Book Series

[*michaelsean*]

I'll go with the Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte. It's fifth century, and it's a couple of ex fairly high ranking Roman soldiers who decided they need to build a stronghold in England once the Romans leave. It is ultimately about the Arthurian legend, but most of the series is before Arthur and Arthur as a child. The first two are first person by Arthur's grandfather, and the next 3 or 4 are first person by Merlyn. It has many of the Arthurian legends, but they aren't magical. For instance the Lady in the Lake. Arthur's grandfather finds a meteor in the bottom of a lake that has iron of superior strength that he will one day forge into Excalibur , but in the mean time he fashions into a statue of a lady. The book never actually calls it the lady in the lake, but there it is. And Merlyn isn't some old man, but a young warrior who eventually fosters Arthur. There are just tons of great characters.