King Arthur And His Round Table

5C Beatrice Clay. Illustrated by Dora Curtis. London & New York, 1910.

Notes

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Beatrice Clay, first published in the early 20th century (circa 1903), is a retelling of the legendary tales of King Arthur, his noble knights, and their heroic quests, adapted for younger readers and general audiences. Clay draws from classic sources like Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory and earlier medieval romances to present a streamlined, accessible version of Arthurian legend. The book follows Arthur from his miraculous rise to the throne—after pulling the sword from the stone—through the establishment of the Round Table, and on to the deeds of famous knights like Lancelot, Gawain, Percival, and Galahad. Central to the narrative are the themes of chivalry, honor, loyalty, and the pursuit of the Holy Grail. Clay’s retelling captures the grandeur and tragedy of Arthur’s reign, culminating in the betrayal by Lancelot and Guinevere and the eventual fall of Camelot. Her version remains a classic introduction to Arthurian lore, preserving its moral core and mythic richness while making it approachable for modern readers.

Description

Blue cloth binding with gilt designs and lettering to upper board and spine. Pictorial onlay. Illustrated throughout. Award pasted into inner board - awarded to a student for excellence in French awarded 1912.