The Authentic Sword in the Stone!

While traveling around Italy, I met a store owner in Tuscany. After I explained I was a novelist, he asked,

"Have you seen the Sword in the Stone?"


He went on to explain the site was only 15 kilometers away. Thoroughly jazzed, I drove to San Galgano with my husband the following day. Wow!

Even if the story had proved to be false, the Chapel of San Galgano and the fabulous ruined Abbey were spectacular.

However, the story is real...

In 1178, a wayward knight was challenged by a heavenly vision to leave his destructive style of life.

The violent man responded, "That would be as easy as plunging my sword into this stone." He thrust his sword at the stone and was recorded as saying, "It melted like butter." For centuries, pilgrims arrived to view the miracle.

(Keep in mind this event occurred one year BEFORE  the sword in the stone story appeared in the King Arthur tales.)

Galgano became a hermit and stayed atop Montesiepi until his death in 1181. Five years later, a chapel was erected to protect the miracle.

Not a believer yet? A few years ago, vandals broke off the hilt, but were caught and the piece of sword recovered. This permitted a scientific study, which confirmed the sword was indeed twelfth century!

Now, how does a suspense writer leave a scene like this without using this extraordinary event in a novel? She doesn't!

I am pleased to announce my latest novel, "The Proof." It will not be released until next month, but please enjoy a peek at the story through the video trailer HERE, and please, don't be shy about sharing it.

See more beautiful photos of San Galgano HERE.