1. Sir Thomas Mallory

2. A precarious life
a Lancastrian in a Yorkist county
in jail more often than not

3. The Origin of the Arthurian Legend
Welsh chieftain called Ambrosius
The French added several elements to the myth.

4. Camelot becomes a reflection of an ideal English past.
The story has moral significance.

5. Camelot is threatened and ruined by lust and greed from within - the Knights, the King, etc.
Arthur will return is Malory’s promise to all.

6. “Yet some men say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not dead, but had by the will of our Lord Jesus [come] into another place: and men say that he shall come again, and he shall win the Holy Cross.

7. Yet I will not say that it shall be so, but rather I would say: here in this world he changed his life. And many men say that there is written upon the tomb this: Here lies King Arthur, king once and king yet to be.”

8. revolutionary prose
focuses on one story at time
emphasizes gentility as a matter of noble birth and noble character

9. Morte d’ Arthur was printed by William Caxton
The story is organized around an argument:
the worthiness of the youth,Baumains(Sir Gareth), or not

10. proving his worthiness
Beaumains accepts menial and degrading service.
humility before Sir Kay
He requests and fulfills a knightly mission.

11. proving his worthiness
noble character and birth are revealed by:
moral and social gentility
treatment of the lady