King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Level 2, Penguin Readers

Merlin, the wise man of legend in stories of ancient Britain, realises that the country will be plunged into turmoil at the death of its strong leader, Uther. So he arranges to take away the heir to the throne, Uther’s son Arthur, and hide him in anonymity against the time when he can take his rightful place as king. As Merlin had feared, on the death of Uther, civil war breaks out, and it is only when Arthur is already a young man that Merlin judges the time is right for him to emerge from obscurity. He travels to London, with Sir Ector who has looked after him for so many years, and, without realising the significance of his actions, Arthur pulls the sword from the stone which marks him out as the next king. He quickly gathers around him the bravest and best knights in the kingdom and Merlin makes a round table for them to sit at in the perfect city of Camelot. Thus begin the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table, tales of bravery and chivalry, but tales, too, of treachery, kidnapping and violent death. Only the next king can pull the sword out of the stone. Many people try, but they cannot move the sword. Then young Arthur tries, and it comes out easily. Now he will be king. But will he be a good king? And will his life be happy? The story of King Arthur is one of the most famous legends in England. A wonderful tale of the days of chivalry and the exciting adventures of Sir Gawain, Sir Galahad and the other knights of the Round Table.