Le Morte Darthur: Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and his Noble; Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
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Le Morte Darthur: Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and his Noble; Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthurian romances
may see his sepulchre in the monastery of Glastingbury. And also in
Policronicon, in the fifth book the sixth chapter, and in the seventh
book the twenty-third chapter, where his body was buried, and after
found, and translated into the said monastery. Ye shall see also in the
history of Bochas in his book _De Casu Principum_ part of his noble
acts, and also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his British book
recounteth his life: and in divers places of England many remembrances
be yet of him, and shall remain perpetually, and also of his knights.
First in the abbey of Westminster, at St. Edward’s shrine, remaineth
the print of his seal in red wax closed in beryl, in which is written,
_Patricius Arthurus Britannie, Gallie, Germanie, Dacie, Imperator_.
Item in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawaine’s scull, and Cradok’s
mantle: at Winchester the Round Table: in other places Launcelot’s
sword and many other things. Then all these things considered, there
can no man reasonably gainsay but that there was a king of this land
named Arthur. For in all places, Christian and heathen, he is reputed
and taken for one of the nine worthy, and the first of the three
Christian men. And also, he is more spoken of beyond the sea, more
books made of his noble acts, than there be in England, as well in
Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Greekish, as in French. And yet of record
remain in witness of him in Wales, in the town of Camelot, the great
stones and the marvellous works of iron lying under the ground, and
royal vaults, which divers now living have seen. Wherefore it is a
marvel why he is no more renowned in his own country, save only it
accordeth to the Word of God, which saith that no man is accepted for a
prophet in his own country. Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I
could not well deny but that there was such a noble king named Arthur,
and reputed one of the nine worthy, and first and chief of the
Christian men. And many noble volumes be made of him and of his noble
knights in French, which I have seen and read beyond the sea, which be
not had in our maternal tongue. But in Welsh be many and also in
French, and some in English but no where nigh all. Wherefore, such as
have late been drawn out briefly into English I have after the simple
conning that God hath sent to me, under the favour and correction of
all noble lords and gentlemen, enprised to imprint a book of the noble
histories of the said king Arthur, and of certain of his knights, after
a copy unto me delivered, which copy Sir Thomas Malorye did take out of
certain books of French, and reduced it into English. And I, according
to my copy, have down set it in print, to the intent that noble men may
see and learn the noble acts of chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds
that some knights used in those days, by which they came to honour, and
how they that were vicious were punished and oft put to shame and
rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other
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