Le Morte d'Arthur, published in 1485, is a comprehensive and influential retelling of the Arthurian legends. The work weaves together various medieval stories about King Arthur, his knights of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail, including famous episodes like the sword in the stone, the formation of the Round Table, and the tragic love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. The book ends with the disintegration of Arthur’s reign and the eventual demise of his knights, marking the end of the golden age of Camelot. This work consolidates the Arthurian legends into a single narrative, shaping the medieval and Renaissance understanding of the Arthurian tradition. Malory’s work has been highly influential in Western literature, inspiring numerous adaptations and interpretations of the Arthurian mythos over the centuries.
