Kabanata Kabanata 92 · How King Arthur held a parliament at York, and how he

. How King Arthur held a parliament at York, and how he

ordained the realm should be governed in his absence.

Now leave we of Lucius the Emperor and speak we of King Arthur, that

commanded all them of his retinue to be ready at the utas of Hilary for

to hold a parliament at York. And at that parliament was concluded to

arrest all the navy of the land, and to be ready within fifteen days at

Sandwich, and there he showed to his army how he purposed to conquer

the empire which he ought to have of right. And there he ordained two

governors of this realm, that is to say, Sir Baudwin of Britain, for to

counsel to the best, and Sir Constantine, son to Sir Cador of Cornwall,

which after the death of Arthur was king of this realm. And in the

presence of all his lords he resigned the rule of the realm and

Guenever his queen to them, wherefore Sir Launcelot was wroth, for he

left Sir Tristram with King Mark for the love of Beale Isould. Then the

Queen Guenever made great sorrow for the departing of her lord and

other, and swooned in such wise that the ladies bare her into her

chamber. Thus the king with his great army departed, leaving the queen

and realm in the governance of Sir Baudwin and Constantine. And when he

was on his horse he said with an high voice, If I die in this journey I

will that Sir Constantine be mine heir and king crowned of this realm

as next of my blood. And after departed and entered into the sea at

Sandwich with all his army, with a great multitude of ships, galleys,

cogs, and dromounds, sailing on the sea.