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Excalibur

Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur in Arthurian mythology, depicted as a magical weapon symbolizing rightful kingship, divine favor, and unparalleled martial prowess.^[1] Often portrayed with a gleaming blade and a protective scabbard that prevents its bearer from bleeding, it is most famously associated with Arthur receiving it from the Lady of the Lake after his initial sword, the Sword in the Stone, breaks in battle.^[2] This iconic artifact underscores themes of destiny, chivalry, and the rise and fall of Camelot, serving as a central emblem in medieval literature that evolved from earlier Celtic traditions.^[3] The sword's literary origins trace back to Celtic and Welsh folklore, where precursors like the blade Caledvwlch appear in tales such as The Mabinogion, representing a weapon of supernatural sharpness and light.^[3] It first emerges by name as Caliburnus in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136 CE), a pseudo-historical chronicle where Arthur wields it to slay hundreds of Saxon foes in a single battle, establishing it as a forge of otherworldly origin possibly linked to the island of Avalon.^[4] Over time, the name evolved through Norman French adaptations—such as Escalibor in Chrétien de Troyes' romances (late 12th century), initially attributed to Gawain—before solidifying as Excalibur in the Vulgate Cycle and Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (1485 CE), where it becomes exclusively Arthur's, granted in exchange for a boon and later returned to the lake upon his death.^[1] These texts highlight Excalibur's attributes, including its radiant glow akin to "thirty torches" and an enchanted scabbard more valuable than the blade itself for its wound-healing properties.^[2] In broader Arthurian lore, Excalibur embodies the ideals of knightly honor and the fragility of power, often stolen or coveted by figures like Morgan le Fay, who seeks its scabbard to undermine Arthur.^[2] Its narrative role extends beyond combat to ritual significance, as seen in Arthur's mortal wounding at Camlann, where Sir Bedivere casts it back into the water, reclaimed by the Lady's hand—a motif reinforcing cycles of sovereignty and the supernatural guardianship of Britain's mystical heritage.^[1] While no historical artifact has been definitively linked to the legend, scholarly analyses connect it to Iron Age Celtic sword deposits in rivers and bogs, suggesting ritual inspirations for its watery bestowal and return.^[3]

Etymology and Origins

Name and Linguistic Forms

The name Excalibur, as it is most commonly known in modern English, first appears in its recognizable form in the 15th-century English text Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, where it is spelled "Excalibur" and refers to King Arthur's legendary sword. This spelling evolved from the Old French Escalibor (or variants like Escaliber), which was used in earlier medieval romances such as those by Chrétien de Troyes in the late 12th century, reflecting the linguistic adaptations following the Norman Conquest of 1066.^[5] The Norman French influence introduced phonetic shifts, transforming Brythonic Celtic terms into Romance-language forms, with the prefix "ex-" possibly emerging from misinterpretations or assimilations of the original sounds during translation and oral transmission in post-Conquest Britain.^[3] Earlier, the name appears in Latin as Caliburnus (or Caliburn) in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136), a pseudo-historical chronicle that Latinized the term for Arthur's weapon, drawing from Welsh traditions to lend classical authority to British lore. Scholars trace Caliburnus back to the Welsh Caledfwlch, attested in medieval Welsh texts like the Mabinogion (compiled 12th–13th centuries), where it denotes a sword associated with Arthur.^[3] The Welsh form Caledfwlch is a compound of caled ("hard" or "tough") and bwlch ("breach," "cleft," or "gap"), suggesting meanings such as "hard cleft" in Celtic etymological interpretations, though the exact connotation remains debated among linguists; it may also draw from the Irish precursor Caladbolg, a legendary sword meaning "hard belly."^[5] Related Brythonic variants include Breton Kaledvoulc'h and Cornish Calesvol, indicating a shared Celtic linguistic heritage across the region.^[5] These variations highlight the name's evolution through multilingual transmission: from pre-Conquest Brythonic roots in oral Celtic traditions, to Latinized forms in scholarly Latin texts, and finally to anglicized English via French intermediaries, shaping its enduring form in Arthurian literature.^[3]

