Long ago, King Uther Pendragon ruled Britain. He was mighty and feared, yet when he sought the love of Igraine of Cornwall, she refused him. Heartbroken, Uther fell gravely ill.
The great magician Merlin appeared at his bedside and offered a deal: if Uther promised to give him his firstborn son, Merlin would help him win Igraine. Uther agreed. Merlin used his magic to disguise Uther as a man Igraine loved, and she married him.
When Queen Igraine gave birth to a son, Arthur, Merlin came to claim the child as promised. Uther ordered the baby taken to the postern gate and given to an old man waiting there—Merlin in disguise.
Soon after, Uther died. With the heir unknown, the kingdom fell into chaos as rival nobles fought for the throne.
Merlin had foreseen this. He took the infant Arthur to safety, entrusting him to the good knight Sir Ector to be raised alongside his own son, Kay, without revealing Arthur's true parentage.
Years later, Arthur had grown into a skilled young man. Merlin then advised the Archbishop of Canterbury to summon all the nobles to London at Christmas, promising a divine sign to reveal the rightful king.
The nobles gathered at the cathedral. After prayers, they emerged to see a marvel: a great stone with an anvil, and a sword thrust through it. Inscribed on the stone were the words: "Whoso can draw forth this sword, is rightful King of Britain born."