An ancient sword known as the French version of King Arthur’s legendary “Excalibur” has mysteriously ... to have been taken by a thief from its stone in the tiny medieval town of Rocamadour ...

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At his death, Uthur buries the sword into a stone, and the next man that can pull it out will be King of England. Several years later, Arthur, Uthur's bastard son, draws Excalibur and becomes King.

Vortigern wants Arthur dead, to ensure there is no claimant to the throne. The legends foretell that only the next king will be able to draw Excalibur, Uther's sword, from the rock where it is lodged.