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Pyle's King Arthur #3
The Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions
Enchanting tale of chivalry and love recounts the adventures of the most famous knight of King Arthur's Round Table. Fifty-two richly detailed illustrations by the author enhance stories of Launcelot's daring rescue of Queen Guinevere, the tournament at Astolat, the birth of Galahad, and much more. These stories have inspired numerous film adaptations, including the 2017 release Knights of the King Arthur , directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Eric Bana, Djimon Hounsou, and Annabelle Wallis.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1907
30 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Howard Pyle
753 books315 followersHoward Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people.
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith.
His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth.
Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).
His sister Katharine Pyle was also a writer and illustrator. Their mother was the children's author and translator M.C. Pyle.
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith.
His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth.
Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).
His sister Katharine Pyle was also a writer and illustrator. Their mother was the children's author and translator M.C. Pyle.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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October 28, 2025Sir Launcelot may be in the title of the book, but his sad, depressing love triangle with Elaine and Guinevere is exhausting and completely overshadowed and outdone—by the refreshing, unique, and witty, love story of Sir Gareth and Lady Lynette.
I’ve read a fair bit of knight stories, and nothing prepared me for this arc. Both Gareth and Lynette experience character growth beyond what I’ve seen in a world where everyone seems to be exactly who they are forever.
Lynette begins the story snobbish and classist, convinced Gareth is just a kitchen boy. But slowly, her contempt turns to reluctant respect for his prowess (despite his supposed lowly heritage) and finally transforms into open admiration. Her affection for him is earned. Her arrogant and annoying talk was caught and corrected with humility... it feels so fresh and lovely.
And then there’s Gareth. He thinks Lynette is the most annoying creature on the planet—naggy, judgmental, impossible to please. And yet, it’s her voice that drives him to victory. It’s her criticism that inspires him to become better. She doesn’t coddle or flatter him—she challenges him. It was her unmet expectations that pushed him to grow into the strength of ten men. And by his character as a knight, she stops her biting insults and turns her mouth to honest compliments. What a beautiful story of two people becoming better versions of themselves because of each other.
I was so ready to read the chapter where Gareth finally realizes he’s won Lynette’s respect and love, and where Lynette realizes she’s forgiven for her mistakes. That was going to be the moment that the story reached its peak.
I was ready to hear violins play as the flower petals flew in from nowhere--
And then… Lady Layonnesse stepped onto the stage.
She, who couldn’t inspire Gareth to fight. She, who has the personality of a cucumber. Her only defining trait is being like every other standard-issue damsel. Trapped in a tower by a ‘trademark’ evil man and waiting for rescue. And Gareth marries her. Why?
Because, in his own words: “She is far times prettier than Lynette.”
I closed the book and stared at a wall for a solid minute before I began venting the story to any and all who would listen.
(I may in time come to the conclusion that Gareth in his knightly honor deserved his soft and warm epilog with the beautiful Layonnesse, who had never once insulted him or caused him to feel small... but for now i will remain upset that the one Lady with character flaws was set aside like an old glove.)
(footnote.)
I need a diagram and a picture with at least ten labels and arrows, to help me understand the Worm of Corbin... What do you mean "With several hundred of it's claws."?! How is it venomous?!
Also,
Lady Vivian needs to be locked up, she is a public menace that is all.
I’ve read a fair bit of knight stories, and nothing prepared me for this arc. Both Gareth and Lynette experience character growth beyond what I’ve seen in a world where everyone seems to be exactly who they are forever.
Lynette begins the story snobbish and classist, convinced Gareth is just a kitchen boy. But slowly, her contempt turns to reluctant respect for his prowess (despite his supposed lowly heritage) and finally transforms into open admiration. Her affection for him is earned. Her arrogant and annoying talk was caught and corrected with humility... it feels so fresh and lovely.
And then there’s Gareth. He thinks Lynette is the most annoying creature on the planet—naggy, judgmental, impossible to please. And yet, it’s her voice that drives him to victory. It’s her criticism that inspires him to become better. She doesn’t coddle or flatter him—she challenges him. It was her unmet expectations that pushed him to grow into the strength of ten men. And by his character as a knight, she stops her biting insults and turns her mouth to honest compliments. What a beautiful story of two people becoming better versions of themselves because of each other.
