Lancelot and the Lord of the Distant Isles : or, The book of Galehaut retold

The deeply resonant love story of Sir Lancelot and King Arthur's wife, Queen Guenevere, has had enduring appeal ever since it was invented in the 12th-century by the French writer Chrétien de Troyes. The protagonists became a model of ill-fated adulterers whose irresistible love led not only themselves but their entire world to perdition. The tale has been told and retold over the years in many languages and forms; the most provocative and elaborate version is in the immense suite of early-13th-century French narratives collectively called the Lancelot-Grail or Arthurian Vulgate Cycle. Related here is the whole wondrous, adventure-filled, mythic history of Arthur and his chivalric kingdom. The anonymous author of the massive section devoted to Lancelot expanded the triangle Arthur-Guenevere-Lancelot into a rectangle, adding a figure named Galehaut, Lord of the Distant Isles, a powerful political and military foe to Arthur and a rival to Guenevere for the love of Lancelot. It... Sci-Fi & Fantasy The Deeply Resonant Love Story Of Sir Lancelot And King Arthur's Wife, Queen Guenevere, Has Had Enduring Appeal Ever Since It Was Invented In The 12th-century By The French Writer Chretien De Troyes. The Protagonists Became A Model Of Ill-fated Adulterers Whose Irresistible Love Led Not Only Themselves But Their Entire World To Perdition. The Tale Has Been Told And Retold Over The Years In Many Languages And Forms; The Most Provocative And Elaborate Version Is In The Immense Suite Of Early-13th-century French Narratives Collectively Called The Lancelot-grail Or Arthurian Vulgate Cycle. Related Here Is The Whole Wondrous, Adventure-filled, Mythic History Of Arthur And His Chivalric Kingdom. The Anonymous Author Of The Massive Section Devoted To Lancelot Expanded The Triangle Arthur-guenevere-lancelot Into A Rectangle, Adding A Figure Named Galehaut, Lord Of The Distant Isles, A Powerful Political And Military Foe To Arthur And A Rival To Guenevere For The Love Of Lancelot. It Is An Extraordinary Tale, This Overlapping Love Story, Which Is Recounted With An Understanding Of Human Desires And Aspirations Unprecedented In Its Depth And Richness. For Love Of Lancelot, Galehaut Surrenders His Political Ambitions, Voluntarily Submitting To The Rule Of Arthur; The Same Love Leads Him To Facilitate The Rapprochement Of Lancelot And The Queen. The Invincible Lord Of The Distant Isles, Who Had Seemed Destined To Conquer The World, Becomes A Paragon Of Love-inspired Self-sacrifice. Whether For Political Reasons Or Out Of Aversion To The Homoerotic, Later Retellings Of The Lancelot Story, In Whatever Language, Show Little Or No Interest In Galehaut. This Is Especially True Of Malory's Great English Treatment Of The Arthurian Legend In The 15th Century, In Which The High Prince Galehaut Appears But Only Peripherally And With No Significant Tie To Lancelot. Tracy Adams Of The University Of Auckland Says About Lancelot, Lancelot And The Lord Of The Distant Isles, Or The Book Of Galehaut Retold Is A Work Of Restoration. From The Mass Of Diverse Detail And Labyrinthine Complications Of The Medieval Lancelot-grail Cycle, It Abstracts The All-important Double Love-story And Rescues From Oblivion The First Truly Tragic Figure In French Literature.--publisher's Website. By Patricia Terry And Samuel N. Rosenberg ; With Wood Engravings By Judith Jaidinger. A retelling of the thirteenth-century French legend of Lancelot and the mutual love between him and Galehaut, Lord of the Distant Isles. Retellings of the Old French story of King Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot have left out a fourth figure amongst these legendary star-crossed lovers, the man who loved the knight, Lancelot. He was Galehaut, a mortal enemy of Arthur, and the invincible Lord of the Distant Isles. And he was Guenevere's rival for Lancelot's passion. The story is now complete, as a tragic double-love story, its complexity and emotional depth restored for the modern reader. It is an extraordinary tale. For love of Lancelot, Galehaut surrenders his political ambitions, submitting to the rule of Arthur; the same love leads him to facilitate relations between Lancelot and the Queen. The mighty Lord of the Distant Isles, who had seemed destined to conquer the world, becomes a paragon of love-inspired self-sacrifice in this ancient tale of one man who deeply loves another. "Judith Jaidinger's wood engravings illustrate a dual love story, Lancelot's love for Guenevere and Galehaut's for Lancelot." — Publishers Weekly A retelling of the 13th-century French legend of Lancelot and the mutual love between him and Galehaut, Lord of the Distant Isles. Retellings of the Old French story of King Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot have left out a fourth figure amongst these legendary star-crossed lovers, the man who loved the knight, Lancelot. He was Galehaut, a mortal enemy of Arthur, and the invincible Lord of the Distant Isles. And he was Guenevere's rival for Lancelot's passion. The story is now complete, as a tragic double-love story, its complexity and emotional depth restored for the modern reader. It is an extraordinary tale. For love of Lancelot, Galehaut surrenders his political ambitions, submitting to the rule of Arthur; the same love leads him to facilitate relations between Lancelot and the Queen. The mighty Lord of the Distant Isles, who had seemed destined to conquer the world, becomes a paragon of love-inspired self-sacrifice in this ancient tale of one man who deeply loves another. Lancelot, the heroic stranger in King Arthur's court, sacrifices all in service of his king, and yet also falls in love with Arthur's queen, the most beautiful woman in Britain. This story of the passionate, adulterous, tragic love of Lancelot and Guinevere is at once a suitable expression of 'courtly love' and its inversion. Read descriptions and excepts, view sample illustrations, and hear brief passages at www.lancelotandgalehaut.com .