THE DRAWING OF THE SWORD

Typical intro of music from the period.

NARRATION INTRO

LONG, long ago, after Uther Pendragon died, there was no King in Britain, and every Knight hoped to seize the crown for himself. The country was likely to fare ill when laws were broken on every side, and the corn which was to give the poor bread was trodden underfoot, and there was none to bring the evildoer to justice. Then, when things were at their worst, came forth Merlin the magician, and fast he rode to the place where the Archbishop of Canterbury had his dwelling.

Period music fades. 

SETTING
INT
LOCATION
The dwelling of The Archbishop of Canterbury. A stilled, late night meeting where the only
sound is the warmth of the fire & the voices of Merlin & The Archbishop Of Canterbury.
TIME OF DAY
Very late at night.
ACTION
An urgent, secret meeting between Merlin & The Archbishop Of Canterbury discussing the
arrival of a mysterious stone monument encased around a metal object.

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MERLIN
‘Archbishop, it is time. The runes predicted happenings have come to bear and given me
hope for the salvation of Britain & Britons. I seek counsel with you to ensure the path of the
runes is not hindered & the true King of The Britons can come to be’ Held in stone is
pathway for Britain’s future greatness. Our new King awaits discovery and our future
CANNOT be held back.

ARCHBISHOP
‘& pray tell me, sourcerer, the name of our new King, the saviour of Britain, the saviour of all
Britons. Let us all celebrate for I will proclaim from the altars of God once we have the name
& the proof; rather than the belief of stone chippings to show us the way’

MERLIN
‘One should not ridicule the stone Archbishop, the future of Britain is foretold, for it is sworn
that whoso shall pulleth a sword from stone is, by right of birth, King Of England’

ARCHBISHOP
‘Very well Merlin, show me the stone you speak of and we shall set in motion the events to
lift our curse. If you are true then all Lords & Gentlemen should meet at the Great Church on
Christmas Day.

Song Inserted

Typical Period Music Fades Back

Narration Continues

And so, this was done. And on Christmas morning, as they left the church, they saw in the churchyard a large stone, and on it a bar of steel, and in the steel a naked sword was held, and about it was written in letters of gold, ‘Whoso pulleth out this sword is by right of birth King of Britain.’ They marvelled at these words, and called for the Archbishop, and brought him into the place where the stone stood. Then those Knights who fain would be King could not hold themselves back, and they tugged at the sword with all their might; but it never stirred. The Archbishop watched them in silence, but when they were faint from pulling he spoke: ‘The man is not here who shall lift out that sword, nor do I know where to find him. But this is my counsel–that two Knights be chosen, good and true men, to keep guard over the sword.’

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ARCHBISHOP

‘The man is not here who shall lift out that sword, nor do I know where to find him. But this is my counsel–that two Knights be chosen, good and true men, to keep guard over the sword.’

 

Narration Continues

Thus it was done. But the lords and gentlemen-at-arms cried out that every man had a right to try to win the sword, and they decided that on New Year’s Day a tournament should be held, and any Knight who would, might enter the lists. So on New Year’s Day, the Knights, as their custom was, went to hear service in the Great Church, and after it was over they met in the field to make ready for the tourney. Among them was a brave Knight called Sir Ector, who brought with him Sir Kay, his son, and Arthur, Kay’s foster-brother. Now Kay had unbuckled his sword the evening before, and in his haste to be at the tourney had forgotten to put it on again, and he begged Arthur to ride back and fetch it for him.

 

Characters Inserted

 

Sir Kay

Arthur, you have my sword? You have indeed saved the day for….me, I thank you. Sir Ector, Sir Ector, I have it! The sword from the stone and thus, I am the rightful King.

Sir Ector

It is indeed the sword from the stone my son. How did you come by the sword Sir Kay?

Sir Kay

Earlier, I discovered I had started the day swordless and despatched Arthur home to collect it for me. Despite his best efforts Arthur could not retrieve my sword and hastened to the churchyard to give me a sword. This is the sword from the stone. I MUST be The King Of Britain.

Sir Ector

We will let God judge this matter. Arthur, fetch me a holy book. Sir Kay, place your hand on the holy book, recite your account of the sword. Arthur, When Sir Kay has finished you must account for your events of the morn’ in the same manner and then, if what I suspect is true, we will revisit the graveyard.

