Author: Helen Hollick
This is the third and final book of the Pendragon's Banner series written about Arthur Pendragon. Written in a more realistic, historical manner i.e. no Merlin the Magician, dragons or swords in stones, it still makes for compelling reading.
The Arthur and Camelot of these series is set at a time between the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods of Britain. In the background is also the transition of religious beliefs from pagan to Christianity, and these conflicts shape much of the events in the book. Several of the characters are based on the more popular version i.e Gwenhyfar/Guinevere, Medraut/Mordred, Bedwyr/Lancelot, although their circumstances and fates are different.
Arthur is also depicted as a less-than-perfect man, with his womanising ways and dark temper, and this results in some very awkward relationships between his various offspring.
The book left me interested to know more about British history, especially of that period. Maybe it's time I go through my bookcase again - I'm sure I have a volume available somewhere.
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