What do you think?
Rate this book
Exploring the World
The World of King Arthur
King Arthur, Camelot, Excalibur, Merlin, the Holy Grail, Lancelot and Guinevere -- these names are some of the most recognizable and evocative in the cultural heritage of the West. They conjure up vibrant images of medieval Europe, of chivalry and of romance. But did Arthur really exist, or is Camelot only a dream?
In this lavishly illustrated survey, Christopher Snyder examines the realities and the impact of the Arthurian legends on history and the arts. Medieval texts and the latest archaeological discoveries are used to piece together a picture of the fifth and sixth centuries, when Arthur was believed to have reigned as champion of the Britons. The stories of Arthur -- the so-called "Matter of Britain" -- took shape as Welsh and Briton bards sang of the exploits of Arthur and his knights, in turn inspiring French poets like Chrétien de Troyes to compose the first chivalric romances of the Middle Ages. Snyder traces the development of Arthurian literature in medieval Europe, showing how writers brought the stories of the Grail and Tristan into association with Arthur.
The nineteenth-century revival of interset in Arthur reached its height in the poetry of Alfred Tennyson, the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites and the operas of Richard Wagner, while in the twentieth century Camelot found new adherents through novels, movies and computer games. The account of recent developments includes recommendations of Arthurian Internet sites.
Never before has one book attempted such a thorough exploration of King Arthur's world.
In this lavishly illustrated survey, Christopher Snyder examines the realities and the impact of the Arthurian legends on history and the arts. Medieval texts and the latest archaeological discoveries are used to piece together a picture of the fifth and sixth centuries, when Arthur was believed to have reigned as champion of the Britons. The stories of Arthur -- the so-called "Matter of Britain" -- took shape as Welsh and Briton bards sang of the exploits of Arthur and his knights, in turn inspiring French poets like Chrétien de Troyes to compose the first chivalric romances of the Middle Ages. Snyder traces the development of Arthurian literature in medieval Europe, showing how writers brought the stories of the Grail and Tristan into association with Arthur.
The nineteenth-century revival of interset in Arthur reached its height in the poetry of Alfred Tennyson, the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites and the operas of Richard Wagner, while in the twentieth century Camelot found new adherents through novels, movies and computer games. The account of recent developments includes recommendations of Arthurian Internet sites.
Never before has one book attempted such a thorough exploration of King Arthur's world.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2000
4 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews
March 1, 2019
This is an introductory text to the myths and legends of King Arthur. British history, mythology, and the literature of Arthurian legend are all presented here. It's well illustrated throughout. This is a good choice to read if you are curious about King Arthur but aren't really interested in reading deeply in medieval literature, which can be a bit bland for many modern readers.
September 9, 2012
Well, this book was perfectly brilliant.
The pictures in it were gorgeous, and I was pleasantly surprised at the number of color photos within it. The pages were thick, and the book itself of surprisingly high quality. Along with the photos were a good deal of primary source quotes, sometimes shown in the original language before the translation was provided which was also very gratifying. Some of the photos included were of the actual pages from the annals and lais, which were in such high resolution you could read the documents themselves. How cool is that?
The book gave a really good overview of the evolution of the Arthurian legends, while also including a pretty thorough bibliography at the end. While the book is about a decade out of date now, a good deal of the sources referenced (for instance, translations and commentaries on Mallory) are still useful. Recent archaeological discoveries and the question of Arthur's historicity should not be looked for in this volume, as archaeology is constantly changing, but for the cultural importance of the Arthur myths evolution this book is a pretty fantastic starting place.
The pictures in it were gorgeous, and I was pleasantly surprised at the number of color photos within it. The pages were thick, and the book itself of surprisingly high quality. Along with the photos were a good deal of primary source quotes, sometimes shown in the original language before the translation was provided which was also very gratifying. Some of the photos included were of the actual pages from the annals and lais, which were in such high resolution you could read the documents themselves. How cool is that?
The book gave a really good overview of the evolution of the Arthurian legends, while also including a pretty thorough bibliography at the end. While the book is about a decade out of date now, a good deal of the sources referenced (for instance, translations and commentaries on Mallory) are still useful. Recent archaeological discoveries and the question of Arthur's historicity should not be looked for in this volume, as archaeology is constantly changing, but for the cultural importance of the Arthur myths evolution this book is a pretty fantastic starting place.
December 12, 2019
My edition of “The World of King Arthur” by Christopher Snyder published by Thames & Hudson looks much more like a coffee table book than something that calls for a full-on review. It’s replete with illustrations and paintings, including the prerequisite works of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood who seemed to have an inordinate obsession with anything related to Arthuriana.
