Hilaritas Press Authors
Arthur Pendragon
Arthur Pendragon, more commonly known as King Arthur, is the reincarnation of the mythical Once and Future King.
Or at least, that’s how he understands it.
Visit Arthur on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/arthur.rex.984
CJ Stone
Christopher James Stone was born in Birmingham in 1953 of Edward and Mary Stone, the oldest son of the oldest son of the oldest son of a long line of Labour aristocrats.
He has written for publications including The Independent, The Guardian, The New Statesman, The Big Issue and The London Review of Books. He is also the author of The Last of the Hippies, Fierce Dancing, Housing Benefit Hill And Other Places, The Empire of Things and, under the name Roy Mayall, Dear Granny Smith, an account of his life as a postal worker.
His website is at https://christopherjamesstone.wordpress.com/
Reviews of The Trials of Arthur…
This is a book about heroism, patriotism, liberty, poetry, martyrdom, history, mythology, personal self-fashioning and other unforeseen consequences of enjoying cider, cigarettes and laughs with a bunch of mates. It is an epic true story of war and religion set in Britain during the Dark Ages at the end of the twentieth century, which manages to remain at once, like its main character, passionately serious, irresistibly compelling, and hilariously good-humoured.
– Professor Ronald Hutton, Bristol University
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A magnificent document . . .
– Alan Moore, Writer
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The Trials of Arthur is the amazing story of one singular man. But it is also the inspiring tale of an unjustly maligned British counterculture. Searching, funny, intelligent and illuminating, it is on one level a rip-roaring read, whimsical and compelling, and on another a haunting elegy to all those people who refuse to accept that they cannot make a difference in a world they know must change.
– Deborah Orr, The Independent
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In a nutshell: soap dodgers, druids, bikers . . . all manner of life romps through this funny and intelligent true-life tale. It gives a worm’s-eye view of the eco-protest movement.
– Spirit & Destiny
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The Trials of Arthur . . . is the compelling and often hilarious story of how an ex-soldier, ex-builder and always-biker donned a white frock (his words) and changed his name legally and regally to Arthur Pendragon. Trials? He’s had the odd run-in with Her Majesty’s police forces, mainly when protesting against new bypasses. One of the appendices lists 26 court appearances . . . So is this long-haired, bearded, cider-loving guy with a sword really Arthur Pendragon? His passport and driving license say so. In his passport photo he’s even wearing his crown. But is he really King Arthur? The co-author has his doubts. So, at times, does Arthur himself. And he’s perfectly happy for everyone else to think he’s a raving nutter. If people accept him as King Arthur, then he is King Arthur, king by acclaim, as it used to be. In any case, as the book says, if Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chrétien de Troyes, Malory, Spencer and Tennyson can reinvent Arthur for their own purposes, spiritual or political, then so can we; he’s the King Arthur reinvented for today. 9/10. Great story of a counter-culture King.
– Fortean Times
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The Trials of Arthur is filled with sagas, some hilarious, others sad and poignant, which show that this man is a human being on a mission to uphold “Truth, Honour and Justice”. The authors have been careful not to force their ideals upon the reader and encourage them to make up their own minds about Arthur and his deeds all the way through. However, they illustrate their beliefs in a humorous and dramatic way and, by the end of the book, the reader can’t help but like the man who calls himself King Arthur Uther Pendragon.
– Hampshire Chronicle
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It is fair to say that this book is unlike any other that I have read and that alone is a good enough reason to give it a try.
– Elizabeth A.Wright, The Daily Opinion
For those of you not familiar with Arthur Pendragon, Druid King and Stonehenge defender, you’re in for a treat. Arthur’s story is one that is needed in these days when the people of Britain are being led into conflicts not of their choosing and are suffering at the hands of politicians and bureaucracy. Having faced racism and the worst that British society can offer, it is no small relief to find this patriotic upholder of all the good things about being British. Long live the once and present King! Highly recommended.
– Tania Ahsan, Prediction
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So unbelievable, it might just be true.
– Awen Clement, – Kindred Spirit
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This book blew my mind. It’s the biography of an English biker who changes his name to Arthur Pendragon, becomes a druid and the leader of a protest movement. It took me a long time to figure out this was gonzo journalism. It’s as if the book I just described was written by Hunter S. Thompson and W.B. Yeats, in turn surreal, poetic and profoundly anti-establishment. From this, you should know if you want to read it.
– Ken on Amazon
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This is an important slice of counter-cultural history and describes how an inspired and magical approach to protest can affect real social change.
– Julian Vayne, The Blog of Baphomet
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The Trials of Arthur is a pleasurable, easy-going read that is shot-through with serious insight and philosophy. I would recommend it even if you’ve already read the 2003 edition.
– Jean Dark, Pentacle
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There is a lot of humour and light heartedness throughout this highly entertaining tale. Arthur is a real maverick and seems to take great delight in challenging authority and in either bending or breaking the rules.
– Marc Rhodes-Taylor, The Druid Network
(I do not “relish Breaking and bending the rules”, I do however relish challenging and changing them. – Arthur /|\)
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This is a far-out, very entertaining autobiography of the man who believes himself to be the reincarnation of Arthur and the fools who get in his way.
– Five Books
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A book for the ages. A tale of re-enchantment, identity and myth so funny, brave and profoundly magical it would make any Bard proud.
– John Higgs, Author
