Swords were one of the biggest signs of honour and bravery, especially during the medieval period. In mythological and historical legends, swords often dominated the spotlight.
These mythological and historical swords have fascinating stories that are often shrouded by mystery.
1. King Arthur’s Excalibur
According to Arthurian legends, Excalibur is the sword that Arthur drew from a stone, which in turn, made him the legendary king. The sword is believed to possess special powers. On his death bed, king Arthur made Sir Bedivere throw the sword into the lake and the Lady of the Lake’s hand emerged from the waters and caught the sword. Legend has it that Arthur goes to sleep peacefully, and will one day wake up with his sword in his hand again when his country needs him.
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2. Colada and Tizona
Colada and Tizona are the legendary swords of El Cid Campeador of Spain (Castilian nobleman and military leader in medieval Spain). Tizona was won by the ruler from King Yucef of Valencia and Colada at combat from The Count of Barcelona. These swords were presented by El Cid to his sons and daughters-in-law. Later, however, El Cid demanded that the gifts he had given him be returned. According to Cantar de Mio Cid (Castilian epic poem), his sons-in law beat his daughters and then abandoned them by the side of the road. Afterward, he bestowed Colada upon Martín Antolínez, one of his knights. Colada is said to have given him a sword. It is kept in Madrid’s Royal Palace.
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3. Zulfiqar
Zulfiqar is the legendary sword of Ali ibn Abi Talib (cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad), given to him by Muhammad, according to legends. It was commonly depicted on Muslim flags as a scissor-like, double-bladed sword. It is also commonly shown in Shi’ite depictions of Ali and in the form of jewelry functioning as talismans or as a scimitar (a short sword with a curved blade) terminating in two points. Quotes mentioning this sword are often inscribed on Islamic swords. As a reference to this legend sword, Islamic swords can sometimes be made with a split-tip.
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4. Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi
This is a legendary Japanese sword, an almost equivalent of Excalibur, and one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan. It was originally called Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven) but was later changed to the more popular Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (“Grass Cutting Sword”). Kojiki says that God Susanoo came across a grieving family and lost 7 of 8 of their daughters to Yamatao-no-Orochi (of Koshi) who was coming for the last. Susanoo made a plan to defeat it and in return, asked for the daughter’s hand in marriage. He ordered 8 bottles of Sake (traditional Japanese wine), to be placed on separate platforms behind eight gates. The monster took the bait, and put one of its heads through every gate. Susanoo then attacked, choking off each head before moving on to the tails. He found a great sword out of the fourth tail and called it Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi.
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5. Charlemagne’s Joyeuse
The town of Joyeuse in Ardèche is apparently named after this sword. Also, according to legends, Joyeuse was lost in a battle and found by one of Charlemagne’s knights, and to thank him, Charlemagne granted him an appanage named Joyeuse. The blade is said to have been made from Curtana’s same materials.
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6. Durandal
Durandal is the sword of Charlemagne’s paladin (equivalent of Arthur’s knights) Roland. According to the Song of Roland, the sword was given to Charlemagne by an angel, and then he gave it to Roland. It is believed to have 1 tooth of Saint Peter and blood of Saint Basil within its golden hilt. It is considered the sharpest sword.
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7. Legbiter
Legbiter belonged to the Viking King Magnus III. This sword featured a hilt that was made of tooth (ivory), while the hand grip was wound around with gold thread. This sword was lost when the king died in battle against men from Ulster. Later, it was retrieved and returned home.
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8. Shamshir-e-Zomorrodnegar
This sword comes from the Persian legend Amir Arsalan. According to legends, Fuladzereh, a hideous horned demon was invulnerable for all weapons but this sword. Fuladzereh claimed that it belonged originally to King Solomon. He kept it secure because it could hurt him and because it was a charm against magic. A wound inflicted by this sword could only be treated by a special potion made from a number of ingredients, including Fulad-zereh’s brains!
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9. Wallace’s sword
This sword claimed to have belonged to William Wallace, a Scottish knight from 13th century, who led a resistance against the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence. This sword was used in battles such as the Battle of Stirling 1297 and Battle of Falkirk 1298. Experts believe that Wallace was at least 7 feet tall in order to be able to properly handle this double-edged sword.
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10. Goujian
This legendary sword was unearthed in 1965 in China. This sword was found in as good as new condition despite having been buried for over 2000 years. On the blade near the handle, there are 8 seal characters that translate to- “The Sword belongs to the Goujian, the King of Yue State”. Goujian was a prominent Chinese emperor who ruled during the Spring-Summer period. Although his state was defeated in the war against Wu, Goujian led an army to victory 10 year later with this sword.
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11. Curtana, the Sword of Mercy
It is a ceremonial sword used during the coronation of the British monarchs. It is one of the Crown Jewels in the United Kingdom. The end of this sword is squared and blunt to signify mercy. It is associated with many legends and has been in existence since 1236.
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“They say the best swords have names,” – Jaime Lannister
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