"Arthurian book suggestions" Topic

Ok, so have a set of rules in mind, Too Fat Lardies dark ages offering, check. Now after some reading matter, I have the Osprey Men at arms which whilst having some of Angus Mcbride's finest work in it, is a little light. Have the first of Cornwall's "Winter King" trilogy on order, any other suggestions for inspiration?

I know the now defunct warhammer Ancients Battles in the Age of Arthur is something of a classic now in this field, but sadly you need to sell a kidney to be able to afford the prices being charged on evilbay. If anybody out there has a copy they would like to part with for a fair and reasonable sum, please pm me.

Otherwise open to all suggestions, cheers

Rosemary Sutcliff's Sword at Dawn is kind of mandatory.

Age of Arthur you already mentioned. TFL Dux Brittaniorum is indeed recommendable.

I always liked "King Arthur; a military history" by Michael Holmes. It's a collection of archeological guesswork scenarios of Arthur's allegedly most famous battles, where and how they happened, if possible supported by scientific facts. Which are very rare, considering some battles are founded on a few words in a poem someone wrote 500 years after Arthur's time (if indeed he ever existed). But is is an inspiring read.

TooFatLardies' Dux Brittaniarum is a fantastic ruleset, especially with the 'Raiders' supplement.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it immensely.
Some minor points in the rules aren't 100% watertight, or rather open to diffrent interpretations, but any and all questions are quickly dealt with on the TFL forum.

As for inspiration you've already picked the very best. Cornwells trilogy is simply superb.

Oddly enough I would also like to recommend Eagle In The Snow by Wallace Breem. It's rather Late Roman than Arthurian but a fascinating read.

The following historical fiction (for inspiration!) comes highly, highly recommended:
Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff

The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwall (I know you already know of these):
i) The Winter King
ii) Enemy of God
iii) Excalibur

The Albion Trilogy by by Patrick McCormack: (I only just discovered that the first volume which I enjoyed greatly was part of a series which I shall have to chase up)
i) Albion: The Last Companion
ii) Albion: The White Phantom
iii) Albion: The Lame Dancer (this volume was never published but is available as a pdf here PDF link )

Mary Stewarts Arthurian books, Hollow Hills, Crystal Cave, Last Enchantment and The Wicked Day.

Another vote for "The Sword at Sunset".

Film….forgot to mention "Tristan and Isolde", produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Reynolds. Ok first off I'm in no way endorsing the MDF like charisma and acting range of James Franco here.(Director must have cried when this casting was suggested by the studio bigwigs) However that aside the rest of the casting is outstanding and Rufus Sewell turns in a great performance. However what nails it for me is the look and atmosphere of the film, from the keep scenes, to the wide open beaches of Ireland and the Picts. All good and inspiring stuff.

Wiki link
link

Trailer
YouTube link

PS did I mention Sophia Myles is quite hot as well :-)

The Lantern Bearers also by Rosemary Sutcliff which is a sort of prequel to Sword at Sunset.

Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur'?

Second that Albion Trilogy. Cleanly forgot about it and it is indeed fantastic. Rather dark but you'll never forget Bedwyr.

Richard Denham has just started a new series called Brittania.
The first part called 'The Wall' is just out. Haven't read it yet but the comments are pretty good. Slightly pre- Arthurian though unless you're a follower of Kemp Malone's theory.

Another series I thoroughly enjoyed was the King Arthur series by M K Hume.She also wrote the 'Prophesies' series about Merlin but I don't have those (yet)

Here's one novel I read recently – 'The Great Captains' by Henry Treece, written in 1956. The historical Arthur here is a tough un-romanized Welsh Prince who hijacks the aged Ambrosius's plans to elect a new Dux Brittanorium and declares himself leader. He joins with the embittered Romano-British Medrodus (Mordred)to reclaim British lands lost to the Saxons. A dark, ironic and determinedly un-heroic recreation of the period. Great!

I enjoyed the book The Last Legion by Valerio Massimo Manfredi link

Apparently, it was also a movie but I haven't seen it.

The son of the last Emperor is saved by surviving legionaries and Merlin and taken to England. His sword is embellished Rex Calibernensis which as some letters fade, all that can be read is ex Caliber.

Occupying an abandoned fort of the disbanded Ninth Legion (Legio IX Draco), the survivors faced barbarian troops on the slopes of Mons Badonicus. Before all was lost, the Ninth Legion reforms and saves the day.

Romulus married Ygraine, the daughter of Kustennin the commander of the Twelfth Legion, and they have a son, Arthur.

I liked the first books of the Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte.

The Skystone
The Singing Sword
The Eagles' Brood
The Saxon Shore
The Sorcerer Part 1: The Fort at River's Bend
The Sorcerer Part 2: Metamorphosis
and Uther.

Everyone has given you the best! Dux Brit, Warlord Chronicles, WAB Age of Arthur. Tristan and Isolde is excellent, tho the history is quite e! James Franco is pretty damn good in it, and Sophia Myles is indeed hot!

Patrick McCormack's Albion series is very good as well.

Between all these, you will have plenty to inspire you!

My own humble offering:
link

Great topic. There is quite a good list here: inkwire.org/Arthurian-Novels.htm

Why has no one yet mentioned The Once and Future King, one of the MASTERPIECES of 20th C literature???

Probably because, while it is a brilliant book (and I read it at least two times) it has never inspired me for a wargame.

For a good look at the Britons and Celtic Culture, "The Forest House" by Marion Zimmer Bradley is a great read. Fiction, of course, but she's done her research.

Prior to that, her book "The Mists of Avalon" is superb. In fact, all of the "Avalon" series is well done.

Thanks guys an outstanding offering suggestions, can anybody point me in the direction of any reference books? As I say I have the Osprey MAA, am currently looking for the Warhammer supplement but could do with other material as well.

link
Awesome book for wargamers.
link
Good breakdown of the battle sites.
link
Dated but good.
link
Dry but very interesting topic analyzed.

Don't overlook the film Arthur for inspiration. I know that it is another of Hollywood's versions of history, but as long as you don't take it literally it can provide ideas for battles and colours for uniforms/clothing.

@ashill2
Arthur, the Dudley Moore movie? Really a bit of a stretch getting good costuming ideas out of that one, but I would enjoy watching Liza Minelli get trampled by some Arthurian cavalry…

I've always been fond of Firelord by Park Godwin.

LT

Try alasdair moffats arthur and the lost kingdoms; very different but convincing take on a histroical arthur

link

for another interesting view on 'King' Arhur.

WAB Age Of Arthur is out of print now, sad to relate. Indeed all the Warhammer Historical supplements are since the company went south.

Bummer.