The Prince and the Pilgrim
 First UK edition | |
| Author | Mary Stewart |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Arthurian Saga |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher |
Hodder & Stoughton (UK) William Morrow (US) |
Publication date | 1995 |
| Media type | Print Hardback |
| Pages | 292 pages |
| ISBN | 0-340-64992-5 |
| OCLC | 34002715 |
| Preceded by | The Wicked Day |
The Prince and the Pilgrim is a 1995 fantasy novel by Mary Stewart. It is a stand-alone novel, has an oblique reference to King Arthur, and is not a part of the Merlin Trilogy.
Plot summary
The Prince, the protagonist, is named Alexander. His father, Prince Baudouin, is murdered by the King of Cornwall, King March. When Alexander comes of age, he sets out to Camelot to seek justice from King Arthur and to avenge his father's death. The pilgrim is named Alice. She rescues a young French nobleman who has in his possession an enchanted silver cup. The chalice may be the mysterious and much-sought-after Holy Grail.
Prince Alexander is diverted in his quest by the enchantments of Morgan Le Fay, the seductive but evil sorceress. She persuades him to attempt a theft of the cup so that she can gain power over King Arthur and his court. Alexander's search for the mysterious cup leads him to Alice. Together the prince and the pilgrim find what they've really been seeking: love.
The tale is a self-contained novel taking place during Arthur's reign (possibly during the events in The Last Enchantment), and does not continue the story of The Wicked Day.
Release details
- 1995, Great Britain Hodder & Stoughton ( ISBN 0-340-64992-5) Pub date November 1995 Hardcover
- 1996, USA William Morrow and Company ( ISBN 0-6881-4538-8) Pub date January 1996 Hardcover
- 1997, USA Ballantine/Fawcett Crest ( ISBN 0-449-22443-0) Pub date April 1997 Paperback