Here Lies Arthur
Encyclopedia
Here Lies Arthur is a young adult novel by Philip Reeve
. It was first published in April 2007. The Arthur of the title is the King Arthur
of legend. Although set in fifth or sixth century Britain, Here Lies Arthur is not a true historical novel
according to the author as it is not based on actual events — rather it is 'back-created' from the legends, giving them a 'realistic' origin.
, a bard who hopes to build Arthur's reputation as a great hero so that he can unite the native British against the Saxons who have occupied the east of the country. Myrddin tells Gwyna to give Arthur Caliburn
while pretending to be the Lady of the Lake
. When she does that successfully, Myrddin disguises her in boy's clothes so that she can travel with the war-band as his servant.
Throughout her travels, she meets a boy who was brought up as a girl, tricks a holy man, swims in the Roman baths of Aquae Sulis
, takes part in a battle, and witnesses Arthur's brutality, piousness and immorality, all the while observing her master create the fantastic stories that have made 'King Arthur' one of the most famous men in legend. After Arthur's death she creates some stories herself, conceding that the legend is more important than the mere facts.
in 2008 and the Nestlé Children's Book Prize
Bronze Award in 2007, was shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize
in 2007 and longlisted for the Manchester Book Award
in 2008.
The Carnegie judges described it as enjoyable and thought-provoking, a "page-turner of a novel', adding that "Reeve cleverly makes the story relevant to today by examining the versions of history that are handed down to us, and the ways in which myths are created."
Philip Reeve
Philip Reeve is a British author and illustrator. He presently lives on Dartmoor with his wife Sarah and their son Samuel.-Biography:...
. It was first published in April 2007. The Arthur of the title is the King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
of legend. Although set in fifth or sixth century Britain, Here Lies Arthur is not a true historical novel
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
according to the author as it is not based on actual events — rather it is 'back-created' from the legends, giving them a 'realistic' origin.
Plot summary
The novel starts with an attack by Arthur and his war-band, and the escape of Gwyna, a servant girl. She is found by MyrddinMerlin
Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
, a bard who hopes to build Arthur's reputation as a great hero so that he can unite the native British against the Saxons who have occupied the east of the country. Myrddin tells Gwyna to give Arthur Caliburn
Excalibur
Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain. Sometimes Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone are said to be the same weapon, but in most versions they are considered separate. The sword was...
while pretending to be the Lady of the Lake
Lady of the Lake
The Lady of the Lake is the name of several related characters who play parts in the Arthurian legend. These characters' roles include giving King Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin, and raising Lancelot after the death of his father...
. When she does that successfully, Myrddin disguises her in boy's clothes so that she can travel with the war-band as his servant.
Throughout her travels, she meets a boy who was brought up as a girl, tricks a holy man, swims in the Roman baths of Aquae Sulis
Aquae Sulis
Aquae Sulis was a small town in the Roman province of Britannia. Today it is known as Bath, located in the English county of Somerset.-Baths and temple complex:...
, takes part in a battle, and witnesses Arthur's brutality, piousness and immorality, all the while observing her master create the fantastic stories that have made 'King Arthur' one of the most famous men in legend. After Arthur's death she creates some stories herself, conceding that the legend is more important than the mere facts.
Characters
- Gwyna/Gwyn: the narrator, a servant girl who spends much of the book disguised as a boy
- Myrddin: her master, a Celtic bard, Arthur's adviser
- Arthur, nicknamed the Bear: the leader of a Romano-BritishRomano-BritishRomano-British culture describes the culture that arose in Britain under the Roman Empire following the Roman conquest of AD 43 and the creation of the province of Britannia. It arose as a fusion of the imported Roman culture with that of the indigenous Britons, a people of Celtic language and...
war-band - GwenhwyfarGuinevereGuinevere 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...
: a relative of Ambrosius AurelianusAmbrosius AurelianusAmbrosius Aurelianus, ; called Aurelius Ambrosius in the Historia Regum Britanniae and elsewhere, was a war leader of the Romano-British who won an important battle against the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century, according to Gildas...
, later Arthur's wife - Valerius: defender of Aquae Sulis, Gwenhwyfar's first husband
- CeiSir KayIn Arthurian legend, Sir Kay is Sir Ector's son and King Arthur's foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. In later literature he is known for his acid tongue and bullying, boorish behavior, but in earlier accounts he was one of Arthur's premier...
: Arthur's half-brother and a friend to Myrddin - BedwyrBedivereIn Arthurian legend, Sir Bedivere is the Knight of the Round Table who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. He serves as King Arthur's marshal and is frequently associated with Sir Kay...
: Gwyn's friend, later Gwenhwyfar's lover - MedrawtMordredMordred 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...
: Bedwyr's older brother, a warrior - PeredurPercivalPercival or Perceval is one of King Arthur's legendary Knights of the Round Table. In Welsh literature his story is allotted to the historical Peredur...
: son of a famous warrior, raised as a girl by his widowed mother, later Gwyna's lover - Saint Porroc: self-proclaimed holy man, leader of a group of worldly monks
- Maelwas of DumnoniaMaleagantMaleagant is a villain from Arthurian legend. In a number of versions of a popular episode, Maleagant abducts Guinevere, necessitating her rescue by King Arthur and his knights. The earliest surviving version of this episode names the abductor Melwas...
, overlord of the southern kingdoms
Reception
Here Lies Arthur won the Carnegie MedalCarnegie Medal
The Carnegie Medal is a literary award established in 1936 in honour of Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and given annually to an outstanding book for children and young adults. It is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...
in 2008 and the Nestlé Children's Book Prize
Nestlé Smarties Book Prize
The Nestlé Children's Book Prize, also known as the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, was an annual award given to children's books written in the previous year by a UK citizen or resident. The prize was administered by Booktrust, an independent charity which promotes books and reading, and sponsored by...
Bronze Award in 2007, was shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize
Booktrust Teenage Prize
The Booktrust Teenage Prize is an annual award given to young adult literature published in the UK. The prize is administered by Booktrust, an independent charity which promotes books and reading.-List of Prize Winners:...
in 2007 and longlisted for the Manchester Book Award
Manchester Book Award
The Manchester Book Award is a project run in Manchester, UK, organised by School Services at the Manchester Library & Information Service; it is funded by the Working Neighbourhoods Fund. The project is currently in its fourth year....
in 2008.
The Carnegie judges described it as enjoyable and thought-provoking, a "page-turner of a novel', adding that "Reeve cleverly makes the story relevant to today by examining the versions of history that are handed down to us, and the ways in which myths are created."