Le Morte d'Arthur
PREFACE OF WILLIAM CAXTON
AFTER that I had accomplished and finished divers histories, as
well of contemplation as of other historial and worldly acts of
great conquerors and princes, and also certain books of ensamples
and doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm of
England came and demanded me many and oft times, wherefore that I
have not do made and imprint the noble history of the Saint
Greal, and of the most renowned Christian king, first and chief
of the three best Christian, and worthy, King Arthur, which ought
most to be remembered among us Englishmen to-fore all other
Christian kings; for it is notoyrly known through the universal
world, that there be nine worthy and the best that ever were,
that is to wit, three Paynims, three Jews, and three Christian
men. As for the Paynims, they were to-fore the Incarnation of
Christ, which were named, the first Hector of Troy, of whom the
history is comen both in ballad and in prose, the second
Alexander the Great, and the third Julius Caesar, Emperor of
Rome, of whom the histories be well known and had. And as for
the three Jews, which also were to-fore the incarnation of our
Lord, of whom the first was duke Joshua which brought the
children of Israel into the land of behest, the second David king
of Jerusalem, and the third Judas Machabeus, of these three the
Bible rehearseth all their noble histories and acts. And since
the said Incarnation have been three noble Christian men,
stalled and admitted through the universal world into the number
of the nine best and worthy. Of whom was first the noble Arthur,
whose noble acts I purpose to write in this present book here
following. The second was Charlemain, or Charles the Great, of
whom the history is had in many places, both in French and in
English. And the third and last was Godfrey of Boloine, of whose
acts and life I made a book unto the excellent prince and king of
noble memory, King Edward the Fourth.
The said noble gentlemen instantly required me to imprint the
history of the said noble king and conqueror King Arthur, and of
his knights, with the history of the Saint Greal, and of the
death and ending of the said Arthur; affirming that I ought
rather to imprint his acts and noble feats, than of Godfrey of
Boloine, or any of the other eight, considering that he was a man
born within this realm, and king and emperor of the same: and
that there be in French divers and many noble volumes of his
acts, and also of his knights. To whom I answered that divers
men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and that all such
books as been made of him be feigned and fables, because that
some chronicles make of him no mention, nor remember him nothing,
nor of his knights. Whereto they answered, and one in special
said, that in him that should say or think that there was never
such a king called Arthur might well be aretted great folly and
blindness. For he said that there were many evidences of the
contrary. First ye may see his sepulchre in the monastery of
Glastonbury. And also in Policronicon, in the fifth book the
sixth chapter, and in the seventh book the twenty-third chapter,
where his body was buried, and after found, and translated into
the said monastery. Ye shall see also in the history of Bochas,
in his book De Casu Principum, part of his noble acts, and
also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his British book recounteth
his life: and in divers places of England many remembrances be
yet of him, and shall remain perpetually, and also of his
knights. First in the abbey of Westminster, at St. Edward's
shrine, remaineth the print of his seal in red wax closed in
beryl, in which is written, Patricius Arthurus Britannie, Gallie,
Germanie, Dacie, Imperator. Item in the castle of Dover ye may
see Gawaine's skull, and Cradok's mantle: at Winchester the Round
Table: in other places Launcelot's sword and many other things.
Then all these things considered, there can no man reasonably
gainsay but there was a king of this land named Arthur. For in
all places, Christian and heathen, he is reputed and taken for
one of the nine worthy, and the first of the three Christian men.
And also, he is more spoken of beyond the sea, more books made of
his noble acts, than there be in England, as well in Dutch,
Italian, Spanish, and Greekish, as in French. And yet of record
remain in witness of him in Wales, in the town of Camelot, the
great stones and the marvellous works of iron lying under the
ground, and royal vaults, which divers now living have seen.
Wherefore it is a marvel why he is no more renowned in his own
country, save only it accordeth to the Word of God, which saith
that no man is accepted for a prophet in his own country.
Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I could not well deny
but that there was such a noble king named Arthur, and reputed
one of the nine worthy, and first and chief of the Christian men.
