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| 7/31/1485 |
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William Caxton, Wasted Knights
On this day in 1485, William Caxton printed Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur. England's first printer was more than a printer: in his preface to The Order of Chivalry, a practical book on knight-errantry to go with Malory's Romance, Caxton complains that the knights of his day are altogether too un-Arthurian, spending far too much time at brothels, dice and "taking ease." |
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Essays in Medieval Studies
Find critical studies of Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, and "Prophecy, Dragons, and Meaning in Malory":
"In tracing the occurrence and function of dragons in Malory's romances, I noticed that the creatures are often found in an episode which proves significant or even determinative to the major themes of Arthurian romance, i.e., Arthur's life, Round Fable chivalry, and the quest for the Holy Grail. This in itself is not so remarkable since dragons or otherwise monstrous creatures frequently appear in prophetic sequences, such as dreams, and prophecy would be used to foreshadow tile prominent events of the narratives. What struck me was the evidence of premeditation in tales that seem to flaunt sloppy plots the rather surprising attention to overall meaning." |  | Explorations in Arthurian Legends - A Literature Review
Offers a selection of resources about the people, places, and things in Arthurian history and legends, including a review of derivative works by Chretien de Troyes, Robert de Boron, Sir Thomas Malory, T. H. White and other authors:
"One author who definitely echoed the signs of his times in his Arthurian writings was Sir Thomas Malory. Arthur looks a bit like Henry V, who was king at the time Malory was writing; and Arthur's route through France echoes Henry's moves toward Agincourt. The action, of course, takes place against the backdrop of King Arthur's Court, which Malory places at Winchester. The ideas of chivalry and courtly love are in full flower here, as they were in other stories in England in the 15th century. ... Malory was writing in the right place at the right time. The printing press was just making its way to England, and a man named William Caxton was looking for books to print. ... Malory is a giant in the field. He is the basis for a great many modern authors, as Geoffrey of Monmouth for a great many authors in centuries past. Taking a cue from Malory a few hundred years later was none other than Alfred, Lord Tennyson." | | The Changing Role of Women In the Arthurian Legend
An essay explores the evolving place of women in Arthurian legend, with attention to the works of Malory, Alfred Tennyson, T. H. White, and Marion Zimmer Bradley.
"The role of women has changed dramatically in the fourteen hundred years of the Arthurian Legend. Women were not present in the early stories because they centered on battle feats, and heroic men. The women were present only to assist the men in healing capacities. Later, the women gained influence and began to enter the story line more often. The Legend, which began as a story about heroic battles, and the fellowship of men in war, changed as the needs of each society change. When the turbulent wars in Britain subsided, the need for violence and warriors passed. The legend changed to reflect this by using the new invention of courtly love. A good knight did not need to confine his activities to those of war. He could leave his violent nature behind and concentrate on courtly love. Through courtly love, the knight could express himself, and still complete with other knights. The knights who were great warriors, became great lovers. Women became very important as courtly love was written about. As knights were described as strong and heroic, the ladies were equally beautiful and graceful. Not all of the warrior knights made this transition well. Arthur, who was more heroic than any other, fell to the background, while less heroic knights became the great lovers." | |
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The TinL masthead features photography by
Natasha D'Schommer
, and the book art featured is by Jim Rosenau.
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