to lay down his life for his
brethren. If, therefore, any of you shall be killed in this war, that
death itself, which is suffered in so glorious a cause, shall be to him
for penance and absolution of all his sins." At these words, all of
them, encouraged with the benediction of the holy prelate, instantly
armed themselves.... Upon [Arthur's shield] the picture of the blessed
Mary, Mother of God, was painted, in order to put him frequently in mind
of her.... In this manner was a great part of that day also spent;
whereupon Arthur, provoked to see the little advantage he had yet
gained, and that victory still continued in suspense, drew out his
Caliburn [Excalibur, Tennyson], and calling upon the name of the blessed
Virgin, rushed forward with great fury into the thickest of the enemy's
ranks; of whom (such was the merit of his prayers) not one escaped alive
that felt the fury of his sword; neither did he give over the fury of
his assault until he had, with his Caliburn alone, killed four hundred
and seventy men. The Britons, seeing this, followed their leader in
great multitudes, and made slaughter on all sides; so that Colgrin and
Baldulph, his brother, and many thousands more, fell before them. But
Cheldric, in his imminent danger of his men, betook himself to flight.

ARTHUR INCREASES HIS DOMINIONS

After this, having invited over to him all persons whatsoever that were
famous for valor in foreign nations, he began to augment the number of
his domestics, and introduced such politeness into his court as people
of the remotest countries thought worthy of their imitation. So that
there was not a nobleman who thought himself of any consideration unless
his clothes and arms were made in the same fashion as those of Arthur's
knights. At length the fame of his munificence and valor spreading over
the whole world, he became a terror to the kings of other countries, who
grievously feared the loss of their dominions if he should make any
attempt upon them.... Arthur formed a design for the conquest of all
Europe.... At the end of nine years, in which time all the parts of Gaul
were entirely reduced, Arthur returned back to Paris, where he kept his
court, and calling an assembly of the clergy and people, established
peace and the just administration of the laws in that kingdom. Then he
bestowed Neustria, now called Normandy, upon Bedoer, his butler; the
province of Andegavia upon Caius, his sewer; and several other provinces