Saturday, June 9, 2012

Arthur Everywhere

I like how Margaret Finnegan has been including her blog readers in the creation and promotion of her wonderful novel, The Goddess Lounge. We'll do some fun stuff like that here, too, when the time comes.

In my novel Camelot & Vine, a Hollywood actress with a penchant for dishonesty loses her job, her married boyfriend and perhaps a modicum of sanity at the approach of her 40th birthday--though she's never told anyone her real age, not even the IRS. She has a romantic fantasy about King Arthur, so in a fit of pique (or panic) she flies to England to take a vacation and visit Arthurian sites. When a car accident sends her flying into the night, she lands in the sixth century and accidentally saves King Arthur's life.

It's not exactly what she'd planned for her vacation. Arthur is not the handsome romancer she'd imagined. The Dark Ages are dangerous. And dark.

The king's helmet, by the way, looks nothing like this one. And this blog is not about my novel, it's about Pasadena. So what does all this have to do with Mr. Teeth here?

Maybe it's because I've got knights on the brain, but I find stuff like this everywhere. There's a suit of armor in a barber shop in Altadena. Another one stands outside Pink Plum Antiques in Pasadena, and a half suit perches at an auto mechanic shop at Orange Grove and Lincoln. Over in Studio City, the Psychic Eye Book Shop has long been guarded by armored sentries. Knights--not to mention castles, swords, shields and all things medieval--advertise all kinds of businesses. We love these things because they appeal to our romantic side.

What that has to do with Mr. Teeth (and Margaret Finnegan) is this: I'm collecting pictures for my website and blog. Please let me know what you see in and around Pasadena and I'll head out to photograph it for the blog. Or if you'd like to send in a photo, please do. I'll post it on the website and give you credit.

There was no historical person named King Arthur, though he's probably based on a real person or persons (historians debate this). Whoever he was (or whoever they were) predates the medieval period by a few hundred years. That means my king is a Dark Ages guy, post-Roman and before the British kings (the first being the eighth century king Offa). When so few people in Britain knew how to write, little is left to us but the archaeological record.

Although he probably would have dressed more like a Roman soldier, it's fun to imagine Arthur stomping through the forests of ancient Britain wearing a scary-looking helmet, wielding Excalibur and making the world right.

19 comments:

Dina said...

That's a scary helmet. And a cool post.

I could send you lots of pictures of knight stuff from Jerusalem, where we had real Crusader knights. But Jerusalem is not Pasadena.

Shell Sherree said...

Egads, it's the Hannibal Lecter of the Round Table! I hope I don't have nightmares now, Petrea. {I scare easily.} I love the synopsis of your book, and I'm so excited about Margaret's journey {and yours when it begins}.

Petrea Burchard said...

Dina, I would plotz with joy to receive anything you wish to share! Indeed, Jerusalem is not Pasadena (which is part of its charm) and although it's doubtful King Arthur's historical counterpart got as far as your neighborhood, he got closer to yours than he got to mine.

Thank you, Shell! I, too, am excited about Margaret's journey and I follow it closely. She has already consented to be a guest author here and I await opportunities to help her succeed.

Sid said...

This isn't Pasadena but the Arthurian legend took us to Tintagel in Cornwall.

Petrea Burchard said...

Absolutely, Sid. Legend says he was born there. And what a place!

LOLfromPasa said...

Ditto to Dina's comments. Next time I am at Warwick Castle, just down the road, I'm sure you will come to mind when I am looking at their super collection of 'all things medieval' (with my camera in hand). Super post Petrea.

Bellis said...

Oh goody, now I can search Pasadena for Knights and Round Tables. Your new synopsis of Camelot and Vine is excellent, hope it brings results.

Deb said...

Never seen a helmet with teeth before, not even a Viking one and they were into intimidating their enemies big time, scary! Somehow I imagine Arthur with a tasteful gold circlet on his head.
I look forward to reading your contribution to the Arthur Pendragon legend of stories Petrea.

Petrea Burchard said...

LOL, I've been to Warwick! Do they still have all the Mme. Tussaud's figures? I could have done without those (I like to imagine things myself) but I loved the place. It's magnificent.

I'm glad you like it, Bellis. I try on new ones every day and am never quite happy.

Deb, I don't really think Arthur would have worn one of these. So many stories set him in later times, it's hard to picture him even in post-Roman garb, but I suppose that's more likely than a 14th-century knight.

Ms M said...

What an excellent helmet! It looks fierce, cat-like. Perhaps to invoke the fear of attacking leopards or panthers in their enemies.

I can't think of any armor around Boise, but I'll keep my eye out. There are more likely to be elk heads, cowboy hats, or alien-looking bicyclists in spandex.

Looking forward to what you put together for your book PR!

Margaret said...

This sounds fun! I will be on the lookout! Thanks for the mention. By the way, I've had the pleasure of reading Camelot and Vine, and it is such a fun read.

John Sandel said...

Not to cavil, but the world cannot be made right. It was broken like a jar by the gods, for our use. The only away to get right with the world is to break in turn.

Petrea Burchard said...

That's okay, Ms. M. Go ahead and send me a picture of a spandex alien.

Thank you, Margaret. You are an inspiration.

I think people made up King Arthur because they wanted a hero to save them from breaking.

Dina said...

Oh, I get it. The photos can be from anywhere. OK, our knights will be coming to you soon.

LOLfromPasa said...

Brilliant that you have been to Warwick Castle. Yes, Mme. Tussaud's is still there and I know what you mean. I'll be back there during the better weather :).

Susan Campisi said...

I am so looking forward to reading your novel. Margaret's too.

Petrea Burchard said...

I've just had an interesting conversation about self-publishing. Watching Margaret's adventure has me reconsidering the idea of traditional publishing. I've been preparing the agent pitch but now I'm not sure what my next step is.

Buy sunglasses India said...

I think your novel is going to be very interesting.Gonna read it when is it going to release.As Live in India how can I get it at the latest.Can I get the ebook??
Plzzz tell me...

Petrea Burchard said...

I'll most definitely announce it here when it's available, BSI.