You know the movement to make traditional bad guys good in children’s stories, or to at least give their side of the story. When I was a boisterous oddly serious public school lad, I remember a story that had recast the big bad wolf as a hapless neighbor who only wanted sugar from his selfish … More The Big Bad Wraecca
We’re leaving Arthurian Legend and moving toward some Anglo-Saxon texts in the following weeks. The Celtic Bretons are pushed back as the Saxons invade. The White Horse that Tennyson uses as a sign of civilization early in the Idylls becomes an epithet for the Saxons, who are now “Lords of the White Horse.” But then … More The Demonic Book of the Bretons
Just like the fellowship of the Round Table, our time here with Arthur and his knights must come to an end. We have a lot more to talk about this summer, and I didn’t expect so much to come out of the Arthurian texts. We haven’t even made it to Hardy and Hopkins yet! But … More Arthurian Roundup
Imagine Arthur pulling the sword from the stone. What season is it? Do you see snow? Does a crisp winter light play over the stone? Now be honest…is Arthur wearing a scarf? I apologize for channeling a Disney scene, but bear with me. The legend of Arthur is very seasonal. The sword is pulled from … More Arthurian Time
Looking for some reading this Father’s Day? Perhaps you need something that rises above the din of bad Disney fathers or maybe you need some me time before opening up some poorly-wrapped black socks. Hey, we all secretly know we need more socks and that we’ll never buy them for ourselves. On this the day … More Father’s Day Reading
A curious thing happens in Malory’s Morte Darthur. Arthur’s world is one contemporaneous with the Roman Empire. The Celtic king even conquers Rome, and in Malory’s version, becomes crowned emperor. (Other versions deftly have Arthur called back last minute to avoid any awkward questions about why we’ve never heard of a Roman emperor named Arthur.) … More Sir Monday and the Monks of the Round Table
Did you know that today is an important day in the high order of knighthood? I’ve been reading a lot of Malory lately for my exam lists. He’s an important source for Victorian medievalism like Tennyson’s Idylls of the King. I’ve been reading so much that if I have to read about one more joust, … More Celebrating Pentecost King Arthur Style
