The Kingmaking
Encyclopedia
The Kingmaking is the first in the Pendragon's Banner trilogy of Arthurian novels by the British writer Helen Hollick
. It was published in 1994 by William Heinemann in the United Kingdom
. It was followed by Pendragon's Banner and Shadow of the King.
The semi-historical novel follows the rise of the young Arthur Pendragon after the death of his father, Uther. The book concentrates on Arthur's relationship with Gwenhwyfar and his emerging prowess on the battlefield. The Kingmaking is set in Britain during the late fifth century some sixty years after the Roman legions pulled out of the island.
By putting King Arthur into a realistic historical setting, some characters from Arthurian legend such as Merlin
and Lancelot
are left out.
"A uniquely compelling novel which is bound to have a resounding and lasting impact on Arthurian fiction."
Books http://www.helenhollick.net/revuking.html
Helen Hollick
Helen Hollick is a British author of historical fiction. She is the author of the Arthurian trilogy Pendragon's Banner, and the novels Harold the King and A Hollow Crown.-Life and career:...
. It was published in 1994 by William Heinemann in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was followed by Pendragon's Banner and Shadow of the King.
The semi-historical novel follows the rise of the young Arthur Pendragon after the death of his father, Uther. The book concentrates on Arthur's relationship with Gwenhwyfar and his emerging prowess on the battlefield. The Kingmaking is set in Britain during the late fifth century some sixty years after the Roman legions pulled out of the island.
By putting King Arthur into a realistic historical setting, some characters from Arthurian legend such as Merlin
Merlin
Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
and Lancelot
Lancelot
Sir Lancelot du Lac is one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He is the most trusted of King Arthur's knights and plays a part in many of Arthur's victories...
are left out.
Endorsements and reviews
Sharon Penman called the novel "a wonderful book [...] [that] breathes new life into an ancient legend""A uniquely compelling novel which is bound to have a resounding and lasting impact on Arthurian fiction."
Books http://www.helenhollick.net/revuking.html