Le Morte Darthur: The Winchester Manuscript (Oxford World's Classics)

by Malory, Thomas

  Caxton’s Malory, ed. James W. Spisak, 2 vols. (Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1983). An edition of Caxton’s print.

  Sir Thomas Malory: Le Morte D’ Arthur, ed. Janet Cowen with an introduction by John Lawlor, 2 vols. (Penguin English Library; first published Harmondsworth, 1969). A modern-spelling edition of Caxton, with a useful introduction and foot-of-page glossing.

  Sir Thomas Malory and his Culture

  The major study of the life of Sir Thomas Malory of Newbold Revel is by P.J. C. Field, The Life and Times of Sir Thomas Malory (Cambridge, 1993).

  Two critical works that incorporate extensive and informative background material are Larry D. Benson, Malory’s Morte Darthur (Cambridge, Mass., 1976), and Felicity Riddy, Sir Thomas Malory (Leiden and New York, 1987). Elizabeth T. Pochoda, Arthurian Propaganda: Le Morte Darthur as an Historical Ideal of Life (Chapel Hill, 1971), makes a case for the work as a political study of kingship.

  On chivalry in general, see Richard Barber, The Knight and Chivalry (revised edn. Woodbridge, 1995); and Maurice Keen, Chivalry (New Haven and London, 1984).

  Le Morte Darthur: Critical Studies

  The critical literature is extensive, and very little can be cited here. Two useful multi-author surveys of all aspects of the work are the Companion to Malory, ed. Elizabeth Archibald and A. S. G. Edwards (Cambridge, 1996), and Aspects of Malory, ed. Toshiyuki Takamiya and Derek Brewer (Cambridge, 1981). Interesting material is also found in Studies in Malory, ed. James W. Spisak (Kalamazoo, 1985), and in two older collections, Essays on Malory, ed. J. A. W. Bennett (Oxford, 1963), and Malory’s Originality, ed. Robert M. Lumiansky (Baltimore, 1964).

  On Malory’s style, see P. J. C. Field, From Romance to Chronicle: A Study of Malory’s Prose Style (London, 1971), and, in particular, Mark Lambert, Malory: Style and Vision in ‘Le Morte Darthur’ (New Haven and London, 1975).

  Other useful studies include two by Terence McCarthy, An Introduction to Malory (1988; reprinted under this title, Cambridge, 1991), and ‘Le Morte Darthur and Romance’, in Studies in Medieval English Romance, ed. D. S. Brewer (Cambridge, 1988); two by Jill Mann, The Narrative of Distance, the Distance of Narrative in Malory’s Morte Darthur (William Matthews Lectures, London, 1991), and the chapter on Malory in Medieval Literature: Chaucer and the Alliterative Tradition, ed. Boris Ford, New Pelican Guide to English Literature (Harmondsworth, 1982); and Andrew Lynch, Malory’s Book of Arms (Cambridge, 1997).

  Sources

  The most important of Malory’s sources are edited as follows:

  Robert de Boron: Merlin, ed. Alexandre Micha, Textes littéraires francais (Geneva, 1980), covers the events of Arthur’s life down to his coronation; La Suite du roman de Merlin, ed. Gilles Roussineau (Geneva, 1996) underlies the rest of the first four connected tales. Robert is translated in volume 1 of Lacy’s Lancelot-Grail, and the Suite in volumes 4–5 (see ‘Arthurian Literature’ above).

  King Arthur’s Death, ed. Larry D. Benson (1974; reprinted Exeter, 1986). Contains texts of both the alliterative Morte Arthure and the stanzaic Morte Arthur.

  Lancelot ed. Alexandre Micha, Textes littéraires francais, 9 vols. (Geneva, 1978–83). Malory uses only a handful of episodes from this huge work. The only complete translation is included in the Lancelot-Grail series cited under ‘Arthurian Literature’. More accessible are two versions of the Lancelot material analogous to Malory’s: the non-cyclic prose version is translated for World’s Classics by Corin Corley, with an introduction by Elspeth Kennedy, Lancelot of the Lake (Oxford, 1989); and Chrétien’s original of the ‘Knight of the Cart’ story is translated by William W. Kibler in The Romance of Arthur, above, and the Penguin Classics Chrétien de Troyes: Arthurian Romances (Harmondsworth, 1991).

  Le Roman de Tristan en prose: an initial three volumes under this title are edited by Renée L. Curtis, reprinted as Arthurian Studies 12–14 (Cambridge, 1985; a fourth volume of annotation is under way). Succeeding volumes under the same title are edited by Philippe Ménard and others, Textes littéraires français (Geneva, 1987–97). The later volumes part increasingly from the text Malory appears to have known; closer to his version, though presenting difficulties for casual use, is the facsimile of the first printed version, Tristan: 1489, with an introduction by C. E. Pickford (London, 1978). The parts directly relevant to the love story are translated for World’s Classics by Renée L. Curtis, The Romance of Tristan (Oxford, 1994).

  La Queste del Saint Graal, ed. Albert Pauphilet, Classiques français du moyen age (Paris, 1923; repr. 1978). There is a translation for Penguin Classics by P. M. Matarasso, The Quest of the Holy Grail (Harmondsworth, 1969).

  La Mort le roi Artu, ed. Jean Frappier, Textes littéraires français (2nd edn., Geneva, 1954). The French source for the last two sections of the work, alongside the English stanzaic Morte Arthur. There is a translation for Penguin Classics by James Cable, The Death of King Arthur (Harmondsworth, 1971).

  The Chronicle of Iohn Hardyng, ed. Henry Ellis (London, 1812). Likely to be a further English source.

  CHRONOLOGY

  OF ARTHURIAN MATERIAL TO 1500

  Plate 5th—early 6th cent. The period of the ‘historical’ Arthur.

  c.545

  Gildas’ account of recent British history refers to some possibly Arthurian events.

  c.600

  The northern poem Gododdin cities Arthur as being a familiar hero.

  c.800

  Nennius’ chronicle lists twelve battles fought by Arthur against the Saxons.

  c.960

  The Annales Cambriae mentions the death of Arthur and Medraut at Camlann.

  c.1000

  Origins of the earliest Welsh Arthurian story, Culhwch and Olwen.

  c.1136

  Geoffrey of Monmouth compiles the basic outline of Arthur’s biography in his History of the Kings, of Britain,

  c.1155

  Wace’s French adaptation of Geoffrey, the Brut, contains the first mention of the Round Table.

  c.1160–90

  Chrétien de Troyes’ French Arthurian verse romances,

  c.1200

  Robert de Boron begins the spiritualizing of the Grail.

  c.1210

  Layamon’s Brut contains the first account of Arthur in English.

  c.1215–25

  French prose Vulgate Cycle (Lancelot-Graal).

  c.1240

  French prose Tristan brings the Tristan story into the Arthurian orbit.

  c.1300

  First Arthurian verse romances in English.

  c.1380

  Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

  c.1390

  Alliterative Morte Arthure.

  c.1400

  Stanzaic Morte Arthur.

  c.1450

  First English Arthurian prose romance (Merlin).

  1469–70

  Malory completes the Morte Darthur.

  1485

  Caxton prints the Morte Darthur.

  1488–9

  First printing of French prose Lancelot and Tristan.

  GLOSSARY OF RECURRENT WORDS

  This list contains only words that recur frequently in the text; they are marked in the foot-of-page glosses with a ° on their first occurrence, and the gloss is not repeated unless there is some special difficulty. Less common words and phrases are glossed on the page where they occur.

  and

  if

  anon

  immediately

  astoned, astonied

  stunned; astounded

  avoid

  get clear of, dismount from

  beseen

  equipped; dressed

  big

  strong

  boot

  remedy; no boot, no use

  brachet

  hunting-dog

  brast

  broke, burst

  but, but if

  unless

  deal

  part

  defend

  forbid, prevent

  deliver (
adj.)

  agile; deliverly, agilely

  divers

  various

  do(+ infinitive)

  have (something) done

  dole

  grief

  dress

  set in place, set one’s self

  fain

  glad

  fewter

  lay (a spear) in its rest ready for combat

  foin

  thrust

  forthink (me forthinks)

  (I) regret

  gentle

  noble; gentleness, of high descent; nobility

  gramercy, grantmercy

  thank you (French grand merci)

  hight

  [was] named

  leech

  doctor

  liever

  rather

  list

  pleases

  long

  belong, pertain

  maugre

  despite; maugre [my] head, against [my] will

  or

  before

  passing

  surpassingly

  pavilion

  ornamental tent

  rased

  pulled (of pulling off a helmet)

  rede

  counsel, advise

  repents me (them)

  I (they) regret

  samite

  rich silk

  siege

  seat

  sith, sithen

  since

  stint

  cease

  truncheon

  butt, broken stump

  uneath

  scarcely

  undern

  about 9 a.m.

  unhappy

  fateful, accursed

  ween

  think, believe

  wist

  knew, known

  wit

  know

  wood

  mad, furious

  worship

  honour; worshipful, honourable

  wot

  know

  yede, yode

  went

  Le Morte Darthur

  FROM THE MARRIAGE OF KING UTHER UNTO KING ARTHUR

  How Uther Pendragon begot the Noble Conqueror King Arthur

  [I.I]*

  It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all England and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against him long time; and the duke was called the Duke of Tintagel. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, charging him to bring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a passing* wise; and her name was called Igraine.

  So when the duke and his wife were come unto the King, by the means of great lords they were accorded both.* The King liked and loved this lady well, and he made them great cheer out of measure, and desired to have lain by her. But she was a passing good woman, and would not assent unto the King.

  And then she told the duke her husband, and said, ‘I suppose that we were sent for that I should be dishonoured; wherefore, husband, I counsel you that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may ride all night unto our own castle.’ And in like wise as she said so they departed, that neither the King nor none of his council were ware of their departing.

  As soon as King Uther knew of their departing so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to him his privy council, and told them of the sudden departing of the duke and his wife. Then they advised the King to send for the duke and his wife by a great charge: ‘And if he will not come at your summons, then may ye do your best; then have ye cause to make mighty war upon him.’

  So that was done; and the messengers had their answers, and that was this shortly, that neither he nor his wife would not come at him. Then was the King wonderly wroth. And then the King sent him plain word again, and bade him be ready and stuff him and garnish him,* for within forty days he would fetch him out of the biggest* castle that he hath.

  When the duke had this warning, anon* he went and furnished and garnished two strong castles of his, of the which the one hight* Tintagel, and the other castle hight Terrabil. So his wife Dame Igraine he put in the castle of Tintagel, and himself he put in the castle of Terrabil, the which had many issues and posterns out. Then in all haste came Uther with a great host and laid a siege about the castle of Terrabil, and there he pitched many pavilions. And there was great war made on both parties, and much people slain.

  Then for pure anger and for great love of fair Igraine the King Uther fell sick. So came to the King Uther Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and asked the King why he was sick.

  ‘I shall tell thee,’ said the King. ‘I am sick for anger and for love of fair Igraine, that I may not be whole.’

  ‘Well, my lord,’ said Sir Ulfius, ‘I shall seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy, that your heart shall be pleased.’

  So Ulfius departed. And by adventure he met Merlin in a beggar’s array, and there Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought; and he said he had little ado* to tell him.

  ‘Well,’ said Merlin, ‘I know whom thou seekest, for thou seekest Merlin; therefore seek no further, for I am he. And if King Uther will well reward me, and be sworn unto me to fulfil my desire, that shall be his honour and profit more than mine, for I shall cause him to have all his desire.’

  ‘All this will I undertake,’ said Ulfius, ‘that there shall be nothing reasonable but thou shalt have thy desire.’*

  ‘Well,’ said Merlin, ‘he shall have his intent and desire. And therefore,’ said Merlin, ‘ride on your way, for I will not be long behind.’

  [2]

  Then Ulfius was glad, and rode on more than apace till that he came to King Uther Pendragon, and told him he had met with Merlin.

  ‘Where is he?’said the King.

  ‘Sir,’ said Ulfius, ‘he will not dwell long.’

  Therewith Ulfius was ware where Merlin stood at the porch of the pavilion’s door. And then Merlin was bound to come to the King. When King Uther saw him, he said he was welcome.

  ‘Sir,’ said Merlin ‘I know all your heart every deal.* So ye will be sworn unto me, as ye be a true king anointed, to fulfil my desire, ye shall have your desire.’

  Then the King was sworn upon the four Evangelists.*

  ‘Sir,’ said Merlin, ‘this is my desire: the first night that ye shall lie by Igraine ye shall get a child on her, and when that is born, that it shall be delivered to me for to nourish there as I will have it; for it shall be your worship,* and the child’s avail as mickle as the child is worth.’*

  ‘I will well,’ said the King, ‘as thou wilt have it.’

  ‘Now make you ready,’ said Merlin, ‘this night ye shall lie with Igraine in the castle of Tintagel; and ye shall be like the duke her husband, Ulfius shall be like Sir Brastias, a knight of the duke’s, and I will be like a knight that hight Sir Jordanus, a knight of the duke’s. But wait* ye make not many questions with her nor her men, but say ye are diseased, and so hie you to bed and rise not on the morn till I come to you; for the castle of Tintagel is but ten miles hence.’

  So this was done as they devised. But the Duke of Tintagel espied how the King rode from the siege of Terrabil, and therefore that night he issued out of the castle at a postern for to have distressed the King’s host. And so, through his own issue, the duke himself was slain or ever* the King came at the castle of Tintagel.

  So after the death of the duke, King Uther lay with Igraine more than three hours after his death, and begot on her that night Arthur; and, or day came, Merlin came to the King and bade him make him ready, and so he kissed the lady Igraine and departed in all haste. But when the lady heard tell of the duke her husband, and by all record he was dead or ever King Uther came to her, then she marvelled who that might be that lay with her in likeness of her lord; so she mourned privily and held her peace.

  Then all the barons by one assent prayed the King of accord betwixt the lady Igraine and him. The King gave them leave, for fain* would he have been accorded with her; so the King
put all the trust in Ulfius to entreat between them. So by the entreaty at the last the King and she met together.

  ‘Now will we do well,’ said Ulfius. ‘Our king is a lusty knight and wifeless, and my lady Igraine is a passing fair lady; it were great joy unto us all and it might* please the King to make her his queen.’

  Unto that they all well accorded and moved it to the King. And anon, like a lusty knight, he assented thereto with good will, and so in all haste they were married in a morning with great mirth and joy. And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney* then wedded Morgause that was Gawain’s mother, and King Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded Elaine. All this was done at the request of King Uther. And the third sister Morgan le Fay was put to school in a nunnery, and there she learned so much that she was a great clerk of necromancy; and after she was wedded to King Uriens of the land of Gore, that was Sir Uwain le Blanchemains’ father.