The Avalon Series is a series of

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

novels written by Marion Zimmer Bradley and

Diana L. Paxson Diana Lucile Paxson (born February 20, 1943) is an American author, primarily in the fields of Paganism and Heathenism. Her published works include fantasy and historical fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories. More recently she has ...

. Paxson took over sole authorship after Bradley's death in 1999. The series focuses on the legendary island of Avalon and the various women who have shaped its history and that of Britain.

Overview

The Avalon series retells the

Matter of Britain The Matter of Britain is the body of medieval literature and legendary material associated with Great Britain and Brittany and the list of legendary kings of Britain, legendary kings and heroes associated with it, particularly King Arthur. It ...

from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Through a set of stories that spans several centuries, it tells of how the mystic isle of Avalon was created, its history, life in Britain under Roman authority, and how Avalon and its ancient traditions faded from the world because of a new religion,

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...

. All stories are told by women who were powerful during their lifetime, such as Eilan, High Priestess of the Forest House,

Helena Helena may refer to: People *Helena (given name), a given name (including a list of people and characters with the name) *Katri Helena (born 1945), Finnish singer *Helena, mother of Constantine I Places Greece * Helena (island) Guyana * ...

, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, and Morgaine, High Priestess of Avalon (later remembered as the sorceress

Morgan le Fay Morgan le Fay (, meaning 'Morgan the Fairy'), alternatively known as Morgan , Morgain /e Morg e, Morgant Morge , and Morgue namong other names and spellings ( cy, Morgên y Dylwythen Deg, kw, Morgen an Spyrys), is a powerful ...

). The series explores the

King Arthur King Arthur ( cy, Brenin Arthur, kw, Arthur Gernow, br, Roue Arzhur) is a legendary king of Britain, and a central figure in the medieval literary tradition known as the Matter of Britain. In the earliest traditions, Arthur appears as a ...

story and related legends through a

feminist Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism incorporates the position that society prioritizes the male po ...

lens, as well as incorporating historical figures and events, elements of

Celt The Celts (, see pronunciation for different usages) or Celtic peoples () are. "CELTS location: Greater Europe time period: Second millennium B.C.E. to present ancestry: Celtic a collection of Indo-European peoples. "The Celts, an ancient ...

paganism Paganism (from classical Latin ''pāgānus'' "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christianity, early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, or ethnic religions ot ...

, and contemporary

neo-pagan Modern paganism, also known as contemporary paganism and neopaganism, is a term for a religion or family of religions influenced by the various historical pre-Christian beliefs of pre-modern peoples in Europe and adjacent areas of North Afric ...

traditions. The ideological conflict of the pagan and Christian characters, as well as the belief that there is wisdom to be found in both traditions, are frequent themes of the series. The novels are connected via Avalon itself and the implication (strongly hinted at, though rarely outright stated) that several characters throughout the series are the same souls reincarnated.

Bradley's Avalon

First established in ''

The Mists of Avalon ''The Mists of Avalon'' is a 1983 historical fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, in which the author relates the Arthurian legends from the perspective of the female characters. The book follows the trajectory of Morgaine (Mo ...

'', the series' version of the legendary island is notably different from other depictions, though it draws from and expands earlier legends. As in Geoffrey of Monmouth, Avalon is ruled by an order of women, explicitly identified by Bradley with the pre-Christian

Brythonic Brittonic or Brythonic may refer to: *Common Brittonic, or Brythonic, the Celtic language anciently spoken in Great Britain *Brittonic languages, a branch of the Celtic languages descended from Common Brittonic *Britons (Celtic people) The Br ...

religion. Drawing from legends that associate Avalon with the town of

Glastonbury Glastonbury (, ) is a town and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated at a dry point on the low-lying Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. The town, which is in the Mendip district, had a population of 8,932 in the 2011 census. Glastonbury ...

Somerset ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...

