Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 3 summary
Chapter 3 of 503 · 7 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 3, Merlin places Uther and Igraine’s son Arthur with Sir Ector, and Uther dies after blessing Arthur’s claim to the crown. When rival lords cannot draw a mysterious sword, Arthur removes it to help Sir Kay, and Sir Ector recognizes his right to rule.
What happens
- Uther tells Igraine that he fathers her child while disguised as her husband, and Merlin arranges Arthur’s upbringing with Sir Ector.
- Despite illness, Uther accompanies his army to victory at St. Albans, then dies after blessing Arthur’s claim to the crown.
- Merlin advises a Christmas gathering in London, where a sword appears with an inscription identifying its successful claimant as England’s rightful king.
- The lords fail to move the sword, and the archbishop appoints guards while keeping the gathering together through a tournament.
- Arthur takes the unguarded sword for Sir Kay, who claims kingship until Sir Ector makes him explain its source.
- Sir Ector identifies Arthur as rightful king; Arthur replaces the sword, but Ector cannot draw it.
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Why does Arthur first draw the sword from the stone?
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