Dear poetry lover and Gawain supporter,
The deadline is approaching when no more named patrons can appear in the back of my forthcoming translation of the fourteenth century masterpiece, the Alliterative Morte Arthure (King Arthur's Death). If you have not yet supported the book and would like to do so, the deadline for your name to be printed in the back is 20th April. To support the book (and have your name - or a friend's - printed in the back as a supporter), please visit the King Arthur page here
The fourteenth century, some six hundred years ago, may seem a distant time and yet, as we are seeing right now, fear of the unknown is as prevalent today as way back then. Written against a backdrop of fear and change, King Arthur's Death is a remarkable mirror on a frightening time and is phenomenally relevant to the world we see now.
This new translation rekindles the fourteenth century and brings it alive again, supported by a detailed historical introduction to the poem, an extensive glossary and detailed notes. The illustrations, all of which I have produced myself, draw inspiration from the work of German artist Kathe Kollwitz which add a particular flavour to the book (see the magnificent book jacket below).I am extremely proud of what I've produced; indeed, I think it's my best to date!
King Arthur's Death - the Alliterative Morte Arthure - will be a magnificent addition to your library (and a superb accompaniment to my translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, of which you are already a patron). If you haven't pledged already and would like to be part of this new Arthur telling, I'd love to have you at the Round Table! Lots of pledge rewards still available. The book publishes on 3rd September - please pledge now (or before 20th April) to be sure of your name being in the back! Be a patron; pledge here
Kind regards - and many thanks, as ever, for your support.
Michael Smith
PS - some people have said there's a spoiler alert in the title. Well, it’s not the end that matters but how he ends up there – there’s a story for us all in this fourteenth century masterpiece!
