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20 Best Books On Arthurian Legend (2023 Update)
Are you looking for the Best Books On Arthurian Legend? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Books On Arthurian Legend can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Funko, Penguin Random House, Wizards of the Coast, Amazon.com. We have done a lot of research to find the Top 20 Best Books On Arthurian Legend available.
The average cost is $16.21. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $3.00 to a high of $32.50.
Based on the research we did, we think The Legends of King Arthur: Merlin, Magic and Dragons [Book] is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Books On Arthurian Legend (19 Sellers)
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Features:
- A retelling of the arthurian legends, adapted and illustrated to introduce children aged 7+ to classic folklore.
- Binding type: hardback.
- Publisher: sweet cherry publishing.
Features:
- Mint condition
- Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
- Guaranteed packaging
Features:
- Publisher date: 2010-02-02
- Dimensions: 17.3 x 11 x 2.4 cm
- Category: classics
Features:
- Used book in good condition
- Highlight, take notes and search in the book
- In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition
Features:
- A penguin classic
- Number of pages: 416
- Dimensions: 145 x 214 x 27 mm
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2014-07-21
- Number of pages: 146
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: penguin putnam inc
- Year published: 20121030
Features:
- Number of pages: 128
- Genre: body + mind + spirit
- Sub-genre: divination
Features:
- Publisher: sterling publishing co inc
- Year published: 2016-06-01
- Number of pages: 456
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2015-12-19
- Number of pages: 288
$7.60
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: brockhampton press
- Year published: 2000-01-01
Features:
- 'leader of the three british legions against armed men – lucius artorius castus.' the arthurian legend begins with this man.
- Binding type: hardback.
- Year published: 2022-12-15.
Features:
- It has been foretold:in the hour of britains greatest need, king arthur will return to rescue his people.
- In portugal, the reprobate king edward the ninth has died by his own hand.
- In england, the british monarchy teeters on the edge of total destruction.
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Year published: 2015-11-12
- Number of pages: 768
$3.95
3.5
Features:
- Brand = usborne
- Title = king arthur
- Author = wilkes
$9.95
4.0
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: inner traditions bear and company
- Year published: 19991126
$24.00
3.5
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2012-12-03
- Number of pages: 270
$3.00
3.5
Features:
- Brand = usborne
- Title = king arthur
- Author = wilkes
Features:
- The legends of king arthur are among the richest and most mysterious in british folklore, retold with dramatic illustrations.
- Binding type: hardback.
- Year published: 2020-04-30.
Features:
- Dan jones, the sunday times "an engaging, interesting and accessible search for the facts behind the legend of king arthur.".
- Mark jones, albion magazine "a well-produced book by a serious scholar".
- David miles, minerva "likely to be the definitive text on the legendary warrior for the foreseeable future.
1. The Legends Of King Arthur: Merlin, Magic And Dragons [Book]

Product Details:
Includes free downloadable audio via qr codes! epic battles, thrilling quests and forbidden love combine in the medieval story of the boy who would be king. a retelling of the arthurian legends, adapted and illustrated to introduce children aged 7+ to classic folklore. great to share aloud, just like the original tales.
Specifications:
Published | United Kingdom, 14 October 2020 |
Writer | Tracey Mayhew |
Age Range | 0+ |
Dimensions | 20 x 13 x 7.5 centimeters (1.04 kg) |
Reviews:
All the classics written in a way that a 6 year old and a 9 year old can understand!Jessica S.
Will bring the myths and legends of King Arthur to life for young children to enjoy.Mrs P. W.
Great stories & easy to read!R D.
2. King Arthur And His Knights Of The Round Table [Book]

