Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur
Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur is a historical fiction novel by English writer Bernard Cornwell, first published in the UK in 1997. It is the third and final book in The Warlord Chronicles series, following The Winter King and Enemy of God. The trilogy tells the legend of King Arthur through the eyes of his follower Derfel Cadarn.
First edition cover | |
| Author | Bernard Cornwell |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Warlord Chronicles |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Michael Joseph (UK) St. Martin's Press (USA) |
Publication date | 1997 (1st edition UK), 1998 (1st edition US), 1999 (paperback US) |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 448 pp (hardcover edition) 436 pp (paperback edition) |
| ISBN | 0-7181-0057-3 (hardcover first edition) ISBN 0-312-20648-8 (US paperback edition) |
| OCLC | 38171947 |
| Preceded by | Enemy of God |
Embittered by multiple betrayals, Arthur once again assumes responsibility for the defense of free Britain, and as the Saxons threaten imminent conquest he assembles the resistance in a valiant last effort to defeat them. Merlin attempts to summon the gods to earth, but Arthur and Derfel disrupt the ceremony, earning them Nimue's wrath. Though Arthur manages to halt the Saxon advance and repair his broken marriage, his dream of a simple life proves forever out of reach as dark forces renew their commitment to undo, once and for all, his vision of a peaceful Britain.