
This classic English epic gathers the legends of King Arthur and his noble knights into a single, compelling narrative. Compiled by Sir Thomas Malory and first printed by William Caxton, the work has endured for four centuries as a touchstone of chivalric storytelling. Its prose, though lacking verse, captures the vivid immediacy of heroic deeds, making each episode feel both self‑contained and part of a larger tapestry.
The early chapters introduce Arthur’s rise to power, the founding of the Round Table, and the fellowship of knights bound by a solemn code of honor. Readers hear of daring quests, courtly love, and the fierce rivalry between loyalty and ambition, all set against a richly imagined landscape of castles, enchanted forests, and mystical relics. The narrative’s straightforward yet sensuous style invites listeners to picture each battle and banquet as if they were present.
Accompanying notes and a thoughtful introduction provide context without spoiling the tale, helping newcomers appreciate the work’s influence on literature and its timeless exploration of bravery, betrayal, and the human heart.
Full title
Le Morte Darthur Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and his Noble Knights of the Round Table
Language
en
Duration
~35 hours (2031K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Irma Spehar, Sonya Schermann and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Release date
2014-09-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

d. 1471
Best known for shaping the English-language legend of King Arthur, this 15th-century writer gathered romance, chivalry, betrayal, and tragedy into the work later published as Le Morte Darthur. Though much about his life remains uncertain, his storytelling became one of the foundations of the Arthurian tradition in English.
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