The Road to Camlann
Encyclopedia
The Road to Camlann: The Death of King Arthur is the third book in Rosemary Sutcliff
's Arthurian trilogy, after The Sword and the Circle
and The Light Beyond the Forest
. This book portrays the events that lead to the Battle of Camlann
and the downfall of Camelot
, including Guinevere
and Lancelot
's secret affair, and the betrayal of Arthur's illegitimate son Mordred
.
When, at the end of the battle, Ector laments Lancelot, Sutcliff uses Thomas Malory
's text from Le Morte d'Arthur
.
Rosemary Sutcliff
Rosemary Sutcliff CBE was a British novelist, and writer for children, best known as a writer of historical fiction and children's literature. Although she was primarily a children's author, the quality and depth of her writing also appeals to adults; Sutcliff herself once commented that she wrote...
's Arthurian trilogy, after The Sword and the Circle
The Sword and the Circle
The Sword and the Circle: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a children's novel by Rosemary Sutcliff and was first published in 1981. It is a retelling of the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table...
and The Light Beyond the Forest
The Light Beyond the Forest
The Light Beyond the Forest: The Quest for the Holy Grail is the second book in Rosemary Sutcliff's Arthurian trilogy. While the previous book, The Sword and the Circle, is a collection of Arthurian tales including the creation of the Round Table, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Beaumains the...
. This book portrays the events that lead to the Battle of Camlann
Battle of Camlann
The Battle of Camlann is best known as the final battle of King Arthur, where he either died in battle, or was fatally wounded fighting his enemy Mordred.-Historicity:...
and the downfall of Camelot
Camelot
Camelot is a castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and eventually came to be described as the fantastic capital of Arthur's realm and a symbol of the Arthurian world...
, including Guinevere
Guinevere
Guinevere was the legendary queen consort of King Arthur. In tales and folklore, she was said to have had a love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot...
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...
's secret affair, and the betrayal of Arthur's illegitimate son Mordred
Mordred
Mordred or Modred is a character in the Arthurian legend, known as a notorious traitor who fought King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann, where he was killed and Arthur fatally wounded. Tradition varies on his relationship to Arthur, but he is best known today as Arthur's illegitimate son by his...
.
When, at the end of the battle, Ector laments Lancelot, Sutcliff uses Thomas Malory
Thomas Malory
Sir Thomas Malory was an English writer, the author or compiler of Le Morte d'Arthur. The antiquary John Leland as well as John Bale believed him to be Welsh, but most modern scholars, beginning with G. L...
's text from Le Morte d'Arthur
Le Morte d'Arthur
Le Morte d'Arthur is a compilation by Sir Thomas Malory of Romance tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table...
.