# Le Morte d'Arthur

> 1485 reworking of existing tales about King Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

**Wikidata**: [Q1136104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1136104)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Morte_d'Arthur)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/le-morte-d-arthur

## Summary
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is a 1485 reworking of existing tales about King Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, compiling and reimagining Arthurian legends into a comprehensive narrative. It represents the definitive medieval English treatment of Arthurian mythology and remains a cornerstone of British literary heritage.

## Key Facts
- A literary work written by Sir Thomas Malory in the 15th century.
- Published in 1485, though composed earlier during Malory’s lifetime.
- A reworking of existing tales about King Arthur and his knights.
- Classified as a type of work of art and a subclass of written work.
- Composed of text and created through the process of writing.
- Distinct from versions, editions, or translations of the original work.
- Associated with the following identifiers: psh_id (6918), yso_id (1150), ne.se_id (litterärt-verk), kbpedia_id (LiteraryWork), open_library_id (OL32245191W), and google_knowledge_graph_id (/g/1234t710, /g/11c71cnldv).
- Linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID (981060927480506706) and the Dictionary of Archives Terminology (ID: literary-works).
- Part of the Encyclopedia of China (third edition, ID: 223088) and the Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging (ID: 13535).
- Maintained by WikiProject Books and associated with the "Category: Literary works."
- Connected to the Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae (ID: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA).
- Available in multiple Wikipedia languages: arz, ca, cs, de, en, eo, es, hu, io, pl, pt, ro, ru, sk, sr, uk, ur, vi, zh.
- A chivalric romance and Arthurian romance, set in England.
- Related to King Arthur, a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
- Authored by Thomas Malory, an English writer and poet (1405–1471).

## FAQs
**What is *Le Morte d'Arthur*?**
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is a 1485 reworking of existing tales about King Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, compiling and reimagining Arthurian legends into a comprehensive narrative. It represents the definitive medieval English treatment of Arthurian mythology and remains a cornerstone of British literary heritage.

**Who wrote *Le Morte d'Arthur*?**
*Le Morte d'Arthur* was written by Sir Thomas Malory, an English writer and poet who lived from approximately 1405 to 1471. Malory is best known for compiling and reimagining Arthurian legends into a cohesive narrative.

**When was *Le Morte d'Arthur* published?**
*Le Morte d'Arthur* was published in 1485, though it was composed earlier during Malory’s lifetime. The work represents the culmination of centuries of Arthurian storytelling traditions.

**What is the significance of *Le Morte d'Arthur*?**
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is significant as the definitive medieval English treatment of Arthurian mythology. It became one of the most influential works of English literature, shaping the modern perception of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The work remains a cornerstone of British literary heritage.

**What are the main themes of *Le Morte d'Arthur*?**
The main themes of *Le Morte d'Arthur* include the rise and fall of King Arthur, the adventures of his knights, and the complex relationships between love, loyalty, and betrayal. The work encompasses the entire Arthurian legend, from Arthur's conception and birth through his reign and ultimate death.

**How does *Le Morte d'Arthur* differ from other versions of Arthurian legends?**
*Le Morte d'Arthur* differs from other versions of Arthurian legends by compiling and reimagining existing tales into a comprehensive narrative. It represents the definitive medieval English treatment of Arthurian mythology and remains a cornerstone of British literary heritage.

**What is the role of *Le Morte d'Arthur* in English literature?**
*Le Morte d'Arthur* plays a crucial role in English literature by establishing the canonical version of the Arthurian legend. It became one of the most influential works of English literature, shaping the modern perception of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The work remains a cornerstone of British literary heritage.

**What are some notable characters in *Le Morte d'Arthur*?**
Some notable characters in *Le Morte d'Arthur* include King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Elaine of Corbenic. These characters exemplify the complex emotional and romantic elements that Malory introduced or developed in his retelling of the legends.

**How has *Le Morte d'Arthur* influenced modern culture?**
*Le Morte d'Arthur* has influenced modern culture by providing source material for countless adaptations and reinterpretations. Its characters and stories have inspired art, music, and popular culture, ensuring its enduring appeal and significance.

**What is the legacy of *Le Morte d'Arthur*?**
The legacy of *Le Morte d'Arthur* is profound, as it represents the most comprehensive and influential medieval English treatment of the Arthurian legend. Its influence extends beyond literature into art, music, and popular culture, with its characters and stories providing source material for countless adaptations and reinterpretations.