Arthur

Here is the Holy Book Sir Ector. Why am I implicated in Sir Kay’s good fortune? I only tried to make sure my brother was correctly dressed for his occasion. I believe I have done nothing wrong.

Sir Ector

Wrong? Has anyone accused you of wrongdoing Arthur? I believe we have found the rightful King Of Britain but we must be certain. Tell me Arthur, were any other Knights present when you pulled the sword from the stone?

Arthur

No Sire, no one. The graveyard was empty of the living.

Sir Ector

Then come both, to the graveyard without haste.

At The Graveyard.

Sir Ector

Sir Kay, as my son, a Knight and a gentleman, please repeat your account for the sword in presence of God.

Sir Kay

Earlier, I discovered I had started the day swordless and despatched Arthur home to collect it for me. Despite his best efforts Arthur could not retrieve my sword and hastened to the churchyard to give me a sword. This is a true passage of events so help me God.

Sir Ector

Arthur, with the Lords book, please recount all events of the morning before, during and after collecting the sword from the stone. Bear mind, you are swearing on the name of God and will be judged if untruth is told.

Arthur

Upon the Morn Sir Kay, my brother, discovered he had left his sword at home. He requested that I recover his sword so his dress of the day would be appropriate. I was unable to gain access to the house due to the women of the house attending today’s Tournament. I was determined that my brother should be dressed in a fashion fitting but the only other sword I was aware of was the sword in the churchyard. I drew the sword easily, minding not to damage it, rode to Sir Kay’s side and presented him with his new sword. This, I swear is true, in the face of God himself, I swear.

Sir Ector

And only a fool would believe that you say anything but the truth Arthur. Thank you.

Sir Kay, replace the sword into the stone please and once more, release it from its capture when ready.

Sir Kay

By the power of the almighty I return this sword to its sheath in The hope that the King of Britain can be proclaimed.

Ugg, uff, the sword will not release to me Sir Ector, I’m afraid I do not understand.

Sir Ector

The truth is clearly there, my son. The golden scribe states ‘Whoso pulleth out this sword is by right of birth King of Britain’ and it was not you who released the sword but Arthur.

Arthur

Not I Sir, I withdrew the sword for my brother Sir Kay. The intention for the sword to be mine was never here.

Sir Ector

But only the man who removes it from the stone shall be King. Arthur, remove the sword from the stone please, once again, in the presence of God!

Arthur releases the sword

Arthur

Father, Brother please, why do you kneel before me?

Sir Ector

Nay, Nay my Lord, ‘I was never your father, though till to-day I did not know who your father really was. You are the son of Uther Pendragon, and you were brought to me when you were born by Merlin himself, who promised that when the time came I should know from whom you sprang. And now it has been revealed to me.’

Arthur

I do not understand my father. You have always treated me so well, Mother has always loved me that I had no idea. ‘If I am King,’  I ask what you will, and I shall not fail you. For you, and to my lady and mother, I owe more than to anyone in the world, for she loved me and treated me as her son.’ 

Sir Ector

‘Sir, I only ask that you make your foster-brother, Sir Kay, Seneschal of all your lands.’ 

Arthur

‘That I will readily,’ answered Arthur,’ and while he and I live no other shall fill that office.

Sir Ector

Away with all of us. We must find the Archbishop, Merlin and the Knights of Britain. There is much to arrange and many arguments to temper.

 

Narration

And on the Twelfth Day the Knights and Barons came again, but none could draw it out but Arthur. When they saw this, many of the Barons became angry and cried out that they would never own a boy for King whose blood was no better than their own. So it was agreed to wait till Candlemas, when more Knights might be there, and meanwhile the same two men who had been chosen before watched the sword night and day; but at Candlemas it was the same thing, and at Easter, And when Pentecost came, the common people who were present, and saw Arthur pull out the sword, cried with one voice that he was their King, and they would kill any man who said differently. Then rich and poor fell on their knees before him, and Arthur took the sword and offered it upon the altar where the Archbishop stood, and the best man that was there made him Knight. After that the crown was put on his head, and he swore to his lords and commons that he would be a true King, and would do them justice all the days of his life.