Celebrating King Arthur on Tolkien Reading Day

Saddle up and join the Round Table as Mythmakers embarks on a journey through some of the most famous retellings of King Arthur in celebration of Tolkien Reading Day. Which author started the ball rolling, and who poetically kicked it on into the 19th century? Where do the traces of these tales become most apparent in the works of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis? And who has continued the Arthurian tradition into modern times?

Finally, we turn to the screen—what is the most successful adaptation of them all? Tune in to see if you agree with our pick!

(00:00) Tolkien Reading Day and the Power of Arthur
(03:09) Malory and the Rise of Arthur in Print
(05:26) Arthur Pulls the Sword from the Stone
(09:24) Keats and the Melancholy of Arthur
(12:08) Tennyson, Avalon, and Echoes in Tolkien
(15:15) William Morris and Arthur’s Expanding World
(16:52) T.S. Eliot, Charles Williams, and the Modern Grail
(22:22) Film, Comedy, and Reinventing Arthur
(23:00) Tolkien and Lewis Through an Arthurian Lens
(27:02) Modern Retellings and Julia Golding’s Own Arthur Stories
(29:12) Why BBC’s Merlin Works So Well
(30:43) Reading Arthur to Better Understand Tolkien

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Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!