Q: Sir Thomas Malory's famous Morte de Arthur was written in:
a) 1460
b) 1470
c) 1480
d) 1500
Correct answer: b) 1470
Sir Thomas Malory's Morte d'Arthur
An English writer, Sir Thomas Malory was born in 1415. Even in the 16th century, his identity was unknown but he became famous for his work Le Morte d'Arthur. In this prose, he wrote about the rise and fall of the legendary king Art and the fellowship of the Round Table. The famous work, Le Morte D'Arthur was written in 1470 and published by William Caxton in 1485. His previous life was obscure till he himself identified as a "knight prisoner."
A “Thomas Malorie (or Malarie), knight” was excluded from four general pardons granted by Edward IV to the Lancastrians in 1468 and 1470. This Malorie, who may have been Malory of Newbold Revell, was probably the author of Le Morte Darthur.
At the end of the "Tale of King Arthur" (Books I–IV in the printing by William Caxton) is written:
For this was written by a knight prisoner Thomas Malleorre, that God send him good recovery.
At the end of "The Tale of Sir Gareth" (Caxton's Book VII):
And I pray you all that readeth this tale to pray for him that this wrote, that God send him good deliverance soon and hastily.
At the conclusion of the "Tale of Sir Tristram" (Caxton's VIII-XII):
re endeth the second book of Sir Tristram de Lyones, which was drawn out of the French by Sir Thomas Malleorre, knight, as Jesu be his help."
Finally, at the conclusion of the whole book:
The Most Piteous Tale of the Morte Arthure Sanz Gwerdon par le shyvalere Sir Thomas Malleorre, knight, Jesu aide ly pur votre bon mercy.
A mix of English and French roughly meaning: The most pitiable tale of the Death of [King] Arthur, without reward for/by the knight Sir Thomas Malory; Jesus aids him by your good mercy.
See more: In which year did Dryden die?
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