, England, Bradley establishes her Avalon as a parallel universe of sorts to Glastonbury, co-existing in the same area but accessible only by summoning a magical mist. Avalon's ruler, the Lady of the Lake (a figure featured in several Arthurian stories), is identified as a High Priestess in the series. As multiple names are assigned to this character in legend, Bradley's Lady is a title passed from one generation to the next. All the Arthurian Ladies of the Lake (Viviane, Niniane, Nimue, etc.) are established as separate characters in the novels and original characters are added to the office's history. Bradley takes a similar approach to the character of

Merlin Merlin ( cy, Myrddin, kw, Marzhin, br, Merzhin) is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a mage, with several other main roles. His usual depiction, based on an amalgamation of historic and le ...

, here cast as a series of Arch-

Druid A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Whi ...

s. The central figure of Avalon's religion is the

Mother Goddess A mother goddess is a goddess who represents a personified deification of motherhood, fertility goddess, fertility, creation, destruction, or the earth goddess who embodies the bounty of the earth or nature. When equated with the earth or th ...

, a name Bradley associates with several Celtic deities. The author was influenced by traditions of neo-paganism (which Bradley herself once practiced) that conflate or associate similar pagan deities and emphasize a

matriarchal Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in roles of authority. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege and control of property. While those definitions apply in general E ...

religious structure.

Connection to other works

The Avalon series is set in the same universe as Bradley's first novel, ''

The Fall of Atlantis ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'', originally published as the novellas ''Web of Light'' and ''Web of Darkness''. The pagan religious order of priests and priestesses in this novel influences the later conception of Avalon. Several characters in the story, including the sisters Domaris and Deoris and their children Micail and Tiriki, are implied to have been reincarnated as later characters in the Avalon series. More overt connections are established by Diana L. Paxson, who continued the history of the surviving Atlanteans in ''Ancestors of Avalon'' and referenced their deities in ''Sword of Avalon''.

Novels

''The Mists of Avalon''

The original novel which inspired the series, ''The Mists of Avalon'' (1983) is set in

Sub-Roman Britain Sub-Roman Britain is the period of late antiquity in Great Britain between the end of Roman rule and the Anglo-Saxon settlement. The term was originally used to describe archaeological remains found in 5th- and 6th-century AD sites that hint ...

. It focuses primarily on Morgaine, half-sister to

and priestess of Avalon. Morgaine's desire to preserve the matriarchal pagan religion of her people leads her to develop an enmity for Christianity, a newly rising power in Britain, and to come into conflict with her brother. In addition to Morgaine's story, the novel focuses on other Arthurian women, including Arthur's mother

Igraine In the Matter of Britain, Igraine () is the mother of King Arthur. Igraine is also known in Latin as Igerna, in Welsh as Eigr (Middle Welsh Eigyr), in French as Ygraine (Old French Ygerne or Igerne), in ''Le Morte d'Arthur'' as Ygrayne—often ...

, Viviane, the High Priestess of Avalon, and Arthur's queen, Gwenhwyfar, whose Christian piety leads to further conflict with Morgaine.

''The Forest House''

Set in the first century CE during

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a letter ...

occupation of Britain, ''The Forest House'' (1993) focuses on the pagan religious order which predated the founding of Avalon. Based on the opera '' Norma'', it tells of the romance between Eilan, a British priestess, and Gaius, a Roman soldier. ''The Forest House'' was co-written by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson, with the latter uncredited.

''Lady of Avalon''

Structured as a series of short stories, ''Lady of Avalon'' (1997) features several distinct episodes in the history of Avalon and the women who have served as its High Priestess. Among these are the stories of Caillean, the High Priestess who casts the spell that conceals Avalon in mist, Dierna, who arranges a marriage between a British princess and a Roman officer in an effort to secure peace, and Viviane, a character from the original novel. Paxson again shared co-writing duties but was uncredited.

''Priestess of Avalon''

Set in the third century, ''Priestess of Avalon'' (2000) adapts a legend which ties the historical figure of

Empress Helena Flavia Julia Helena ''Augusta'' (also known as Saint Helena and Helena of Constantinople, ; grc-gre, Ἑλένη, ''Helénē''; AD 246/248– c. 330) was an ''List of Augustae, Augusta'' and List of Roman and Byzantine empresses, Empress of ...

to the island of Britain. It tells of Helena (or Eilan)'s romance with Roman officer Constantius and the birth of their son

Constantine Constantine most often refers to: * Constantine the Great, Roman emperor from 306 to 337, also known as Constantine I * Constantine, Algeria, a city in Algeria Constantine may also refer to: People * Constantine (name), a masculine given na ...

