A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court is a novel by Mark Twain, first published in 1889. Blending satire, historical fantasy, and social commentary, the book tells the story of Hank Morgan, a practical and outspoken American engineer who is mysteriously transported from 19th-century New England to medieval Britain during the reign of King Arthur. Armed with modern knowledge and a sharp, sceptical mind, Hank quickly realises that common sense and science may be more powerful than swords and sorcery. Mistaken at first for a dangerous magician, Hank saves himself by exploiting a solar eclipse, securing a place at Arthur’s court and becoming known as “The Boss.” From this position, he sets about reshaping Camelot using modern ideas—introducing technology, education, and industrial methods into a world governed by superstition, rigid hierarchy, and unquestioned tradition. Along the way, he encounters legendary figures such as King Arthur himself, the noble Sir Launcelot, and the formidable Merlin, whose ancient authority clashes with Hank’s rational worldview. As Hank travels through the kingdom with King Arthur in disguise, the novel reveals the harsh realities of medieval life beneath its romantic legends. Twain uses humour, irony, and sharp observation to contrast modern progress with medieval customs, raising questions about power, morality, class, and whether technological advancement truly leads to a better society. What begins as a comic fantasy gradually deepens into a more troubling exploration of human nature and the unintended consequences of imposing change too quickly. Widely regarded as one of Mark Twain’s most ambitious and provocative works, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court remains a landmark of American literature. It is both an entertaining adventure and a thoughtful satire, appealing to readers interested in classic fiction, Arthurian legend, time travel stories, and novels that challenge romantic views of the past while questioning the promises of progress.