Description

1191. During excavation work at Glastonbury Abbey, an ancient leaden cross is discovered buried several feet below ground. Inscribed on the cross are the words: Hic iacet sepultus inclitus rex arturius... Here lies buried the renowned King Arthur. Beneath the cross are skeletal remains. Could these really be the remains of the legendary King Arthur and his queen, Guinevere 1191. During excavation work at Glastonbury Abbey, an ancient leaden cross is discovered buried several feet below ground. Inscribed on the cross are the words: Hic iacet sepultus inclitus rex arturius... Here lies buried the renowned King Arthur. Beneath the cross are skeletal remains. Could these really be the remains of the legendary King Arthur and his queen, Guinevere? As the monks debate the implications of this extraordinary discovery, the bones disappear -- spirited away by the mysterious Guardians, determined to keep the king's remains safe until the ancient legend is fulfilled and Arthur returns to protect his country in the hour of its greatest need. A missing right hand. A gang of ruthless bodysnatchers. Brother accused of killing brother. As the secret of the bones' hiding place is passed from generation to generation, those entrusted to safeguard Arthur's remains must withstand treachery, theft, blackmail and murder in order to keep the legend intact.Prologue: In which Philip Gooden describes how at Glastonbury Abbey in 1191, the remains of King Arthur are believed to have been discovered.Act One: In which Susanna Gregory describes how the bones are stolen during a violent skirmish between the Welsh and invading Normans in Carmarthen.Act Two: In which Bernard Knight relates how in 1282, a band of patriots retrieve the relics after the darkest day in Wales’ history.Act Three: In which Michael Jecks describes how a chance encounter with a pardoner and quack healer causes problems for Sir Baldwin, Bailiff Puttock and the Church.Act Four: In which Philip Gooden’s Nick Revill becomes involved with Arthur’s bones, William Shakespeare’s younger brother and a murder at the Tower of London.Act Five: In which Ian Morson recalls how rumours of Napoleon Bonaparte’s escape revive the old myth of King Arthur’s return.Epilogue: In which Bernard Knight returns to an archaeological dig near Tower Bridge, where the experts find something unexpected in the foundations of Bermondsey Priory.