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Loading... The High Kings (original 1983; edition 1983)by Joy Chant, Illustrated by Illus By George Sharp
Work InformationThe High Kings by Joy Chant (1983)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. An interesting retelling of the Arthurian legends, interspersed with essays on Celtic culture and introductions to each story utilizing the 'story within a story' motif, in that someone asks a bard to entertain them, and he relates a particular tale. It doesn't match some of the other Arthurian legends I've read, but that is the nature of oral tradition, and it gives this work a spark of interest it might not otherwise have had. ( ) A re-telling of stories from The Matter of Britain, interspersed with essays on Celtic life and culture. Readers of The Science of Discworld books will be familiar with the format. Some annoying OCR errors, and was Vortigern originally Vortigem? That spelling was consistent throughout, and a quick search suggests it may be the Scottish version of the name. I'm not sure which set of legends Chant was using, there seemed to be elements of all the pre-medieval British/Welsh sources, but none of the later sources like Malory or the Breton accretions like Lancelot. The rather loose linking plot was Arthur's story, with bardic tales and illustrative essays at various junctures. How it works: Chapter 1: story - The Winning of Britain, essays - The Bard, Women Chapter 2: story - The Two Queens of Locrin, essays - The Warrior, Religion Chapter 3: stories - The Blemished Prince, Leir and his Daughters, essay - Warfare Chapter 4: story - The Mighty Brothers, essays - Druids, Head-Hunting, Marriage Chapter 5: story - The Children of Lir, essays - Bans and Biddings, Ornament Chapter 6: story - The sons of Troy, essays - The Feast, The King Chapter 7: story - The Sovereignty of Britain, essay - Story-Telling Chapter 8: story - Vortigem the Traitor Epilogue: story - Chief Dragon of the Island An enjoyable read, and of interest to anyone planning a Dark Ages Celtic campaign (or even a Sartarite campaign) and who wants an accessible background source for their players to read. no reviews | add a review
Belongs to Publisher SeriesBastei Lübbe Taschenbuch (28125) Has as a commentary on the textAwards
A collection of Celtic legends. Includes notes about historical and cultural background. No library descriptions found.
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.914Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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