STAMPS CELEBRATE THE HEROIC KING OF CAMELOT Royal Mail says its illustrations capture the magic behind knights of the round table

LEGEND OF ARTHUR:

THE LEGEND of King Arthur is to be told in a set of new stamps issued by the Royal Mail.

The 10 stamps, which feature original illustrations by concept artist Jaime Jones, depict key moments in King Arthur’s life.

Royal Mail said the tale of King Arthur, featuring the sword in the stone, knights of the round table and the wizard Merlin has “captivated people for a millennium and a half ”.

The legend of King Arthur has been told countless times through books and films.

Among the designs on the stamps is an image of Merlin holding the baby Arthur, while another shows King Arthur marrying Guinevere, who famously had an affair with Sir Lancelot, one of King Arthur’s knights of the round table.

Other stamps in the collection include the young Arthur drawing Excalibur the sword from the stone, the knights of the round table, and Sir Lancelot defeating the dragon.

King Arthur, according to legend, lived in around the fifth or sixth century at the majestic court of Camelot, and was buried on the island of Avalon.

Legend says he was conceived at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, which can still be visited.

The stories of King Arthur and his court came to prominence in the 12th century after they were chronicled by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Historians have long argued as to whether King Arthur and the other characters from the legend actually ever existed, and most accepted evidence now suggests he was solely a mythological character.

In local folklore, King Arthur and his knights are said to sleep in a chamber under Richmond Castle, in the North Yorkshire town, ready to be woken at

England’s greatest hour of need.

Philip Parker, of the Royal Mail, said: “These atmospheric illustrations bring to life the timeless stories of the king and the knights of the round table.

“With its themes of magic, chivalry and quests, the enduring legend of King Arthur has entranced for centuries and will continue to do so.”

The stamps will be on sale from today.

PICTURES: ROYAL MAIL/PA ANCIENT FOLKLORE: Arthur is shown fighting Mordred, marrying Guinevere, and being held by Merlin, in the stamps illustrated by concept artist Jaime Jones.