Literary Development

The earliest known literary reference to Arthur's sword appears in the Welsh prose tale Culhwch and Olwen, composed around the 11th century, where it is named Caledfwlch and listed among Arthur's prized possessions that he refuses to gift away.^[6] This depiction portrays the sword as a formidable weapon integral to Arthur's heroic identity within a Celtic narrative framework.^[7] Shortly thereafter, the sword emerges in Latin chronicle literature through Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (1136), rendered as Caliburn, which Arthur wields decisively in battles such as the defeat of the Saxons at Bath, emphasizing its role as an instrument of royal prowess.^[4] As Arthurian narratives shifted to vernacular French romances in the late 12th century, the sword's presence evolved under the influence of authors like Chrétien de Troyes, who adapted it as Escalibor in works such as Perceval, ou le Conte du Graal (c. 1180–1190), where it briefly features as a symbol of knightly valor bestowed upon figures like Gawain.^[1] This adaptation marks the sword's integration into the chivalric romance tradition, transitioning from a mere possession to an emblem of courtly ideals, though it remains somewhat peripheral in Chrétien's plots.^[3] Various linguistic forms, such as Caledfwlch and Caliburn, underscore the sword's transmission across cultural and linguistic boundaries in these early texts. By the 13th century, the Vulgate Cycle—also known as the Lancelot-Grail Cycle—provided the sword with a more defined and mystical character, explicitly naming it Excalibur in sections like the Prose Merlin and linking it to enchantments from the Lady of the Lake, thereby solidifying its supernatural allure within an expansive prose narrative.^[8] This cycle's portrayal elevated Excalibur beyond a simple weapon, embedding it in a broader tapestry of Arthurian mysticism and moral allegory that influenced subsequent European literature.^[9] The sword's literary tradition reached a pivotal standardization in Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (1485), a Middle English compilation that draws from French sources to present Excalibur as Arthur's singular, divinely ordained blade, central to his kingship and tragic fate.^[1] Post-medieval adaptations further romanticized the motif, notably in Alfred Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King (1859–1885), where Excalibur symbolizes imperial heroism and imperial decline, depicted in poetic visions of its forging and ceremonial return to the lake.^[10] These 19th-century revivals, amid Victorian interest in medievalism, reinforced Excalibur's enduring status as a cultural icon of British literary heritage.^[3]

Legends of Acquisition

Sword in the Stone

In the Arthurian legend, the motif of the Sword in the Stone first emerges in Robert de Boron's early 13th-century poem Merlin, where it serves as a divinely ordained test to identify the rightful king of Britain following the death of Uther Pendragon.^[11] Merlin, acting as a prophetic enchanter, orchestrates the embedding of a richly adorned sword into a large marble stone or anvil placed in a public square, accompanied by an inscription declaring that only the true heir could withdraw it: "Never shall any man draw me out except he be a king by right."^[11] This event is tied to a grand tournament convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury to unite the warring barons, during which numerous nobles and knights attempt to pull the sword but fail, underscoring the blade's role as a symbol of legitimate sovereignty granted by divine will.^[12] Young Arthur, unaware of his royal parentage as Uther's son, succeeds in drawing the sword during the tournament, first on his own initiative and later in the presence of the court after initial skepticism leads to a second extraction.^[11] Merlin's involvement extends to revealing Arthur's lineage to quell doubts among the assembly, though resistance persists due to Arthur's youth and humble foster upbringing under Sir Ector, prompting further tests and temporary unrest among the barons.^[12] In de Boron's narrative, this sword functions primarily as a provisional emblem of kingship, later damaged in battle, which distinguishes it from subsequent bestowals in the legend.^[11] Thomas Malory's 15th-century Le Morte d'Arthur expands on this tradition in Book I, chapters 1–6, depicting the sword's miraculous appearance in a London churchyard anvil shortly after Uther's death, with the inscription: "Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England."^[2] Advised by Merlin, the Archbishop summons lords for a New Year's tournament to witness the sign of true kingship, where the sword becomes the focal point amid gatherings at Candlemas, Easter, and Pentecost.^[2] Arthur, serving as squire to his foster brother Sir Kay, first draws the blade impulsively to replace Kay's lost weapon during the Christmas festivities, succeeding where knights like Kay and Ector fail despite repeated efforts.^[2] Public doubt intensifies in Malory's account, with barons decrying Arthur's claim as unfit for a "child of but fifteen year" of apparent low birth, leading to multiple validations of the extraction over the holiday cycle until Merlin publicly affirms Arthur's heritage as Uther's son at Pentecost.^[2] This iterative process—four formal attempts by the nobility, all unsuccessful except Arthur's—highlights the theme of contested legitimacy, as the sword's withdrawal amid widespread failure solidifies Arthur's coronation despite ensuing civil strife.^[2] Like de Boron's version, Malory portrays this sword as a transient instrument of proof, prone to breakage in later conflicts, paving the way for its replacement.^[2]