Product Details:
They're puffin classics for a reason, it's because they're the best.step up to the round table and join the knights of the realm! king arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. from the magical moment when arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the holy grail and the final tragedy of the last battle, roger lancelyn green brings the enchanting world of king arthur stunningly to life. one of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by david almond, award-winning author of clay, skellig, kit's wilderness and the fire-eaters.
Reviews:
My boy age 8 is enjoying this book a lot. He just loves it and won't stop carrying the book everywhere.Shoggy
A great story for kids that are into adventureSuz
Amazing gift for book nerdDESIREE
3. Le Morte D'arthur – King Arthur And The Legends Of The Round Table

Product Details:
About the book from the incredible wizardry of merlin to the passion of sir lancelot, these tales of arthur and his knights offer epic adventures with the supernatural as well as timeless battles with our own humanity. features a new afterword. revised reissue. book synopsis from the incredible wizadry of merlin to the passion of gwynevere and sir lancelot, these tales of king arthur and his knights of the round table offer epic adventures with the supernatural as well as timeless battles with our own humanity. in a time when there were damsels in distress to save and mythical dragons to slay, king arthur and his knights were there to render justice in the face of any danger. keith baine's splendid rendition of le morte d'arthur faithfully preserves the original flavor of malory's masterpiece–that of banners and bloodshed, knights and ladies, christians and sorcerers, sentiment and savagery. it remains a vivid medieval tapestry woven about a central figure who symbolizes the birth of an age of chivalry. includes an introduction by robert graves and an afterword by christopher cannon about the author sir thomas malory was born in approximately 1410 and is believed to have been a knight serving under the earl of warwick. for a few years he was a member of parliament but ultimately spent several long terms in prison for a variety of crimes, including robbery and assault. he completed le morte d'arthur, the first great english prose epic, in newgate prison around 1469-70, shortly before his death. the book was eventually published in 1485 by william caxton, the first english printer. keith baines was born in london, england. he studied at private schools in london and hampshire, at the royal academy of music, and at university college, london. he fought in world war ii, and after his discharge, he turned to his main interest, poetry. mr. baines's poems appeared in periodicals both in the united states and the united kingdom. he died in 1986.
Reviews:
Lover reading about King Arthur.JESSICA
We are reading Le Morte D'Arthur in my Medieval Humanities class. This edition is quite readable and affordable. There are many versions–from Medieval times to the present–of the King Arthur stories. But Thomas Mallory is arguably the best author and compiler of these accounts. For a trade paperback, uncluttered with extras, this is the best edition I have found.Ben
4. The Cambridge Companion To The Arthurian Legend [Book]

Product Details:
For more than a thousand years, the adventures of king arthur and his knights of the round table have been retold across europe. they have inspired some of the most important works of european literature, particularly in the medieval period: the romances of chrétien de troyes, wolfram von eschenbach's parzival, sir gawain and the green knight and malory's le morte d'arthur. in the nineteenth century, interest in the arthurian legend revived with tennyson, wagner and twain. this companion outlines the evolution of the legend from the earliest documentary sources to spamalot, and analyses how some of the major motifs of the legend have been passed down in both medieval and modern texts. with a map of arthur's britain, a chronology of key texts and a guide to further reading, this volume itself will contribute to the continuing fascination with the king and his many legends.
Specifications:
Language | English |
Release Date | October 2009 |
Length | 286 Pages |
Dimensions | 0.7" x 6.4" x 9.1" |
5. The Acts Of King Arthur And His Noble Knights: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) [Book]

