Search Worlds Without End

First published in 1485, Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" or "The Death of Arthur" collects together many of the known legends of King Arthur into one creative text.

Beginning with his birth, "Le Morte d'Arthur" relates Arthur's rise to become the King of England and leader of the Knights of the Round Table. Drawing upon numerous historical accounts of King Arthur, Malory's work details the exploits of King Arthur against Lucius of Rome, of Sir Gareth of Orkney against the Red Knight of the Red Lands, of the quest for the holy grail, of the adulterous love affair of Tristan and Isolde, and of the rise of Sir Lancelot to the position of Arthur's most eminent knight and his ultimate betrayal which leads to Arthur's downfall. Through these tales the reader is transported back to the time of chivalry when the demands of one's honor and duty rose above all else.

Contents:

The birth and rise of King Arthur: "From the Marriage of King Uther unto King Arthur (that reigned after him and did many battles)" (Fro the Maryage of Kynge Uther unto Kynge Arthure that regned aftir hym and ded many batayles)

Arthur's war against the Romans: "The Noble Tale Between King Arthur and Lucius the Emperor of Rome" (The Noble Tale betwyxt Kynge Arthure and Lucius the Emperour of Rome)

The adventures of Sir Lancelot: "The Noble Tale of Sir Launcelot (of the Lake)" (The Noble Tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake)

The story of Sir Gareth: "The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney" (The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkeney)

The legend of Tristan and Iseult: "The Book of Sir Tristram de Lyones" (originally split between The Fyrste Boke of Sir Trystrams de Lyones and The Secunde Boke of Sir Trystrams de Lyones)

The quest for the Grail: "The Noble Tale of the Sangreal" (The Noble Tale of the Sankegreall)

The love of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere: "Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenever" (Sir Launcelot and Quene Gwenyvere)

The breaking of the Knights of the Round Table and the last battle of Arthur: "The Death of Arthur" (The Deth of Arthur)

The greatest English version of the stories of King Arthur, Le Morte D'Arthur was completed in 1469-70 by Sir Thomas Malory, "knight prisoner." This edition is the first designed for the general reader to be based on the "Winchester manuscript" which represents what Malory wrote more closely than the version printed by William Caxton.