Arthurian Myth & Legend

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: Arthurian Myth & Legend- A - Z of People and Places by Mike Dixon-Kennedy.

If your favourite topic is King Arthur and the Round Table, you will love this reference book on your book shelves and will refer to it often. As a result of 15 years of study and research, the author has compiled 2,000 entries here for you to learn more about this enigmatic subject. 

Some examples of nuggets of interest: Anfortas, the Grail King, was wounded in the scrotum during a jousting contest. Could his name be a corruption of Infirmtas - infirmity. 

In the battle between Arthur and his son Mordred, they came to the battlefield to make a truce, but one of the knights was bitten by a adder on the foot, pulled out his sword from its scabbard, and its steel glinting in the sun, caused the opposing side to draw their swords and begin the battle frenzy that resulted in Mordred’s death, and Arthur’s mortal wound. 

Carl was a giant who requested a witch’s spell be removed that returned him to his normal size. Gawain did the deed and married his daughter. Arthur knighted Carl who sat at the Round Table though his fiefdom was at Carlisle, the seat of Arthur’s Court as per Chretien de Troyes. 

 Ceridwen is goddess of dark and prophetic powers, and of the underworld, and keeps the cauldron where she brews divine knowledge and inspiration. 

Grail Castle is protected by a castle on a dangerous isle with wailing women. A knight must be brave enough to meet the fisher king who can no longer ride and ask him to answer the grail questions that will break the enchantment under which the king and the land are held captive. 

Contains a useful pronunciation guide, and genealogical maps. Recommended Wendy Stokes https://wendystokes.co.uk