After that I had accomplished and finished
divers histories as well of contemplation
as of other historical and worldly acts of
great conquerors and princes, and also certain
books of ensamples
>> note 1 and
doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen
of the royalme of England came and demanded
me many and ofttimes wherefore that I have
not do
>> note 2 made
and imprint the noble history of the Saint
Grail and of the most renommed
>> note 3 Christian
king, first and chief of the three best
Christian, and worthy, king Arthur,
>> note 4 which
ought most to be remembered among us Englishmen
tofore all other Christian kings.
For it is notoirly
>> note 5 known
through the universal world that there
been nine worthy and the best that ever
were, that is to wit, three Paynims,
>> note 6 three
Jews, and three Christian men. As for the
Paynims, they were tofore the Incarnation
of Christ, which were named, the first
Hector of Troy, of whom th'istory is
common both in ballad and in prose, the
second Alexander the Great, and the third
Julius Caesare, Emperor of Rome, of whom
th'istories been well known and had.
>> note 7 And
as for the three which also were tofore th'Incarnation of our Lord, of
whom the first was Duke Joshua which brought the children of Israel into
the land of behest,
>> note 8 the
second David, king of Jerusalem, and the third Judas Maccabeus, of these
three the Bible rehearseth all their noble histories and acts. And sith
>> note 9 the
said Incarnation have been three noble Christian men stalled
>> note 10 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 whom th'istory is had in many places, both in French
and English; and the third and last was Godefroy of Bouillon, of whose acts
and life I made a book unto th'excellent prince and king of noble memory,
King Edward the Fourth.
The said noble gentlemen instantly required
>> note 11 me
t'imprint th'istory of the said
noble king and conqueror king Arthur and
of his knights, with th'istory of the
Saint Grail and of the death and ending
of the said Arthur, affirming that I ought
rather t'imprint his acts and noble
feats than of Godefroy of Bouillon or any
of the other eight, considering that he
was a man born within this royalme and
king and emperor of the same, and that
there been 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 been made of him been
but feigned and fables, because that some
chronicles make of him no mention ne remember
him nothing, ne of his knights.
Whereto they answered, and one in special
said, that in him that should say or think
that there was never such a king called Arthur
might well be aretted
>> note 12 great
folly and blindness, for he said that there
were many evidences of the contrary. First,
ye may see his sepulture
>> note 13 in
the monastery of Glastonbury; and also
in Polychronicon,
>> note 14 in
the fifth book, the sixth chapter, and
in the seventh book, the twenty-third chapter,
where his body was buried, and after founden
and translated
>> note 15 into
the said monastery. Ye shall see also in
th'istory of Bochas, in his book De
Casu Principum,
>> note 16 part
of his noble acts, and also of his fall. Also Galfridus, in his British book,
>> note 17 recounteth
his life. And in divers places of England many remembrances been 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 of his
seal in red wax closed in beryl, in which is written PATRICIUS ARTHURUS BRITANNIE
GALLIE GERMANIE DACIE IMPERATOR;
>> note 18 item,
in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawain's skull and Cradok's mantle;
at Winchester, the Round Table; in other places Lancelot's sword and
many other things.
Then, all these things considered, there
can no man reasonably gainsay 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, mo
>> note 19 books
made of his noble acts, than there be in
England; as well in Dutch, Italian, Spanish,
and Greekish, 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 royal vaults, which divers
now living hath seen. Wherefore it is a
marvel why he is not more renommed in his
own country, save only it accordeth to
the word of God, which saith that no man
is accept for a prophet in his own country.
Then, all these things foresaid alleged,
>> note 20 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
be made of him and of his noble knights
in French, which I have seen and read beyond
the sea, which been not had in our maternal
tongue. But in Welsh been many, and also
in French, and some in English, but nowhere
nigh all. Wherefore, such as have late
been drawn out briefly into English, I
have, after the simple cunning God hath
sent to me, under the favor and correction
of all noble lords and gentlemen, emprised
>> note 21 to
imprint a book of the noble histories of
the said king Arthur and of certain of
his knights, after a copy unto me delivered,
which copy sir Thomas Malory did take out
of certain books of French and reduced
it into English.
And I, according to my copy, have done set
it
>> note 22 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 tho
>> note 23 days,
by which they came to honor, and how they
that were vicious were punished and oft
put to shame and rebuke; humbly beseeching
all noble lords and ladies with all other
estates,
>> note 24 of
what estate or degree they been 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 renommed acts of humanity, gentleness,
and chivalries. For herein may be seen
noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness,
hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice,
murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after
the good and leave the evil and it shall
bring you to good fame and renommee.
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 be at your liberty. But all is
written for our doctrine, and for to beware
that we fall not to vice ne sin, but t'exercise
and follow virtue, by which we may come and
attain to good fame and renommee in this
life, and after this short and transitory
life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven;
the which 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 conqueror
and excellent king, king Arthur, sometime
king of this noble royalme then called Britain,
I, William Caxton, simple person, present
this book following which I have emprised
t'imprint: and treateth of the noble
acts, feats of arms of chivalry, prowess,
hardiness, humanity, love, courtesy, and
very
>> note 25 gentleness,
with many wonderful histories and adventures.