Editorial note — THE END OF IT ALL.
Reading edition
Page 2, l. 16. tourney, tournament; a fight in which many knights joined.
Page 3, l. 31. Arthur’s parentage. Uther Pendragon was King Arthur’s father. In Malory’s “Morte d’Arthur,” it is explained how he, when King of all England, marched into Cornwall against the powerful Duke of Tintagil. In the siege that followed the Duke of Tintagil was killed, and his lady, the dame Igraine, afterwards became the wife of King Uthur. It is also explained how, on the advice of Merlin, their son Arthur was fostered by the wife of a certain Sir Ector, and brought up with his son Kay. Uther Pendragon died two years after this, and on his deathbed Merlin asked if Arthur should not be proclaimed his successor. To this Uther Pendragon replied, “I give him my blessing, and righteously may he claim the crown on forfeiture of my blessing.” Merlin had to provide some other means therefore to enable Arthur to succeed to his heritage, and this we have in the tale of the “Drawing of the Sword.”
Page 3, l. 32. Merlin. A magician. One of the chief characters in the earlier tales.
Page 5, l. 7. seneschal, steward.
Page 5, l. 13. Twelfth Day, twelve days after Christmas.
Page 5, l. 18. Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, called Candlemas on account of the number of lighted candles used.
Page 6, l. 29. barge here means pleasure-boat.
Page 7, l. 14. Carlion, or Carleon, at that time an important city in South Wales, situated about six miles from the mouth of the river Usk.
Page 7, l. 27. Round Table, the famous table at which King Arthur’s knights sat. There are several accounts of its origin. One of the reasons suggested for its shape is that, being round, no dispute could arise between the knights for the higher places.
Page 8, l. 32. Sir Lancelot, the best loved and bravest of King Arthur’s knights, famed for his chivalry.
Page 9, l. 13. Sir Gawaine was one of the five nephews of the King (the other brothers being Mordred, Agrawaine, Gaheris, and Gareth).
Page 11, l. 14. Avelion, or Avalon, is generally associated with Glastonbury.
Page 18, l. 18. Pentecost, Whitsuntide.