PoetSimonArmitagetracestheevolutionoftheArthurianlegendthroughtheliteratureofthemedievalageandrevealsthatKingArthurisnotthegreatnationalheroheisusuallyconsideredtobe.He'safickleandtransitorycharacterwhowasappropriatedbytheNormanstojustifytheirconquest,hewascuckoldedwhenFrenchwritersbeganadaptingthestoryandittookThomasMalory'smasterpieceofEnglishliterature,LeMortd'Arthur,torestoredignityandreclaimhimasthenationalheroweknowtoday.