Sir Thomas Malory is renowned for establishing the enduring form of the Arthurian legend in Le Morte d’Arthur, weaving together French prose, Arthurian romances, and English tales with his unique inventions. Despite his remarkable contribution to literature, pinpointing Malory's identity presents a challenge, with multiple historical figures bearing his name. This article explores the intricacies of identifying Malory, examines the composition and originality of his work, and assesses his lasting impact.

The Mysterious Identity of Thomas Malory

Identifying the true Sir Thomas Malory, the author of Le Morte d’Arthur, is a task fraught with uncertainty. Over the years, no fewer than nine individuals named Thomas Malory have been candidates, yet only three stand as serious contenders. The primary clues to Malory's identity are gleaned from the text itself. The author identifies as "Syr Thomas Maleoré, Knyght," noting his completion of the work between 1469 and 1470 while imprisoned. This suggests Malory was a knight and a prisoner, and that he likely died before the first printed edition appeared in 1485.

For much of the twentieth century, the prevailing theory was that Malory hailed from Newbold Revel in Warwickshire. This identification, chiefly advocated by George L. Kittredge in 1896, seemed convincing. The Warwickshire Malory came from an old family, served in the French wars, followed the Earl of Warwick, and was a Member of Parliament. However, his history of criminal accusations, including serious offenses like attempted murder and rape, posed questions about his morality and suitability as the author of a chivalric narrative.

Attempts to reconcile these discrepancies varied. Some suggested that Malory's indictments were not convictions, others attributed his actions to the violent times he lived in. Eugène Vinaver, a key editor of Malory's work, maintained that the morality of an author is distinct from that of his literary creations.

Alternative Candidates

The identification of the Warwickshire Malory faced challenges in 1966 when William Matthews proposed another candidate from Hutton Conyers in Yorkshire. Matthews pointed to northern dialect and place names in the Winchester manuscript, as well as Malory's use of northern romances. However, the Yorkshire Malory's lack of knighthood and imprisonment records weakened this case, leaving scholars divided.

Further debate emerged in 1981 with Richard R. Griffith's candidate from Papworth St. Agnes in Cambridgeshire, dismissed in earlier discussions. Griffith argued that this Malory's dialect, age, and political connections were ideal, suggesting brief imprisonment before execution for political reasons in 1469. He also proposed that this Malory had access to a comprehensive library of French romances, critical to the creation of Le Morte d’Arthur. Despite lacking definitive proof of knighthood, Griffith presented a plausible argument.

Supporters of the Warwickshire Malory, however, have continued to bolster their case. P. J. C. Field eliminated confusion between two Warwickshire knights, showing that Newbold Revel and Fenny Newbold were the same place. Field adjusted Malory's birth date to around 1416, suggesting a more cohesive timeline for his life, which aligned more closely with the author of Le Morte d’Arthur.

Malory’s Literary Contributions

Regardless of his true identity, Malory's lasting legacy is the creation of Le Morte d’Arthur. However, the work itself has not been free from controversy. Scholars have long debated two main issues: the originality of Malory's writing and the structural unity of his work. Initially, scholars focused on identifying Malory's numerous French and English sources. This led to the nineteenth-century perception of Malory as a "mere" translator or compiler.

As understanding deepened, Malory emerged as an artist who skillfully selected and adapted his sources, creating a unique Arthurian narrative marked by his distinctive style. He simplified the...