book maketh no mention, all the estates were long or day in the church

for to pray. And when matins and the first mass was done, there was

seen in the churchyard, against the high altar, a great stone four

square, like unto a marble stone; and in midst thereof was like an

anvil of steel a foot on high, and therein stuck a fair sword naked by

the point, and letters there were written in gold about the sword that

said thus:—Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is

rightwise king born of all England. Then the people marvelled, and told

it to the Archbishop.

I command, said the Archbishop, that ye keep you within your church and

pray unto God still, that no man touch the sword till the high mass be

all done. So when all masses were done all the lords went to behold the

stone and the sword. And when they saw the scripture some assayed, such

as would have been king. But none might stir the sword nor move it. He

is not here, said the Archbishop, that shall achieve the sword, but

doubt not God will make him known. But this is my counsel, said the

Archbishop, that we let purvey ten knights, men of good fame, and they

to keep this sword. So it was ordained, and then there was made a cry,

that every man should assay that would, for to win the sword. And upon

New Year’s Day the barons let make a jousts and a tournament, that all

knights that would joust or tourney there might play, and all this was

ordained for to keep the lords together and the commons, for the

Archbishop trusted that God would make him known that should win the

sword.

So upon New Year’s Day, when the service was done, the barons rode unto

the field, some to joust and some to tourney, and so it happened that

Sir Ector, that had great livelihood about London, rode unto the

jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was

his nourished brother; and Sir Kay was made knight at All Hallowmass

afore. So as they rode to the jousts-ward, Sir Kay lost his sword, for

he had left it at his father’s lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur

for to ride for his sword. I will well, said Arthur, and rode fast

after the sword, and when he came home, the lady and all were out to

see the jousting. Then was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, I will

ride to the churchyard, and take the sword with me that sticketh in the

stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword this day. So

when he came to the churchyard, Sir Arthur alighted and tied his horse

to the stile, and so he went to the tent, and found no knights there,

for they were at the jousting. And so he handled the sword by the

handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone, and took

his horse and rode his way until he came to his brother Sir Kay, and

delivered him the sword. And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist

well it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir

Ector, and said: Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone, wherefore I

must be king of this land. When Sir Ector beheld the sword, he returned

again and came to the church, and there they alighted all three, and

went into the church. And anon he made Sir Kay swear upon a book how he

came to that sword. Sir, said Sir Kay, by my brother Arthur, for he

brought it to me. How gat ye this sword? said Sir Ector to Arthur. Sir,

I will tell you. When I came home for my brother’s sword, I found

nobody at home to deliver me his sword; and so I thought my brother Sir

Kay should not be swordless, and so I came hither eagerly and pulled it

out of the stone without any pain. Found ye any knights about this

sword? said Sir Ector. Nay, said Arthur. Now, said Sir Ector to Arthur,

I understand ye must be king of this land. Wherefore I, said Arthur,

and for what cause? Sir, said Ector, for God will have it so; for there

should never man have drawn out this sword, but he that shall be

rightwise king of this land. Now let me see whether ye can put the

sword there as it was, and pull it out again. That is no mastery, said

Arthur, and so he put it in the stone; wherewithal Sir Ector assayed to

pull out the sword and failed.