_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 he
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 down all 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 for the most part the
king’s enemies. But within few years after, Arthur won all the north,
Scotland, and all that were under their obeisance. 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.