# How King Arthur was crowned, and how he made officers explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

> Chapter companion for Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

## What happens

Arthur is crowned king after pulling the sword from the stone before all the lords and commons. He forgives those who delayed him, takes his oath to be a true king, restores lands taken since Uther's death, and appoints his first officers: Sir Kay as seneschal, Sir Baudwin as constable, Sir Ulfius as chamberlain, and Sir Brastias as warden of the north. He then begins to conquer the north, Scotland, and Wales.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Governance

Arthur's coronation, oath to true justice, restoration of lands, and appointment of officers establish the foundations of his rule and the responsibilities of a rightful king.

### Honor and Reputation

Arthur forgives those who delayed him, demonstrating magnanimity and the honorable conduct expected of a king.

## Character check-ins

### King Arthur

Crowned king after pulling the sword from the stone; swears to be a true king and restores lands; appoints officers and begins conquests.

### Sir Kay

Made seneschal of England by King Arthur.

### Sir Ulfius

Made chamberlain by King Arthur.

### Sir Brastias

Made warden to wait upon the north from Trent forwards.

### Merlin

Implied through the Archbishop's role in the coronation; the Archbishop is mentioned as the one at the altar.

## Key lines

> We will have Arthur unto our king, we will put him no more in delay, for we all see that it is God’s will that he shall be our king, and who that holdeth against it, we will slay him.

The people declare Arthur their king by God's will and threaten death to anyone who opposes him.

_The commons accept Arthur's divine right to rule after he pulls the sword from the stone._

> And there was he sworn unto his lords and the commons for to be a true king, to stand with true justice from thenceforth the days of this life.

Arthur swore to his lords and the people that he would be a just king for the rest of his life.

_Arthur's oath establishes his commitment to justice as the foundation of his reign._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters