The Once and Future King

1958 (published) ; T.H. White

The Once and Future King is an Arthurian fantasy novel written by T.H. White. It was first published in 1958 and is mostly a composite of earlier works written between 1938-1941. The central theme is an exploration of human nature regarding power and justice, as the boy Arthur becomes king and attempts to quell the prevalent “might makes right” attitude with his idea of chivalry. But in the end, even chivalry comes undone since its justice is maintained by force.

The title comes from the inscription, according to Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, written upon King Arthur’s tomb: “Hic iacet Arthurus, rex quondam, rexque futurus” (“Here lies Arthur, king once, and king to be.”)

This novel was my first comprehensive introduction to the Arthurian Legend. I knew about the Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Merlin from various other media throughout my childhood and young adult years, but I had never read an actual version of these stories until I read this novel in college. I remember enjoying it immensely because it propelled me to read other versions of the legend, as well as individual character stories. I became so confused, baffled, and inundated with so many different details and story lines that I eventually set the legend aside. Even with all the material scholars have on the legend, we may never truly understand the legend; however, isn't this how a legend works? 

Countless stories have been written about King Arthur and his knights, Lady Guinevere, and Merlin that there wouldn't really be any way to ever distinguish the original legend or its author. This does make one think about the validity of an actual King Arthur, not one with sorcery of course, but a once-living-and-breathing man by the name of Arthur Pendragon. If so many stories have surfaced of this man and his kingdom and court, isn't it more likely he actually lived as a man, touching numerous lives and memories, compared to a legend where only one story exists? These questions will never be answered, just as we will never know who William Shakespeare actually was or if the doubts created about his identity hold merit, but if you are interested in the Arthurian Legend, T.H. White's version is a solid place to begin your quest.