Excalibur

Lore & Background

Its first reliably datable appearance is found in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae. Excalibur as the 'sword in the stone' functioning as the proof of Arthur's lineage is an iconic motif featured throughout most works dealing with Arthur's youth since its introduction in Robert de Boron's Merlin. The sword given to the young Arthur by the Lady of the Lake in the tradition that began soon afterwards with the Post-Vulgate Cycle is not the same weapon, but in Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d'Arthur both of them share the name of Excalibur. Several similar swords and other weapons also appear within Arthurian texts, as well as in other legends.

In Their Own Story

There is no story vignette for Excalibur in Braid because the item does not exist within the game's canon. Any narrative involving this specific artifact would be a fabrication contradicting the established reality of Jonathan Blow's title.

Reader's Guide

The source article does not provide any guide information.

Did You Know?

• The name Excalibur ultimately derives from the Welsh Caledfwlch.
• Geoffrey of Monmouth Latinised the name as Caliburnus.
• In the Post-Vulgate Cycle, Arthur's sword drawn from the stone is unnamed and later breaks, after which he receives Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake.
• Thomas Malory wrote that Excalibur means 'cut stele' (cut steel).