Child of the Northern Spring
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| Child of the Northern Spring | |
| Author | Persia Woolley |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Series | Guinevere trilogy |
| Genre(s) | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher | |
| Publication date | 1987 |
| ISBN | 978-0671621995 |
| Followed by | Queen of the Summer Stars |
Child of the Northern Spring is the first of the Guinevere trilogy about the Arthurian legend, the novel written in first person perspective narrated by Guinevere in the form of a frame narrative.
Contents |
[edit] Plot Summary
The novel begins on the night before Guinevere's departure from her home in the kingdom of Rheged to Logres to marry King Arthur. Along the journey, Guinevere recalls scenes from her childhood and later on, Bedivere retells the story of Arthur's ascension as High King, particularly Arthur meeting his father Uther, his investiture of Excalibur by Vivien the Lady of the Lake (and her subsequent death at the hands of Sir Balin) and the subesequent war with King Lot of Lothian that resulted from this. After, Guinevere retells how the war with Lot affected Guinevere's people directly, it also goes on to show her growing up and the offers of marriage made to her including, among others, Gawain, Uwain, her cousin Maelgwn (who was willing to put aside his own wife in order to marry her), Gildas and King Mark of Cornwall (made on his behalf by his nephew Tristan). Arthur and Guinevere's marriage is a hasty affair, due an invasion that was timed for during the wedding celebrations to put Arthur off his guard. During this time Guinevere is left with Igraine and Morgan le Fey, the latter leaves when Guinevere discovers her with her []paramour]] Accolon. Following Arthur's return there is the first sitting of the Round Table, which comes from a suggestion of Guinevere's.
[edit] Characters
Guinevere
Leodegrance
King Arthur
Igraine
Merlin
Nimue
Morgan le Fey
Bedivere
Griflet
Gawain
Gaheris
Pellinore
Lamorak
Palomides
Uther
Lynette
Tristran
Accolon
[edit] Adaptations of the Arthurian Legend
- Sir Balin and Sir Balan, while twins in the Arthurian legend, are depicted as the same person. Balin/Balan destroys himself in the end, tearing his own flesh limb from limb.
- The Lady of the Lake is shown to be a title for the head of the druids order rather than a specific person. Vivien is the first lady of the lake and she is succeeded by Arthur's half sister Morgan le Fey after her death.
- Nimue is depicted as a "doire", a keeper of a sacred well and initiates Guinevere with a blessing before her wedding. She was ostracised by Morgan le Fey, possibly through jealousy, due to her direct contact with the Triple Goddess.
- Morgan le Fey forges Excalibur after the death of her predecessor Viven. She places it in the stone where it is removed by Arthur at a ritual following the war with King Lot.
- The Round Table is not an actual table, rather it refers to the fact that the tables are arranged in a round. It is not only knights that sit there, but women of the court and later political leaders.
