I've fixed a chunk of it. The problem was that it depended on a source from the 1880s (!). Modern biographies (i.e., since 1896) have pinpointed the actual historical person believed to be him. The opening paragraph's from this 1911 encyclopedia article explain [1] (http://5.1911encyclopedia.org/M/MA/MALORY_SIR_THOMAS.htm):
Previous to the publication of Professor Kittredges monograph, Who was Sir Thomas Malory? [Mrwojo: pub. 1896] the identity of this writer remained an unsolved problem. Mr. Sidney Lee, in the Dictionary of National Biography, was compelled to admit that he could find no one of that name fulfilling the necessary conditions. Of direct evidence we have very little; in the concluding passage of the book the author asks the prayers of the reader for Syr Thomas Maleore knyght, and states that the book was ended the ix. yere of the reygne of Kyng Edward the fourth. Caxton, in his preface, says that he printed the book after a copye unto me delivered whyche copye Syr Thomas Malorye dyd take oute of certeyn bookes of frensshe and reduced it in to Englysshe ; in his colophon he repeats this statement, adding that he himself is responsible for the division of the work into books and chapters, and that it was printed in 1485. It will be noted that Caxton does not say that he received the book from Malory, only that he had received a copy made by Malory; from this Professor Kittredge draws the conclusion that the compiler was no longer living. The problem then is to find a Thomas Malory who was (a) a knight, (b) alive in the ninth year of King Edward IV. (Mar. 4, 1469Mar. 3, 1470), and (c) who was, no longer living in July (or June) 1485.
All these conditions Professor Kittredge finds fulfilled in the life of Sir Thomas Malory, knight, of Newbold Revell (or Fenny Newbold), M.P. for Warwickshire ~n. 1445. The date of Sir Thomass birth is uncertain, but he succeeded his father, Sir John, in 1433 or 1434. Previously to this he had served in France, in the retinue of the earl of Warwick, most probably during the time that that nobleman held the office of captain of Calais. It seems probable that he is also to be identified with a Thomas Malone, miles, who in 1468 was, on account of the part played by him in the Wars of the Roses, excluded with several others from the operation of a pardon issued by Edward IV. As, however, on the death of Sir Thomas on the 14th of March 1470, there was no difficulty as to inheritance, his estates passing to his grandson, he must, if this identification be correct, have come under the general amnesty of 1469. It will be seen, therefore, that so far as it is in our power to state the question this Sir Thomas Malory fulfils all the necessary conditions.
The dates rule out the "c. 1430" birth originally mentioned. It's likely the bit about him possibly being a priest could also be axed. Once the old bits are excised or rewritten, I think the "from an 1880s encyclopedia" warning could go. Also note his death date is listed as 14 March 1470; 25 March was the traditional start of the new year in Britain until the 18th century, so the 1471 year is correct in modern calendars. --Mrwojo 16:50, 2 Jan 2004 (UTC)
