Stories from Le Morte DArthur and the Mabinogion | Page 6

people hastened to obey the Archbishop's commands, and, from all
sides, barons and knights came riding in to keep the birth-feast of our

Lord. And when they had prayed, and were coming forth from the
cathedral, they saw a strange sight. There, in the open space before the
church, stood, on a great stone, an anvil thrust through with a sword;
and on the stone were written these words: "Whoso can draw forth this
sword, is rightful King of Britain born."
At once there were fierce quarrels, each man clamouring to be the first
to try his fortune, none doubting his own success. Then the Archbishop
decreed that each should make the venture in turn, from the greatest
baron to the least knight; and each in turn, having put forth his utmost
strength, failed to move the sword one inch, and drew back ashamed.
So the Archbishop dismissed the company, and having appointed
guards to watch over the stone, sent messengers through all the land to
give word of great jousts to be held in London at Easter, when each
knight could give proof of his skill and courage, and try whether the
adventure of the sword was for him.
Among those who rode to London at Easter was the good Sir Ector, and
with him his son, Sir Kay, newly made a knight, and the young Arthur.
When the morning came that the jousts should begin, Sir Kay and
Arthur mounted their horses and set out for the lists; but before they
reached the field, Kay looked and saw that he had left his sword behind.
Immediately Arthur turned back to fetch it for him, only to find the
house fast shut, for all were gone to view the tournament. Sore vexed
was Arthur, fearing lest his brother Kay should lose his chance of
gaining glory, till, of a sudden, he bethought him of the sword in the
great anvil before the cathedral. Thither he rode with all speed, and the
guards having deserted their post to view the tournament, there was
none to forbid him the adventure. He leaped from his horse, seized the
hilt, and instantly drew forth the sword as easily as from a scabbard;
then, mounting his horse and thinking no marvel of what he had done,
he rode after his brother and handed him the weapon.
When Kay looked at it, he saw at once that it was the wondrous sword
from the stone. In great joy he sought his father, and showing it to him,
said: "Then must I be King of Britain." But Sir Ector bade him say how
he came by the sword, and when Sir Kay told how Arthur had brought

it to him, Sir Ector bent his knee to the boy, and said: "Sir, I perceive
that ye are my King, and here I tender you my homage"; and Kay did as
his father. Then the three sought the Archbishop, to whom they related
all that had happened; and he, much marvelling, called the people
together to the great stone, and bade Arthur thrust back the sword and
draw it forth again in the presence of all, which he did with ease. But an
angry murmur arose from the barons, who cried that what a boy could
do, a man could do; so, at the Archbishop's word, the sword was put
back, and each man, whether baron or knight, tried in his turn to draw it
forth, and failed. Then, for the third time, Arthur drew forth the sword.
Immediately there arose from the people a great shout: "Arthur is King!
Arthur is King! We will have no King but Arthur"; and, though the
great barons scowled and threatened, they fell on their knees before
him while the Archbishop placed the crown upon his head, and swore
to obey him faithfully as their lord and sovereign.
Thus Arthur was made King; and to all he did justice, righting wrongs
and giving to all their dues. Nor was he forgetful of those that had been
his friends; for Kay, whom he loved as a brother, he made Seneschal
and chief of his household, and to Sir Ector, his foster-father, he gave
broad lands.

CHAPTER II
THE ROUND TABLE
Thus Arthur was made King, but he had to fight for his own; for eleven
great kings drew together and refused to acknowledge him as their lord,
and chief amongst the rebels was King Lot of Orkney who had married
Arthur's sister, Bellicent.
By Merlin's advice, Arthur sent for help overseas, to Ban and Bors, the
two great Kings who ruled in Gaul. With their aid, he overthrew his
foes in a great battle near the river Trent; and then he passed with them
into their own lands and helped them drive out