Arthurian Quotes

“Beware what you speak,' said the Merlin very softly, 'for indeed the words we speak make shadows of what is to come, and by speaking them we bring them to pass, my king.”
― Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Mists of Avalon

“But even the longest day wears to sunset.”
― Marion Zimmer Bradley

“Once I discovered Robin Hood and the medieval poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” I realized that I felt a very deep calling to the Wild forest, the deep forest, the Wood that holds the Deep Mysteries and where the Wild Hunt is run....”
― Virginia Chandler

“We have The Idylls of the King in English class this term. I like some things in them, but I detest Tennyson's Arthur. If I had been Guinevere I'd have boxed his ears - but I wouldn't have been unfaithful to him for Lancelot, who was just as odious in a different way. As for Geraint, if I had been Enid I'd have bitten him. These 'patient Griseldas' deserve all they get.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Emily Climbs

“Thus Arthur achieved the adventure of the sword that day and entered into his birthright of royalty. Wherefore, may God grant His Grace unto you all that ye too may likewise succeed in your undertakings. For any man may be a king in that life in which he is placed if so he may draw forth the sword of success from out of the iron of circumstance. Wherefore when your time of assay cometh, I do hope it may be with you as it was with Arthur that day, and that ye too may achieve success with entire satisfaction unto yourself and to your great glory and perfect happiness.”
― Howard Pyle

“I mean,” he said, “that by your own showing, the greatest threat to heaven comes from within the ranks of the angels themselves. Before you can prove to me that heroes can defeat villains with nothing but the purest chivalric ideals, you must convince me that heroes do exist, and that villains are not a fanciful tale for children. You must tell me, sir, if you dare, that you are incorruptible, and that your colleagues and commanders are as pure as you.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“I totally geeked when I discovered (while in college) that Tolkien had a published version of 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight', so that's my favorite version. I think I have 3 or 4 copies on my bookshelf”
― Virginia Chandler

“There are well known Arthurian figures in the book, and some not so well known. Mabon plays a pivotal role in the tale as the Motherless Child who helps Rhowbyn, the narrator of the tale, to find and reconcile with his missing parent. Th
ere is a game of riddles in which Mabon and Rhowbyn engage that is both an homage to Tolkien and a nod of acknowledgement to events from 'The Mabinogion' and specifically the tale of Culwch and Olwen”
― Virginia Chandler

“John Matthews' title, 'Gawain, Knight of the Goddess', was confirmation that I wasn't imagining the many layers of Gawain, the court of King Arthur, and most assuredly Gawain's role as a Protector and Champion of the Mother Goddess”
― Virginia Chandler

“Aye, we all know your fondness for apples, brother.”
― Phyllis Ann Karr, The Idylls of the Queen: A Tale of Queen Guenevere

“Do not deceive yourself, Gawain. There are black places in the heart of every man.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“Perceval said to the Grail Knight: “Will you break a spear with me this day?”

He did not expect Galahad to look down on him from Lancelot’s immense height and say, gently, as if he knew it must disappoint, “Sir, I cannot.”

“No? Well, there are others to fight,” said Perceval, trying not to show how vexed he felt to be denied the honour.

“Not for any lack of love,” Galahad added. “But for the regard in which I hold you, Perceval of Wales.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“In the dim sunset Perceval looked the glade over and said, “Does your lady wife think so little of sending you out on deadly errands?”
Sir Gareth unstrapped the blanket from behind his saddle. “It’s our fourth child. I’ve grown accustomed to it.”
“Of course,” Perceval said with a grin, “even dragonfire might burn less hot than my lady aunt’s temper.”
Sir Gareth cuffed Perceval across the ear. “For that piece of insolence, youngster, you take the first watch. And be glad you are so tender in years that I dare not risk my honour upon you in single combat to prove my Lynet as sweet-tempered as she should be.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“In the Medieval poem, we are surrounded by Winter, but I always imagined the Green Chapel and the castle of Lord and Lady Bercilak in all seasons. I was quite convinced (and still am) that Gawain did not return to Camelot immediately after his initiatory encounter with the Green Knight. That's where 'The Green Knight's Apprentice' began, I think, in my imaginings of what Gawain would learn and experience after his initiation was complete”
― Virginia Chandler

“The Lord and Lady of the Fair Folk sat at our own table, dressed in robes of red and black, their faces painted in patterns with ash and oils. Their eyes were intense, almost searing, and I found myself still unable to hold their gaze for
more than a moment. I felt naked within their gaze, but even more so, unwhole. As if there were parts of me missing and only they knew where to find them”
― Virginia Chandler, The Green Knight's Apprentice