I was so ready to read the chapter where Gareth finally realizes he’s won Lynette’s respect and love, and where Lynette realizes she’s forgiven for her mistakes. That was going to be the moment that the story reached its peak.
I was ready to hear violins play as the flower petals flew in from nowhere--
And then… Lady Layonnesse stepped onto the stage.
She, who couldn’t inspire Gareth to fight. She, who has the personality of a cucumber. Her only defining trait is being like every other standard-issue damsel. Trapped in a tower by a ‘trademark’ evil man and waiting for rescue. And Gareth marries her. Why?
Because, in his own words: “She is far times prettier than Lynette.”
I closed the book and stared at a wall for a solid minute before I began venting the story to any and all who would listen.
(I may in time come to the conclusion that Gareth in his knightly honor deserved his soft and warm epilog with the beautiful Layonnesse, who had never once insulted him or caused him to feel small... but for now i will remain upset that the one Lady with character flaws was set aside like an old glove.)
(footnote.)
I need a diagram and a picture with at least ten labels and arrows, to help me understand the Worm of Corbin... What do you mean "With several hundred of it's claws."?! How is it venomous?!
Also,
Lady Vivian needs to be locked up, she is a public menace that is all.
May 11, 2022
Breve storia triste: io sono infinitamente affascinata dalle leggende su re Artù e i cavalieri della Tavola Rotonda… ma – eccezion fatta per numerose trasposizioni cinematografiche e rivisitazioni per l’infanzia – non ho mai letto nulla in proposito. (La serie di T. H. White, ‘Re in eterno’, attende da eoni il suo momento e mi fissa con sguardo truce dallo scaffale.)
In sintesi, era giunto il momento che mi dessi una mossa.
Quando mi è cascato l’occhio sulla recente uscita edita Fanucci Editore, ‘Lancillotto e i suoi compagni d’armi’, ho “colto la palla al balzo”: Howard Pyle è stato un illustratore e scrittore di libri per bambini e ragazzi e, tra le sue opere, si conta anche un ciclo dedicato a re Artù e composto da quattro romanzi; questo che ho letto è il terzo della serie – che, come ho appurato, può non essere affrontata necessariamente in ordine.
Per “iniziare”, per avvicinarsi al ciclo bretone – un po’ quello che ho fatto io –, Howard Pyle si è rivelato una scoperta, perché questo libro in particolare è un sorta di raccolta di racconti, di leggende, su Lancillotto e altri cavalieri, come sir Gareth (che cito proprio perché ho AMATO la sua parte). Se pensate che la letteratura cavalleresca possa fare al caso vostro, questo è un ottimo primo passo che potreste compiere.
Ma! Ci sono dei ma.
Si avverte più che chiaramente il periodo nel quale questo romanzo è stato scritto (nel 1907): lo stile di scrittura è datato, ampolloso e quasi impersonale; i fatti vengono raccontati al lettore senza permettere a questo di lasciarsi coinvolgere dalla storia o di potersi legare ai personaggi; e manca una vera e propria caratterizzazione di questi ultimi… Non mi è ancora chiaro che cosa penso della figura di sir Lancillotto.
Tirando le somme, sono soddisfatta e determinata a proseguire questo percorso, anche se mi aspettavo qualcosa in più e sono andata abbastanza a rilento con la lettura. Ora non mi resta che recuperare gli altri romanzi della serie e avere un quadro completo del lavoro di Howard Pyle.
In sintesi, era giunto il momento che mi dessi una mossa.
Quando mi è cascato l’occhio sulla recente uscita edita Fanucci Editore, ‘Lancillotto e i suoi compagni d’armi’, ho “colto la palla al balzo”: Howard Pyle è stato un illustratore e scrittore di libri per bambini e ragazzi e, tra le sue opere, si conta anche un ciclo dedicato a re Artù e composto da quattro romanzi; questo che ho letto è il terzo della serie – che, come ho appurato, può non essere affrontata necessariamente in ordine.