As a layman’s introduction to the history of Arthur as a cultural, literary, and (possibly) historical figure, this book is hard to beat. All the illustrations might lead you to think that it was mostly fluff, but it contains a lot of really good scholarship, including the archeological evidence for an “Arthur-like figure,” Arthur’s increasingly important role in medieval literature as time went on, the introduction of new characters into the Arthurian oeuvre, and storytellers who wrote about Arthur who used him to discuss the themes that were resonant in their own time. Snyder even looks at the more contemporary incarnations of the Arthur stories as they appear in the operas of Richard Wagner, books like White’s “The Once and Future King,” Powys’ “The Glastonbury Romance,” and film.
I didn’t realize that a lot of the archeological research in this area has actually been done only in the last several decades. One of the biggest contributors to this area in particular was Leslie Alcock whose “Arthur’s Britain: History and Archaeology AD 367-634” I recently completely and will be reviewing soon. A sizeable part of the book is dedicated to looking at the major archaeological sites, including Tintagel, Cadbury, and Glastonbury Abbey. Snyder also gives a brief review of the post-Roman occupation of Britain, including the Celts, Jutes, Picts, and Saxons. Despite the extensive field research, there is actually no definitive evidence that anyone like Arthur actually existed. There is, however, a preponderance of evidence whose weight does build a good case, and an especially convincing one for those carried away by the romance of the stories themselves.
If you’re unfamiliar with the development the Arthurian legends, you could be forgiven for naively thinking that they emerged fully formed, with all their characters in situ – Perceval, Galahad, Lancelot, Merlin, et cetera. But many of the major figures were introduced piecemeal over long periods of time. One of the tasks Snyder performs best is describing how the canonical stories developed, from the very earliest mentions in the Welsh chronicles to Geoffrey of Monmouth to the 12th century Norman poet Wace, to Malory and so on.
I would imagine that for the serious student of the Arthur legends this book presents precious little in the way of new material to be learned. However for a rank neophyte like myself who just wanted something to supplement my own passing interests, this more than serves its purpose. While it doesn’t look like much in the way of a reference book, I hope to hang on to it for exactly that purpose, since it addresses pretty much every question about Arthur that I had as I read about him in other places without ever needing to sacrifice its readability.
As a layman’s introduction to the history of Arthur as a cultural, literary, and (possibly) historical figure, this book is hard to beat. All the illustrations might lead you to think that it was mostly fluff, but it contains a lot of really good scholarship, including the archeological evidence for an “Arthur-like figure,” Arthur’s increasingly important role in medieval literature as time went on, the introduction of new characters into the Arthurian oeuvre, and storytellers who wrote about Arthur who used him to discuss the themes that were resonant in their own time. Snyder even looks at the more contemporary incarnations of the Arthur stories as they appear in the operas of Richard Wagner, books like White’s “The Once and Future King,” Powys’ “The Glastonbury Romance,” and film.
I didn’t realize that a lot of the archeological research in this area has actually been done only in the last several decades. One of the biggest contributors to this area in particular was Leslie Alcock whose “Arthur’s Britain: History and Archaeology AD 367-634” I recently completely and will be reviewing soon. A sizeable part of the book is dedicated to looking at the major archaeological sites, including Tintagel, Cadbury, and Glastonbury Abbey. Snyder also gives a brief review of the post-Roman occupation of Britain, including the Celts, Jutes, Picts, and Saxons. Despite the extensive field research, there is actually no definitive evidence that anyone like Arthur actually existed. There is, however, a preponderance of evidence whose weight does build a good case, and an especially convincing one for those carried away by the romance of the stories themselves.
If you’re unfamiliar with the development the Arthurian legends, you could be forgiven for naively thinking that they emerged fully formed, with all their characters in situ – Perceval, Galahad, Lancelot, Merlin, et cetera. But many of the major figures were introduced piecemeal over long periods of time. One of the tasks Snyder performs best is describing how the canonical stories developed, from the very earliest mentions in the Welsh chronicles to Geoffrey of Monmouth to the 12th century Norman poet Wace, to Malory and so on.
I would imagine that for the serious student of the Arthur legends this book presents precious little in the way of new material to be learned. However for a rank neophyte like myself who just wanted something to supplement my own passing interests, this more than serves its purpose. While it doesn’t look like much in the way of a reference book, I hope to hang on to it for exactly that purpose, since it addresses pretty much every question about Arthur that I had as I read about him in other places without ever needing to sacrifice its readability.
August 8, 2012
I only skim-read this, as I was mostly getting it for the illustrations -- it's a handy volume for seeing the sheer spread of Arthurian art over the centuries, reproduced in colour. It'll be useful for reference if I need to reference any art in my dissertation or thesis: it has most of the important Arthurian works of art that I can think of.
