1. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone by Hudson Talbott
Feature Menu
Introducing the Selection
Literary Focus: Legends

2. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone by Hudson Talbott

3. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone by Hudson Talbott
“WHOSO PULLETH OUT THIS SWORD
FROM THIS STONE AND ANVIL IS RIGHTWISE
KING BORN OF ENGLAND.”

4. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone by Hudson Talbott
England is in chaos.
Knights roam the countryside, looting and burning. No one is safe.
England needs a King.
And Merlin has a plan.

5. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone by Hudson Talbott
But can a young orphan boy become king? Will the knights of England follow a lowly squire?
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6. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Literary Focus: Legends
As you read “King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone,” you will be asked to analyze legends.
A legend is a very old story, passed down from one generation to the next, which usually has some connection to a real historical person or event.

7. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Literary Focus: Legends
Legends combine historical facts with made-up events, which are often fantastic.
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Robin Hood
Pocahontas
Do you know any legends about these people?

8. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Literary Focus: Legends
King Arthur is probably the most famous hero of legend in Western literature.
Perhaps he represents the leader who will return someday, in time of darkness and need, to save his people.
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9. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Background
The real Arthur—the hero behind the legend— probably lived around A.D. 500.
Arthur is believed to have been a military leader of the people called the Britons.

10. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Background
England changed hands many times during its early history.
Its earliest inhabitants were called Iberians.
They were driven out by the Celts around 500 B.C.

11. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Background
The Romans invaded Britain in the first century B.C. and ruled for about 400 years.
After the Roman armies left Britain, several groups tried to seize control, and there was much fighting.

12. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Background
According to early legends, a leader named Arthur united the Britons and led them to victory against the invading Saxons.
After Arthur’s death, the Saxons and the Angles conquered the Britons, but stories and songs about Arthur were passed down for hundreds of years.
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13. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Preview the Vocabulary

14. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone Preview the Vocabulary
Here are some words that may help you understand the story.
turbulent adj.: wild; disorderly.
tournament n.: series of contests.
integrity n.: honesty; uprightness.
congregation n.: gathering.

15. King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone
Please return to class and read the story. (Pages
Using complete sentences, please complete the Reading Check. (a-e)
Complete Thinking Critically #2 Hero’s Story/Arthur’s Story Chart.