Thomas Malory(1414-1471)
- Writer
Born around 1414-1420 into an English gentry family, Sir Thomas Malory
spent his first couple of decades in quiet obscurity, aside from
campaigning at the Siege of Calais in 1436. By 1441 he had been
knighted, and had developed a growing interest in politics. In 1445 he
became MP for his county and over the next few years developed a
startling talent for lawlessness. In 1444 he had been charged with
assault and theft, and in 1450 Malory tried to ambush and murder the
Duke of Buckingham. He allegedly raped Joan Smith not once but twice,
stole goods from her husband, extorted money, pilfered cattle, and
destroyed the Duke of Buckingham's hunting lodge. In 1451 Malory was
imprisoned at Coleshill, but escaped two days later by swimming the
moat at night. He then twice raided Combe Abbey alongside a band of
outlaws, stealing a great deal of money and harassing the monks.
Malory was captured in 1452 and thrown into a London prison where he
spent eight years awaiting trial. After he was bailed out, he was
caught stealing horses and placed in a Colchester jail, but fought his
way through the guards and escaped. He was recaptured and returned to
the London prison, but was freed by royal pardon in 1460. However, by
1468 Malory was back in Newgate prison, where he would die in 1471.
While in Newgate he turned to writing, creating the immortal "Le Morte
D'Arthur", which would win him eternal fame. The truth behind the
seemingly contradictory nature of Sir Thomas Malory is hotly debated,
and may never be fully known.
