Do you have a recommended 1 - 3 books as key introductions to the Arthurian legends, ideally that give both background context but are exciting and romantic enough that they also build enthusiasm to learn more?
That's a difficult one. For fiction that's (somewhat) grounded in reality that includes many nods to the legends I'd suggest Bernard Cornwell's Arthur Trilogy, and Giles Kristian's Duology (Lancelot, and Camelot). Non-fiction, Darcy Armstrong's "King Arthur: History and Legend" is extremely informative on the legends themselves, but gives little suggestion as to historical basis, then John Morris' "Age of Arthur" an enormous attempt at a narrative history of Sub-Roman Britain. While I do not agree with his interpretation of Arthur himself, it is still nonetheless the most ambitious work on the period still even though it's over 40 years old.
Do you have a recommended 1 - 3 books as key introductions to the Arthurian legends, ideally that give both background context but are exciting and romantic enough that they also build enthusiasm to learn more?
That's a difficult one. For fiction that's (somewhat) grounded in reality that includes many nods to the legends I'd suggest Bernard Cornwell's Arthur Trilogy, and Giles Kristian's Duology (Lancelot, and Camelot). Non-fiction, Darcy Armstrong's "King Arthur: History and Legend" is extremely informative on the legends themselves, but gives little suggestion as to historical basis, then John Morris' "Age of Arthur" an enormous attempt at a narrative history of Sub-Roman Britain. While I do not agree with his interpretation of Arthur himself, it is still nonetheless the most ambitious work on the period still even though it's over 40 years old.
Fantastic response, thank you