Product Details:
Steinbeck's only work of fantasy literature—in a deluxe edition with a foreword by christopher paolini, new york times bestselling author of eragon, eldest and brisingra penguin classic malory’s le morte d’arthur was the first book that john steinbeck truly enjoyed reading as a child. fascinated by arthurian tales of adventure, knighthood, honor and friendship, in addition to the challenging nuances of the original anglo-saxon language, steinbeck set out to render these stories faithfully and with keen animation for a modern audience. here then is steinbeck’s modernization of the adventure of king arthur and the knights of the round table, featuring the icons of arthurian legend—including king arthur, merlin, morgan le fay, the incomparable queen guinevere, and arthur's purest knight, sir lancelot of the lake. these enduring tales of loyalty and betrayal in the time of camelot flicker with the wonder and magic of an era past but not forgotten. steinbeck's retelling will capture the attention and imagination of legions of steinbeck fans, including those who love arthurian romances, as well as countless readers of science fiction and fantasy literature. this edition features a new foreword by christopher paolini, author of the number-one new york times bestselling novels eragon, eldest, and brisingr. it also includes the letters john steinbeck wrote to his literary agent, elizabeth otis, and to chase horton, the original editor of this volume.for more than seventy years, penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the english-speaking world. with more than 1,700 titles, penguin classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Reviews:
So often a person can be disappointed, but this book was better than stated.englishrose-10
6. The History Of Merlin And King Arthur: The Earliest Version Of The Arthurian Legend [Book]

Product Details:
Geoffrey of monmouth wrote his historia regum britanniae (history of the kings of britain) in about 1136 ad. his book includes the first account of the arthurian legend that survives, apart from very brief mentions of arthur in earlier chronicles. this edition makes geoffrey's history of arthur accessible to a general audience for the first time. it includes only the parts of geoffrey's historia that are about merlin or arthur, omitting its lengthy histories of other kings, which do not interest today's readers. it breaks up geoffrey's text into shorter chapters, and it adds subheadings that make the narrative easier to follow. geoffrey lets us see king arthur's place in history much more clearly than later versions of the legends, telling us that arthur fought the saxons after the romans left britain. he also includes stories of merlin's early life that are left out of later accounts. this edition uses aaron thompson's 1718 translation of the historia, as revised and corrected by j. a. giles in 1842. this edition also includes drawings by the famous illustrator, howard pyle, making it a beautiful book as well as a book that will fascinate anyone who is interested in the stories of king arthur and wants to learn more about them.
Specifications:
Language | English |
Release Date | July 2014 |
Length | 144 Pages |
Dimensions | 8.0" x 0.4" x 5.3" |
7. The Death Of King Arthur: The Immortal Legend (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) [Book]

Product Details:
Acclaimed biographer peter ackroyd vibrantly resurrects the legendary epic of camelot in this modern adaptationthe names of arthur, merlin, lancelot, guinevere, galahad, the sword of excalibur, and the court of camelot are as recognizable as any from the world of myth. although many versions exist of the stories of king arthur and the knights of the round table, le morte d'arthur by sir thomas malory endures as the most moving and richly inventive.in this abridged retelling the inimitable peter ackroyd transforms malory's fifteenth-century work into a dramatic modern story, vividly bringing to life a world of courage and chivalry, magic, and majesty. the golden age of camelot, the perilous search for the holy grail, the love of guinevere and lancelot, and the treachery of arthur's son mordred are all rendered into contemporary prose with ackroyd's characteristic charm and panache. just as he did with his fresh new version of chaucer's the canterbury tales, ackroyd now brings one of the cornerstones of english literature to a whole new audience.for more than seventy years, penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the english-speaking world. with more than 1,700 titles, penguin classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
8. Camelot Oracle: A Quest For Wisdom Through The Arthurian World [Book]

Product Details:
Enter a mystical landscape peopled with archetypal characters and rich in myth and legend – the world of king arthur and his knights of the round table. the universal appeal of the arthurian tales lies in their primal quality: they deal with every aspect of human life, from the eternal struggle to overcome obstacles to the continuing search for fulfillment. working with the oracle cards and the map of the lands adventurous you will travel from camelot with your champion on your quest. your chosen path leads to a place of significance where your challenger waits to hear your questions. consulting the guidebook will reveal the answers and the guidance you require. the camelot oracle explores inner realms and takes you on an unforgettable journey – the journey of life itself.
Specifications:
Language | English |
Original Languages | English |
Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H) | 8.60 x 6.20 x 1.40 Inches (US) |
Reviews:
Good price and fun Oraclerebekhartm
The Camelot Oracle is not your average oracle deck… it's a completely unique oracle system that includes the beautiful cards, an excellent book, & a map of the territory to use during divination. I find it to give accurate readings & be a fun fresh way to connect with the Arthur Legends. I'm happy it's now a part of my collection.leighartse0
9. The Story Of King Arthur And His Knights (Barnes And Noble Collectible Classics: Children's Edition) [Book]