Per “iniziare”, per avvicinarsi al ciclo bretone – un po’ quello che ho fatto io –, Howard Pyle si è rivelato una scoperta, perché questo libro in particolare è un sorta di raccolta di racconti, di leggende, su Lancillotto e altri cavalieri, come sir Gareth (che cito proprio perché ho AMATO la sua parte). Se pensate che la letteratura cavalleresca possa fare al caso vostro, questo è un ottimo primo passo che potreste compiere.
Ma! Ci sono dei ma.
Si avverte più che chiaramente il periodo nel quale questo romanzo è stato scritto (nel 1907): lo stile di scrittura è datato, ampolloso e quasi impersonale; i fatti vengono raccontati al lettore senza permettere a questo di lasciarsi coinvolgere dalla storia o di potersi legare ai personaggi; e manca una vera e propria caratterizzazione di questi ultimi… Non mi è ancora chiaro che cosa penso della figura di sir Lancillotto.
Tirando le somme, sono soddisfatta e determinata a proseguire questo percorso, anche se mi aspettavo qualcosa in più e sono andata abbastanza a rilento con la lettura. Ora non mi resta che recuperare gli altri romanzi della serie e avere un quadro completo del lavoro di Howard Pyle.
June 9, 2023
Third in the series and it's no surprise to say that it's stylistically remarkably similar to the previous two. Perhaps the least essential of the volumes so far and I did find myself less enthused partway through reading this one as the lack of characterisation can make it feel a little flat at times. There are still some good and important stories here though, largely centering around Launcelot his love for Elaine and the problems this causes with Guinevere (and despite Pyle's protestations that there's nothing untward in their relationship, Guinevere's jealousy is off the charts here. No comment from Arthur, it seems) and an extended section whereby Launcelot goes mad and other Knights have to go seek him out. My favourite tale though was where mischief-maker Vivian tricked some of the other knights into going on a quest to a fountain (where they had to throw water on a shield or something) which actually caused storms to rage and devastation to a nearby town, and then when challenged by the town's defender those round table knights started owning their failures and took down and killed the knight as well. This is chivalry, my friends - when you make a decision to do something regardless of the consequences, you damn well stand by that decision. Brilliant.
This one ends with an intro to Galahad (welcome back Merlin, albeit only for an hour to speaketh a prophecy) and the grail quest which is obviously one of, if not the most important tale in the Arthurian cycle so despite slight fatigue with the style, I'll probably jump into the final volume fairly quickly!
This one ends with an intro to Galahad (welcome back Merlin, albeit only for an hour to speaketh a prophecy) and the grail quest which is obviously one of, if not the most important tale in the Arthurian cycle so despite slight fatigue with the style, I'll probably jump into the final volume fairly quickly!
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July 19, 2025Ahhh...somehow the most frustrating of the stories so far! And also, easily the one best at inspiring me to read the sequel. I enjoyed hating this book and did feel like there were some surprising--and yes, also infuriating--plot twists.
June 11, 2024
Third book in Howard Pyle's histories of King Arthur and still going strong!
July 1, 2020
Pyle’s desire to wash some of the licentious behavior off the Round Table has ramifications in Volume 3 of his Arthur tellings. A great deal of this volume is bound up in the tension between Launcelot and the Queen Guinevere which has already been declared non-adulterous in a previous volume. Which makes the actions of this couple exceeding and questionable.
As Launcelot’s adventures become the frame for other knight’s endeavors, in this volume we see:
The Knight (Chevalier) of the Cart
Elaine the Fair
Sir Gareth or Beaumains
Ewaine and the Fountain
The introduction of Galahad and more...
Gareth and Ewaine/Yvain/Owain/etc are often some of my favorite tales, though these are not the best tellings.
(In Pyle’s first volume I was surprised to find Arthur’s half-sisters had been married off to inverted husbands: it is not unprecedented, but is usually done to emphasize Morgana le Fay’s role, making her the mother of the Orkney boys. But in this volume I had to double check the first because the two queens had reverted to their more common spousal alliance. Oh and if you know your Malory, this line reads with a humorous cringe: “Then King Arthur was very glad that his sister was coming thither for he loved her above all others of his kin.”)
