The Once And Future King

The Once and Future King is an Arthurian fantasy novel written by T.H. White. It was first published in 1958 and is mostly a composite of earlier works written between 1938-1941. The central theme is an exploration of human nature regarding power and justice, as the boy Arthur becomes king and attempts to quell the prevalent “might makes right” attitude with his idea of chivalry. But in the end, even chivalry comes undone since its justice is maintained by force.

     The title comes from the inscription, according to Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, written upon King Arthur’s tomb: “Hic iacet Arthurus, rex quondam, rexque futurus” (“Here lies Arthur, king once, and king to be.”)