Sir Thomas Malory (Flourished Late 15th Century)
Practically nothing is known of this first great writer of English prose romance. Malory`s significance in the development of the English language is, for our purposes, not so vital a matter as his contribution to the art of story-telling. His vast compilation, which is a rewritten version of the outstanding episodes in the Arthurian cycle, was printed by Caxton in 1485, and, due to the rapid spread of books through the recently invented printing-press, Malory`s influence was far greater than it would otherwise have been. “Malory,” says Edmund Gosse, “tinges the whole English character; he is the primal fount of our passion for adventure, and of our love for active chivalry.” The present version is reprinted from Malory`s History of King Arthur and the Quest of the Holy Grail, London, 1886. There is no title in the original text.
Launcelot`s Tourney
From the Morte d`Arthur And then the Queen let make a privy dinner in the city of London, . unto the knights of the Round Table; and all was to show outward that she had a great joy in all other knights of the Round Table, as she had in Sir Launcelot. All only at that dinner she had Sir Gawai- ne and his brethren; that is to say, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir Mordred. Also there was Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lionel, Sir Palomides, and his brother, Sir Safre; la Cote mal Tail, Sir Persuant, Sir Ironside, Sir Brandiles, Sir Kaye the seneschal, Sir Mador de la Port, Sir Patrice a knight of Ireland, Sir Ali- ducke, Sir Astomore, and Sir Pinell le Savage, the which was cousin unto Sir Lamoracke de Galis, the good knight, the which Sir Gawaine and brethren slew by treason. And so these knights should dine with the Queen in a privy place by themselves; and there was made a great feast of all manner of dainty meats and drinks. But Sir Gawaine had a custom that he used daily at dinner and at supper, that he loved well all manner of fruits, and in especial apples and pears; and, therefore, whosoever dined of feasted,-Sir Gawaine would commonly purvey for good fruit for him: and so did the Queen; for, to please Sir Gawaine,` she let purvey for him of all manner of fruits.
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