SIR THOMAS MALORYMatt Driffill

English 12Mrs. Wozniak

Thesis Thomas Malory was an extremely

influential and significant author in English literary history because of his work on Le Morte d’Artur which is still the premier Legend of King Arthur story used in the world today.

Why Significant? Wrote the most famous version of the

“Legend of King Arthur” stories Le Morte d’Artur collected and organized

all the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table

Malory’s version also included many other tales and adventures that previous editions did not have

Le Morte d’Artur was written while Malory was in prison

Significance Continued Malory’s Le Morte d’Artur (sometimes

known as The Morte Darthur) was the last important piece of English literature before the introduction of printing into the country

Published approximately fourteen years after Malory’s death

Original Manuscript never found….All printed editions were edited by William Caxton

Last great piece of the Medieval Era

Where it falls…Thomas Malory’s legendary Le Morte d’Artur falls with Beowulf in the Medieval English Literature EraIt is said to be one of the last great pieces before the RenaissanceOver 600 years old and still very relevant to today’s society

Biography Believed to have been born in 1416 in an

area where Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Northhamptonshire meet

Father John Malory (esquire that owned land in all three counties)

John Malory was a sheriff of Warwickshire twice

Married to Phillippa Chetwynd Three daughters and one son (Thomas)

….Biography Of Malory’s early years “almost nothing is

known” Records show that at 23 Malory was “a

respectable county landowner with a growing interest in politics”

He had dealt with land dealings, and became a parliamentary elector

Was knighted in 1441

Biography….still Becoming a knight showed wealth and

social ambition, both of which were traits showed by Malory in this time

Married Elizabeth Walsh of Wanlip Together they had one child; a boy

named Robert He committed many crimes and even

spent time in prison

Rap Sheet 1443- Charged with wounding and

imprisoning Thomas Smith and stealing his goods

Jan 4, 1450- Malory and 26 other armed men ambushed the Duke of Buckingham

May 23, 1450- Malory rapes Joan Smith at Coventry

May 31, 1450- Extorts money from two citizens of the Monks Kirby area

More Crime Time Aug 6, 1450- Rapes Joan Smith again and

steals 40 pounds of goods from her husband

Aug 31, 1450- Extorts money from a third Monks Kirby citizen

Mar 5, 1451- Steals cattle in Warwickshire Apr 21, 1451- Malory is finally arrested

and imprisoned Two nights after arrest he escapes from

prison

The Notorious S.T. Malory! Upon escaping from Coleshill prison he

raided the Combes Abbey; breaking down doors, harassing monks, and stealing a great deal of money

He was then imprisoned in London where he would spend the rest of his life awaiting a trial that would never come

It was while imprisoned where Malory began to write Le Morte d’Artur

Is believed to have died either in 1469 or 1470

Literary Work(s) Thomas Malory’s

only known publication is his Le Morte d’Artur

Le Morte d’Artur Malory’s only published piece Published by William Caxton in 1485 Featured previous King Arthur stories

with several new ones Intriguing conclusion in which author

addresses the readers directly….“I pray you all, gentlemen and gentlewomen that readeth this book of Arthur and his knights, from the beginning to the ending, pray for me while I am alive, that God send me good deliverance, and when I am dead, I pray you all pray for my soul. For this book was ended the ninth year of the reign of King Edward the Fourth, by Sir Thomas Maleore, knight, as Jesu help him for His great might, as he is the servant of Jesu both day and night.”

Author’s Style Malory was not a writer so his style is

very plain and direct in Le Morte d’Artur His speech was accurate to when he

wrote it, but it is far outdated English now The original title of Le Morte d’Artur

remained in Latin The story is third person point of view,

and Malory’s biggest strength as a writer in my opinion is plot development

Web Sources http://www.malory.net/bio_%20frame.htm http://

www.luminarium.org/medlit/malory.htm http://

www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0831410.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09573c.htm

The Legend of King ArthurBecause of Malory’s epic collection there have been many movies made…..This being the latest Theatrical Trailer— The Legend of King Arthur