Lister M. Matheson
William Caxton’s preface to his edition of Malory’s Morte Darthur (Westminster, 1485) offers a fascinating glimpse into how late-medieval and later reading and listening audiences approached the story of King Arthur.
Caxton relates how (unnamed) “noble and divers gentlemen” have come to him to demand why he hasn’t printed the stories of the Grail and King Arthur. The printer sets himself up as a straw man for one of the gentlemen to knock down when he remarks that various people do not believe that Arthur ever existed; the gentleman offers proof after proof that Arthur had indeed been real, and the printer has to concede the case. That Caxton is simply playing devil’s advocate is suggested strongly by the fact that he had printed the full history of Arthur in his published Chronicles of England (1480 and 1482) and John Trevisa’s translation of the Polychroni-con (1482). Caxton’s copy-text of the latter work had omitted a vigorous defense of Arthur’s historicity that appears in other copies of the work; he seems to be making restitution here in his preface for that earlier omission, which occurs in one of the chapters of the Polychronicon to which he makes direct reference.
The kinds of proof that the gentleman adduces are interesting: some are references to written sources, which could, of course, be false or fictitious, while others are to physical objects, which could, of course, be fakes or forgeries. (Ah! the difficulties of establishing true facts in pre-Internet days!)
Caxton’s comments on the themes and emotions in Malory’s Morte Darthur constitute the best short summary ever written of the work’s range and scope. His coy remark that we are at liberty to believe what we will in the work is disingenuous in the context of the previous arguments.
The following text constitutes the bulk of Caxton’s preface, with modernized spelling and punctuation. A few Middle English words that do not have direct modern descendants are printed in italics; these, and some archaic words or usages, have following glosses in brackets.
After that I had accomplished and finished divers [various] histories, as well of contemplation as of other hystoryal [historical] and worldly acts of great conquerors and princes, and also certain books of examples and doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm of England came and demanded [asked] me many and oft-times wherefore that I have not do made and imprinted [caused to have made and printed] the noble history of the Saint Greal [Holy Grail] and of the most renowned Christian king, first and chief of the three best Christian and worthy, King Arthur, which [who] ought most to be remembered among us English men before all other Christian kings.
For it is notoyrly [famously] known through the universal world that there are nine worthy, and the best that ever were, that is to wit [know] three paynims [pagans], three Jews, and three Christian men.
As for the paynims, they were before the Incarnation of Christ, which were named, the first, Hector of Troy, of whom the history is come [has come down] both in ballad and in prose; the second, Alexander the Great; and the third, Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, of whom the histories are well known and had.
And as for the three Jews, which also were before the Incarnation of Our Lord, of whom the first was Duke Joshua, which brought the children of Israel into the land of behest [promised land]; the second, David, king of Jerusalem; and the third, Judas Maccabaeus—of these three the Bible rehearseth all their noble histories and acts.
And sith [since] the said Incarnation have been three noble Christian men stalled [installed] 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 Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, of whome the history is had [available] in many places, bothe in French and English, and the third and last was Godfrey of Boulogne, of whose acts and life I made a book unto [for] 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 Boulogne 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 are 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 are made of [about] him are feigned, and fables, because that some chronicles make of him no mention nor remember him no thing [not at all, nothing], nor of his knights. Whereto they answered, and one in special [especially] said that in him that should say or think that there was never such a king called Arthur might well be aretted [attributed] great folly and blindness. For he said that there were many evidences of the contrary.
First, ye may see his sepulture in the monastery of Glastonbury, and also in Polycronicon [a work by Ranulph Higden, translated into English by John Trevisa and printed by Caxton in 1482], in the fifth book, the sixth chapter, and in the seventh book, the twenty-third chapter, where his body was buried and after [later] found and translated into the said monastery. Ye shall see also in the history of [by] Boccaccio, in his book De casu principum [Of the Fall of Princes], part of his noble acts and
Also of his fall. Also Galfridus [Geoffrey of Monmouth] in his British book recounteth his life.
And in divers places of England many remembrances are [exist] yet of him—and shall remain perpetually—and also of his knights. First, in the abbey of Westminster at Saint Edward’s shrine remaineth the print [survives the imprint] of his seal in red wax, closed [enclosed] in beryl, in which is written “Patricius Arthurus, Britannie, Gallie, Germanie, Dacie Imperator” [“Noble Arthur, emperor of Britain, Gaul, Germany, Denmark”]. Item, in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawain’s skull and Cra-dok’s mantle, at Winchester the Round Table, in other places Lancelot’s sword and many other things. Then, all these thynges considered, there can no man reasonably gainsay [deny] 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 Greek as in French.
And yet of record remain in witness of him in Wales, in the town of Camelot, the great stones and marvellous works of iron lying under the ground and regal vaults which divers now living hath seen. Wherefore, it is a marvel why he is no more renowned in his own country, save only [except] it accordeth to [agrees with] the word of God which saith that no man is accepted for [as] a prophet in his own country.
Then, all these things foresaid alleged [declared, adduced], 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 are made of [about] him and of his noble knights in French, which I have seen and read beyond the sea, which are not had [available] in our maternal tongue—but in Welsh are many, and also in French, and some in English, but no where nigh [nearly] all.
Wherefore, such as have late [recently] been drawn out briefly into English I have, after the simple cunning [knowledge, ability] that God hath sent to me, under the favor and correction of all noble lords and gentlemen, enprysed [undertaken, enterprised] to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said King Arthur and of certain of his knights after [according to] a copy unto me delivered, which copy Sir Thomas Malory did take out of certain books of French and reduced [summarized] it into English.
And I, according to my copy, have done [have caused to] 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 honor, and how they that were vicious were punished and often put to shame and rebuke.
Humbly beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other estates (of what estate or degree they are 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 chivalries [chivalrous deeds]. For herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after [according to] 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 are at your liberty. But all is written for our doctrine [teaching] 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 [may 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 conquerour 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 enprysed [undertaken, enterprised] to imprint. And [it] treateth of the noble actes, feats of arms, of chivalry, prowess, hardiness, humanity, love, courtesy, and veray [true] gentleness, with many wonderful histories and adventures.
[Caxton goes on to describe the division of the volume into 21 books, containing 507 chapters, and the contents of each book.]
This page intentionally left blank
Illustrated page from the early fourteenth-century Chronicle of England by Peter of Langtoft, showing King Henry II arguing with St. Thomas Becket. Henry touches his left hand with his right forefinger as if admonishing Archbishop Becket, who stands holding a staff with a cross, and gestures back. Becket was murdered by Henry’s men in 1170. (The British Library/StockphotoPro)
World History
