Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur
| Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur (novel) | |
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 First edition cover |
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| Author(s) | Bernard Cornwell |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Warlord Chronicles |
| Genre(s) | Historical, Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Michael Joseph (UK) & St. Martin's Press (USA) |
| Publication date | 1997 (1st edition UK), 1998 (1st edition US), 1999 (paperback US) |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Pages | 448 pp (hardcover edition) & 436 pp (paperback edition) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7181-0057-3 (hardcover first edition) & ISBN 0-312-20648-8 (US paperback edition) |
| OCLC Number | 38171947 |
| Preceded by | Enemy of God |
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Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur is the third and final book in The Warlord Chronicles series by Bernard Cornwell. The trilogy tells the legend of Arthur seen through the eyes of his follower Derfel Cadarn.
[edit] plot summary
The novel begins shortly after the end of Enemy of god, Arthur has taken full control of Dumnonia, Guinevere is imprisoned, Mordred is still king but has had his power taken, Lancelot has joined with the Saxons and Derfel is trying to deal with his daughters death and serve Arthur
Merlin is preparing for Mai Dun a pagan ceremony that is said will bring the gods to britain. Before the ceremony though Derfel must go and try to make his father Aelle turn against his ally Cerdic. But upon arrival Cerdic demands Derfels death but Aelle says Derfel must fight a saxon in single combat and if he wins he will be allowed to live, Derfel wins and stays the night but is unable to get Aelle to stop his attack on britain.
It is finally the time of Mai Dun the ceremony is not completed though due to Arthur realising that Nimue intends to sacrifice his son to bring the gods forth.
Finally the saxons invade, Derfel who along with Ceinwyn and Guinevere leads a group of survivors until they're trapped at Mount baddon Derfel is impressed by Guinevere efforts. Eventually Arthur arrives along with Saragmor and Cuneglas and manage to beat the saxons. Derfel evetually finds Aelle and kills him and later Lancelot who is hanged. But at the battle Cuneglas is killed thus Arthur loses one of his greatest allies also the price Artur has to pay for Gwents help is giving up his power.
After gives up his power he leaves Derfel and Saragmor in charge of dumnonias army while Mordred is given back his power. At the same time Mordred goes on war raids later a messenger says he is dying while also being besieged. Derfel trying to avoid a succession issue goes to Arthur. He learns that Arthur does not want to be king but Arthurs son does. Pleased returns to dumnonia to find Mordred still alive and learns that he faked his injuries and plans to take revenge on both Derfel and Arthur. Derfel manages to escape with the help of Tailisen.
Derfel returns to finds Ceinwyn is sick he tries everything but nothing works. Eventually he is taken to meet Nimue who says that she caused Ceinwyn sickness and will only remove it if Derfel gives her Arthurs sword and Arthurs son Derfel having no were else to turn goes to Morgan who offers to remove the fever if Derfel will agree to convert to christianity and serve her husband Sansum to complete the spell Derfels hand is cut off.
Eventually Mordred comes for Arthur and faces him at camlan where Mordred is killed and Arthur is wounded Derfel stops Nimue by throwing Arthurs sword into the lake and watches as his friend and his lord sails away.
[edit] characters
- Derfel Cadarn protagonist, narrator
- Ceinwyn Derfel's common law wife, princess of Powys
- Arthur bastard son of Uther, protector of Mordred
- Lancelot exiled former prince of Benoic now allied with the saxons against his fellow britans
- Guinevere Princess of Henis Wyren and wife of Arthur
- Galahad a christian and friend of Derfel
- Merlin – Lord of Avalon, a Druid
- Mordred King of Dumnonia
- Nimue priestess, Derfels former lover desperatly trying to bring the old gods back to britain
- Taliesin a druidic bard
- Sagramor Arthur's Numidian Commander
- Sansum treacherous bishop of Dumnonia
- Aelle father of Derfel and a saxon king trying to take Britain
- Cerdic a saxon king who along with Aelle is trying to take over Britain
- Meruig king of Gwent, his ambition is to take Dumnonias throne
- Cungelas king of powys and ally of Arthur
[edit] Release details
- 1997, UK, Michael Joseph ISBN 0-7181-0057-3, Pub date 2 October 1997, hardcover 1st edition
- 1998, US, St Martins Press ISBN 0-312-18575-8, Pub date 1 June 1998, hardcover
- 1998, UK, Penguin Books ISBN 0-14-023287-7, Pub date 1 October 1998, paperback
- 1999, US, St. Martin's Griffin ISBN 0-312-20648-8 , Pub date 16 July 1999, paperback
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