And many noble volumes be made of him and of his noble knights in
French, which I have seen and read beyond the sea, which be not
had in our maternal tongue. But in Welsh be many and also in
French, and some in English but nowhere nigh all. Wherefore,
such as have late been drawn out briefly into English I have
after the simple conning that God hath sent to me, under the
favour and correction of all noble lords and gentlemen, enprised
to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said King Arthur,
and of certain of his knights, after a copy unto me delivered,
which copy Sir Thomas Malorye did take out of certain books of
French, and reduced it into English. And I, according to my
copy, have done set it in imprint, to the intent that noble men
may see and learn the noble acts of chivalry, the gentle and
virtuous deeds that some knights used in those days, by which
they came to honour, and how they that were vicious were punished
and oft put to shame and rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble
lords and ladies, with all other estates of what estate or degree
they been of, that shall see and read in this said book and work,
that they take the good and honest acts in their remembrance, and
to follow the same. Wherein they shall find many joyous and
pleasant histories, and noble and renowned acts of humanity,
gentleness, and chivalry. For herein may be seen noble chivalry,
courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship,
cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and
leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renown.
And for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in,
but for to give faith and belief that all is true that is
contained herein, ye be at your liberty: but all is written for
our doctrine, and for to beware that we fall not to vice nor sin,
but to exercise and follow virtue, by which we may come and
attain to good fame and renown in this life, and after this short
and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven; the
which He grant us that reigneth in heaven, the blessed Trinity.
Amen.
Then to proceed forth in this said book, which I direct unto all
noble princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen, that
desire to read or hear read of the noble and joyous history of
the great conqueror and excellent king, King Arthur,
sometime king of this noble realm, then called Britain; I,
William Caxton, simple person, present this book following, which
I have enprised to imprint: and treateth of the noble acts, feats
of arms of chivalry, prowess, hardiness, humanity, love,
courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful histories and
adventures. And for to understand briefly the content of this
volume, I have divided it into XXI Books, and every book
chaptered, as hereafter shall by God's grace follow. The First
Book shall treat how Uther Pendragon gat the noble conqueror King
Arthur, and containeth xxviii chapters. The Second Book treateth
of Balin the noble knight, and containeth xix chapters. The
Third Book treateth of the marriage of King Arthur to Queen
Guenever, with other matters, and containeth xv chapters. The
Fourth Book, how Merlin was assotted, and of war made to King
Arthur, and containeth xxix chapters. The Fifth Book treateth of
the conquest of Lucius the emperor, and containeth xii chapters.
The Sixth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel, and
marvellous adventures, and containeth xviii chapters. The
Seventh Book treateth of a noble knight called Sir Gareth, and
named by Sir Kay Beaumains, and containeth xxxvi chapters. The
Eighth Book treateth of the birth of Sir Tristram the noble
knight, and of his acts, and containeth xli chapters. The Ninth
Book treateth of a knight named by Sir Kay Le Cote Male Taille,
and also of Sir Tristram, and containeth xliv chapters. The
Tenth Book treateth of Sir Tristram, and other marvellous
adventures, and containeth lxxxviii chapters. The Eleventh Book
treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Galahad, and containeth xiv
chapters. The Twelfth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and his
madness, and containeth xiv chapters. The Thirteenth Book
treateth how Galahad came first to king Arthur's court, and the
quest how the Sangreal was begun, and containeth xx chapters.
The Fourteenth Book treateth of the quest of the Sangreal,
and containeth x chapters. The Fifteenth Book treateth of Sir
Launcelot, and containeth vi chapters. The Sixteenth Book
treateth of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel his brother, and containeth
xvii chapters. The Seventeenth Book treateth of the Sangreal,
and containeth xxiii chapters. The Eighteenth Book treateth of
Sir Launcelot and the queen, and containeth xxv chapters. The
Nineteenth Book treateth of Queen Guenever and Launcelot, and
containeth xiii chapters. The Twentieth Book treateth of the
piteous death of Arthur, and containeth xxii chapters. The
Twenty-first Book treateth of his last departing, and how Sir
Launcelot came to revenge his death, and containeth xiii
chapters. The sum is twenty-one books, which contain the sum of
five hundred and seven chapters, as more plainly shall follow
hereafter.