Legend of Thompson’s Sword, The Sword in the Stone at Richmond’s Castle
According to the legend, a potter named Thompson discovered King Arthur and his knights sleeping beneath Richmond Castle in Yorkshire. On a table nearby lay a horn and a sword. Thompson attempted to draw the sword from its stone sheath, but as the knights began to stir, he grew frightened and dropped the sword, leaving it untouched.
This tale bears similarities to the more well-known Arthurian motif of the Sword in the Stone, where Arthur proves his worthiness to become king by successfully withdrawing the sword Excalibur from its stone. However, in the legend of Thompson’s Sword, the potter’s attempt to draw the sword is unsuccessful, and the sword remains embedded in the stone, awaiting the rightful heir to claim it.
See also
Cave Legend | The Legend of King Arthur