Excalibur

 

Sword of King Arthur

This mythical object is renowned for its extraordinary power and its symbolic association with the true king of England, King Arthur. According to the fables, only the rightful king could wield this sword, which bestowed upon its wielder exceptional strength and prowess in battle.

This being Arthurian legend, which has a truly mind-boggling number of variations, Excalibur’s traits tend to vary from version to version. Many people associate Excalibur with tales of the sword in the stone, the story of how a young Arthur pulled the magical sword from a stone, making him king. This version of the sword’s origin first appeared in 1200 AD in Robert de Boron’s Merlin. Keep in mind that it was Merlin that predicted whoever removed the sword would become king.

Later versions of the Arthurian mythos offer a different account of Excalibur's origins. In these iterations, Excalibur is depicted as Arthur's second sword, acquired after his original sword (the sword in the stone) is shattered in a ferocious battle. Upon receiving wise counsel from Merlin, Arthur seeks out the mystical lady of the lake, who presents him with the enchanted sword, Excalibur. As the story goes, when Arthur eventually meets his demise, he entrusts his men with the solemn task of returning Excalibur to the lake from whence it came.

In some versions, the Excalibur sword is imbued with magical powers, making its wielder stronger, faster or even invisible in battle. In other versions, the sword is largely symbolic. Throughout history, Excalibur has been interpreted as a symbol of Arthur’s strength and valor. It’s inspired countless works of literature, art and film, as well as appearing in almost every role-playing game known to man. It remains one of the most enduring and beloved symbols of the Arthurian mythos to this day.

Source: Ancient Origins

Via Celtic Bard Jeff (FB)