Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Week 12 Reading Notes A: The Drawing of the Sword





  • Uther Pendragon died without anyone to take over
  • All Knights hoped to seize the crown for themselves
    • All/most of the knights wanted power rather than to protect the people
    • Knights focused more on trying to become King than to help the people
  • Merlin rode to the Archbishop of Canterbury and summoned all the lords and gentlemen of Britain to London on Christmas
  • Large stone with a bar of steel on top with a sword inside, inscribed with the words: "Whoso pulleth out this sword is by right of birth King of England"
  • Many tried to pull the sword but failed
  • Knights decided that all had a right to try and win the sword, and held a tournament
  • Sir Ector, a Knight, brought his son Kay and foster-son Arthur
  • Kay forgot his sword and sent Arthur back for it
  • House was locked up and Arthur couldn't get in, so he went and took the sword in the stone
    • Somehow Arthur was unaware that the sword was the sword of selection?
  • Arthur brings sword to Kay, who brings it to his father Ector
  • After Ector is told of what happened and Arthur returns the sword and draws it again, he and Kay kneel for Arthur
  • They tell the Archbishop, and prove the feat to him and everyone who comes to watch (on Candlemas, when more Knights and others are present)
  • Arthur is crowned king

  • For story: Make the person who pulls out the sword not Arthur
    • Instead of right of birth, Merlin makes the sword go to the person who is most fit to lead the country
    • Arthur is aware of what the sword is
      • Ector knew of Arthur's heritage and told him, so Arthur believed that he was the rightful king
      • Instead of taking the sword for Kay, he takes advantage of everyone being gone and tries to pull the sword
      • Fails
      • Arthur doesn't want power for power's sake, but still believes it is his birthright and is confused at the failure
    • Another named Artus is the true ruler
      • Artus is in the square later that evening
      • Hears someone getting assaulted nearby, draws sword and goes to protect them
      • Many see him pull the sword and follow, watching him protect a peasant from being assaulted by a noble's soldier



Bibliography:

Image: Excalibur Sword in Stone among the Celtic Standing Stones at Glen Innes New England by denisbin on flickr. Web Source.

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