Little is known about the life of the author of the most famous and influential prose version of the legends of King Arthur, and eventually the question arises whether he existed at all.

According to Caxton, "Le Morte Darthur" was written while Malory was in prison.

It is known that a rebel, Sir Thomas Malory of Newbold Revel in Warwickshire, was confined at London's Newgate prison after his disputes with the local priory, related to Lancastrian-Yorkist politics.

Indeed, early in the text of "Le Morte Darthur", the author refers to himself as a knight-prisoner.

He also mentions that he loves chivalry, hunting, tournaments, and had read an extensive collection of Arthurian romances.