I updated you earlier this month about funding for my latest translation, the magnificent Alliterative Morte Arthure (King Arthur's Death) of c.1400. Thanks to some very generous supporters, the book is now extremely close to being fully funded, having today reached 98% of its target. As things stand, I just need to raise the remaining 2% to make this book real. If you have not yet supported the book and would like to do so now, could you help push it over the line?
The book will be an excellent companion on your shelf to my translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which you have already very kindly supported. It's from the same canon - the Alliterative Revival of the fourteenth century - but is signficantly different in style, pace and in its hidden allegorical messages.
As with Gawain, this book will take the form of what I call a mediaeval illuminated manuscript for the modern age, combining the wonderful words of the original poem with a suite of linocut illustrations specially produced to capture the mood and emotion of its themes. As with the original poem, illuminated letters (hand cut and printed by me) will be used to break up the text. This is going to be something really quite special.
I have worked tremendously hard on getting this book right, in tone, feel and in its art. I genuinely believe that this translation will be as close to the original poem as it is possible to get and, as with Gawain, I will provide detailed notes and a glossary so that words and their meanings - understood in their own time - are not lost on the reader today.
2% to go - just one more push!
I can't believe the book is just 2% away from being fully funded and is so close to becoming reality. If you would like to support the book, and help it leap its last hurdle to full funding, I would be very grateful. And, of course, you will be rewarded by a special de luxe copy of the book, printed with your name in the back and, if you choose, perhaps one of my lovely original linocuts offered as pledge options (there's even one original print of King Arthur available too). Don't forget, you can also pledge for the book but name a friend or loved one in the back instead of your own name.
Please do help this new, vibrant and powerful story be told anew. Please, if you can, pledge here.
Thank you
Michael Smith
Author, Translator, Printmaker
PS - I know some supporters of Gawain have already generously pledged to support my new book; if this applies to you, can I first of all say thank you for your support and secondly also apologise for contacting you again.