The Kingmaking: Book One of the Pendragon's Banner Trilogy (Pendragon's Banner Trilogy; Bk. 1)

Arthur is a young boy, revealed as the new Pendragon. He must serve a hard apprenticeship under his enemy if he is to succeed. Gwenhwyfar is his childhood sweetheart who finds herself a political pawn in a deadly struggle. This is the first volume in the "Pendragon's Banner" trilogy. Front Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 2 Copyright......Page 3 Contents......Page 4 Map......Page 5 Pronunciation......Page 6 People......Page 7 §I......Page 8 § II......Page 11 § III......Page 17 § IV......Page 20 §V......Page 23 § VI......Page 28 § VII......Page 33 § VIII......Page 38 § IX......Page 41 §X......Page 48 § XI......Page 54 § XII......Page 58 § XIII......Page 60 § XIV......Page 62 § XV......Page 67 § XVI......Page 68 § XVII......Page 71 § XVIII......Page 74 § XIX......Page 75 § XX......Page 78 §XXI......Page 84 § XXII......Page 89 § XXIII......Page 93 § XXIV......Page 95 § XXV......Page 99 § XXVI......Page 104 § XXVII......Page 107 § XXVIII......Page 111 § XXIX......Page 115 § XXX......Page 118 § XXXI......Page 122 § XXXII......Page 125 § XXXIII......Page 129 § XXXIV......Page 134 § XXXV......Page 136 § XXXVI......Page 138 § I......Page 140 § II......Page 150 § III......Page 154 § IV......Page 158 §V......Page 163 § VI......Page 167 § VII......Page 168 § VIII......Page 170 § IX......Page 175 §X......Page 180 § XI......Page 184 § XII......Page 192 § XIII......Page 196 § XIV......Page 198 § XV......Page 203 § XVI......Page 206 § XVII......Page 209 § XVIII......Page 214 § XIX......Page 216 § XX......Page 221 § XXI......Page 225 § XXII......Page 227 § XXIII......Page 232 § XXIV......Page 239 § XXV......Page 240 § XXVI......Page 245 § XXVII......Page 247 § XXVIII......Page 251 § XXIX......Page 255 § XXX......Page 260 § XXXI......Page 266 § XXXII......Page 268 § XXXIII......Page 274 § XXXIV......Page 281 § XXXV......Page 287 § XXXVI......Page 293 § XXXVII......Page 298 § XXXVIII......Page 300 § XXXIX......Page 305 § XL......Page 309 § XLI......Page 311 § XLII......Page 314 § XLIII......Page 318 § XLIV......Page 320 § XLVI......Page 328 § XLVII......Page 331 § XLVIII......Page 333 § XLIX......Page 335 §L......Page 340 Author's note......Page 342

Who was THE MAN Who became THE LEGEND We know as KING ARTHUR?

"You are the Pendragon, rightful Lord of Dumnonia and the Summer Land; Lord of less Britain. By all that is right, you ought be seated where Vortigern sits...You ought to be King."

Here lies the truth of the Lord of the Summer Land.

This is the tale of Arthur flesh and bone. Of the shaping of the man, both courageous and flawed, into the celebrated ruler who inspired armies, who captured Gwenhyfar's heart, and who emerged as the hero of the Dark Ages and the most enduring hero of all time.

This is the unexpected story of the making of a king — the legend who united all of Britain.

• Book One of the Pendragon's Banner Trilogy
• Includes bonus reading group guide

PRAISE FOR THE KINGMAKING

"If only all historical fiction could be this good."
Historical Novels Review

"Helen Hollick has it all. She tells a great story..."
Bernard Cornwell

"Hollick's interpretation is bold, affecting, and well worth fighting to defend."
Publishers Weekly

"Compelling, convincing, and —ultimately-unforgettable."
Sharon Kay Penman, Bestselling Author of Devil's Blood

In the vein of Marion Zimmer Bradley and Sharon Kay Penman comes an exciting new talent with a gripping and imaginative retelling of the classic story of King Arthur. In this first installment, Arthur and Gwenhwyfar become pawns in a political triangle and Arthur is forced to choose between his kingship and the woman he loves.

It is a festive day in 450 A.D. when Uthr Pendragon's ships arrive at Gwynedd, the kingdom of his old ally Cunedda. Uthr has come to join Cunedda in a plot to oust the evil Italian tyrant Vortigern. He has brought with him many loyal to the Pendragon Banner, including Arthur, the son of a serving girl. In the chaos of the ending of the Roman empire, the British are left at Vortigern's mercy - until Arthur, protected since birth by a false identity, is revealed as the new Pendragon. Destined to lead the rise of the Saxons, Arthur must first endure a hard apprenticeship in the army of his enemy. Feisty and beautiful, Cunedda's only daughter Gwenhwyfar is captivated by Arthur from the moment they meet. Barred because of her sex from taking the oath of loyalty to the Pendragon Banner like her brothers, she pledges to Arthur an even greater gift: her undying love and unborn sons. Determined to fulfill his ultimate goals, regaining his kingship and marrying Gwenhwyfar, Arthur is put to the test when he and Gwen become pawns in a political triangle and he must choose between his kingship and the woman he loves 'Compelling, convincing, and—ultimately—unforgettable.'—Sharon Kay Penman, Bestselling Author of Devil's BloodWho was THE MAN Who became THE LEGEND We know as KING ARTHUR?'You are the Pendragon, rightful Lord of Dumnonia and the Summer Land; Lord of less Britain. By all that is right, you ought be seated where Vortigern sits...You ought to be King.'Here lies the truth of the Lord of the Summer Land.This is the tale of Arthur flesh and bone. Of the shaping of the man, both courageous and flawed, into the celebrated ruler who inspired armies, who captured Gwenhyfar's heart, and who emerged as the hero of the Dark Ages and the most enduring hero of all time.This is the unexpected story of the making of a king — the legend who united all of Britain.Praise for The Kingmaking:'If only all historical fiction could be this good.'—Historical Novels Review'Helen Hollick has it all. She tells a great story...'— Bernard Cornwell'Hollick's interpretation is bold, affecting, and well worth fighting to defend.'—Publishers Weekly This is the tale of Arthur flesh and bone. Of the shaping of the man, both courageous and flawed, into the celebrated ruler who inspired armies, who captured Gwenhyfar's heart, and who emerged as the hero of the Dark Ages and the most enduring hero of all time. Who was THE MANWho became THE LEGENDWe know as KING ARTHUR?"You are the Pendragon, rightful Lord of Dumnonia and the Summer Land; Lord of less Britain. By all that is right, you ought be seated where Vortigern sits...You ought to be King."Here lies the truth of the Lord of the Summer Land.This is the tale of Arthur flesh and bone. Of the shaping of the man, both courageous and flawed, into the celebrated ruler who inspired armies, who captured Gwenhyfar's heart, and who emerged as the hero of the Dark Ages and the most enduring hero of all time.This is the unexpected story of the making of a king — the legend who united all of Britain.Book One of the Pendragon's Banner TrilogyIncludes bonus reading group guide Here lies the truth of the Lord of the Summer Land. This is the tale of Arthur flesh and bone. of the shaping of the man, both courageous and flawed, into the celebrated ruler who inspired armies, who captured Gwenhwyfar's heart, and who emerged as the hero of the Dark Ages and the most enduring hero of all time. This is the unexpected story of the making of a king - the legend who united all of Britain A fresh version of the classic legend of KingArthur, portraying him in a less flattering light thanusual. He is ruthless and calculating, and the same goesfor Guinevere. A debut in fiction