Malory's description of himself as 'the servant of Jesu both day and night' has been assumed to imply that he was a priest, but his description of himself as a 'knight' confutes the suggestion. Pious ejaculation at the conclusion of their labours is characteristic of medieval authors.

In our forefathers' time...few books were read in our tongue, saving certain books of Chivalry...as one for example, Morte Arthure: the whole pleasure of which…

For herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the go…

Thou Sir Launcelot, there thou liest, that thou were never matched of earthly knight's hand. And thou were the courteoust knight that ever bare shield. And tho…