Before

“Then the people marvelled and told it to the Archbishop. . . .  So when all masses were done, all the lords went to behold the stone and the sword.  And when they saw the scripture, some essayed; 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 the sword.’

“So it was ordained, and then there was made a cry, that every man should essay that would, for to win the sword. . . .

“Now 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 rode unto the jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was his nourished brother.  So as they rode to the jousts-ward, Sir Kay had 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 alit 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 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 alit all three, and went into the church.  And anon he made Sir Kay to 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 got ye this sword?’ said Sir Ector to Arthur.

“’Sir, I will tell you.  When I came home for my brother’s sword, I found no body at home to deliver me his sword, and so I thought my brother Sir Kay should not go swordless, and so I came hither eagerly and pulled it out of the stone without any pain.’

“‘Found ye any knights about the 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 should be rightwise king of this land.  Now let me see if ye can put the sword there as it was and pull it out again.’