mercredi 13 août 2014

By Tanisha Berg


A gripping story is one that contains elements that capture the imagination, such as romantic love, chivalry, intrigue and war. Stories like these become even more fascinating when you throw in a bit of magic, some fairies and a dragon or two. This is why myths and legends are so enduring and why the perfect theme for fantasy romance novels based in England is the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Fantasy romance combines two of the most popular literary genres. Fantasy with its tales of magic, dragons and fairies is becoming increasingly popular these days. Romance as a genre sells in the millions too. The great thing about the Arthurian legends is that they're a perfect blend of these, with great love stories that involve a good dose of magic.

The stories about King Arthur and his knights are the most famous in English legend. They're set in England in the early Middle Ages, when the religion of the druids was still as widespread in the country as Christianity was. Whether King Arthur was a real person is uncertain and scholars also debate where Camelot, his castle, was located if it indeed existed. However, real places and people are often mentioned in these stories, making the events seem real too.

One of the most famous love stories in Arthurian legend is that of Lancelot and Guinevere. Lancelot is one of King Arthur's most trusted Knights of the Round Table. He was raised in Avalon, the magic kingdom of the Lady of the Lake, and among his brave exploits is his killing of a dragon. The relationship between him and Guinevere, the king's wife, makes for a tragic love triangle which eventually helps to bring Arthur's kingdom to a fall.

Lancelot and Guinevere's is not the only love triangle in Arthurian legend. One that inspired a famous opera is the story of the knight Tristan and his uncle's bride, Iseult. It is a love potion that brings these two lovers together and causes mayhem at the court of Mark, the King of Cornwall.

There are also some beautiful stories that have a happy ending. One of these is the tale of Sir Gawain and the Dame Ragnelle. Gawain marries Ragnelle, a truly ugly woman, in order to save Arthur's life. This act partially breaks the spell that destroyed Ragnelle's looks in the first place and Gawain, through his chivalry, eventually breaks the spell completely to restore Ragnelle's beauty.

In classic literature, there are several works that are based on the legends of King Arthur and his court. However, these legends are so enduring that contemporary authors use them as theme too. Most often they simply retell a story from another point of view, but sometimes they're actually set in a different era or against another background, such as a modern city or even high school.

Most stories with an Arthurian basis can be classified as fantasy romance. Look for them in this section or in the separate fantasy and romance sections. You'll find the traditional stories among the classics. The easiest way to find these novels is to search online, where the summaries and reviews will also help you make a decision before you buy.




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