The ancient realm of England was in total chaos. Old King Uther Pendragon had died leaving no heir to the throne. England was a kingdom without a king.
Since Uther's death, every power-hungry knight and baron had rushed forward claiming to be the best person to wear the crown. There was a fear that fighting might break out as people argued over who would rule. There seemed no prospect of a ruler being chosen in England before the end of the year.
However, there appeared to be one person inside the royal court that could sort out the chaos gripping the heart of England. Merlin, the wizard, had been King Uther's trusted friend and adviser for many years.
To find a solution, the old man locked himself away in the royal palace for three days and nights and consulted his magic books. He did not sleep, or eat, or speak with anyone.
Finally, when the old wizard emerged from his room, he still had nothing to say to any of the noblemen who asked him what he intended to do. But everyone gathered in the royal palace knew that Merlin had found a way of selecting England's next king.
It was a few days before Christmas and light snow had begun to fall over the countryside. Merlin called all the knights to a meeting in the great church next to the palace. He silenced the squabbling nobles, and told them that the search for a king would soon be over. But then he said nothing more.