Sir Thomas Malory wrote Le Morte D’Arthur around 1485, just following the English civil war. It’s speculated that he chose to write this epic tale in an attempt to communicate the culture and values of England during a time of conflict.
The story follows the life and death of legendary King Arthur and his illustrious Knights of the Round Table – central figures with moralistic attributes and heroic deeds, instilling patriotic pride in a country ravaged by civil strife. Through his narrative, Malory was able to honour many ancient English traditions that had been at risk due to unprecedented upheaval during the civil war. It is clear that he was not only inspired by tales of old, but also sought to create a legacy of national integrity within a post-conflict society.
The civil war was the most significant event of Malory’s lifetime, and it is likely that he felt a strong sense of betrayal when his king was executed by his enemies. He may have felt that Arthur’s death at the hands of Mordred was an accurate depiction of what had happened to Henry VI.
Malory’s choice to write about Arthur may be inspired by the fact that he was in prison for much of his life. Prisoners often spend their time reading and re-reading books, and so it is possible that Malory found inspiration in other stories about knights and chivalry while he was incarcerated.
By the way, Malory’s work remains famous today and is considered one of the most significant works of Arthurian literature. It has been even influential in many ways, including inspiring J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”
