Copyright Sigurd Towrie

Sword in the Stone

   Malory's depiction of the sword in the stone does not match the traditional vision created by Hollywood. After matins and the first mass, word was received that in the churchyard up against the high altar was a great stone four square, like a dressed marble block. In the top middle was a foot tall anvil of steel. Within the anvil was stuck the naked sword by the point. Letters written in gold about the sword stated: "Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England." A silk tent was placed over the stone and ten knights were set to watch over it day and night, five of them always present, until the right man would come along to achieve it.