Was maad beginne a middel bord.'
The context shews that this was at supper-time, and that the knight was placed in this honourable position by the marshal of the hall.
Further illustrations are also given by Warton, ed. 1840, i. 174, footnote, shewing that the phrases began the dese (daïs) and began the table were also in use, with the same sense. I can add another clear instance from Sir Beves of Hamptoun, ed. Kölbing, E. E. T. S., p. 104, where we find in one text (l. 2122)—
'Thow schelt this dai be priour,
And beginne oure deis' [daïs];
where another text has (l. 1957) the reading—
Palmer, thou semest best to me,
Therfore men shal worshyp the;
Begyn the borde, I the pray.'