Today on our special character interview we meet, ARTHUR – known in legend and folklore as ‘KING ARTHUR’ from the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy written by Helen Hollick.
1.
Introduce yourself and tell
us where can we meet you?
Good morrow, this is somewhat strange as I do not think I have
been questioned in this manner before. (I believe it is called ‘being
interviewed’? What a quaint notion!)
It is the mid fifth century, and I am Arthur, the Pendragon, son
of Uther, King of the Britons, and now that he is dead, I am King, although it
has been a long, hard battle to reach this position of authority. You will find
me in many tales, some more outrageous than others, some more exciting, some
more believable – but in this instance, I can be found filling the pages of the
Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy written by
Helen Hollick. The three novels are: The
Kingmaking, Pendragon’s Banner and Shadow
of the King, and they follow my life from spotty youth to grey-haired man.
2.
Why are you in this book?
Because I am the boy who became the man, who became the king, who
became the legend.
And because Ms Hollick wanted to write her version of my life.
3.
Would you describe yourself
as a likeable person?
Probably not, no. I am a warlord. I have to be tough, even ruthless
at times. I am also passionate, and passionate people are often quick tempered.
But I like to think myself honourable and loyal to those who are loyal to me. I
do not suffer fools, but I admire those with a brave heart. I adore my wife and
Queen, Gwenhwyfar, although she too is a passionate woman and we have been
known to have several rather dramatic fights.
Still, it is always nice to ‘make up’ after our squabbles.
4.
What would you say are your
strengths and your weaknesses?
My strengths? Dedication to my cause – bringing peace to these
turbulent times here in Britain. The Romans just upped and went back to Rome,
leaving Britain in a state of chaos and vulnerable to foreign invasion. There
are those, mostly my British enemies, who are certain that the Romans will
return, I am equally as certain that they will not, which causes friction
between many of us.
I am also convinced that
the only way to achieve peace is to negotiate treaties with the Anglo-Saxons,
Hengest and his brother Horsa, for instance, who are attempting to settle in
what modern people call ‘Kent’ with our without my consent. I would prefer to
ensure it is ‘with’, although taking Hengest’s granddaughter as my first wife
was not a part of my intended plan! She is well capable of stirring trouble and
is not keen on accepting that I divorced her. Frankly, I would rather have cut
her throat, but that is not very honourable, or so my advisors tell me.
My weaknesses? Women and drink. And my love for my wife,
Gwenhwyfar. I guess I ought to add my stubborn pride as well?
5.
Did your author portray you
and your story correctly? If not why?
As far as I am concerned, yes, but then it is debatable, in the
eyes of factual history, whether I ever truly existed or not – so no author
ever has the right of it where I am concerned.
In the Pendragon’s Banner
Trilogy, though, my author did not use any of the later Medieval tales,
setting my life firmly in the mid- fifth century and the early Welsh tales.
There is no Lancelot, holy grail or Merlin in this version. And it is better
for it, I think.
 |
| courtesy ©CathyHelms www.avalongraphics.org |
About Helen Hollick
Helen lives on a thirteen-acre farm in Devon,
England. Born in London, she wrote pony stories as a teenager, moved to
science-fiction and fantasy, and then discovered historical fiction. Published
for over twenty years with her Arthurian Trilogy, and the 1066 era she became a
‘USA Today’ bestseller with her novel about Queen Emma The Forever Queen (UK title A
Hollow Crown.) She also writes the Sea
Witch Voyages, pirate-based nautical adventures with a touch of fantasy.
She has written a non-fiction about pirates and one about smugglers in fact and
fiction, due to be published in 2018
LINKS:
Newsletter
Subscription: http://tinyletter.com/HelenHollick
Amazon Author Page (Universal Link) viewAuthor.at/HelenHollick
Twitter: @HelenHollick
Pendragon’s Banner
You Tube Trailer
8 comments:
Oh, my. Arthur sounds a bit scary, but perhaps his bluster is necessary for survival? Medieval times were stark, I hear.
Nail on head I think, Eileen. Without grit, and self-belief how did you even survive in those harsh times, let alone become a legend?
Hello Eileen and Gilli, yes I deliberately made 'my' Arthur tough - and a tad scary. He is also capable, loyal and would die for those he loves. I have always seen Arthur as a warlord, a man who had to fight hard to gain his kingdom and even harder to keep it. A man like that has to be tough to survive - and scary when it comes to facing enemies, but he is not a monster, ruthless or abusive of his position of power. He sometimes gets things wrong or misjudges situations but has a goal and is determined to reach it and keep it.
Thanks for leaving a comment - much appreciated!
King Arthur has been much too romanticized by so many. A savvy writer of historical fiction, Helen Hollick never falls into this trap. Great intervie; I am glad this King submitted to it to clear things up.
King Arthur has been romanticized too often by others. It is a trap in which a savvy historical fiction writer like Helen Hollick never gets caught. Her accounts are always based on informative research - while still entertaining the reader.
So glad, the King submitted to this interview to clear things up.
King Arthur has been romanticized too often by others. It is a trap in which a savvy historical fiction writer like Helen Hollick never gets caught. Her accounts are always based on informative research - while still entertaining the reader. So glad, the King submitted to this interview to clear things up.
Ah, here is one of my favorite all-time Arthurs written expertly by Helen Hollick. He certainly knows his own weaknesses well. I agree! Ha! Great interview!
I am so pleased you enjoyed our quaint, interview Arthur, in our times we are far less formal, but I do thank you for stopping by and talking to us.
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