Books with author Thomas Mallon

Limited to 500 copies of which this is one of 50 lettered copies printed on hand-made paper produced by Barcham Green of Hayle Mill. With an interesting essay on the Pierpont Morgan copy including a scientific study of the paper. The watermarks found have been reproduced by beta-radiography. The last page of the facsimile is wrinkled, else a very fine copy. xxxiv pages followed by the lengthy facsimile. full stamped leather, slipcase.. thick small 4to..

Introduction by William Caxton. The most famous English-language compilation of Arthurian legends ever issued. First published in 1485, it was one of the last major books to be published in Britain before the introduction of the printing press by William Caxton. Le Morte d'Arthur was also one of the first books to be published by Caxton, who also acted as editor for the work. The storyline, drawn partly from older Latin, Welsh, French, German, Norse and even Dutch epics, takes place in Britain and France during the fall of the Western Roman Empire. King Arthur, a legendary Celtic warrior-king, serves as a symbol for the final defeat of Rome, and also the emergence of the Medieval Courtly culture. Other events in the narrative take place in Rome and the Tigris-Euphrates river basin. The author divided the text into eight books, each dealing with a particular theme. Caxton broke these up further into twenty-one books. The themes and books are: Book I: The birth and rise of Arthur: "From the Marriage of King Uther unto King Arthur that Reigned after Him and Did Many Battles" (Caxton I-IV). Book II: King Arthur's war against the Romans: "The Noble Tale Between King Arthur and Lucius the Emperor of Rome" (Caxton V). Book III: The book of Lancelot: "The Tale of Sir Launcelot du Lac" (Caxton VI). Book IV: The book of Gareth (brother of Gawain): "The Tale of Sir Gareth" (Caxton VII). Book V: Tristan and Isolde: "The First and Second Book of Sir Tristrams de Lyons" (Caxton VIII-XII). Book VI: The Quest for the Holy Grail: "The Noble Tale of the Sangreal" (Caxton XIII-XVII). Book VII: The affair between Lancelot and Guinevere: "Sir Launcelot and Queen Gwynevere" (Caxton XVIII-XIX). Book VIII: The breaking of the Knights of the Round Table and the death of Arthur: "Le Morte D'Arthur" (Caxton XX-XXI).

How Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of Cornwall and Igraine his wife, and of their departing suddenly again. IT befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against him long time. And the duke was called the Duke of Tintagil. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, charging him to bring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a passing wise, and her name was called Igraine. So when the duke and his wife were come unto the king, by the means of great lords they were accorded both. The king liked and loved this lady well, and he made them great cheer out of measure, and desired to have lain by her. But she was a passing good woman, and would not assent unto the king. And then she told the duke her husband, and said, I suppose that we were sent for that I should be dishonoured; wherefore, husband, I counsel you, that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may ride all night unto our own castle. And in like wise as she said so they departed, that neither the king nor none of his council were ware of their departing. All so soon as King Uther knew of their departing so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to him his privy council, and told them of the sudden departing of the duke and his wife. Then they advised the king to send for the duke and his wife by a great charge; and if he will not come at your summons, then may ye do your best, then have ye cause to make mighty war upon him. So that was done, and the messengers had their answers; and that was this shortly, that neither he nor his wife would not come at him.

Fifth edition, being a facsimile of the fourth edition. The birth, life, acts, and death of King Arthur and his knights of the round table, spelled in modern style, copiously illustrated by Aubrey Beardsley, with an introduction by John Rhys. John DePol bookplate, with his signature on front pastedown. xiv , lvi, 538 pages. decorated cloth, dust jacket, slipcase.. thick 4to..

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.