Taylor, Cheryl (2008) Book review of "Marriage, Adultery, and Inheritance in Malory's Morte Darthur" by Karen Cherewatuk, D.S. Brewer, Rochester, USA. Parergon, 25 (1). pp. 198-200.

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Abstract

[Extract] This study of selected interesting aspects of the Morte Darthur ultimately offers readers a deeper understanding of Malory as a social conservative and man of his time. Karen Cherewatuk shows how the 'Tale of Sir Gareth', which Malory may have invented, and his adaptations of sources in other Tales uphold the marital and gender values of his gentry and aristocratic readers. She shows further the extent to which these values diverged from the Church's ideal of virginity and from the consensual, companionate form of marriage enshrined in canon law. Instead the secular ruling classes enforced a pragmatic moral code over sexual behaviour and inheritance, with a view to preserving civic order and building prosperity across generations. While continuing to venerate kings and lords like Arthur and Lancelot, who through inadvertence, passion or conflicted loyalties violated this code, the Morte Darthur centrally demonstrates the tragic consequences that such violation entails.

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