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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

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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.

Nobody knows whether King Arthur actually existed. According to legend, he was king of Britain in the fifth or the sixth century. At the time, England was a place of conflict: Anglo-Saxon invasions, the spread of Christianity to the detriment of the old religions, and endless struggles for power. Arthur supposedly brought peace with the help of his knights, who would convene around a round table at his castle, the legendary Camelot.

Love is a common theme in many of the stories of Camelot. The most well-known of the Arthurian romances is the one between Lancelot and the beautiful Guinevere. However, this is also a tragic story that eventually destroys Arthur's kingdom. Lancelot, after all, is a close friend of King Arthur and a knight everyone looks up to, being handsome and brave and having been raised in the magical kingdom of Avalon, while Guinevere is married to King Arthur.

Love triangles are quite popular in Arthurian legend. Another famous one is the triangle between Tristan, Iseult and King Mark of Cornwall. Tristan is King Mark's nephew and is entrusted with the task of going to Ireland to fetch the king's bride-to-be, Iseult. Then a love potion that makes Tristan and Iseult fall for each other complicates things.

Arthur's nephew, Sir Gawain, is one of the most chivalrous of his knights. He is the traditional knight in shining armor, the one who will rescue the damsel in distress. This is best illustrated in the story of his marriage to Ragnelle, who has been bewitched to be an ugly woman until Gawain breaks the spell.

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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