Contested Language in Malory's Morte Darthur: The Politics of Romance in Fifteenth-Century England (Arthurian and Courtly Cultures)

Examining Malory's political language, this study offers a revisionary view of Arthur's kingship in the Morte Darthur and the role of the Round Table fellowship. Considering a range of historical and political sources, Lexton suggests that Malory used a specific lexicon to engage with contemporary problems of kingship and rule. Malory's Morte Darthur, which transformed the sprawling thirteenth-century French Vulgate Cycle romances for fifteenth-century English readers, is often seen as the culmination of the medieval Arthurian tradition and a consolidation of Arthur's reputation as a perfect chivalric ruler. Examining Malory's political language, this study challenges the accepted view of Arthur's kingship and the role of the Round Table fellowship. Considering a range of historical and political sources, Ruth Lexton suggests that Malory used a specific lexicon to engage with contemporary problems of kingship and demonstrates that the Morte interrogates the collapse of the English monarchy during the Wars of the Roses Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 List of Abbreviations 12 Introduction Arthurian Romance and Political Language in Fifteenth-Century England 14 1. Kingship, Justice, and the “Comyns” in The Tale of King Arthur 28 2. Counsel and Rule in The Tale of King Arthur and Arthur and Lucius 60 3. Malory’s Lancelot and the Politics of Worship 90 4. Courtesy and Service in The Tale of Sir Gareth 122 5. Fellowship and Treason 151 Conclusion Malory’s Contested Language 184 Notes 188 Bibliography 228 Index 247 Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-14 Kingship, Justice, and The “Comyns” in The Tale Of King Arthur ....Pages 15-46 Counsel and Rule in The Tale of King Arthur and Arthur and Lucius ....Pages 47-76 Malory’s Lancelot and the Politics of Worship....Pages 77-108 Courtesy and Service in The Tale of Sir Gareth ....Pages 109-137 Fellowship and Treason....Pages 139-171 Conclusion....Pages 173-176 Back Matter....Pages 177-248