The actual level of the text is more an overview for someone who is casually interested, not for an academic audience. Could be useful to prepare for a course or something, though.
The actual level of the text is more an overview for someone who is casually interested, not for an academic audience. Could be useful to prepare for a course or something, though.
December 8, 2018
The best two dollars I've spent on a a discarded library volume (in addition to my Norton Shakespeare). This volume is a lavishly illustrated survey that somehow manages to cover the span of the Arthurian legends, from fragments, pseudo-histories, chronicles, verse, romance, archaeological findings, film and music. I am currently using in preparation for an Arthurian course I wish to present at one of my local colleges.
Snyder organizes the dizzying amount of material admirably by starting with a historical background, delving into the context of late Roman Britain. From there, the volume takes a look at the peoples who form the background to the legend, including the confusing and twisting relationship between the Scots, Irish, Picts, and Britons. From, here we move on to Geoffrey of Monmouth and the chronicles, the Welsh traditions, and the French Romances. the delivery does not feel rushed, but Snyder leaves any tangents into small subsections that will explore particular elements of the legend, such as merlin & Stonehenge, to mention but one.
If this were not enough, the book also provides the background to those who penned the romances and verse, so that the book becomes a look not just into Arthur but a survey of the medieval era. But the book goes further to look at the Victorian appropriations in Tennyson and Morris, as well as Mark Twain's satire. The book carries us al the way into the contemporary, with Arthur looked at across mediums, including music, film (including Monty Python), comic books (such as Camelot 3000).
This is a must for any Arthurian buff, even if you think you know it all. I am almost certain you will come out richer; there is just so much to explore.
Snyder organizes the dizzying amount of material admirably by starting with a historical background, delving into the context of late Roman Britain. From there, the volume takes a look at the peoples who form the background to the legend, including the confusing and twisting relationship between the Scots, Irish, Picts, and Britons. From, here we move on to Geoffrey of Monmouth and the chronicles, the Welsh traditions, and the French Romances. the delivery does not feel rushed, but Snyder leaves any tangents into small subsections that will explore particular elements of the legend, such as merlin & Stonehenge, to mention but one.
If this were not enough, the book also provides the background to those who penned the romances and verse, so that the book becomes a look not just into Arthur but a survey of the medieval era. But the book goes further to look at the Victorian appropriations in Tennyson and Morris, as well as Mark Twain's satire. The book carries us al the way into the contemporary, with Arthur looked at across mediums, including music, film (including Monty Python), comic books (such as Camelot 3000).
This is a must for any Arthurian buff, even if you think you know it all. I am almost certain you will come out richer; there is just so much to explore.
October 14, 2019
The World of King Arthur was a very informative book, but I found that it assumed a lot of prerequisite knowledge that I just didn't have. I've always been interested in medieval times - the culture, folklore, architecture, and politics of it all. I've also always enjoyed fantasy literature, so the stories of King Arthur is a perfect intersection of those interests. Over the years, I've read a number of stories about or influenced by the lore of Arthur, and I found that The World of King Arthur really helped to provide context and further detail about where those stories came from, what parts may or may not be true, and how the evolving world influenced these tales over time.
However, this book, especially in its earlier chapters which covered very early British history, did seem to assume that the reader was at least somewhat familiar with that time period, and made references to a number of people, places, and events without much context, leaving me confused and feeling like I was only getting half of the picture. Still, as I progressed through the book, I did find that some of these topics were revisited and fleshed out in more detail, so it did not prevent me from enjoying the book, just made it a bit harder for me to consume.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading The World of King Arthur. I think it has given me a better appreciation for the stories of Arthur and the world that created and influenced them.
However, this book, especially in its earlier chapters which covered very early British history, did seem to assume that the reader was at least somewhat familiar with that time period, and made references to a number of people, places, and events without much context, leaving me confused and feeling like I was only getting half of the picture. Still, as I progressed through the book, I did find that some of these topics were revisited and fleshed out in more detail, so it did not prevent me from enjoying the book, just made it a bit harder for me to consume.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading The World of King Arthur. I think it has given me a better appreciation for the stories of Arthur and the world that created and influenced them.
