The multi-volume project responds to long-standing lacunae in
Old French text study and Arthurian scholarship, in that it aims to
provide a linguistically and scribally authentic text of a single
illustrated Arthurian manuscript; in this case, it is one that has
never before been edited, collated, or translated. Since research
on text, language, and manuscript may be impeded by editorial
policies operative in older editions of medieval narratives and
since viewing the manuscripts directly is often difficult or
impossible, the editorial board set protocols for the Lancelot
Prose of 229 editions that would address the need for
authentic, accessible texts, packaged with ancillaries to address a
variety of reading and experience levels. At the same time, the
board wished to take into account the potential of electronic
images to enhance scholarly work and teaching based on the
editions. The idea of a strictly “diplomatic edition”
was discarded in light of digital technology’s ability to
provide high-resolution images of an original that are useful for
close private study and public viewing. Thus each edition provides
a useful, portable, authentic reading of Old French Arthurian
narrative that is supported externally by online electronic images
and internally by a selection of wonderful illustrations and a
variety of ancillary materials and essays developed through years
of study and teaching based on Yale 229.
The Mort begins with the return of Bohors from the
quest of the Holy Grail and narrates the declining fortunes of King
Arthur and his Round Table through the dissolution of the Table and
the “death” of Arthur. The tale includes
Morgain’s efforts to convince Arthur of Lancelot and
Guinevere’s adultery, Lancelot’s battle to save
Guinevere from burning at the stake, the dramatic discovery of
Guinevere and Lancelot by Arthur’s knights, the departure of
Arthur from his kingdom to fight Lancelot, and Arthur’s
leaving his Kingdom, the keys to his treasury, and his Queen in the
hands of the treacherous Mordret. In the closing folios, Arthur is
mortally wounded by Mordret at the apocalyptic Battle of Salisbury
Plain, and Lancelot returns to avenge Arthur against
Mordret’s two sons at the final Battle of Winchester. The
book closes shortly after the death of Lancelot, with a rejection
of the life of court and chivalry in favor of penance and spiritual
fulfillment.