Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How Arthur was chosen king, and of wonders and marvels of a sword taken out of a stone by the said Arthur. explained
The Archbishop of Canterbury, advised by Merlin, summons all lords and gentlemen to London at Christmas to pray for a miracle revealing the rightful king.
What happens
The Archbishop of Canterbury, advised by Merlin, summons all lords and gentlemen to London at Christmas to pray for a miracle revealing the rightful king. A sword appears in a stone in the churchyard, inscribed that whoever pulls it out is the true king. Many try and fail. On New Year's Day, during a tournament, young Arthur retrieves the sword for his brother Sir Kay, who initially claims it. Sir Ector makes Kay confess the truth, and Arthur demonstrates he can replace and remove the sword, proving his destiny.
Themes in this chapter
Kingship and Governance
The chapter establishes the divine selection of the rightful king through the sword in the stone, emphasizing legitimate rule and the role of the church and Merlin in guiding the realm.
Fate and Tragedy
Arthur's destiny is revealed through a miraculous event, underscoring the theme of fate as an inescapable force that determines the course of the kingdom.
Characters to notice
- King Arthur
Young Arthur, the nourished brother of Sir Kay, pulls the sword from the stone, revealing his destiny as the rightful king.
- Merlin
Merlin advises the Archbishop to summon the lords and gentlemen to London for the miracle of the sword.
- Sir Kay
Sir Kay loses his sword and sends Arthur to fetch it; he initially claims the sword from the stone as his own.
- Sir Ector de Maris
Sir Ector, father of Sir Kay and foster father of Arthur, discovers the truth and acknowledges Arthur as the rightful king.
Key passages
“Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England.”
Whoever pulls this sword from the stone and anvil is the true-born king of all England.
The inscription on the sword establishes the divine test for kingship.
“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.”
I will go to the churchyard and take the sword from the stone, so my brother Sir Kay will have a sword today.
Arthur's decision to fetch the sword from the stone, driven by concern for his brother, leads to his destiny.