The Arthurian name dictionary /

To explore 1,500 years of Arthurian legend for every name associated with that legend is the considerable task Bruce accomplishes admirably. The New Arthurian Encyclopedia, ed. by Norris J. Lacey (1991; updated ed., 1996), while valuable, by design treats only 90 names; Bruce has more than 5,600. He covers names of major and minor characters (Arthur, Gwythyr, Tristan), places, events, and things. Entries are arranged alphabetically and are brief or long depending on the topic. There are many cross-references and an excellent appendix that lists sources, giving author, title, date, a brief description, some keywords, and availability of the text. The entries are fully researched; for example, the nine-page entry on Arthur examines his historicity, explores how the legend developed around him, notes what the texts say were the dates of his reign, shows how they portrayed his character, and describes the insignia he carried and where his grave is located. A very useful work, recommended for most public and university libraries. J. J. Doherty; Northern Arizona University

The legend of King Arthur and his knights and ladies has been around for more than a millennium. It probably began in the Dark Ages in Wales, as oral tales passed down through the years. Then it was picked up by the English, transmitted to Europe, and returned to England to be codified by Sir Thomas Malory. Meanwhile, Arthur had found a new best friend (Lancelot), a quest (the Holy Grail), and a place to live (Camelot). The Arthurian legend is best described as an amalgam of many writers' ideas, plots, themes, characters, and motifs. To comb through 1,500 years of Arthuriana and find every name associated with it is a considerable task that Bruce has accomplished admirably. The extremely invaluable New Arthurian Encyclopedia (Garland, 1996) provides only 90 names (by design, it should be noted), whereas this volume has more than 5,600. It makes for both a fascinating read and a very useful reference tool. The work consists mostly of names of major and minor characters (Arthur, Gwythyr, Tristan, Petipace of Winchelsea), but there are also references to places, events, and things. The author has wisely made his cutoff with Tennyson's The Idylls of the King (1859^-1886) or the volume would be twice as long because of the current proliferation of Arthuriana. Each entry is listed alphabetically and depending on the subject can be very short or quite long. The entry on Arthur is nine pages long. It looks first at his historicity and how the legend around him developed. Then it notes what the texts say about the dates of his reign, how they portray his character, what insignia he carried, and where his grave is located. Entries are fully cross-referenced with the excellent appendix on sources that lists not only author, title, and date but provides brief descriptions, some keywords, and a note on the text that was used. This is a very useful work that most large public and academic libraries should have.

Gr 9 Up-Serious students of the Arthurian legends will find this a useful and informative resource. More than 5000 alphabetical entries include the people, places, items, and themes found in Arthurian literature written between the 6th and 19th centuries. The text goes beyond simple definitions, incorporating background on how individuals fit into a particular legend and/or their evolution as characters in the stories. Significant figures such as Guinevere and Merlin warrant several pages. While alternate spellings or names follow the main entries, they are not cross-referenced and there is no name index. A "Source Index" consists of an annotated listing of the hundreds of resources from which the editor drew his material. While some readers may find more detail here than they want, enthusiasts will find that they have tapped into a wellspring of information.-Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.