About this season
This series strips away the elaborate medieval view of Camelot, and presents Arthur as the chief of a small Celt tribe in Dark-Ages Britain, a century or two after the withdrawal of Rome. Arthur struggles to weave the scattered tribes of Celts, Jutes, etc. into a union that can effectively oppose the Saxon invaders who are arriving in Britain in growing numbers. He is aided by his adoptive father, Llud, and his foster brother, Kai, who is himself a Saxon foundling.
Episodes (12)
1. Arthur is Dead
Aired 6 December 1972 • 25 min
In a ploy aimed at bringing together an assortment of Romano-British chieftains, Arthur fakes his own death, with unexpected results.
2. The Gift of Life
Aired 13 December 1972 • 25 min
Arthur finds two Saxon children, abandoned after an attack on a British village.
3. The Challenge
Aired 20 December 1972 • 25 min
Arthur's cousins Gawain and Garet cause a lot of trouble for him.
4. The Penitent Invader
Aired 27 December 1972 • 25 min
Arthur has a plan to use his Christian faith against Pictish invaders.
5. People of the Plough
Aired 3 January 1973 • 25 min
When Kai, Arthur's lieutenant, falls for a Saxon girl, he thinks carefully about the implications.
6. The Duel
Aired 10 January 1973 • 25 min
One of Mark's men is killed in a skirmish - Mark believes Llud is to blame for the death and insists on a trial by combat.
7. The Pupil
Aired 17 January 1973 • 25 min
The youthful Corin, in the hope of proving himself as a warrior, launches a foolhardy attack on Arthur.
8. Rolf the Preacher
Aired 24 January 1973 • 25 min
Rolf of the Picts has converted to Christianity, but he remains a threat to Arthur.
9. Enemies and Lovers
Aired 31 January 1973 • 25 min
Morcant suspects Arthur and Kai are after the hand of Goda, the daughter of King Athel - and Morcant wants her for himself. So he has Arthur and Kai arrested and claims they have acted as spies for the Saxons.
10. The Slave
Aired 7 February 1973 • 25 min
Arthur fights to free some enslaved villagers - and one in particular.
11. The Wood People
Aired 14 February 1973 • 25 min
Saxon fighters kidnap two children and threaten to kill them unless Arthur surrenders himself in the children's place. But Arthur finds an ingenious solution to his dilemma.
12. The Prize
Aired 21 February 1973 • 25 min
Arthur and Mark join forces to mount a raid on a Saxon treasure hoard.