Looking for the King (2010) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Characters/People edit see section history

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• Tom McCord: The main character, an American researching Arthurian sites in England.
• Joseph Huffman: An inspector in Glastonbury.
• Durham: Huffman's assistant.
• Laura Hartman: An American taking care of her aunt in England; has dreams relating to the history of the spear of Longinus.
• C.S. Lewis: An Oxford don and prolific writer; one of the Inklings, who helps Tom and Laura.
• Charles Williams: An Inkling, one of whose lectures Tom and Laura attends, and who helps them on their search for answers.
• Lionel Mirden: Assistant to Willem De Lott.
• Willem De Lott: A self-made rich man who Tom and Laura consult in the course of their search.
• J.R.R. Tolkien: Friend of Lewis and fellow Inkling, who gives Tom and Laura the idea of the spear of Longinus.
• Humphrey Havard: Another Inkling, who Tom meets at the Eagle and Child.
• Hugo Dyson: An old friend of Lewis' and Tolkien's, who Tom meets at the Eagle and Child.

Quotes edit see section history

• “War does not create fundamentally new conditions. It simply underscores the permanent human condition. There is really no such thing as 'normal life'. If you'd actually lived in past eras that we think of as settled and peaceful, I'm sure you would find, upon a closer look, that they were full of crises, alarms, conflicts, and tribulations. Civilization has always existed on the edge of a precipice.”

  C.S. Lewis

• “Will shall be sterner, heart the bolder, spirit the greater as our might lessens.”

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Glastonbury: Where Tom begins his search for Arthurian sites.
• Oxford: Where Tom meets C.S. Lewis and many of his friends.
• Turf Tavern: Site of Tom's first meeting with Lewis.
• Bodleian Library: Location of the lecture by Charles Williams that Tom and Laura attend.
• King's Arms: A nearby pub in Oxford where Tom and Laura go to speak with Charles Williams.
• Royston: Where Tom and Laura investigate a cave relating to the history of the Knights Templar.
• Hitchin: Site of Temple Despy, where Tom and Laura meet De Lott and Mirden.
• Windermere: In the Lake District; where Tom and Laura stay while visiting Gosforth.
• Gosforth: Site of the Celtic high cross from Laura's dream.
• Eagle and Child: An Oxford pub where the Inklings regularly meet.
• Malmesbury: Site of the abbey where Tom and Laura find the memorial to King Athelstan.

First Sentence edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Haddock: The lean white flesh of fish similar to but smaller than cod; usually baked or poached or as fillets sauteed or fried.
• Provender: A stock or supply of food.
• Mere: A pool, lake or marsh.
• Paten: The silver or gold plate for the bread used at the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
• Coinherence: A term coined by Charles Williams. Roughly, a spiritual fellowship involving human or divine persons; the dwelling of two natures or persons in one being. Can be used in reference to the divinity and humanity of Jesus, as well as the idea of one bearing the burdens of another.
• Votive: Dedicated in fulfillment of a vow.
• Idée fixe: An idea dominating the mind; an obsession.
• Triforium: An arcaded gallery above nave, choir, or transept arches of a church.
• Clerestory: The upper level of a church, the walls of which rise above the roof of the lower, outer level. Part of an interior wall rising above the eaves of the lower roof, with windows admitting light.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. David C. Downing (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 813

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Literature & Fiction

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history