The Fall of Arthur

«The Fall of Arthur» stands as the sole literary venture by J.R.R. Tolkien into the legendary realm of King Arthur of Britain. This epic poem can be regarded as the pinnacle of his mastery in crafting alliterative verse in the style of Old English.
Tolkien breathes new life into the ancient Arthurian tales, imbuing them with a pervasive sense of foreboding grandeur and tragic inevitability. He recounts Arthur's expedition to distant heathen lands, Guinevere's flight from Camelot, the fierce battle upon Arthur's return to Britain, the treachery of Mordred, and the tormented doubts of Lancelot.
Regrettably, «The Fall of Arthur» remains unfinished, joining several other long narrative poems that Tolkien abandoned. It was first published by the author's son, Christopher Tolkien, who also contributed three illuminating essays that accompany the book. In these essays, Christopher explores the Arthurian literary tradition, the evolution of «The Fall of Arthur» as reflected in his father's drafts, and the poem's connections to the world of Middle-earth.