Product Details:
Age range 10 to 13 the legendary adventures of king arthur, his knights of the table round, and the court of camelot come to life in a lively and accessible retelling by howard pyle. when the young arthur pulls the embedded sword from the stone, his future as the king of england is foretold. this imaginative retelling of the classic legends recounts the story of arthur's formation of the knights of the round table, his securing of the enchanted sword excalibur, his wooing of the lady guinevere, and many other beloved arthurian tales.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Not at all enjoyable and too violent for children under 7.Nana Tina
This is a keeper.I bought this for my g grandson who is 11, as he is interested in in Arthurian legends. He hasn't seen it yet as it will be a Christmas gift. The book is well made with illustrations and stories that I hope will keep his interest. The cover is beautiful as are the illustrations. It is one of many that I hope to gift to him.elvry-39
10. The Road To Camelot: Tales And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table [Book]

Product Details:
Knights in shining armor, fair damsels, dangerous castles, and enchanted swords are just some of the thrilling details that have made the legends of king arthur and the knights of the round table popular for over a thousand years. from his castle of camelot noble king arthur sets out to create the perfect society with the help of the wizard merlin. meanwhile, his scheming half-sister, morgan le fay, the dark night, mordred, and the disloyalty of queen guinevere and sir lancelot threaten to destroy his dreams of a better world. the 14 reader's theater script-stories included in this book re-tell the full saga of arthur and his knights. also included are several bonus stories, worksheets, and activities, including two playable games and a find-it picture puzzle. the reaching olympus series uses classroom-tested reader's theater script-stories specifically designed for 6th-12th grade students to retell the great myths and legends of world mythology. reader's theater is an innovative and powerful teaching tool that allows students to break away from silent reading and share in an "acting-out" experience where words and myth come to life! each script is prefaced by a teacher guide providing a synopsis of the myth, relevant background information and commentary on the myth, anticipatory questions for pre-play discussion, essential questions to help analyze the "big ideas" behind each myth, recall questions to check reading comprehension, and instructions for teaching commonly-tested terms and literary devices using each story.
Specifications:
Language | English |
Release Date | December 2015 |
Length | 288 Pages |
Dimensions | 11.0" x 0.6" x 8.5" |
11. Arthurian Myth And Legend: An A-Z Of People And Places [Book]

Product Details:
The wealth of mythology and legend that surrounds the story of king arthur and his knights of the round table ensures that it remains one of the most popular and intriguing areas of literature to study, not least because it has a foundation in history. in 15 years' research, mythologist mike dixon-kennedy surveyed all of the arthurian literature, and he has condensed information from numerous and widespread sources. the result is a work that is complete and authoritative, while retaining the important quality of accessibility. in over 2000 detailed entries you will find the famous as well as the obscure: people, places, artefacts and all the other subjects that make up the very essence of arthurian legend, myth and romance. included, too, are many characters that might not have once seemed connected with the arthurian legends, some of definite celtic origin and others from further afield.–from publisher description.
Specifications:
Language | English |
Release Date | August 1998 |
Length | 304 Pages |
Dimensions | 9.5" x 6.0" x 9.3" |
12. Artorius: The Real King Arthur [Book]

Product Details:
The search for the historical figure behind what is arguably the most famous cycle of legends ever has been unrelenting over the centuries. here, two noted arthurian experts argue that the man whose story started the arthurian myth was a soldier named lucius artorius castus who lived at the end of the second century ad. castus's extraordinary career took him from one end of the roman empire to the other, bringing him into contact with tribespeople among the steppe nomads – in particular the sarmatians. for several decades the sarmatians have been thought to be the inspiration behind arthur's knights of the round table, among other british tales. the authors provide a fascinating detective story following the life of lucius artorius castus against the colourful backdrop of the history of the reigns of marcus aurelius and his son, the barely sane commodus. in doing so they reveal the manifold links between artorius and the legend.
13. Avalon: The Return Of King Arthur [Book]