April 21, 2025
I read the paperback edition of this book published in 2011 with a much more tastefully designed cover featuring the Ardagh Chalice. In it Snyder provides a remarkably thorough and comprehensive summary of every aspect of the Arthurian legend, accompanied by beautiful illustrations in colour and black and white. The scope of his masterful coverage ranges from the historical and archaeological evidence for King Arthur, through the subsequent Medieval development of the Arthurian myth in all its ramifications, to its modern interpretation in fiction, film, music and the internet. He includes all the related themes and characters in this tradition, such as Merlin, Lancelot, Guinevere, Tristan and Iseult, Parsifal, Camelot and the Holy Grail. The book concludes with a useful bibliography to aid further reading on the subject. In truth I found the book's wealth of information almost overwhelming and, since Snyder takes no personal stand on the historicity or otherwise of Arthur, somewhat confusing. Yet it is an invaluable resource which I shall return to often, to refresh my memory on any aspect of the legend that I want to study in further detail.
December 29, 2023
I love all things King Arthur, and I am filling up my Input strength reading this. Found it for a dollar in the op shop. I love it when that happens…
Of course it references dozens of other books on Arthur that I now need to track down and read.
Lots of cool pictures, references to all the media types.
3 stars
Of course it references dozens of other books on Arthur that I now need to track down and read.
Lots of cool pictures, references to all the media types.
3 stars
May 13, 2020
Very good history of the legends of King Arthur, easy to read.
August 15, 2013
What the legends of Troy were to the ancients, legends of King Arthur were to our forebears in the second millennium of this era. From the Middle Ages to today, we are fascinated by the tales of Camelot, with book-lovers and film-goers reading re-tellings of the story or watching screen adaptations. Scholars rifle through old manuscripts trying to find out if there really was a King Arthur and archeologists study recent finds to see if they provide any evidence of the legendary king.
And this book is a great resource for those interested in Arthur. Snyder outlines the basic story, does his best to survey the literary and historical evidence to determine what truth lies behind this legend. Would it that he had done a little more to speculate on why this story still fascinates us. BUt, then that was not his purpose.
To help with my own writing, I read this book in a matter of days when, it seems, the book is designed for more leisurely reading. A good addition to the library of anyone fascinated by the legends of King Arthur.
Very comprehensive.
And this book is a great resource for those interested in Arthur. Snyder outlines the basic story, does his best to survey the literary and historical evidence to determine what truth lies behind this legend. Would it that he had done a little more to speculate on why this story still fascinates us. BUt, then that was not his purpose.
To help with my own writing, I read this book in a matter of days when, it seems, the book is designed for more leisurely reading. A good addition to the library of anyone fascinated by the legends of King Arthur.
Very comprehensive.
May 5, 2012
Beautifully illustrated and full of information about the historical and literary Arthur, I really enjoyed this book. Though it did have a few dry spots that just led me to skim in those areas, I especially enjoyed the survey of the Arthurian literature that has appeared over the centuries. From the earliest text to the more recent novels (readers should be aware that the edition of this book is over a decade old and thus doesn't mention the MOST recent offerings to the genre), you get a sense of how the world of Arthur and Camelot was built, and how it came to be connected with other stories of the ages, like those of the Holy Grail and Tristan and Isolde.
The illustrations also really caught my attention. There are over 200 of them, and they were used very well in the book, helping to further bring the author's words into the mind.
Very well done.
The illustrations also really caught my attention. There are over 200 of them, and they were used very well in the book, helping to further bring the author's words into the mind.
Very well done.
July 5, 2015
I rate books here mainly on their academic usefulness. So, the book was generally accurate except that the author didn't seem to know that before around 600 dates can only be roughly accurate and a few things about the 'Historia Brittonum'. As far as being an accessible and generally up-to-date book on Arthurian studies, though, it is a good guide for the beginner. And as several have mentioned it is well- and heavily illustrated. I doubt it was 50,000 words, but the illustrations are useful in placing people and giving the reader a feel for the culture. The hall drawing especially was excellent; I don't think I've run across one before.
March 15, 2015
I was disappointed by how much of this book focused on the legends and interpretations that came long after a historical King Arthur might have lived--I was hoping more for a historical atlas of sorts that focused on the late Roman/early medieval period--the actual "world of King Arthur." As a summary of the evolution of Arthurian legend, it's all right. Not recommended for younger readers thanks to a sexually explicit screenshot from the movie Excalibur (what was the point of that?).
August 28, 2016
After reading The Mists of Avalon, I picked this up to learn more about the "real" King Arthur. There is scant evidence for a king of his legendary magnitude, but many tall tales originate with a spark of truth. We may never know. This is a great resource for discovering more about the Dark Ages in which Arthurian legend began.
December 8, 2010
Little new here for the student of Arthuria, but a good one-book source for some one new to the subject.
August 9, 2011
A little dry in places, but overall a really good look at the history of the Arthurian legend.
Read
August 25, 2012Used in class, great introductory book. Fabulous artworks.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews