9.1 Malory's life and literary context

Sir Thomas Malory, a 15th-century English writer, lived during the tumultuous Wars of the Roses. His life as a knight and prisoner influenced his masterpiece, Le Morte d'Arthur, which blends Arthurian legends with contemporary themes of political instability and chivalric ideals.

Malory's work emerged from the chivalric romance tradition, popular in medieval Europe. Le Morte d'Arthur became a cornerstone of English literature, preserved through William Caxton's printing and the rediscovery of the Winchester Manuscript, shaping our understanding of Arthurian legends.

Malory's Life and Times

Sir Thomas Malory's Biography

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• Sir Thomas Malory was a 15th-century English writer best known for his work Le Morte d'Arthur, a compilation of Arthurian legends
• Malory was born around 1415 to a gentry family in Warwickshire, England
• He served as a Member of Parliament and a justice of the peace, but also had a turbulent life, spending time in prison for various crimes (assault, theft, rape)
• Despite his criminal record, Malory was a knight and landowner, reflecting the complex social dynamics of the time

Political and Social Upheaval in Fifteenth-Century England

• The Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) was a series of civil wars fought between rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the House of Lancaster and the House of York
• This conflict was characterized by a struggle for the throne, shifting alliances among the nobility, and significant loss of life and property
• The wars ended with the victory of Henry Tudor (Henry VII) in 1485, establishing the Tudor dynasty
• Fifteenth-century England was a time of great social, political, and economic change, with the decline of feudalism, the rise of the merchant class, and the increasing centralization of power under the monarchy

Influence of Contemporary Events on Malory's Writing

• Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur reflects the chivalric ideals and values of the time, such as loyalty, honor, and courtly love
• The work also explores themes of political instability, betrayal, and the decline of the Arthurian world, which can be seen as an allegory for the turmoil of 15th-century England
• Malory's own experiences as a knight and his involvement in the Wars of the Roses likely influenced his portrayal of the Arthurian legends and the themes he chose to emphasize

Literary Context

Chivalric Romance Tradition

• Chivalric romances were a popular literary genre in medieval Europe, featuring stories of knights, ladies, and courtly love
• These tales often centered around the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, as well as other heroic figures like Charlemagne and Alexander the Great
• Chivalric romances emphasized the ideals of chivalry, including bravery, loyalty, honor, and the pursuit of love and adventure
• Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur is a seminal work in the English chivalric romance tradition, drawing on earlier French and English sources (Chrétien de Troyes, the Vulgate Cycle) to create a comprehensive retelling of the Arthurian legends

Medieval Manuscript Culture and Literacy

• In the Middle Ages, books were handwritten manuscripts, often produced in monasteries or commissioned by wealthy patrons
• Literacy was largely limited to the clergy and the nobility, with most people relying on oral traditions and public performances for their knowledge of stories and legends
• The production of manuscripts was a time-consuming and expensive process, involving the preparation of parchment, the copying of texts by scribes, and the decoration of pages with illuminations and marginalia
• The transition from manuscript culture to print culture, marked by the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, had a profound impact on the dissemination and preservation of literary works, including Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur

Publication and Preservation

William Caxton and the Printing Press

• William Caxton was an English merchant, diplomat, and writer who introduced the printing press to England in 1476
• Caxton printed the first edition of Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur in 1485, making it one of the earliest printed books in English
• The printing press revolutionized the production and distribution of books, allowing for faster, cheaper, and more widespread dissemination of texts
• Caxton's edition of Le Morte d'Arthur played a crucial role in popularizing the Arthurian legends and establishing Malory's version as the definitive English account

The Winchester Manuscript

• The Winchester Manuscript is the earliest surviving copy of Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, dating back to around 1469-1470
• Discovered in 1934 at Winchester College, this manuscript predates Caxton's printed edition and contains some significant differences in content and structure
• The Winchester Manuscript is believed to be closer to Malory's original text, providing valuable insights into his writing process and the development of the Arthurian legends
• The manuscript's survival and rediscovery highlight the importance of preserving medieval texts and the ongoing scholarly interest in Malory's work and the Arthurian tradition