“As we rode slowly through the battle camp, the sounds and smells of war overwhelmed my senses: horses stamping and sweating in anticipation; men shouting; the steady rhythm of metal grinding on stone; leather snapping and buckling, and woo
d crackling in flame. The simmering energy of warriors as they eagerly awaited battle slithered through the camp like an invisible serpent”
― Virginia Chandler, The Green Knight's Apprentice

“In the energies of the Green Knight, we have an Elder who comes to the entire court of Arthur to challenge and "open a bridge" to the Otherworld. Here is the Holly King, the Forest Lord, the Green Man. The Green Knight enters Arthur's court at a Yuletide festival and challenges at once both Arthur and his warriors to step forth and take part in the traditional Beheading contest”
― Virginia Chandler

“I suppose it could be said that indeed all my roads to Arthur have led to my novel, The Green Knight’s Apprentice. I read Malory when I was very young and my first reading left me with very v
ivid images that haunt me still: white stags, headless damsels, horns hanging from tree limbs, and giants. Oh yes, I had the usual sword in the stone, lady of the lake, and Holy Grail images, too, I assure you.”
― Virginia Chandler

“I have fled from the wilderness fasting, with woe and unflagging travail,
I have sought for the light on the mountain, and skirted the devilish dale.
I have laid my mouth in the dust, and begged the Might to be kind,
I have come to the feast, and I famish. Now grant me the Holy Grail.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“It was like listening to the universe in motion. Planets spinning on their appointed courses, the lives of men intersecting and parting, the unimaginable harmony of the human body itself in hierarchy and order, were all implied in the song, but something greater as well: the genius of the composer, which must surely approach the miraculous. Perceval closed his eyes and was lost in the weaving music.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“He grinned. “Do not fear. I am here to serve you, as I promised.”
Despite the fit of schoolgirl giggles that had seized her in Carbonek when he first proposed to be her knight, his assurance annoyed her now. “You inspire me with confidence,” she said, honey-sweet. “With a few more years and experience, you would make a capable guardian, I’m sure.”
“And you an amiable ward,” he said, bowing again.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“There was carpet under Blanchefleur’s feet and the scent of clean and delicate things in her nostrils—perfume, babies, soap, and tea. Homesickness hit her like a clenched fist; this was worse than memory.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“How you must hate Logres,” she said in a dry mouth.
“Hate Logres?” He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. “There is an anger that is deserved, Blanche. Tell me. Look me in the eye, if you can, and tell me—to my face—that Logres is without sin.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“Look out your window on a morning in spring, ten or twenty years hence, and perhaps you'll see me coming.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“I go by Ambrosius, Wild Man of the Woods, and Son of the Devil. Call me what you want, but I am Merlin." - Merlin”
― Ben Zackheim, The Camelot Kids Complete Collection

“I go by Ambrosius, Wild Man of the Woods, and Son of the Devil. Call me what you want, but I am Merlin.”
― Ben Zackheim, The Camelot Kids Complete Collection

“My body felt heavy. It grew harder to thrash around, to move at all. I opened my mouth to scream again but no sound came from my blood-soaked lips. My eyelids fluttered closed and the world disappeared around me as I took the last few breath of my life.”
― Allison Sipe, Soothsayer

“Another revolution around the sun and I was still no closer to getting home. Laying on my lumpy mattress in my blood-stained shirt and dusty jeans with my arm over my eyes, I tried to imagine I was lying on Violet's couch. Clara paced in her cell and I let myself believe it was Violet, padding around the kitchen. My memory kicked up the image of her in tiny cotton shorts and a baggy Beatles t-shirt making coffee. My chest swelled and more than ever I wished I could see her face again, hear her voice.”
― Allison Sipe, Avalon

“A knight will give a lady a ring from his hand and take a kiss from her lips, when he wishes to love her and serve her all his days," she recited, as she had when he was small. She pulled the ring from the chain and held it out to him. "This ring is the knight's who swore to serve me. Take it. One day you may find a lady to wear it.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir

“Oh, Perceval, a falcon is born to hunt, and so are you. One day you will hunt indeed--but not yet."
"Why? Am I not ready?"
She looked at him sadly and said, "Give me a little longer.”
― Suzannah Rowntree, Pendragon's Heir