Dear Gawain patron,
I'm sending a brief update to say that as of today, 30th June 2020, King Arthur's Death (the Alliterative Morte Arthure) enters its final stage ready for publication in February next year. Following my last update, I learned that the book had been delayed from its September publication date due to the coronavirus pandemic but now the day has arrived when the patron's list for Arthur finally does close.
So, if you haven't yet pledged for the book and you'd like to, please do so while you can - your name will appear in the back of the book and you can also pledge for one of the special pledge rewards while there's still time. But you must pledge today to be sure of your name appearing in the back.
To pledge to be a named patron in the book, please click here
In the attached video, I give you a flavour of the narrative and wonderful alliterative style you can expect in the work. This is the point in the poem where Arthur has his second dream in which he learns from Lady Fortune that, for him, the good times are over.
This story, written sometime in the final quarter of the fourteenth century, sets itself in a political environment wracked by weak monarchy, the impact of plague, uprisings of the peasantry, abuses of power, invisible puppet masters and governmental cynicism.
Act now - pledge today!
Take away the lords and ladies, knights and peasants, and this magnificent fourteenth century alliterative poem is very much a story for today. So, as the last pledging day has dawned for King Arthur, If you'd like to be a named patron of this brand new translation, packed with linocut illustrations, detailed notes and a comprehensive glossary, please act now and pledge today here.
Thank you for your ongoing support for my work.
Michael Smith