The Once and Future King

The Once and Future King (1958) by T. H. White is considered a classic of epic fantasy and (alongside Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, from which it draws inspiration) the definitive retelling of the legend of King Arthur. White’s tale spans the entire life of the legendary king, from his orphaned youth to his apprenticeship under Merlyn to the establishment of Camelot. The story is comprised of four separate novels, each of which focuses on a single aspect of the narrative arc. The first part—The Sword in the Stone—was adapted by Walt Disney into an animated feature film in 1963, and the latter half was the basis for the Broadway musical Camelot (1960).

This guide refers to the Berkeley Books 1965 mass market paperback edition.

Content Warning: Both the novel and guide reference sexual assault, incest, child abuse, and suicide.

Plot Summary

Young Arthur, the son of tyrant-king Uther Pendragon and Igraine, the queen of Cornwall, is sent away and adopted by Sir Ector, lord of the Forest Sauvage. While “hawking” one day with his brother, Kay, Arthur (nicknamed “the Wart”) becomes lost in the forest. There he meets the bumbling but kind King Pellinore, pursuer of the legendary Questing Beast. He also chances upon a ramshackle cottage, home to the eccentric wizard Merlyn. Merlyn, who sees the future by traveling backward in time, takes Arthur under his wing and tutors him. Merlyn transfigures Arthur into various animals so he can understand the social organization of the animal kingdom. Arthur and Kay also embark on a rescue mission with famed outlaw Robin Wood (i.e., Robin Hood), during which they encounter the witch, Morgan le Fay.

One day, a sword is discovered sheathed in a stone. It bears a prophecy that whoever pulls it out shall be king of England. A tournament is organized, and knights from around the country try to pull out the sword. When Arthur “borrows” the sword for Kay, he draws it forth easily. The teenaged Arthur is hailed as the new king.

With Arthur newly crowned, the narrative shifts focuses to the sons of Morgause (sister of Morgan le Fay)—most prominently, Gawaine. Morgause’s sons swear vengeance against Arthur for the sins of his father (the rape of their grandmother, Igraine). With the aid of his sword, Excalibur, and the advice of Merlyn, Arthur successfully drives off the armies of King Lot (Morgause’s husband), but not before Morgause seduces Arthur and bears him a son, Mordred. Merlyn also begins to engage Arthur in a philosophical discussion about justice, prompting Arthur to conceive of a new age of chivalry. He recruits knights from around the country to join him at his Round Table. He schools them in his new ethics: using force only in the cause of justice.

At this time, a young French knight, Lancelot, joins his circle of warriors. Lancelot quickly establishes himself as the most skilled fighter in Camelot. He also begins an ongoing romance with Arthur’s wife, Queen Guenever, undertaking legendary quests in an effort to distract himself from his love of Guenever and his betrayal of the king he loves. After being deceived into sleeping with Elaine, daughter of King Pelles, Lancelot is furious at the deception and rides back to Camelot. However, Elaine bears him a son, Galahad, and is determined to use the child as emotional leverage to convince Lancelot to marry her. When Lancelot is tricked into sleeping with Elaine once again, Guenever banishes him from the castle. Consumed by grief, he flees into the forest and lives for the next several years as a hermit until Pelles gives him sanctuary. One day, Elaine sees the bearded, half-naked man and recognizes him as Lancelot. She nurses him back to health, and he spends some time in her company, but eventually he must return to Guenever.

Fifteen years later, Arthur’s court is stagnant. He decides to send his knights on a quest for the Holy Grail. They set out, but only about half return. Their adventures are marked by danger, deception, and the confrontation of their own inner demons. Lancelot is the last to return, while his son, Galahad, is destined to find the Grail and go straight to heaven. Through it all, Lancelot and Guenever carry on their affair in secret. As Mordred and Agravaine—Gawaine’s brothers—nurse their grievance against Arthur and Lancelot, they determine to catch the lovers in the act and accuse them of treason (the penalty for which is death). One night while Arthur is away, Lancelot sneaks into Guenever’s room. When Agravaine and Mordred try to burst in, Lancelot fights his way out, killing Agravaine in the process. Upon Arthur’s return, Mordred and Gawaine, seeking justice for their brother, accuse Guenever of treason. Arthur has no choice but to sentence her to death. As she is led to her execution, Lancelot emerges from hiding and rescues her, accidently killing Gawaine’s younger brothers in the process.

Lancelot and Guenever hole up in Lancelot’s castle in France, and Arthur, duty-bound to avenge the deaths of Gawaine’s brothers, lays siege to it. Guenever suggests the Pope intervene to end the conflict and spare their lives. The papal agents decree that Guenever must return to Arthur and that Lancelot be banished from Camelot. All parties agree to the terms, but Gawaine and Mordred still seek revenge on Lancelot, so Arthur goes to war against Lancelot. Mordred, as rightful heir to the throne, stays behind, and in Arthur’s absence, he claims the throne for himself and tries to force Guenever to marry him. When Arthur hears the news, he abandons his campaign against Lancelot and returns to London to depose Mordred. As Arthur prepares for his final battle against Mordred, he instructs his young page to flee the battlefield and to carry forth Arthur’s message of peace.