# What's your favorite Arthurian story? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 22, 2002, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385 "2002-06-22T03:56:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jerevan\_Somerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jerevan\_Somerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerevan_Somerville)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/41 "2002-06-25T17:52:05Z")
Ah. I suppose that is poor. What else _would_ reapers be doing? And couldn’t he come up with a better verse? ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/42 "2002-06-25T17:55:59Z")
Anyone read _Firelord_, by Parke Godwin? It’s the only one I’ve read where King Arthur narrates himself. Godwin also edited _Invitation to Camelot_, an anthology of King Arthur stories by modern SF authors. Gillian Bradshaw wrote a trilogy that wasn’t too wretched. _The Crimson Chalice_, by Victor Canning was about Arthur’s parents, as very down-to-earth people and nothing mystical about it. Kinda refreshing. Nice cover, too, by Rowena. And don’t forget John Steinbeck’s _The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights._ And yes, Berger’s is a scream. All that swyving going on… we really should resurrect that term. ---
**Author:** ![murky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@murky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/murky)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/43 "2002-06-25T18:52:11Z")
It might not be accurate but I adore The Mists of Avalon. ---
**Author:** ![Rib\_Eye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Rib\_Eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rib_Eye)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/44 "2002-06-25T19:27:58Z")
IMHO, nothing and I mean NOTHING beats the Mary Stewart trilogy. All other once and future Arthurian stories are decimated and ruined by those. Her take is just so “Hey, that really could have happened!” Much more like historical novels than swords and sorcery. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/45 "2002-06-26T06:33:56Z")
**Rib Eye** : They may be more realistic, but a _+5 holy avenger_ does more damage points. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/46 "2002-06-26T10:42:19Z")
I just wanted to mention the first time I visited a site associated with Arthurian legend. As a kid, I’d always promised myself that the first time I saw and visited [Glastonbury Tor](http://www.glastonburytor.org.uk/)and [Abbey](http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/)would be on foot and from the West (from Wells and Shepton Mallet and, beyond those, Stonehenge and Avebury). (BTW, [Wells Cathedral](http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/index.shtml)is quite remarkable as well) We stayed the night before in a pub bed and breakfast and then walked for most of the following day across countryside on public footpaths in the direction of Glastonbury. The Tor stands out across the country from some considerable distance so a compass wasn’t necessary. It was a hot summer’s day and by mid-afternoon we were on the Somerset levels within a couple of miles of the Tor. That was probably the ‘special’ moment. Journeying to and seeing the Tor from the same perspective as the pilgrims and others had (including Druids) and who’d once approached it by boat (before the sea and later the lake receded) thousands of years ago. It’s still impressive although I remember wondering if it was more impressive now because of its age and history than for being an ancient monument/church site. Actually, I remember sitting down and imaging the mist that must have sat on the water…it was an interesting experience. I guess that’s the thing for me with all of those sites, whether it’s Stonehenge, the West Kennet Long Barrow, Avebury, etc. Driving to Stonehenge and looking at it from the road isn’t a great experience but using the ancient footpaths and labouring across countryside that, topographically, hasn’t altered very much seems to give a much greater sense of the experience of travelling and arriving. And anyway, the countryside is beautiful and, in summer, the weather really isn’t too bad in the south-west. We don’t really know Glastonbury’s place in history but I’d recommend it if you like to imagine the ancient mystic world. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kid\_Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/47 "2002-06-26T10:49:47Z")
I like the one where he gets drunk all of the time and dates Liza Minelli and his butler dies. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/48 "2002-06-26T13:29:43Z")
I can’t believe I get to mention these first: _Sword at Sunset_ by Rosemary Sutcliffe. The best historical-novel treatment I’ve read. Narrated by Arthur (actually I think he was called Artos) as he lies dying. _Merlin_ by Robert Nye. Hard to describe: phantasmagorical, poetic, pornographic, viciously satirical. I think Nye enjoys the incest angle a little more than he should. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/49 "2002-06-26T13:46:15Z")
I liked the once and future king and a sf story where arthur and modred ended up in ww2 I have the book signed as its written by a local author… I’ll find it when im not dead tired , ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/50 "2002-06-26T13:58:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baldwin \* > \*\*_Merlin_ by Robert Nye. Hard to describe: phantasmagorical, poetic, pornographic, viciously satirical. I think Nye enjoys the incest angle a little more than he should. \*\* I forgot all about this one… “He grinned like a fox eating shit out of a wire brush.” And “the sleeve job.” Totally bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/51 "2002-06-26T14:58:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by carnivorousplant \* > **Only reapers, reaping early** > In among the bearded barley, > Hear a song that echoes cheerly > From the River winding clearly, down to tower’d Camelot. Universally agreed worst line? HA! Don’t make me link to the worst English poem thread. (Seriously, this is not all _that_ bad–I kinda like the alliteration.) And, no thread on Arthur stories would be complete without [a linky to the story of The People’s King](http://arthurpendragon.ukonline.co.uk/contents.html). ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/52 "2002-06-26T17:28:52Z")
And what is “Tirra Lirra” by the river Sand Sir Launcelot Poet Laureate material? You accoust Fr. Debosier, dead these many years and who cannot produce a cite? Shame. ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/53 "2002-06-26T19:51:40Z")
I’m not gonna defend Tennyson–those _were_ what I would have chosen as the worst lines of the poem–especially the “sanding” part ;). But “reapers, reaping” doesn’t really irk me. Here’s a blessing on Fr. Debosier’s bones anyway, may he rest in peace, and may he never meet up with old Alfred Lord, wherever he may be. ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/54 "2002-06-26T20:15:18Z")
I’m not gonna defend Tennyson–those _were_ what I would have chosen as the worst lines of the poem–especially the “sanding” part ;). But “reapers, reaping” doesn’t really irk me. Here’s a blessing on Fr. Debosier’s bones anyway, may he rest in peace, and may he never meet up with old Alfred Lord, wherever he may be. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/55 "2002-06-26T20:31:58Z")
Do NOT dis Tennyson. EVER. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/56 "2002-06-26T21:14:05Z")
They would probably have a swell time. Thanks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/57 "2002-06-27T03:15:38Z")
Already mentioned: _Mists of Avalon, Once and Future King, Idylls of the King_ Not mentioned: _Black Horses for the King_ by Anne McCaffrey. A rather equine look at Artos’ conquests. Not liked: Stephen Lawhead lost me at _Taliesin_. You DON’T KILL TALIESIN! Git. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/58 "2002-06-28T15:17:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*I can sum it up in six words: > > _Anall Nathrach > Uthvah Spethad > Dochiel Dienve!_ \*\* I’m glad you mentioned this…(“magic words” from Excalibur, for those who don’t recognize them) Is this a guess at the spelling, or have you seen the screenplay? Is it a real language? (seems quasi-Gaelic) What’s it mean? ---
**Author:** ![Jerevan\_Somerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jerevan\_Somerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerevan_Somerville)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/59 "2002-06-28T16:54:54Z")
If it’s real, I suppose it would have to be in Cornish (a Celtic language). ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385/60 "2002-06-28T16:57:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jsc1953 \* > \*\* > I’m glad you mentioned this…(“magic words” from Excalibur, for those who don’t recognize them) > > Is this a guess at the spelling, or have you seen the screenplay? > Is it a real language? (seems quasi-Gaelic) > What’s it mean? \*\* Roughly translated, it means **klaatu verata nikto** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-arthurian-story/115385.md?page=4)