The Cambridge History of Arthurian Literature and Culture: Volume 1

The authoritative source for those wanting to explore the flourishing medieval world of Arthur from its very beginnings, the first volume of this history narrates the development of a now globally famous literary tradition from multiple important and dynamic disciplinary angles, exploring the literary Arthur alongside the historical figure.The first volume of The Cambridge History of Arthurian Literature and Culture is the authoritative source for those wanting to explore the flourishing medieval world of Arthur from its very beginnings. Narrating the development of a now globally famous literary tradition from multiple disciplinary angles, it features chapters covering the early Arthur, Arthurian developments in literary genres, transnational and trans-media phenomena, thematic and character-specific topics, Arthurian matter in art, and the transition from manuscript to print at the cusp of the early modern period. Building new bridges between the literary and historical disciplines, and elevating ephemeral cultural forms alongside literary texts, this volume grounds its rich exploration of Arthur the medieval literary hero in a thorough engagement with the Arthur of histories, chronicles, political propaganda, and prophecy.