Product Details:
The hour fortold has come at last! edward the ninth, reprobate king of england, is dead and a proud an venerable institution is to be buried with him. a new political orderencouraged by an ambitious prime minister and supported by a public wearied by a succession of royal scandalsis about to render the old obsolete. with signed abdications of all potential throne claimants already in p.m. thomas waring's hands, it is a near-certainty that the british monarchy will not survive the twenty-first century. but in the scottish highlands, a young man makes a remarkable discovery that will change the seemingly unaltered path of his beleaguered nation. for captain james arthur stuart is not the commoner he has always believed himself to be, but rather the scion of an obscure branch of the royal family, raised in ignorance of his true station. even more astonishing, the monarch-to-be does not merely share the name of the legendary king of summerhe is, in fact, king arthur reborn! claiming a throune, however, is one thing, while holding it is quite another, as jamesnow ruling the land as arthur ii? turns to those most beloved and most loyal for support, guidance, and assistance: his adored wife, jennifer; his best friend, calum; and his enigmantic and mystical advisor, a certain mr. embries. better known as "merlin." their road will be rocky and perilous, and there are powerful enemies arrayed against themnot only prime minister waring and his ruthless political machine, but the forces of an ancient, far more potent, destructive evil. for arthur is not the only one who has returnedand merlin's magic is not the only sorcery that has survived the centuries. with avalon, one of the premier voices in the literature of the fantastic offers us an unparalleled adventure as replete with bravery, treacher, romance, and magic as the beloved tales of the table round, yet cast in a setting as recognizably real as that which surrounds us.
Reviews:
As have been all the S. Lawhead books I have read this one was no different. These are more than just fantasy writing. They are truly works of literiture. Weaving mystery and adventure into a marvelous journey of the Cristian faith. In Avalon he puts forth a legitamate argument for the retaining of the royalty. He also challenges believers to recognise the forces that are at work both with in and without to destroy true faith. It is a great read and I found it hard to put down. By itself it can be read but it is better if read as the conclusion to the Pendragon series.revt54
I love this author and series, however, I received the mass media edition (which was not in the description) so this copy does not match my other books in the series- which is very important to me. I would not have bought this copy if I had know this and will be reselling this copy and buying another one.wcsalis
14. Le Morte D'arthur: King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table [Book]

Product Details:
Chivalry is not dead! central figures in medieval literature, king arthur and his knights of the round table still inspire many books and films today. drawing on the legends of camelot from french and english sources, sir thomas malory compiled the drama of illicit love, the magic of sorcery, and the quest for the holy grail into a sordid and chivalrous tale that's been recounted for centuries. this beautiful leather-bound volume, with gilded edges and a ribbon bookmark so you never lose your place, will be a treasured edition of classic arthurian folklore in any home library.
Reviews:
Genuine old edition of the story of Arthurmicam-368
Very small font – I must buy new glasses 😉grilome
15. The Adventures Of King Arthur [Book]

Product Details:
Specifications:
Reviews:
Exactly what I was looking for!!!! Thanksjoh_goodr
16. King Of The Celts: Arthurian Legends And Celtic Tradition [Book]

