Dedication and The Coming of Arthur Summary

Tennyson dedicates the book to Prince Albert and prays that God showers him with grace and favor.

King Leodogran's only joy is his beautiful daughter, Guinevere. England is in ruin because of constant warring among its various kings. Much of the land is uninhabited and overrun by wild, dangerous beasts who even sneak into the cities and harass the residents. Leodogran's kingdom is assailed in turn by the Romans, a fellow English king named Uriel, and finally a band of heathen barbarians. Desperate, he turns to Arthur, a newly-crowned king surrounded by some controversy over his birth. Many claim that he is not King Uther's son, but an impostor who was born to ignoble parents. Arthur answers Leodogran's request. He fights off the heathen invaders and pushes back the beasts, restoring order to...