Summary
In Le Morte d’Arthur: Volume 1, Sir Thomas Malory brings together centuries of Arthurian myths and legends into one sweeping, dramatic chronicle of knighthood, chivalry, and betrayal.
Written in the 15th century, this seminal work is one of the first major English-language retellings of King Arthur’s rise and the glory days of the Knights of the Round Table.
The first volume follows the young Arthur’s mysterious birth, his pulling of the enchanted sword from the stone, and his ascension to the throne of England.
As Arthur establishes his rule, he gathers around him the greatest knights of the age — Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, Sir Tristram, and others — to uphold the ideals of chivalry and justice.
Tales of noble quests, duels of honor, and forbidden love fill these pages:
Merlin’s magical guidance and tragic fate
The founding of the Round Table
The romance of Tristram and Isolde
Lancelot’s unmatched prowess and his deepening bond with Queen Guinevere
The many trials that test both character and loyalty
Told in a rich, formal style blending history and fantasy, Volume 1 lays the groundwork for the eventual tragedies that will unfold in Volume 2.
It is both a celebration of chivalric ideals and a subtle meditation on the flaws of even the greatest heroes.