King Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
General
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthurian romances
Anon, they left the church and went to the archbishop to tell him that
the sword had been achieved. And when he saw the sword in Arthur's hand
he set a day and summoned all the princes, knights, and barons to meet
again at St. Paul's Church and see the will of Heaven signified. So when
they came together, the sword was put back in the stone, and all tried,
from the greatest to the least, to move it; but there before them all
not one could take it out save Arthur only.
But then befell a great confusion and dispute, for some cried out it was
the will of Heaven, and, "Long live King Arthur," but many more were
full of wrath and said, "What! would ye give the ancient scepter of this
land unto a boy born none know how?" And the contention growing greatly,
till nothing could be done to pacify their rage, the meeting was at
length broken up by the archbishop and adjourned till Candlemas, when
all should meet again.
But when Candlemas was come, Arthur alone again pulled forth the sword,
though more than ever came to win it; and the barons, sorely vexed and
angry, put it in delay till Easter. But as he had sped before so he did
at Easter, and the barons yet once more contrived delays till Pentecost.
But now the archbishop, fully seeing God's will, called together, by
Merlin's counsel, a band of knights and gentlemen-at-arms, and set them
about Arthur to keep him safely till the Feast of Pentecost. And when at
the feast Arthur still again alone prevailed to move the sword, the
people all with one accord cried out, "Long live King Arthur! we will
have no more delay, nor any other king, for so it is God's will; and we
will slay whoso resisteth Him and Arthur;" and wherewithal they kneeled
down all at once, and cried for Arthur's grace and pardon that they had
so long delayed him from his crown. Then he full sweetly and
majestically pardoned them; and taking in his hand the sword, he offered
it upon the high altar of the church.
Anon was he solemnly knighted with great pomp by the most famous knight
there present, and the crown was placed upon his head; and, having
taken oath to all the people, lords and commons, to be true king and
deal in justice only unto his life's end, he received homage and service
from all the barons who held lands and castles from the crown. Then he
made Sir Key, High Steward of England, and Sir Badewaine of Britain,
Constable, and Sir Ulfius, Chamberlain: and after this, with all his
court and a great retinue of knights and armed men, he journeyed into
Wales, and was crowned again in the old city of Caerleon-upon-Usk.
Meanwhile those knights and barons who had so long delayed him from the
crown, met together and went up to the coronation feast at Caerleon, as
if to do him homage; and there they ate and drank such things as were
set before them at the royal banquet, sitting with the others in the
great hall.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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