Meet the Middle Ages
BackKing Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
As we enter the story, several knights have just tried to pull the magic sword Excalibur, from a marble anvil. The one to succeed will inherit the kingdom. Arthur is the legitimate heir, but only Merlin the Wizard and two knights know this. Now, Merlin has taken Arthur to the Arch Bishop, to let him prove his identity.
"Have I then permission to draw the sword from the anvil, your Grace?", asked Arthur.
"You have my permission", answered the Arch Bishop, "and may God be with you".
Arthur went up to the block of marble, seized the sword which was stuck in it and pulled. And behold! The weapon came free at once. He stood there, sword in hand, waving it above his head so that the blade flashed in the sunlight. When he had swung the sword three times, he pressed the point of the sword against the anvil. Without further ado, the sword slid back in its place. In this way, Arthur performed the miracle of the sword in front of the crowd.
When the people who had gathered in the square saw the miracle performed before them, they cheered and shouted and the earth shook at the sound of their voices."