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Chapter VIII
AnontheDukewassentaprisonertoDoverforhislife,andrentsandtaxeswereassignedfordowryoftheDuchessandherchildren.
Thenwentheonwithallhishosts,winningalltownsandcastles,andwastingthemthatrefusedobedience,tillhecametoViterbo.FromthencehesenttoRome,toaskthesenatorswhethertheywouldreceivehimfortheirlordandgovernor.Inanswer,cameouttohimalltheSenatewhoremainedalive,andtheCardinals,withamajesticretinueandprocession;andlayinggreattreasuresathisfeet,theyprayedhimtocomeinatoncetoRome,andtherebepeaceablycrownedasEmperor.“AtthisnextChristmas,”saidKingArthur,“willIbecrowned,andholdmyRoundTableinyourcity.”
AnonheenteredRome,inmightypompandstate;andafterhimcameallhishosts,andhisknights,andprinces,andgreatlords,arrayedingoldandjewels,suchasneverwerebeheldbefore.AndthenwashecrownedEmperorbythePope’shands,withallthehighestsolemnitythatcouldbemade.
Thenafterhiscoronation,heabodeinRomeforaseason,settlinghislandsandgivingkingdomstohisknightsandservants,toeachoneafterhisdeserving,andinsuchwisefashionthatnomanamongthemallcomplained.Alsohemademanydukesandearls,andloadedallhismen-at-armswithrichesandgreattreasures