Sword of the Rightful King (Jane Yolen)

Author Biography

Jane Yolen is the award-winning author and editor of more than 280 fantasy, science fiction and children’s books, as well as poetry, non-fiction and anthologies. She lives in Western, Massachusetts.

Published By: Magic Carpet Books

Year: 2003

ISBN: 0-15-202527-8

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

The young King Arthur’s claim to the throne is still widely contested – Britain needs proof that he truly is the rightful king. Fortunately, the wizard Merlinnus knows that the truth sometimes matters less than what people believe.

Plot Summary:

Arthur has been High King of Britain for four years. But his place on the throne is precarious. The reluctant young king still struggles with his daunting responsibilities, relying on the constant guidance of the wizard Merlinnus. And as a foundling with no proof of royal blood beyond his resemblance to Uther Pendragon, he finds his claim disputed by petty kings and lords throughout the realm – as well as by pagan tribes who resist the rule of any Christian monarch. The most dangerous foe of all is Queen Morgause of Orkney, known as the North Witch. With her powerful knowledge of magic, she will stop at nothing to depose Arthur and secure the High King’s throne for one of her own sons instead.

Merlinnus realizes that the masses must be made to believe in Arthur in some dramatic way. Therefore, he plots a trick. He will secretly place a sword in a stone, on which there will be an inscription: that whomever pulls out the sword is the rightful king of all Britain. Every man in the realm will try his hand. But Merlinnus’s magic will hold the sword firm, until Arthur pulls it out.

Critical Evaluation:

This creative Arthurian novel revolves around this conceit: What if the legend we know of King Arthur was basically true, but not entirely true? In particular, what if the sword in the stone was just a trick devised by Merlin to solidify Arthur’s claim to the throne? To further emphasize that this isn’t standard Arthuriana, author Yolen uses some alternative names for characters, places and objects from little-known sources: e.g. “Merlinnus” instead of Merlin and “Cadbury” instead of Camelot. Told from the alternating perspectives of Arthur, Merlinnus, the wicked Morgause, her rebellious son Gawaine, and a boy of mysterious origins named Gawen, it charts a tumultuous year in the life of Arthur’s new court, leading to the moment when the sword leaves the stone.

I must admit that this book seems slightly uncertain of what it wants to be. If it was meant as an outright deconstruction of classic Arthurian legend, it would have worked better as a “realistic” retelling with no real magic, as well as vastly different portrayals of at least some of the characters. But such isn’t the case: magic is just as real here as in Malory or White, and with one exception (to reveal it would be a spoiler), the characterizations are fairly standard too. Nor is the plot as well constructed as it could have been. The structure is episodic, conflicts arise and are resolved without ever leading to a real climax, and the ending feels rushed.

Still, as an atmospheric character-driven piece, this book is an enjoyable one. The stubborn and still-maturing yet idealistic young Arthur is a likeable, believable character, as is the powerful and cunning yet fallible Merlinnus and the innocent yet clever Gawen, whose plotline is easily the best written. The slightly cynical yet truthful message of “The truth sometimes matters less than what people believe” is also worth remembering. There might be stronger Arthurian books available, but this one is still engaging.

Curriculum Ties:

•Arthurian legend

Challenge Issues:

•Mild profanity

•Sexual references

•Child molestation references

•Bodily function references

•Violence

•Disturbing imagery

Why This Book?

While far from the definitive Arthurian YA novel, Sword of the Rightful King is still a likeable read with well-written characters and some creative new spins on the time-honored mythology. It’s a worthwhile addition to any young reader’s Arthuriana collection.