## Why It Matters
*Le Morte d'Arthur* matters because it represents the most comprehensive and influential medieval English treatment of the Arthurian legend. Before Malory, Arthurian tales existed in various forms across different languages and traditions—primarily in French and Latin. Malory synthesized these diverse sources into a unified English narrative that captured the imagination of readers and established the canonical version of the legend. His work became a foundational text for all subsequent English-language treatments of King Arthur, influencing countless writers, poets, and artists throughout the centuries. Without Malory's compilation, the modern understanding of Arthurian legend would be fundamentally different, lacking the cohesive narrative structure and rich characterization that his work provided. The character of Elaine of Corbenic and many other elements of the Arthurian canon exist in their recognizable form largely due to Malory's literary efforts. *Le Morte d'Arthur* remains a cornerstone of British literary heritage, shaping the modern perception of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

## Notable For
- Being the definitive medieval English treatment of Arthurian mythology.
- Compiling and reimagining existing tales about King Arthur and his knights.
- Establishing the canonical version of the Arthurian legend that influenced English literature for centuries.
- Developing characters in Arthurian legend, including Elaine of Corbenic.
- Being one of the most influential works of English literature from the 15th century.
- Providing source material for countless adaptations and reinterpretations in art, music, and popular culture.
- Remaining a cornerstone of British literary heritage and shaping the modern perception of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

## Body

### Definition and Nature
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is a literary work written by Sir Thomas Malory in the 15th century. It is a reworking of existing tales about King Arthur and his knights, compiling and reimagining Arthurian legends into a comprehensive narrative. The work represents the definitive medieval English treatment of Arthurian mythology and remains a cornerstone of British literary heritage.

### Classification and Relationships
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is classified as a type of work of art and a subclass of written work. It is composed of text and created through the process of writing. The work is distinct from versions, editions, or translations of the original literary work. It is associated with the following identifiers: psh_id (6918), yso_id (1150), ne.se_id (litterärt-verk), kbpedia_id (LiteraryWork), open_library_id (OL32245191W), and google_knowledge_graph_id (/g/1234t710, /g/11c71cnldv). The work is linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID (981060927480506706) and the Dictionary of Archives Terminology (ID: literary-works). It is part of the Encyclopedia of China (third edition, ID: 223088) and the Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging (ID: 13535). The work is maintained by WikiProject Books and associated with the "Category: Literary works." It is connected to the Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae (ID: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA).

### Properties and Identifiers
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is associated with a wide range of properties for this type, including P50, P407, P136, P921, P373, P214, P8189, P747, P577, P495, P2408, P840, P166, P7937, P1274, P8383, P1085, P10319, P5331, P123, P1922, P3132, P144, P941, P1036, P244, P291, P953, P6216, P648, P674, P7150. The work is available in multiple Wikipedia languages: arz, ca, cs, de, en, eo, es, hu, io, pl, pt, ro, ru, sk, sr, uk, ur, vi, zh.

### Cultural and Academic Context
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is foundational to the field of literature and is studied and preserved in academic and cultural contexts. It is linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID (981060927480506706) and the Dictionary of Archives Terminology (ID: literary-works). The work is part of the Encyclopedia of China (third edition, ID: 223088) and the Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging (ID: 13535). It is connected to the Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae (ID: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA).

### Maintenance and Curation
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is maintained by WikiProject Books, which ensures its accurate documentation and categorization. It is also part of the "Category: Literary works" and is associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work" for structured representation.

### Distinction from Other Concepts
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is distinct from the general term "Werk" and has a separate descriptive page to ensure clarity in classification. It is also different from "version, edition or translation" and "fiction," which are considered separate entities.

### Role in Digital and Cultural Archives
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is cataloged and preserved in digital and cultural archives using specific identifiers and classification systems, ensuring its long-term accessibility and scholarly engagement.

### Author and Historical Context
*Le Morte d'Arthur* was written by Sir Thomas Malory, an English writer and poet who lived from approximately 1405 to 1471. Malory is best known for compiling and reimagining Arthurian legends into a cohesive narrative. The work was published in 1485, though it was composed earlier during Malory’s lifetime. It represents the culmination of centuries of Arthurian storytelling traditions.

### Themes and Characters
The main themes of *Le Morte d'Arthur* include the rise and fall of King Arthur, the adventures of his knights, and the complex relationships between love, loyalty, and betrayal. The work encompasses the entire Arthurian legend, from Arthur's conception and birth through his reign and ultimate death. Some notable characters in *Le Morte d'Arthur* include King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Elaine of Corbenic. These characters exemplify the complex emotional and romantic elements that Malory introduced or developed in his retelling of the legends.

### Influence and Legacy
*Le Morte d'Arthur* has influenced modern culture by providing source material for countless adaptations and reinterpretations. Its characters and stories have inspired art, music, and popular culture, ensuring its enduring appeal and significance. The legacy of *Le Morte d'Arthur* is profound, as it represents the most comprehensive and influential medieval English treatment of the Arthurian legend. Its influence extends beyond literature into art, music, and popular culture, with its characters and stories providing source material for countless adaptations and reinterpretations.

### Related Entities
*Le Morte d'Arthur* is related to King Arthur, a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries. It is also related to England, a country in north-west Europe and part of the United Kingdom. The work is a chivalric romance and Arthurian romance, set in England. It is associated with the following identifiers: psh_id (6918), yso_id (1150), ne.se_id (litterärt-verk), kbpedia_id (LiteraryWork), open_library_id (OL32245191W), and google_knowledge_graph_id (/g/1234t710, /g/11c71cnldv). The work is linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID (981060927480506706) and the Dictionary of Archives Terminology (ID: literary-works). It is part of the Encyclopedia of China (third edition, ID: 223088) and the Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging (ID: 13535). The work is maintained by WikiProject Books and associated with the "Category: Literary works." It is connected to the Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae (ID: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA).

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