On the eve of Pentecost, a woman rides into Camelot, sent by King Pelles and asking for Lancelot. Lancelot rides with her to a convent of nuns in the middle of a forest. His cousins, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, meet him there. The nuns bring out a young man who is very fit and handsome; this is Galahad. The young man is knighted the next day but will not accompany the others back to Camelot because he says he is not ready.

Back in Camelot, Lancelot and all the knights notice writing on a chair (the Perilous Seat) that says a worthy knight must occupy it 454 years after Christ’s death. Those present observe that this is that year. Later that same day, the day of the feast of Pentecost, a sword embedded in a stone floats along in the river below the castle. The sword has writing on it that stipulates only the best knight in the world can claim it. Lancelot acknowledges that it is not his, and a few other knights try to grab the sword but cannot. Lancelot observes that this is the day on which will begin the quest for

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