Crossword Genius

Excalibur perhaps was, and is not going to change (3,2,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

set in stone

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'not going to change' is the definition.

'excalibur perhaps was and' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is present in the answer.
'was' could be 'is' (being is a kind of being) and 'is' is located in the leftover letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for set in stone that I've seen before include "As inflexible" , "Fixed and unalterable" , "as Excalibur?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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