Robert E. Howard Readers discussion

I started reading the Conan tales again. Has anyone ever noticed how often R.E.H. uses the name "Amalric"? I think I saw the name appear in four different stories, at least. Amalric might have been the same character in a couple of the tales, but I'm not for certain.

Lots of close cousins, too. Amra, Amulric, ...

I have noticed his affinity for that name and its variations.

Almuric, demon-haunted planet, "Almuric"
Almuric, rebel prince of Koth, "Xuthal of the Dusk"
Amalric, General of Khoraja, "Black Colossus"
Amalric the Aquilonian, "Drums of Tombalku"
Amalric, Baron of Tor in Nemedia, "The Hour of the Dragon"
Amalric, king of Cyprus and Jerusalem, 1194-1205, "Gates of Empire"

Those are the ones that come most readily to mind. Possibly, Almuric is the Hyborian equivalent of "John" in its popularity (we have an Aquilonian, Nemedian, Kothian, and a Khorajan with the name). The Shemites probably have a joke about it ("Yeah, I was fighting a band of Kothians the other day, so I shouted 'Hey, Amalric!' and one stuck his head out and said, 'yeah?' and I shot him with an arrow; I did the same thing three more times and got three more Kothians").

It is also interesting to note that "Amalric" has a Latin version - "Americus" - and an Italian version - "Amerigo" - so it could be that REH was using the name to represent an American.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalric

Nice, Vincent, great job! You've listed each story where the name Amalric appears. Based upon your list, I see that I was wrong in thinking that Amalric might have been the same character in at least two Conan stories. As it turns out, it seems they were all different characters, albeit with the same name. You're probably right - I'll wager Howard thought to use it as a common name throughout his world; too, there's no denying R.E.H.'s fondness for the name, and its equivalents. Thanks for posting the Wikipedia article too. Looks like the name is Gothic in origin - most interesting.

Man i need to re-read Conan stories, i cant remember those names in those Conan stories i have read.

Gates of Empire?

"Gates of Empire" is one of REH's better historical fictions, revealing a wonderful sense of comic timing while remaining a realistic historical adventure. It can be found in Sword Woman and Other Historical Adventures, The Road of Azrael, and The Exotic Writings of Robert E. Howard.

Vincent wrote: ""Gates of Empire" is one of REH's better historical fictions, revealing a wonderful sense of comic timing while remaining a realistic historical adventure. It can be found in Sword Woman and Other..."

Ah i have actually read Gates of Empire since i have read most of his historical fictions thanks to Lord of Samaracand collection and of course i have Sword Woman collection too.

I thought you mentioned a historical Almaric king of Cypern,Jerusalem and not the Howard story he was in.

There was a historical Almaric, king of Cyprus and Jerusalem.

of course I was confused by Howard's mix of history and fiction. I'm getting book senile forgetting things because I have read more than I can remember now: )