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King Arthur
King Arthur was a hero of Celtic legends. The story of Arthur and his magic sword, Excalibur, became very popular in the Middle Ages. Sir Thomas Malory wrote a version of the story in 1485 and this became the basis of the legend we know today.
Young Arthur
In the year 493, Uther Pendragon became King of Britain. He had a counsellor named Merlin. Merlin was also a magician.When King Uther's son Arthur was born in Tintagel, Merlin said, " Your son must grow up away from the court. It is safer !" Merlin gave the baby son to Sir Ector and his wife. They raised him well. When King Uther died in 509, Britain had no king. The country had many problems. Merlin went to the Archbishop of Canterbury and said "Britain must have a king. We must find one. Call all the noblemen of the kingdom. Tell them to meet at the great Church in London on Christmas Day. There, God will show us the new king."
On Christmas Day, all the noblemen were in the great church. Outside the church there was a big stone with a sword in it. These words were written on the big stone : He who pulls the sword out of this stone is the true King of Britain.
The sword in the stone
Each nobleman tried to pull the sword out of the stone. No one was able to do it. On New Year's Day, the sword was still in the stone. Arthur was there with Sir Ector. Arthur pulled the sword out of the stone without difficulty ! This was the sign from God. All the noblemen were surprised. He was the new King of Britain. Sir Ector said, "Arthur, you are now the King of Britain." "Father, I don't want to leave you!"
"I'm not your real father. I don't know who you are. The magician Merlin brought you to us when you were born. I raised you like a son, and I love you. Now you are a King."
Merlin said to the noblemen, "This is King Uther's son and he is our new King."
Young Arthur first became a knight. Then he became King of Britain.
Britain has a King.
Arthur was a young king. He was about twenty years old. He lived at Camelot, in Cadbury Castle. King Arthur was very adventurous. He liked riding his horse and looking for adventures. He was courageous, loyal and friendly. His people loved him.
His first years as a king were difficult. He fought against many enemies from other lands, particularly the Saxons. First they fought with their lances. Then they fought with their swords. During the fight, Arthur's sword broke.
Excalibur
Arthur rode away with Merlin and said, " I broke my sword during the fight. I am king because of that sword. I must have another sword."
"Come with me then", said Merlin.
Arthur followed Merlin to a lake of clear water. In the middle of the lake, Arthur saw an arm. The arm was holding a sword with a beautiful scabbard.
"Look!" said Merlin. " That is the sword and that is the Lady of the Lake. Ask her kindly and the sword is yours."
Arthur saw a beautiful lady in a boat on the lake. He asked her, "Can I have that sword ? " She answered, "Yes, you can have it. Take my boat and go and get it." Arthur and Merlin went to the middle of the lake. There Arthur took the sword. It was a beautiful sword with jewels on it.
"Look, Merlin, "he said, "the word Excalibur is written on it."
"Yes, Excalibur is the greatest sword in the world, it has magic power, when you wear it, you never bleed even if you are wounded.
Arthur meets Guinevere.
Guinevere was young and very beautiful. Arthur fell in love with her. He wanted to marry her. Guinevere's father was very happy about this marriage. "I am honoured to give my daughter to our courageous king! My gift to King Arthur is the Round Table, which belonged to his father, King Uther." Arthur and Guinevere were married. There was an enormous banquet. Everyone in the kingdom was happy.
The Holy Grail
One day the knights were sitting at the Round Table. They were celebrating a religious holiday. Suddenly, there was a loud noise. Then there was a strong light. A green bowl covered with a cloth moved around the room. Invisible hands carried it. After a moment, the green bowl disappeared.
"That was the Holy Grail!" exclaimed King Arthur. "That is where Christ's blood was kept after he was crucified."The knights were amazed. They all wanted to see the Holy Grail. All the knights wanted to travel distant lands to find the Holy Grail. There was great excitement at the Round Table. King Arthur was very worried. He knew that the search for the Holy Grail was dangerous.
In fact, many knights died during the search. Others never returned to Camelot. Only three knights found the Holy Grail. They were Galahad, Percival and Bors. The three knights travelled to distant lands. After many dangerous adventures, they found the Holy Grail.
But they had to stay away from the kingdom for several years. On their return, Arthur learnt his wife didn't love him anymore. She was in love with Lancelot and she fled to France with him. Arthur was devastated by the treachery of his beloved wife and his favourite knight.
Before leaving Camelot, King Arthur spoke to a knight called Mordred. " Mordred, I ask you to rule my land until I return. I know you are a loyal man." King Arthur and his knights left Britain to go to war. But Mordred was not loyal. He wanted to take King Arthur's place. He wanted to be King of Britain !
So Mordred told everyone that Arthur was killed in the war in France. Mordred became King of Britain. When King Arthur heard the news, he was furious. He returned to Britain immediately. He found Mordred and his army. There was a long, terrible battle. At the end of the battle, king Arthur took his spear and killed Mordred. But Mordred's sword went through Arthur's helmet and his head. The great king died and was buried in Glastonbury.