The Death of King Arthur: The Immortal Legend

The code by which nearly every character in these stories is expected to abide is that of chivalry, courtesy, or conduct fitting service to a king. Behind almost every fight or dispute is an acknowledgment of the rules of chivalry applied to that situation. “We are all bound by the rules of knighthood” (230), Sir Mador says as an appeal to King Arthur during Guinevere’s trial. Tristram’s service to King Mark, Lancelot’s devotion to Queen Guinevere, and even Arthur’s lordship over England all exemplify the etiquette that so captivated medieval culture as to compound into an entire lifestyle. The extent to which these standards of conduct ever truly guided behavior is debatable, but certainly by Malory’s time there was a sense that chivalry had been lost to a bygone era. Many of the work’s stories therefore serve to illustrate through characters’ words and actions what chivalry should look like. For example, when Tristram and Sir Dinadan learn they cannot take shelter in the castle where Palomides and Gaheris are staying unless they compete in a fighting match, they could easily ride on to the next castle; however, Tristram reminds Dinadan, “You are a knight of