As Launcelot’s adventures become the frame for other knight’s endeavors, in this volume we see:
The Knight (Chevalier) of the Cart
Elaine the Fair
Sir Gareth or Beaumains
Ewaine and the Fountain
The introduction of Galahad and more...
Gareth and Ewaine/Yvain/Owain/etc are often some of my favorite tales, though these are not the best tellings.
(In Pyle’s first volume I was surprised to find Arthur’s half-sisters had been married off to inverted husbands: it is not unprecedented, but is usually done to emphasize Morgana le Fay’s role, making her the mother of the Orkney boys. But in this volume I had to double check the first because the two queens had reverted to their more common spousal alliance. Oh and if you know your Malory, this line reads with a humorous cringe: “Then King Arthur was very glad that his sister was coming thither for he loved her above all others of his kin.”)
February 23, 2015
An excellent retelling of Arthurian legend.
The characters are well fleshed out, as opposed to Mallory's telling, giving the reader a better appreciation of the strained Launcelot/Guenivere relationship, especially when Launcelot's wife Lady Elaine is involved.
The characters are well fleshed out, as opposed to Mallory's telling, giving the reader a better appreciation of the strained Launcelot/Guenivere relationship, especially when Launcelot's wife Lady Elaine is involved.
March 4, 2024
This third volume of Pyle's Arthur focuses on Launcelot, excepting the parts on Sirs Gareth and Ewaine. As with the first two volumes, there is a good deal of adventuring and repetition, but this time, there is more purpose (finding Launcelot), coupled with a foreboding sense of sadness and decay. Pyle's version is still idyllic and off theologically, but less so than his earlier works: Guinevere in particular comes off as the villain, mildly aware of (but helpless to resist) her envy of Launcelot's attention as he is with Elaine, even though the Queen is married to Arthur. And Launcelot has genuine remorse and confusion as he seeks to be loyal to both women. It was sad in places, but the best of the bunch so far.
September 23, 2017
It was a bit long of a book to read. It was a good story of the knights of the round table.
May 5, 2020
Charming! Old timey and chivalric.
July 19, 2014
Lincoln Junior High School in Park Ridge, Illinois organized its students into three-room complexes. I was in 107 (English), 108 (Social Studies) and 109 (Science and Mathematics), my homeroom being with Anne Akkanen in 107. Additional classes in French, Physical Education, Music, Shop and Home Economics were held at other locations within the building.
This book, or perhaps an even earlier edition of it, was located in my homeroom, at least for a time during seventh and eighth grades, the two years of middle school. In any case, I was attracted to its cover and the illustrations within, attracted enough to read the thing over a period of time. Beyond cultural osmosis, maybe a Disney film or two, I'd never really gotten into Arthurian legends before. The book and Father's influence had me move on through White's Once and Future King in high school to more scholary studies and more 'primary' texts in college and seminary.
This book, or perhaps an even earlier edition of it, was located in my homeroom, at least for a time during seventh and eighth grades, the two years of middle school. In any case, I was attracted to its cover and the illustrations within, attracted enough to read the thing over a period of time. Beyond cultural osmosis, maybe a Disney film or two, I'd never really gotten into Arthurian legends before. The book and Father's influence had me move on through White's Once and Future King in high school to more scholary studies and more 'primary' texts in college and seminary.
June 10, 2018
This book tells stories of Launcelot, Gareth, Ewaine, Percival, Sagramore, Gwaine and Bors and the birth of Galahad. I wanted to give this book 4.5 stars because it kept my interest and I loved the style of how Howard Pyle seems to talk to the person reading. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was it got redundant with every knight fighing a battle that seemed to make him the best knight in the realm and every woman was most beautiful. I know that seems trite but that was how I felt after reading every battle. I liked how Mr.Pyle would refer to a previous book if needed. I will now have to read the books that precedes this one.
books-i-own-but-havent-read
January 21, 2008Incredible illustrations
July 12, 2011
Just delightfully fun and sincere. Man, I wish I'd read this when I was 10.
September 10, 2016
I really liked Pyle's books, and especially this version because I typeset and published it :)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews