevere Went a-Maying and of How Sir Pellias Took Upon Him a Quest in Her Behalf
Chapter Second
How Sir Pellias Overcame a Red Knight, Hight Sir Adresack, and of How He Liberated XXII Captives From That Knights Castle
Chapter Third
How Sir Pellias Did Battle With Sir Engamore, Otherwise the Knight of the Green Sleeves, and of What Befell the Lady Ettard
Chapter Fourth
How Queen Guinevere Quarrelled With Sir Gawaine, and How Sir Gawaine Left the Court of King Arthur For a While
Chapter Fifth
How Sir Gawaine Met Sir Pellias and How He Promised to Aid Him With the Lady Ettard
Chapter Sixth
How the Lady of the Lake Took Back Her Necklace From Sir Pellias
PART III
THE STORY OF SIR GAWAINE
Chapter First
How a White Hart Appeared Before King Arthur, and How Sir Gawaine and Gaheris, His Brother, Went in Pursuit Thereof, and of What Befell Them in That Quest
Chapter Second
How King Arthur Became Lost in the Forest, and How He Fell Into a Very Singular Adventure in a Castle Unto Which He Came
Chapter Third
How King Arthur Overcame the Knight-Enchanter, and How Sir Gawaine Manifested the High Nobility of His Knighthood
The stories and drawings of Howard Pyle (1853-1911) epitomize the golden age of American illustration. A priceless contribution to American children's literature, Pyle's work set a standard of excellence, with tales and images remarkable for their engaging simplicity and penetrating realism.
Target Age: 8-14
Dover Publications
Pub Date: June 01, 1965
0.67" H x 9.21" L x 6.11" W
312 pages
paperback