CHAPTER VII. How King Arthur was crowned, and how he made officers.
And at the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the
sword that would assay; but none might prevail but Arthur, and pulled
it out afore all the lords and commons that were there, wherefore all
the commons cried at once, We will have Arthur unto our king, we will
put him no more in delay, for we all see that it is God’s will that he
shall be our king, and who that holdeth against it, we will slay him.
And therewithal they kneeled at once, both rich and poor, and cried
Arthur mercy because they had delayed him so long, and Arthur forgave
them, and took the sword between both his hands, and offered it upon
the altar where the Archbishop was, and so was he made knight of the
best man that was there. And so anon was the coronation made. And there
was he sworn unto his lords and the commons for to be a true king, to
stand with true justice from thenceforth the days of this life. Also
then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in, and to do
service as they ought to do. And many complaints were made unto Sir
Arthur of great wrongs that were done since the death of King Uther, of
many lands that were bereaved lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen.
Wherefore King Arthur made the lands to be given again unto them that
owned them.
When this was done, that the king had stablished all the countries
about London, then he let make Sir Kay seneschal of England; and Sir
Baudwin of Britain was made constable; and Sir Ulfius was made
chamberlain; and Sir Brastias was made warden to wait upon the north
from Trent forwards, for it was that time the most party the king’s
enemies. But within few years after Arthur won all the north, Scotland,
and all that were under their obeissance. Also Wales, a part of it,
held against Arthur, but he overcame them all, as he did the remnant,
through the noble prowess of himself and his knights of the Round
Table.
CHAPTER VIII. How King Arthur held in Wales, at a Pentecost, a great
feast, and what kings and lords came to his feast.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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