A Companion to Malory (Arthurian Studies)

by Elizabeth Archibald (Editor)

This collection of original essays by an international group of distinguished medievalists provides a comprehensive introduction to the great work of Sir Thomas Malory, which will be indispensable for both students and scholars. It is divided into three main sections, on Malory in context, the art of the Morte Darthur, and its reception in later years. As well as essays on the eight tales which make up the Morte Darthur, there are studies of the relationship between the Winchestermanuscript and Caxton's and later editions; the political and social context in which Malory wrote; his style and sources; and his treatment of two key concepts in Arthurian literature, chivalry and the representation of women. The volume also includes a brief biography of Malory with a list of the historical records relating to him and his family. It ends with a discussion of the reception of the Morte Darthur from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries, and a select bibliography. P.J.C. FIELD, FELICITY RIDDY, RICHARD BARBER, ELIZABETH EDWARDS, TERENCE MCCARTHY, CAROL MEALE, JEREMY SMITH, ELIZABETH ARCHIBALD, BARBARA NOLAN, HELEN COOPER, JILL MANN, DAVID BENSON, A.S.G. EDWARDS

Table of Contents

``The Hoole Book': Editing and the Creation of Meaning in Malory's Text'. - Wendy Bracewell`The Place of Women in the Morte Darthur'. - Elizabeth Edwards`Contextualizing Le Morte Empire and Civil War'. - Linda Brosnan`Malory and His Sources'. - Terence McCarthy`Language and Style in Malory'. - Jeremy J Smith`The Malory Life-Records'. - Peter J.C. Field` The Tale of King Arthur and King Arthur and the Emperor Lucius'. - Elizabeth Archibald`The Tale of Sir Gareth and The Tale of Sir Lancelot'. - Barbara Nolan`The Book of Sir Tristram de Lyones'. - Helen Cooper`Malory and the Grail Legend'. - Jill Mann`The Ending of the Morte Darthur'. - `The Reception of Malory's Morte Darthur'. - A S G Edwards

Genres: Arthurian, Literary Criticism, History, Nonfiction, Medieval

278 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1996

Reviews

[Gonzalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second companion I read to help me get through “Le Mort D’Artur” and I am only in chapter X! I am glad to have it read it though, and to have it done so after “The Cambridge Companion to the Arthurian Legend.” Deductive reading I suppose.
As the Cambridge volume, this too is divided in two sections. The first one includes chapters giving general context to the “Hoole” book: gender, historical background—excellent—sources, language—much needed in my case—and a short biography of Malory himself. The second half assesses the different tales. They have been a good summary of those I have already read, and yes, they are helping me getting through Tristram veeery slowly. Ok, there is a third one-chapter section covering the impact of Malory’s Works until the beginning of the 20th century that complements what is said in the Cambridge Companion.
Considering how inexpensive it is—compared to most scholarly books you can find on the subject—I would recommend it to anyone like me, who is struggling with Malory.

[Ailed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This companion has a wealth of great criticism by eminent Arthurian scholars. I absolutely loved it! And recommend it to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of Malory's Morte.

[Angela Teagardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of essays on Sir Thomas Mallory's Morte d'Arthur. Some were pretty good; some were amazing. I loved revisiting Mallory's work, and I'm glad I took my time with this. It was almost too much to take in all at once.