by Sir Thomas Malory , Knight
Adapted for broadcasting and produced by Douglas Cleverdon from the last part of Morte Darthur edited by Eugene Vinaver from the text of the Winchester MS with music composed and conducted by P. Racine Fricker
The narrative of Sir Thomas Malory spoken by Norman Shelley
In the Winchester text the Arthurian cycle consists of eight separate tales. The last, entitled ' The Moste Pyteuous Tale of the Morte Arthure Saunz Gwerdon,' tells how Sir Aggravayne and Sir Mordred disclosed to King Arthur the love between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guenevere; how this led to strife between Lancelot and Gawayne, and war between Arthur and Mordred; with the death of Arthur, followed by the deaths of Guenevere and Lancelot. It is the most moving, the most majestic of all Malory's tales. To quote Caxton's preface, ' 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 renown.' Douglas Cleverdon
During the interval in the performance of ' The Death of Arthur ' (9.35-
9.45 app.) there will be gramophone records of two fourteenth-century songs for male soprano and tenor voices: Non al suo amante (Jacopo da Bologna); Or sus. vousdormez trop (anon.)