In the legend of King Arthur, there is a well-known tale known as "The Sword in the Stone." According to this story, only the true king of England would be able to remove a magical sword that was embedded in a stone. Many individuals attempted to pull the sword out, but none were successful. However, it was Arthur, a young squire, who accomplished the feat effortlessly. What is often less discussed in this tale is the character of the witch who placed the sword in the stone. In some versions of the story, Merlin, the wise wizard, is typically attributed with placing the sword in the stone.
She put it back because she discovered this country is a shithole. 141.101.98.143 14:23, 6 May 2015 (UTC)
As a Whovian, I think the reason why she puts it back could be because she has had foreknowledge of King Arthur picking up the sword and becoming King of England, so she could attempt to keep history as is when she puts it back. Upon returning to the castle, Arthur realizes that Kay s room is locked, so he sets upon the streets of London, determined to find Kay another sword.
In some versions of the story, Merlin, the wise wizard, is typically attributed with placing the sword in the stone. However, other versions mention a powerful enchantress or sorceress as the one responsible for this act. The witch is often depicted as a mysterious and formidable figure, possessing great magical powers and wisdom.
1521: Sword in the Stone
In this comic, Megan pulls a sword out of a stone. A flash of light comes down and music plays, and a heavenly voice tells her she has ascended to the throne of England. Megan then pulls out her phone and searches on Wikipedia for England. After having read for a while she begins, while reading on, to replace the sword into the rock.
The comic references the fables of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In Arthurian legend, whoever can remove The Sword in the Stone is the lawful king of Britain (although this comic, as some versions of the legend, refers incorrectly to England). Arthur is an orphan being raised in secret; he notices the sword, removes it, and is proclaimed king. The sword is sometimes identified as Excalibur, although in other versions Excalibur was acquired by King Arthur from the Lady of the Lake. The most familiar version of this story is The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White which is based on Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory. The animated musical by Walt Disney is a well-known version of this fairytale based on White's book.
A key element in the joke is that as Megan begins to read about England, especially information concerning being an English ruler, she quickly thinks better of this and begins to put the sword back in its place. The punchline that Megan puts the sword back after reading about England suggests that the "gift" of being the leader of England is not worth the risk and/or work associate. British history is rife with monarchic strife, and a brief inquiry into their causes of death will show that almost one in three British rulers have died either in battle or from murder, etc: Queen Elizabeth II, who was alive at the time of the comic's release, is the only English monarch to die of (exclusively) old age. This would quickly lead most people to conclude that the risks associated with ruling England far outweigh the benefits.
The title text furthers this plot, having Megan comment on the hassle when the only thing she was interested in was the cool sword. Apparently, Megan is not enthusiastic about power, and her choice is made when she sees how problematic it could be to reign over the country of England. There is also a subtle play on the fact that in the T. H. White version, Arthur likewise is unaware of the significance of pulling the sword from the stone - he is simply looking for a sword to replace the one belonging to his step-brother Kay that was stolen under his watch, to avoid embarrassment and reproach.
From the time of the Roman Empire all the way up to Charles II's reclamation of the throne, the area now known as England has seen several migration waves, Viking raids, invasions and fierce power struggles among aristocratic families. Besides the constant threat of usurpation, as evidenced by the numerous wars for the crown, such as the Norman conquest and the War of the Roses, there were also constant difficulties in managing the frontier regions. This can be seen from Hadrian's Wall, a creation of the titular Roman Emperor designed to keep the ever difficult Scots out of the areas of Roman control (the Scots would be a constant problem for England up until the reign of King James VI and I; think of the movie Braveheart for a good example of the regular headaches they caused, seen from the English point of view), as well as the Welsh uprisings that occurred with such consistency that you could set your watch by them.
It is worth emphasizing that the term "England" is anachronistic in this context. At the time Arthur supposedly existed, there was no England — England was formed by Germanic tribes who settled in Britain between the fifth and seventh centuries. In many of the stories, including the earliest, Arthur was in fact depicted as a leader of the native Romano-Britons in their attempts to repel these invaders. England would not exist had Arthur succeeded. The anachronism is not new; it entered Arthurian legend in the Middle Ages. (Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, for example, refers to Arthur as King of England.) In Arthurian legend, it was stated that Arthur would return when needed (in some versions he was explicitly associated with the Mab Darogan, a Welsh Messianic figure who would finally drive the English out of Britain and reclaim it for the native Britons). It is possible that Megan in this comic is a 21st-century reincarnation of Arthur.
The timing of this comic might relate to the birth of princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana on May 2, 2015, just four days before this comic, and the burden of a royal of having a whole life in public shaking hands of strangers. Since 2013 the line of succession was changed to absolute primogeniture, meaning that she will keep her current position in the line (4th after her older brother) even if she later gets baby brothers. Before this year, that would not have been the case, as the male gender took rank over birth order.
It is also probably not a coincidence that this comic was published the day before the UK General Election, occurring on May 7, 2015. This election decides the modern-day leader of the UK. And the problems they face today may even be more likely to cause Megan to give away the throne, than the risk of untimely death she would have faced in Arthur's days.
A similar Wikipedia gag appears in 911: Magic School Bus.
The sword in the stone also appears in 2578: Sword Pull.
She recognizes the true potential of Arthur and uses the sword in the stone as a test to find the rightful king. Aware that only someone pure of heart and noble in character could free the sword, she waits for the destined ruler to emerge. This portrayal of the witch highlights her role as a guardian of justice and destiny. She acts as a guiding force in the Arthurian legend, ensuring that the true king would be revealed at the appropriate time. The witch's involvement adds depth to the story and emphasizes the importance of fate and destiny in the Arthurian mythos. Furthermore, the presence of the witch also challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes. In medieval literature, magic and sorcery were often associated with women, presenting them as powerful and influential figures. The character of the witch in "The Sword in the Stone" defies societal expectations and showcases a female character in a position of authority and wisdom. Overall, the witch in the tale of "The Sword in the Stone" brings an intriguing aspect to the Arthurian legend. She serves as a catalyst for the events that unfold, testing the worthiness of potential rulers and ensuring that the true king ascends to power. Her inclusion not only adds depth to the story but also challenges gender norms, making her a compelling and enigmatic figure in the mythos of King Arthur..
Reviews for "The Witch's Trial: What Does It Take to Remove the Sword in the Stone?"
- John - 1 star - I found "Witch on Sword in the Stone" to be incredibly dull and uninspiring. The storyline was weak and confusing, with characters that lacked depth and development. The acting was subpar, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The special effects were also unimpressive and felt outdated. Overall, I was disappointed by this film and would not recommend it to others.
- Sarah - 2 stars - "Witch on Sword in the Stone" had potential, but it fell short in several aspects. The plot was promising, but it felt rushed and poorly executed. The characters were not well-developed, and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the dialogue was mediocre and lacked substance. While the visuals were decent, they failed to make up for the weak storyline. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not watch this movie again.
- Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch on Sword in the Stone," but it failed to meet my expectations. The acting was average at best, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The pacing was off, with certain scenes dragging on unnecessarily, while others felt rushed and underdeveloped. The special effects were below par, and the overall production quality was lacking. It's a shame because the concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. I wouldn't recommend this film to others.