Product Details:
In a masterful blend of history, geography, and literature, jean markale re-creates the true king arthur, the real-life celtic warrior-hero who organized the resistance to the saxon onslaught in fifth-century england. markale's unsurpassed knowledge of celtic history has enabled him to reconstruct for us the actual world in which king arthur lived–its heros, its values, and its vicissitudes–and to define the position that arthur occupied within it. – explains how the arthurian ideals of knightly virtue and chivalry are at the heart of western literature and thought – shows how the celtic heritage continues to exert a unique formative power on our personal and moral concepts
Specifications:
Reviews:
It is yet another spin on arthurian legend. Very interesting, and gives creedance to the fact that Arthur and the legend did happen. I bought if for my husband who is deeply into Arthurian legend. All legend, all folklore comes from some fact. Each book that comes out gives us some different insight. This is another. If you are into it, then read this. Get as much information as you can and then draw your own conclusion. Did Arthur exhist? Was there a Camelot? Who was Merlin? We keep the legends alive by reading the folklore! Camelot, in my opinion exhisted. Arthur was not a king, but a man given a task to lead a nation. Excaliber. Yes, I believe there is a sword and was, just like the strength of Stone Henge. Believe, don't believe, but read the book! Worth the read if you are into learning more about this man and his reign/or life.gypsyraven5031
17. The Secret Tradition In Arthurian Legend [Book]

Product Details:
In this book gareth knight takes the most famous and most haunting of all british legends and places it in its rightful position as the core of the western mystery tradition, which draws its inspiration from greek, irish and even atlantean myth. the central arthurian themes and characters are brought to life with clear and thorough explanations, while the carefully woven pattern that has developed around the arthuriad is carefully unravelled and its full esoteric significance revealed. this fascinating study, which builds on the work of dion fortune and margaret lumley brown, takes the reader beyond the world of malory and unfolds an inner landscape as real as the isles in which it was created.
Specifications:
Reviews:
This book contains good information about the Grail Myths, related characters, and their symbolism, but it also blends this with a typical, eclectic "new age" mishmash of non-related information (Hindu Chakras? The lost continent of Atlantis? Seriously?) the whole being cobbled together as a "secret tradition".lichtpriester
The real deal when it comes to the compelling Arthurian saga. Essential reading for serious students of the legendstartarotspinning
18. The Adventures Of King Arthur [Book]

Product Details:
Specifications:
Reviews:
Exactly what I was looking for!!!! Thanksjoh_goodr
19. Tales Of King Arthur: Ten Legendary Stories Of The Knights Of The Round Table [Book]

Product Details:
The legends of king arthur are among the richest and most mysterious in british folklore, and they remain popular throughout the world. there almost certainly was a real leader named arthur, who was probably a clan chieftain from cornwall, wales or scotland. the arthurian myths deal with important and timeless themes, such as temptation, betrayal, justice and the struggle for power. it is therefore not surprising that stories of this mighty celtic warrior echo through the ages, making him a hero for our own time as much as his own. the ten featured tales include all the memorable characters such as uther pendragon, queen guinevere, gawain, lancelot, morgana and mordred, plus well- known places such as tintagel and camelot, the mythical site of the round table. learn about arthur's birth, the fate foretold for him by the wizard merlin, the sword in the stone, the lady in the lake, and the devastating final battle. powerful and dramatic illustrations by graham howells bring the heroism and treachery of arthur's turbulent time vividly to life
Specifications:
20. King Arthur: The Making Of The Legend [Book]

Product Details:
A prominent scholar explores king arthur's historical development, proposing that he began as a fictional character developed in the ninth century according to legend, king arthur saved britain from the saxons and reigned over it gloriously sometime around a.d. 500. whether or not there was a "real" king arthur has all too often been neglected by scholars; most period specialists today declare themselves agnostic on this important matter. in this erudite volume, nick higham sets out to solve the puzzle, drawing on his original research and expertise to determine precisely when, and why, the legend began. higham surveys all the major attempts to prove the origins of arthur, weighing up and debunking hitherto claimed connections with classical greece, roman dalmatia, sarmatia, and the caucasus. he then explores arthur's emergence in wales–up to his rise to fame at the hands of geoffrey of monmouth. certain to arouse heated debate among those committed to defending any particular arthur, higham's book is an essential study for anyone seeking to understand how arthur's story began.