EXCALIBUR: A NOVEL OF ARTHUR PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Bernard Cornwell | 448 pages | 16 Jul 1999 | St Martin's Press | 9780312206482 | English | New York, United States Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur PDF Book This is Britain in the late 5th and the early 6th centuries. Short Essay Questions. The author converged history with myth, bringing new life into the old tale with a fresh take upon Arthur. Eventually, his fractured kingdom is invaded by the Irish king of Lleyn, Diwrnach. Arthur and his army, carrying Gwydre's banner, travel the sea to Dumnonia but, before they can escape her, Nimue catches up with them. Although Guinevere admits that it wasn't what she wanted for herself and Arthur, she wanted to be with Arthur. While Excalibur had its fair share of tragedy to say the least, it was also complete with moments of bitter satisfaction, that softened the blow slightly, but not enough to stem the tears…. Cornwell was born in London in This article about a historical novel of the s is a stub. This article about a historical novel of the s is a stub. Other editions. But, for the most part, this is real world soldiers and warlords facing enemeies, deception, battle and chaos as the world is perched on the verge of Armageddon; at least that is how the book tells it. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit. It deals with the last weeks of Arthur's reign, his dealings with his son Mordred's revolts, Guenever and Lancelot's demise, and his perception of right and wrong. Tewdric is known as a saint for his actions at Mynyd Baddon and the Christians credit him with the victory. Potent episodes of broken and then redeemed love, undying loyalty and sticking to ones' principles even when you have nothing to gain and everything to lose spring up everywhere during this book. The trilogy tells the legend of Arthur seen through the eyes of his follower Derfel Cadarn. Rating details. He commands Derfel to come to him. Bernard Cornwell. The power of the Saxons in Britain is broken. Spoilers, spoilers everywhere! As Mordred continues to fight against the Franks, drawing to him an important army of landless men, many in Dumnonia begin to hope that he will die fighting which would pave the way for a new king to ascend to the throne. Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur Writer The final battle is a thing of hair-raising terror and breathtaking beauty. I think perhaps I was bored Okay now, 3 stars, it looks odd I know. She kills Merlin as a sacrifice to the Sea Goddess, Manawydan , to destroy the fleet. Curtis M. He commands Derfel to come to him. David Turner rated it it was amazing Jan 23, Rose Gan This answer contains spoilers… view spoiler [ He had pledged himself to bishop Sansum when he was forced to become a Christian in return for Morgan lifting the curse from Ceinwyn.. This tale of Arthur will challenge your ability to read any other Camelot story. He is taken to meet Nimue in the far north of Britain who tells that she caused Ceinwyn's sickness and will only remove it if Derfel gives her Arthur's sword and Arthur's son. The novel also completes the arc of Derfel's narration of the series, as he has been writing the story of Arthur who was never seen again after Camlan as a monk under the guise of writing the Gospel in the Saxon tongue. We call a hill by the name of a hero who died there, or name a river after a princess who fled beside its banks, and when the old names vanish, the stories go with them and the new names carry no reminder of the past. Nobody constructs battle scenes better than Bernard Cornwell which is just as well as there are a number of horrific battles to be fought. They're more realistic with bodies and horses mounting, rusting metal, and the weight of the armor. View all 7 comments. Don't get me wrong, I still liked it. The last I recallwas that he was on the shore watching Arthur float off into the mist. Making the situation worse for Mordred, his wife is incapable of having children despite frequent visits from the King and rumours that she has been sharing her bed with palace guards. Written in , it was first published in in the collected edition. Derfel remains to honour his oath to Morgan and serve Sansum. It's not the tales of Arthur I grew up reading or hearing about, but a fascinating alternate version. I do love the way that Cornwall has weaved the old legends into a more believable story. I feel dirty now. Character Descriptions. Fernando Menezes rated it liked it Jan 08, Eventually, his fractured kingdom is invaded by the Irish king of Lleyn, Diwrnach. Both take to undoing the rulings proclaimed by Derfel and the magistrates he appoints in exchange for money. Berger offers his own take on the legends of King Arthur, from the heroic monarch's inauspicious conception, to his childhood in bucolic Wales, his rise to the throne, his discovery of the great sword Excalibur, his establishment of the Knights of the Round Table, his long and honorable reign, and his heroic death in battle against the evil Mordred, his bastard son. Then, a messenger arrives, claiming that Mordred is dying while also being besieged by a Frankish army. I read this series years ago, but started it again to study Cornwell, line-by-line. Meanwhile, Nimue, angry that her plans were foiled when Arthur's son was The last book in the trilogy is definitely the best one. However, Arthur and the other Kings refuse his demand. Mar 21, Nate rated it it was amazing Shelves: owned , middle-ages. Back to this story; why does this book rate 5 over the 4 I gave to the first 2 books? When Mordred gets the taste for battle, he decides to wrestle power back from Arthur, who has few friends left alive and able to come to his aid. Although Arthur has united Dumnonia , Powys and several Irish kings to his cause against the Saxons, Gwent refuses to fight. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden n Cornwell was born in London in The ruins of Roman occupation still remain. Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur Reviews Nimue plans to use both to complete the ritual to return the Old Gods to Britain. Vitor Kieling rated it really liked it Nov 08, More filters. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. As Meurig's forces finish off the remnants of Mordred's army, Nimue arrives to claim Gwydre and Excalibur. In that case, we can't She kills Merlin as a sacrifice to the Sea Goddess, Manawydan , to destroy the fleet. It is probably the darkest and least romanticized version I've read. The land is divided into kingdoms and Arthur continues his quest to unite the Britons and repel the Saxons. View all 5 comments. Mordred is club-footed. You know the saying: There's no time like the present Spoilers, spoilers everywhere! I do not cry easily at books, but the last fifty pages of this one have me weeping every time. Guinevere tells Derfel that Arthur's price for gaining Gwent's allegiance was giving up his power. Download as PDF Printable version. Lancelot goes down in legend as the greatest hero of Arthur's retinue, when in truth he was a coward, a rapist, and a traitor. Open Preview See a Problem? To ask other readers questions about Excalibur , please sign up. In the end, Arthur is left wounded and he does sail away, but whether he lives or dies is left unclear. The pacing in between these great moments were more noticeable here than the last novels with certain slow parts where I could read over a night and nothing much would happen. The ageing warlord of Gwent, Agricola, is killed during the battle. Wonderful version of Arthur. Arthur takes his own warriors north to confront this new enemy and, after forcing him from Powys, he tracks Diwrnach on the Dark Road which leads to Ynys Mon and destroys his army. Bernard Cornwell. This serves as the thread the story follows. His mission is noble and is tied to his oath to Uther. As the story progresses, the situation in Britain takes a turn for the worse. Object Descriptions. This was also a time when Druid paganism and Christianity were vying for supremacy. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Fc Luffey rated it really liked it Jan 08, Multiple Choice. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. Get A Copy. May 18, Sean Barrs rated it really liked it Shelves: historical , 4-star-reads. Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur Read Online Derfel returns to Isca to find Ceinwyn is deathly sick. Escape the Present with These 24 Historical Romances. Captivating and compelling it held my interest to the end. With Cuneglas's death, Powys descends into chaos as several chieftains proclaim themselves king in opposition to the deceased ruler's son, Perddel. During a respite in the fighting, Liofa, Cerdic's champion, humiliates a Powysian warrior before the British and Cuneglas tries to fight him but is killed, costing Arthur his staunchest ally and Derfel a man he considered a brother.