The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, and rape.

The news of Arthur’s death plunges Collum into despair. The remaining knights of the Round Table tell Collum how Arthur died. Frankish (French) Lancelot du Lac, the most legendary of Arthur’s knights, slept with Queen Guinevere. When Arthur found out, he was forced to sentence Guinevere to death, as her act amounted to treason.

However, Arthur knew that Lancelot would rescue the queen. What he hadn’t predicted was that Lancelot would kill Sir Gawain’s brothers, Gaheris and Gareth, in the process. Gawain and Arthur gave chase to Lancelot, with Arthur installing as temporary king Mordred, his son out of wedlock with his own half-sister Morgause (Mordred is also the half-brother of Gawain, Gaheris, and Gareth). When Mordred declared his intention to permanently seize the throne, Arthur had to turn back. Mordred met Arthur in battle at Camlann and killed him. Mordred also died in the battle.

The remaining knights are conflicted about Lancelot’s role in the events. Constantine believes in Lancelot’s innocence, as does Collum, who has idolized the Lancelot of stories. As the knights argue, they are interrupted by