, who is destined to become Emperor. ''Priestess'' was begun by Bradley and completed by Paxson following Bradley's death.

''Ancestors of Avalon''

In the story chronology the earliest book of the series, ''Ancestors of Avalon'' (2004) tells of a group of refugees from the lost continent of Atlantis who settle in Britain. They found the area known in later centuries as both Glastonbury and Avalon and are involved in the creation of

Stonehenge Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, west of Amesbury. It consists of an outer ring of vertical sarsen standing stones, each around high, wide, and weighing around 25 tons, topped by connectin ...

. This was the first volume of the series written by Paxson alone, though it draws elements from Bradley's earlier novel, ''

'' (1987), bringing it officially into the chronology of the Avalon series. All subsequent books of the series are by Paxson.

''Ravens of Avalon''

Taking place prior to ''The Forest House'', ''

Ravens of Avalon Ravens may refer to: * Raven, a species of the genus ''Corvus'' Sports * Anderson Ravens, the intercollegiate athletic program of Anderson University in Indiana * Baltimore Ravens, a professional American football franchise * Benedictine Ravens ...

'' (2007) adapts the story of the historical Celtic warrior-queen

Boudica Boudica or Boudicca (, known in Latin chronicles as Boadicea or Boudicea, and in Welsh as ()), was a queen of the ancient British Iceni tribe, who led a failed uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61. She ...

of the

Iceni The Iceni ( , ) or Eceni were a Brittonic tribe of eastern Britain during the Iron Age and early Roman era. Their territory included present-day Norfolk and parts of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and bordered the area of the Corieltauvi to the we ...

tribe, who resists the rule of Britain by the forces of Rome. Vowing vengeance for the invaders' violent rape of her daughters, Boudica raises an army and calls upon the Goddess in her fearsome warrior aspect.

''Sword of Avalon''

Set in the

Bronze Age The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second pri ...

, ''

Sword of Avalon A sword is an edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved. A thrusting sword tends to have a straighter blade with a pointed tip ...

'' (2009) focuses on the forging of Excalibur and its early history. Mikantor, the "Son of a Hundred Kings" and rightful ruler of the British tribes, is sold into slavery while the cruel warlord Galid usurps control of the land. Avalon's Lady, Anderle, opposes him. Mikantor has adventures in ancient Greece and throughout Europe before returning to claim his destiny.

Series order

The books of the Avalon series encompass several centuries of ancient British history but were not published in sequence. Each volume tells a story set in a different historical era.

Publication order

*''

'' (1983) **''Mistress of Magic'' (audiobook edition of ''The Mists of Avalon'', part 1) (1994) **''The High Queen'' (audiobook edition of ''The Mists of Avalon'', part 2) (1994) **''The King Stag'' (audiobook edition of ''The Mists of Avalon'', part 3) (1994) **''The Prisoner in the Oak'' (audiobook edition of ''The Mists of Avalon'', part 4) (1994) *''

The Forest House ''The Forest House'' is a fantasy novel by American writers Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson, though the latter is uncredited by the publisher. It is a prequel to Bradley's Arthurian novel ''The Mists of Avalon''. The plot of ''The ...

'' (1993) (now also known as ''The Forests of Avalon'') (with Diana L. Paxson) *''

Lady of Avalon ''Lady of Avalon'' is a 1997 historical fantasy novel by American writers Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson. It is the sequel to '' The Forest House'' and the prequel to ''The Mists of Avalon''. Plot The novel is divided into 3 parts. ...

'' (1997) (with Diana L. Paxson) *''

Priestess of Avalon ''Priestess of Avalon'' is a 2000 novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, completed posthumously by Diana L. Paxson. It follows detailing the life of Helena, first wife of Western Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus and mother of Constant ...

