Click on the images below for larger versions, and then use your browser's BACK button to return to the main list on this page. These images are updated regularly, so check them frequently!
While the manuscripts are from all periods of the Middle Ages, the illustrations are presented according to the "chronology" of Arthur's life (i.e. events in the chronicles come before scenes from the romances which are before the scenes from the end of Arthur's life in the Quest of the Holy Grail and the Mort Arthur.

  Arthur's fight with the Giant on Mt. St. Michel was a popular theme and continued to be used in later manuscripts of the chronicles and romances of Arthur's life.

  Certainly one of the most popular scenes from the early chronicles (and taken up in the later romances of the Vulgate Cycle, is the "odd" story of the conception of Merlin. Here, you will see an image of the devils ("incubi"?) conspiring to conceive Merlin, and visiting Merlin's mother.

  In Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain and in Wace's Brut, Merlin demonstrates his powers of foretelling the future by explaining to King Vortigern why his tower will not stand.

  When later authors developed the story of Merlin (and by extension, the early years of Arthur's life), it was Merlin who was responsible for tutoring the future king. Here, you see Merlin instructing Arthur, with Antor looking on.

  One of the most famous scenes of the Arthurian Legend is when Arthur removes the sword from the stone.

  Another of the most popular heroes of the Arthurian Legend is Sir Lancelot. Here, we have an image of the baby Lancelot being taken away to be raised by the Lady of the Lake.

  In Chrétien de Troyes' Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, we are introduced to Lancelot as the lover of Queen Guinevere for the first time. In a key scene in this romance, Lancelot must ride in an infamous cart driven by a lowly dwarf.

  In the Quest of the Holy Grail, Lancelot and the other knights often speak with the (many!) hermits residing in the forests as they continue on their quest. Is it any wonder that there would be an illustration of such a scene?

  The Quest of the Holy Grail contained many important scenes, not the least of which is when Lancelot and his son Galahad meet face to face for the first time on (or in this case, near) the ship.

  The principal Grail winners, Galahad, Bors, and Perceval, are seen on Solomon's ship.

  In the last volume of the Vulgate Cycle, the Mort Arthur, the body of Elaine, the Maid of Astolat, mysteriously appears on the shores near Camelot. She holds a letter that is read to Arthur's court explaining that she died of unrequited love for Lancelot.