By T. H. White

Published in 1939 by Collins Publishing

Like the first book in the series, (The Sword in the Stone), The Witch in the Wood is an integral part of the Arthurian lore. However, it relates events that will have a profound effect on the Arthur's future and that of Camelot not in and of itself. The Witch in the Wood relates the story of Queen Morgause of Lothian and her sons: Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris and Gareth. It also brings about the story of the Battle of Bedegraine and Arthur's actions while at Carlion. While in Carlion he beds Queen Morgause, who unbeknownst to him is his half-sister. The result of this union is Mordred. Mordred is to play a vital role in the book The Candle in the Wind.
—Brett J. Millán M. 1997, (phoenix9@hiline.net)

From the dustjacket

(1939) The Witch in the Wood, the second in the tetrology based on the life of King Arthur (The Once and Future King), introduces an element of farce into the Arthurian legend. The lady of the title is none other than Queen Morgause of Lothian and Orkney — a woman of undeniable if slightly synthetic charm. The action of the story shuttles back and forth between Merlyn (Arthur's tutor) and Arthur at Carlion and the Battle of Bedegraine and Mr. White's inspired lunacy at Lothian. The Witch in the Wood is just as funny and probably just as profound as The Sword in the Stone, but, like its predecessor, it is really indescribable.

Historical note:
This book was renamed The Queen of Air and Darkness when it was published as a part of The Once and Future King in 1958.

By T. H. White

Published in 1940 by Collins Publishing

Arthurian Legend couldn't be complete without betrayal and a love triangle. The Ill-Made Knight is the second book that sets the stage for the events in The Candle in the Wind and The Book of Merlyn. This book presents Sir Lancelot, the finest and best knight in the world. He hails from France and unlike other presentations of this heroic figure, he is considered to be very ugly. However, he makes up for any deficiencies in beauty by efficiency in skill and courage.

With all the benefits of having Lancelot at his side, Arthur also has gained a rival, not for the kingdom, for his beloved Guenever. As with many things in life, your best asset, can also be your worst liability. In this book, Lancelot is presented, Guenever's faithfulness is broken and the search for the Holy Grail is depicted.
—Brett J. Millán M. 1997, (phoenix9@hiline.net)

From the dustjacket

(1940) The Ill-Made Knight is the third book in the tetrology of King Arthur: The Once and Future King. The Chevalier Mal Fet of the title of this excursion is none other than Lancelot, the finest knight in the world; and the action centers around that classic infidelity, the affair between Lancelot and King Arthur's queen, Guenever. It is a riotous, swashbuckling tale which dashes headlong through love, lust, murder, quest, joust, tournament, and miracle, retelling, as only Mr. White can, the whole cycle of the Round Table from its beginning down through the search for the Holy Grail.

By T. H. White

Published in 1958 as part of The Once and Future King by Collins Publishing

The last book in the tetralogy, The Candle in the Wind was intended to be the next to the last book and therefore does not leave the story with the conclusion that T.H. White had originally intended. The book was never published as a separate volume like its predecessors, only in The Once and Future King. The action that is included in the book is the confrontation between Morgause's sons: Agravaine and Mordred, and the King himself. Mordred shows his hatred for his father and wants to destroy all that Arthur has built. To achieve this purpose he exposes Lancelot's affair with the Queen and tries to rile arms against Arthur. During this turmoil, Arthur continually tries to remember Merlyn's teaching and wish that his old friend were by his side again. The book ends with Arthur, on the eve of his final battle with Mordred, sending a young page named Thomas back to his homeland to keep the ideals of Camelot alive. This becomes the analogy with the title of the book. Thomas is to keep the Candle lit, as Arthur did in the Wind (analogizing life's turns).
—Brett J. Millán M., 1997 (phoenix9@hiline.net)

See also:

The Once and Future King
The Sword in the Stone
The Book of Merlyn

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Unless otherwise noted, entire contents ©1996, J. Moulder and M. Schaefer. All rights reserved.
Revised Saturday, 28-Sep-2002 22:10:42 CDT.