The Sword in the Stone
Soo in the grettest chirch of London-whether it were Powlis or not the Frensshe booke maketh no mencyon-alle the estates were longe or the day in the chirche for to praye. And whan matynes and the first masse was done there was a scene in the chircheyard ayenst the hyhe aulter a grete stone four square, lyke unto a marbel stone, and in myddes therof was a lyke an anvylde of stele a foot in hyghte, and theryn stack a fare swerd that saiden thus: "WHOSO PULLETH OUTE THIS SWERD OF THIS STONE AND ANVLYD IS RIGHTWYS KYNGE BORNE TO ALL ENGLOND." Then the people marvelled and told it to the bisshop.
The Death of Arthur, Book 1
Sir Thomas Malory