Le Morte Darthur / Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and his Noble / Knights of the Round Table

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

46853

Title

Le Morte Darthur / Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and his Noble / Knights of the Round Table

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Sir Thomas Malory's epic chronicle of King Arthur and his Round Table knights, blending romance, chivalry, and tragedy. This edition, edited by Sir Edward Strachey, restores the original text to reveal a world of heroic prowess, treacherous enchantments, and the inevitable decay of an ideal age.

Summary up to 500 words

Sir Thomas Malory's *Le Morte Darthur* stands as the definitive English romance of King Arthur and his noble knights, weaving a complex tapestry of heroic deeds, courtly love, and profound betrayal. The narrative begins with the rise of Arthur, who unites Britain after years of civil war, establishing Camelot as a beacon of justice and chivalry. Around him gather the greatest warriors of the age: Lancelot, Gawaine, Gaheris, and the tragic figure of Mordred. The text explores the origins and ideals of chivalry, contrasting the noble spirit of the knight with the corruption of treason and magic. A central thread involves Morgan le Fay, Arthur's sister, whose dark enchantments and lust for power drive much of the tragedy. Her schemes lead to the fatal duel between Arthur and the traitorous Accolon, a battle fueled by Morgan's desire to see her brother destroyed. Accolon's confession reveals Morgan's plot to slay Arthur, usurp the throne, and rule with her paramour, only to be thwarted by the timely intervention of Arthur's nephew, Uwaine. The narrative delves into the personal lives of the knights, highlighting the tension between duty and desire. Lancelot's adulterous love for Guinevere creates a rift that eventually tears the Round Table apart. The story also features the adventures of other knights, such as Sir Palamides, who vows to slay the beast Glatisant before receiving baptism, and the tragic romance of Tristram and Isoud. As the golden age wanes, the book chronicles the decline of Camelot. Betrayal, internal strife, and the failure of the knights to uphold their vows lead to the kingdom's downfall. The narrative culminates in the great battle at Camlann, where Arthur is mortally wounded by his nephew Mordred, and the Round Table is shattered. The text concludes with the death of Arthur and the scattering of his loyal followers, leaving a legacy of honor and sorrow that has inspired generations of writers, from Spenser to Tennyson. Through its rich language and dramatic storytelling, Malory's work preserves the spirit of medieval chivalry while acknowledging its ultimate fragility.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46853.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg46853.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-08 08:25 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Romance