_How Sir Launcelot passed over the sea, and how he made great lords of
the knights that went with him._
Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I thank you all of your good saying,
howbeit, I wot well, in me was not all the stability of this realm. But
in that I might I did my devoir, and well, I am sure, I knew many
rebellions in my days that by me were appeased; and I trow we all shall
hear of them in short space, and that me sore repenteth. For ever I
dread me, said Sir Launcelot, that Sir Mordred will make trouble, for
he is passing envious, and applieth him to trouble. So they were
accorded to go with Sir Launcelot to his lands. And to make short tale,
they trussed, and paid all that would ask them. And wholly an hundred
knights departed with Sir Launcelot at once, and made their avows they
would never leave him for weal nor for woe; and so they shipped at
Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick: some men call it Bayonne, and some
men call it Beaume, where the wine of Beaume is. But to say the sooth,
Sir Launcelot and his nephews were lords of all France, and of all the
lands that longed unto France, he and his kindred rejoiced it all
through Sir Launcelot’s noble prowess. And then Sir Launcelot stuffed
and furnished and garnished all his noble towns and castles. Then all
the people of those lands came unto Sir Launcelot on foot and hands.
And so when he had established all these countries, he shortly called a
parliament; and there he crowned Sir Lionel king of France; and Sir
Bors he crowned him king of all king Claudas’ lands; and Sir Ector de
Maris, that was Sir Launcelot’s youngest brother, he crowned him king
of Benwick, and also king of all Guienne, that was Sir Launcelot’s own
land. And he made Sir Ector prince of them all, and thus he departed.
Then Sir Launcelot advanced all his noble knights, and first he
advanced them of his blood; that was Sir Blamor he made him duke of
Limosin in Guienne, and Sir Bleoberis he made him duke of Poictiers,
and Sir Gahalantin he made him duke of Querne, and Sir Galihodin he
made him duke of Sentonge, and Sir Galihud he made him earl of Perigot,
and Sir Menadeuke he made him earl of Roerge, and Sir Villiers the
valiant he made him earl of Bearn, and Sir Hebes le Renoumes he made
him earl of Comange, and Sir Lavaine he made him earl of Arminak, and
Sir Urre he made him earl of Estrake, and Sir Neroneus he made him earl
of Pardiak, and Sir Plenorius he made him earl of Foise, and Sir
Selises of the dolorous tower he made him earl of Masauke, and sir
Melias de Lile he made him earl of Tursauk, and Sir Bellangere le Bewse
he made him earl of the Landes, and Sir Palamides he made him duke of
the Provence, and Sir Safir he made him duke of Langedok, and Sir
Clegis he gave him the earldom of Agente, and Sir Sadok he gave him the
earldom of Surlat, and Sir Dinas le seneschal he made him duke of
Anjou, and Sir Clarrus he made him duke of Normandy. Thus Sir Launcelot
rewarded his noble knights, and many more, that me seemeth it were too
long to rehearse.