need that is come to this nation by Constantin's death--therefore he
is uneasy--and of Constance the child, that he had holden. And I bade
him for love of God, to take off the child's hood, and for such need
he should be king in the country. And the abbot took his counsel, and
did all that I bade him; and here I have his monks, who are good and
chief, who shall witness bear before you all. Lo! where here is the
same child, make we hereof a king, and here I hold the crown that
thereto behoveth, and whoso will this withsay, he shall it buy dear!"

Vortiger was most strong, the highest man of Britain, was there never
any so bold that his words durst deprecate. In the same town was the
archbishop dead, and there was no bishop that forth on his way did not
pass, nor monk nor any abbot, that he on his way did not ride, for
they durst not for fear of God do there the wrong, to take the monk
child, and make him Britain's king. Vortiger saw this--of all evil he
was well ware, up he gan to stand, the crown he took in hand, and he
set it upon Constance--that was to him in thought. Was there never any
man that might there do Christendom, that might do blessing upon the
king, but Vortiger alone did it clean for all! The beginning was
unfair, and also was the end, he deserted God's hood (holy order),
therefore he had sorrow! Thus was Constance king of this land, and
Vortiger was his steward.

Constance set all his kingdom in Vortiger's hand, and he did all in
the land, as he himself would. Then saw Vortiger--of much evil he was
ware--that Constance the king knew nothing of land (government?), for
he had not learnt ever any learning, except what a monk should perform
in his monastery. Vortiger saw that--the Worse was full nigh him!--oft
he bethought him what he might do, how he might with leasing please
the king. Now thou mayest hear, how this traitor gan him fare. The