Of the Knights of the Round Table in England.
IT is said by many writers, that the Order of the 〈◊〉 was inftituted in imitation 〈◊〉 the Round Table: but I can give no great assurance of it; only I believe it probable enough; the beginning of them both agreeing also in some kind of Analogy. This of the Round Table, (for so much as is remaining in History) appears to me to have been the most noble in the world, either before or since, for ought yet I can understand. And pity it were the memory of it should perish, as it is almost; being buried in the metamorphosis of ridiculous fables; and by that means only 〈◊〉, with the shadowie reputation of a Romance, in the minds of many, and indeed most men.
It was erected by King Arthur, who reigned in the year of our Redemption 490. and conque∣red Norway, Scotland, and so much of France that he was crowned King of Paris: as both ours and the French annals testifie. Of this King many fabulous things have been writ; but we may collect so much from the more serious, as may assute us that without doubt many noble and (beyond ordinary) heroick acts were Page 185 performed by this generous Prince. Which caused the society of this Order to shine with so much the more splendor than the ordinary stars of this sublunary world: insomuch that it is recorded in some Chronologies, that at one time summoning them to a meet∣ing at a place in Wales, called Carlion, or Car∣lignion, there resorted to him ten Kings, thir∣teen Earls, and many Barons, and other per∣sons of great quality that were of the Frater∣nity.
This I have also in Sir William Segar; and in * a very antient Chronicle which I have seen my selfe in Manuscript in that Country; which was much the same with the relations I have since met with, of this Order.
And that these Kings were not petty Kings must be understood, since there was at that time no Heptarchy, or Provincial Kings, but all Mo∣narchies, much in the same nature as they have been in our ages.
This King is generally reported by Chrono∣logers (and some of them solid too) to be taken alive from the earth; or at least miracu∣lously disposed of, invisibly: but this is a riddle too great for me to unfold. Many of them 〈◊〉 this fable I conjecture from an Epitaph that Merlin writ on him, Hic jacet Arturus, Rex quondam, Rex{que} futurus. Which very thing to my Judgement must make clear that he was buryed; which is their argument that he was not.
Page 186 The Order or Fraternity however, was certainly in very great repute in the world, and being only a banquet of Honor could not but whet the emulations of all generous spi∣rits; for none were admitted to it but such as had shewed their merit by some eminent ex∣ploit.
Their place of convention was Winchester; where they had their Round Table, and at the Feast of Pentecost they alwayes met and feasted. So saith Sir William Segar, (in whose Orders of Knighthood the articles of this Order are set down): but others are of another opinion, and tell us that Windsor Castle was the most peculiar place, where a Round Table was erect∣ed * for their meeting, being a Castle built by the same King; and the Records of the place shew us as much, though Winchester may sometimes have been the place, according as the time of * the Kings being in progresse or keeping his Court accidentally there; as sometimes it was at Carleon; and sometimes in the North.