'' (2000) (with Diana L. Paxson) *''

Ancestors of Avalon ''Ancestors of Avalon'' is a 2004 historical fantasy novel by American writer Diana L. Paxson, based on an idea of Marion Zimmer Bradley Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley (June 3, 1930 – September 25, 1999) was an American author of fantasy, ...

'' (2004) (written by Diana L. Paxson) *''Ravens of Avalon'' (2007) (written by Diana L. Paxson) *''Sword of Avalon'' (2009) (written by Diana L. Paxson)

In-universe chronological order

* ''The Fall of Atlantis'' *''Ancestors of Avalon'' *''Sword of Avalon'' *''Ravens of Avalon'' *''The Forest House'' *''Lady of Avalon'' *''Priestess of Avalon'' *''The Mists of Avalon''

Main characters

The Mists of Avalon

* Morgaine - Protagonist; Priestess and later High-Priestress of Avalon, half-sister of Arthur * Gwenhwyfar - Arthur's queen *

- Wife of Uther, mother of Arthur and Morgaine, half sister to Morgause and Viviane * Viviane - High Priestess of Avalon, Lady of the Lake, half sister to Igraine and Morgause *

Taliesin Taliesin ( , ; 6th century AD) was an early Brittonic poet of Sub-Roman Britain whose work has possibly survived in a Middle Welsh manuscript, the '' Book of Taliesin''. Taliesin was a renowned bard who is believed to have sung at the courts ...

, the

of Britain - Arch-Druid and Bard *

Morgause The Queen of Orkney, today best known as Morgause and also known as Morgawse and other spellings and names, is a character in later Arthurian traditions. In some versions of the legend, including the seminal text ''Le Morte d'Arthur'', she is ...

- sister of Igraine and aunt of Morgaine and of Arthur *

Uther Pendragon Uther Pendragon (Brittonic) (; cy, Ythyr Ben Dragwn, Uthyr Pendragon, Uthyr Bendragon), also known as King Uther, was a legendary King of the Britons in sub-Roman Britain (c. 6th century). Uther was also the father of King Arthur. A few m ...

- Husband of Igraine, briefly High King of Britain *

- High King of Britain *

Lancelot Lancelot du Lac (French for Lancelot of the Lake), also written as Launcelot and other variants (such as early German ''Lanzelet'', early French ''Lanselos'', early Welsh ''Lanslod Lak'', Italian ''Lancillotto'', Spanish ''Lanzarote del Lago' ...

- Arthur's best friend and finest warrior, son of Viviane *

Mordred Mordred or Modred (; Welsh: ''Medraut'' or ''Medrawt'') is a figure who is variously portrayed in the legend of King Arthur. The earliest known mention of a possibly historical Medraut is in the Welsh chronicle ''Annales Cambriae'', wherein he ...

- Son of Morgaine and Arthur * Kevin Harper - the Merlin of Britain; Taliesin's successor, traitor to Avalon and the Mysteries

The Forest House

* Caillean - Priestess at the Forest House * Eilan - Priestess, later Lady of the Forest House after Lhiannon's death * Gaius - Roman soldier and lover of Eilan * Ardanos - Arch-Druid of Britannia * Cynric - Adoptive brother of Eilan * Dieda - Cousin of Eilan, priestess at the Forest House * Lhiannon - Lady of the Forest House

Lady of Avalon

Part I * Caillean - High Priestess of Avalon * Gawen - Son of Eilan and Gaius * Sianna - Daughter of the

Faerie Queen ''The Faerie Queene'' is an English epic poem by Edmund Spenser. Books IIII were first published in 1590, then republished in 1596 together with books IVVI. ''The Faerie Queene'' is notable for its form: at over 36,000 lines and over 4,000 sta ...

* Joseph of Arimathea - Leader of the Christians of Inis Witrin * Paulus - Joseph's successor Part II * Dierna - High Priestess of Avalon * Allectus - A Roman officer *

Carausius Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius (died 293) was a military commander of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century. He was a Menapian from Belgic Gaul, who usurped power in 286, during the Carausian Revolt, declaring himself emperor in Britain and no ...

- A Roman commander * Teleri - Princess training as a priestess of Avalon Part III * Viviane - Future High Priestess * Ana - High Priestess of Avalon, mother of Viviane, Igraine, and Morgause *

Vortimer Vortimer (Old Welsh Guorthemir, cy, Gwerthefyr), also known as Saint Vortimer ( cy, Gwerthefyr Fendigaid, "Vortimer the Blessed"), is a figure in Matter of Britain, British tradition, a son of the 5th-century Britons (historical), Britonni ...

- Son of the High King

Vortigern Vortigern (; owl, Guorthigirn, ; cy, Gwrtheyrn; ang, Wyrtgeorn; Old Breton: ''Gurdiern'', ''Gurthiern''; gle, Foirtchern; la, Vortigernus, , , etc.), also spelled Vortiger, Vortigan, Voertigern and Vortigen, was a 5th-century warlord in ...

Priestess of Avalon

* Eilan ( Julia Coelia Helena) – Daughter of Prince Coelius, consort of Constantius, mother of Constantine, and priestess of Avalon * Constantius – The Roman noble she marries *

– Helena's son, Emperor AD 306-37 * Crispus – Constantine's illegitimate son by Minervina * Dierna – Helena's second cousin, later Lady of Avalon *

Fausta Flavia Maxima Fausta ''Augusta'' (289–326 AD) was a Roman empress. She was the daughter of Maximian and second wife of Constantine the Great, who had her executed and excluded from all official accounts for unknown reasons. Historians Zosimu ...

– Daughter of

Maximian Maximian ( la, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus; c. 250 – c. July 310), nicknamed ''Herculius'', was Roman emperor from 286 to 305. He was ''Caesar'' from 285 to 286, then ''Augustus'' from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his ...

, wife of Constantine, and mother of his legitimate children * Ganeda – Helena's aunt, Lady of Avalon * Helena the Younger ("Lena") – A noblewomen of Treveri, wife of Crispus *

Maxentius Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius (c. 283 – 28 October 312) was a Roman emperor, who reigned from 306 until his death in 312. Despite ruling in Italy and North Africa, and having the recognition of the Senate in Rome, he was not recognized ...

- Son of Maximian, Augustus in Italy and North Africa * Minervina - Constantine's Syrian concubine, mother of Crispus * Quintillus - Brother of the Emperor Claudius II, Constantius's great uncle *

Severus Severus is the name of various historical and fictional figures, including: ;Emperors of the Roman empire *Septimius Severus (145–211), Roman emperor from 193 to 211 (rarely known as ''Severus I.'') *Severus Caracalla (188–217), Roman emperor f ...

- Caesar appointed by Galerius, executed by Maximian * Victorinus - Rebel Emperor in the West, AD 268-70

Ancestors of Avalon

* Damisa - Eldest of the acolytes of Atlantis * Tiriki - Guardian of the Temple of Light, temple name "Eilantha", future priestess of Avalon * Micail - Prince of Ahtarrath, husband of Tiriki * Chedan - An acolyte of the Ancient Land before its fall * Tjalan - Prince of Alkonath, cousin of Micail * Deoris - Temple name "Adsartha", mother of Tiriki, wife of Reio-ta, Aunt of Micail * Domaris - Temple name "Isarma", mother of Micail, sister of Deoris * Micon - Prince of Ahtarrah, father of Micail, brother of Reio-ta * Reio-ta - Husband of Deoris, Uncle of Micail, step-father to Tiriki

Ravens of Avalon

- Celtic warrior queen who rebels against the Romans * Prasutagos - Boudica's husband, king of the Iceni * Lhiannon - Priestess of Mona and Boudica's friend * Ardanos - Druid of Mona * Caratac - British chieftain who resists Roman rule

Sword of Avalon

*Anderle - Lady of Avalon *Galid - A warlord who usurps the rule of Britain *Mikantor - a.k.a. Woodpecker; Rightful king kidnapped and sold into slavery *Tirilan - Anderle's daughter, who loves Mikantor but chooses priestesshood *Velantos - An Achaen smith destined to forge a legendary sword

References

External links

Avalonbooks.net
{{Modern literature based on Arthurian legends American fantasy novel series American picture books Modern Arthurian fiction Novels set in sub-Roman Britain