e, and he had himself crowned King at Canterbury, where
he made a great feast which lasted fifteen days. After it was over, he
went to Winchester and summoned Queen Guenevere, and told her that on
a certain day he would wed her and that she should make herself ready.
Queen Guenevere's soul grew cold and heavy as she heard these words of
Sir Mordred's, for she hated him with all her might, as he hated her;
but she dared show nothing, and answered softly that she would do his
bidding, only she desired that first she might go to London to buy all
manner of things for her wedding. Sir Mordred trusted her because of
her fair speech, and let her go. Then the Queen rode to London with
all speed, and went straight to the Tower, which she filled in haste
with food, and called her men-at-arms round her. When Sir Mordred knew
how she had beguiled him he was wroth out of measure, and besieged the
Tower, and assaulted it many times with battering rams and great
engines, but could prevail nothing, for the Queen would never, for
fair speech nor for foul, give herself into his hands again.

The Bishop of Canterbury hastened unto Sir Mordred, and rebuked him
for wishing to marry his uncle's wife. 'Leave such desires,' said the
Bishop, 'or else I shall curse you with bell, book, and candle. Also,
you noise abroad that my lord Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and
therefore you will make ill work in the land.' At this Sir Mordred
waxed very wroth, and would have killed the Bishop had he not fled to
Glastonbury, where he became a hermit, and lived in poverty and prayed
all day long for the realm, for he knew that a fierce war was at hand.
Soon word came to Sir Mordred that King Arthur was hurrying home
across the seas, to be avenged on his nephew, who had proved traitor.
Wherefore Sir Mordred sent letters to all the people throughout the
kingdom, and many followed after him, for he had cunningly sown among
them that with him was great joy and softness of life, while King
Arthur would bring war and strife with him. So Sir Mordred drew with a
great host to Dover, and waited for the King. Before King Arthur and
his men could land from the boats and ships that had brought them over
the sea Sir Mordred set upon them, and there was heavy slaughter. But
in the end he and his men were driven back, and he fled, and his
people with him. After the fight was over the King ordered the dead to
be buried; and there came a man and told him that he had f