pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king
born of all England. Then the people marvelled, and told it to
the Archbishop. I command, said the Archbishop, that ye keep you
within your church and pray unto God still, that no man touch the
sword till the high mass be all done. So when all masses were
done all the lords went to behold the stone and the sword. And
when they saw the scripture some assayed, such as <8>would have
been king. But none might stir the sword nor move it. He is not
here, said the Archbishop, that shall achieve the sword, but
doubt not God will make him known. But this is my counsel, said
the Archbishop, that we let purvey ten knights, men of good fame,
and they to keep this sword. So it was ordained, and then there
was made a cry, that every man should assay that would, for to
win the sword. And upon New Year's Day the barons let make a
jousts and a tournament, that all knights that would joust or
tourney there might play, and all this was ordained for to keep
the lords together and the commons, for the Archbishop trusted
that God would make him known that should win the sword.

So upon New Year's Day, when the service was done, the barons
rode unto the field, some to joust and some to tourney, and so it
happened that Sir Ector, that had great livelihood about London,
rode unto the jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and
young Arthur that was his nourished brother; and Sir Kay was made
knight at All Hallowmass afore. So as they rode to the jousts-
ward, Sir Kay lost his sword, for he had left it at his father's
lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur for to ride for his sword.
I will well, said Arthur, and rode fast after the sword, and when
he came home, the lady and all were out to see the jousting.
Then was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, I will ride to the