Sir Mador appeached the queen of treason, and there was
no knight would fight for her at the first time.

AND ever Sir Mador stood still afore the king, and ever he appealed the
queen of treason; for the custom was such that time that all manner
of shameful death was called treason. Fair lords, said King Arthur, me
repenteth of this trouble, but the case is so I may not have ado in this
matter, for I must be a rightful judge; and that repenteth me that I may
not do battle for my wife, for as I deem this deed came never by her.
And therefore I suppose she shall not be all distained, but that some
good knight shall put his body in jeopardy for my queen rather than she
shall be brent in a wrong quarrel. And therefore, Sir Mador, be not so
hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friendless; and therefore
desire thou thy day of battle, and she shall purvey her of some good
knight that shall answer you, or else it were to me great shame, and to
all my court.

My gracious lord, said Sir Mador, ye must hold me excused, for though
ye be our king in that degree, ye are but a knight as we are, and ye are
sworn unto knighthood as well as we; and therefore I beseech you that ye
be not displeased, for there is none of the four-and-twenty knights that
were bidden to this dinner but all they have great suspicion unto the
queen. What say ye all, my lords? said Sir Mador. Then they answered
by and by that they could not excuse the queen; for why she made the
dinner, and either it must come by her or by her servants. Alas, said
the queen, I made this dinner for a good intent, and never for none
evil, so Almighty God me help in my right, as I was never purposed to do
such evil deeds, and that I report me unto God.

My lord, the king, said Sir Mador, I require you as ye be a righteous
king give me a day that I may have justice. Well, said the king, I give
the day this day fifteen days that thou be ready armed on horseback
in the meadow beside Westminster. And if it so fall that there be any
knight to encounter with you, there mayst thou do the best, and God
speed the right. And if it so fall that there be no knight at that day,
then must my queen be burnt, and there she shall be ready to have her
judgment. I am answered, said Sir Mador. And every knight went where it
liked them.

So when the king and the queen were together the king asked the queen
how this case befell. The queen answered: So God me help, I wot not how
or in wha