King Arthur and the Development of Middle English Prose (up to 1590)
The Arthurian legend served as a vital bridge between oral tradition and written literature in medieval England, with its evolution in Middle English prose marking a significant milestone in literary development. By the late 15th century, these stories had transformed from French verse romances into sophisticated English prose narratives that would influence literature for centuries.
1. French Origins and English Adaptation
The Arthurian tradition entered English literature primarily through French sources like Chrétien de Troyes' 12th century romances. These were gradually anglicized, with the Vulgate Cycle (13th century) providing the comprehensive pseudo-historical framework that English writers would later expand upon.
2. The Alliterative Revival
14th century England saw a resurgence of Arthurian material in works like:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - blending chivalric ideals with moral complexity
The Alliterative Morte Arthure - presenting Arthur as a tragic war leader
These works demonstrated the English preference for psychological depth and moral ambiguity compared to their French counterparts.
3. Malory's Monumental Achievement
Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (completed 1469, printed 1485) marked the culmination of medieval Arthurian literature:
Compiled and translated French/English sources into cohesive prose
Established the definitive version of Arthur's rise and fall
Balanced knightly adventure with profound tragedy
Presented in clear, vigorous English prose style
4. The Transition to Print Culture
William Caxton's 1485 printed edition of Malory:
Standardized the Arthurian canon for Renaissance readers
Added a preface defending Arthur's historical existence
Made the stories accessible to a growing literate middle class
5. Tudor Transformations
By 1590, Arthurian material was being reinterpreted through:
Spenser's The Faerie Queene (allegorical treatment)
Emerging Protestant skepticism about medieval romance
Growing interest in Arthur as national myth
The Middle English prose tradition, particularly through Malory's masterpiece, preserved the Arthurian legend while elevating English prose narrative to new artistic heights, creating a foundation for later historical fiction and fantasy literature.