Sword in the Lake

In the 13th-century Post-Vulgate Cycle, the legend of Excalibur's acquisition from the lake emerges as a distinct narrative, separating it from the earlier Sword in the Stone and emphasizing its mystical bestowal upon Arthur after his initial blade shatters in combat. This version, preserved in the Merlin continuation of the cycle, portrays the Lady of the Lake as a supernatural figure who grants the sword to affirm Arthur's divine right to rule beyond mere earthly proof.^[13] Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (1485) adapts this tradition faithfully, detailing the events in Book I after Arthur's sword from the stone breaks during his battle with King Pellinore. Guided by Merlin to a broad, serene lake, Arthur witnesses an arm clad in white samite rising from the water, grasping a richly adorned sword. The Lady of the Lake, appearing as a noble damsel, offers the weapon—named Excalibur, or "Cut Steel"—in exchange for an unspecified future gift, which Arthur readily accepts by rowing out in a barge to seize it. Accompanying the sword is its enchanted scabbard, valued by Merlin as worth ten times the blade itself, for it prevents the bearer from losing blood even in the gravest wounds, thus ensuring Arthur's protection in battle.^[2] The narrative culminates in Book XXI, where, mortally wounded after his final clash with Mordred at Camlann, Arthur commands the loyal Sir Bedivere to return Excalibur to its watery origin. Bedivere twice conceals the sword out of reluctance, lying to his king, but on the third attempt hurls it into the lake; the same mystical arm emerges, catches the hilt, brandishes the blade thrice above the surface, and withdraws it forever beneath the waves. This act seals the sword's otherworldly cycle, as Arthur is then borne away to Avalon by a barge of mourning queens.^[14] This aquatic endowment marks a symbolic transition from the public, terrestrial validation of kingship via the stone to a private, supernatural affirmation through water's realm, drawing on Celtic traditions of lake-dwelling spirits who guard sacred weapons and mediate between the human and divine worlds. Archaeological evidence of Iron Age sword deposits in Celtic wetlands underscores this lore, suggesting ritual returns to watery domains as offerings to otherworldly entities akin to the Lady.^[15]

Roles and Attributes

Magical Properties

In Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, Excalibur's scabbard possesses the supernatural ability to prevent its bearer from losing blood, even if severely wounded, rendering Arthur effectively invulnerable in combat as long as he wears it. Merlin emphasizes this property upon Arthur's acquisition of the sword from the Lady of the Lake, warning him to safeguard the scabbard above the blade itself, as it holds greater value in preserving life during battle. This protective enchantment proves crucial in key encounters, such as Arthur's fight against the eleven rebel kings at Bedegraine, where the scabbard's power ensures he sustains no fatal harm despite intense fighting; however, its later theft by Morgan le Fay leaves Arthur vulnerable, as demonstrated when he receives grievous injuries in his duel with Accolon because he lacks it.^[2] The sword's blade itself exhibits radiant brilliance that disorients and blinds foes, described as emitting light equivalent to thirty torches when drawn, which scatters enemy forces and facilitates decisive victories. This gleaming quality first manifests during the Battle of Bedegraine, where Arthur wields Excalibur to repel attackers and slay numerous opponents after his horse is killed, turning the tide against overwhelming odds. In later conflicts, such as the war against the Roman Emperor Lucius, the blade's sharpness and power enable it to cleave through armor and bone effortlessly, as when Arthur strikes Lucius and splits his head to the breast in a single blow, underscoring its role in ensuring triumph.^[2] Excalibur's attributes vary across Arthurian traditions, reflecting evolving literary depictions. In the French Vulgate Cycle, the scabbard extends beyond preventing blood loss to actively healing wounds, amplifying the sword's protective magic and tying it more explicitly to themes of restoration in chivalric quests. Earlier Welsh versions, such as those in the tale of Culhwch and Olwen, portray Arthur's sword Caledfwlch (the precursor to Excalibur) as a weapon of unparalleled cleaving strength capable of felling giants and foes in single strokes, though without the explicit radiance or scabbard enchantments of later texts. In certain French romances, such as elements of the Prose Lancelot, the sword's radiance takes on a fiery quality, illuminating battlefields like a blazing comet and symbolizing divine favor in Arthur's campaigns. These variations highlight how Excalibur's powers adapt to narrative needs, from raw destructive force in Welsh lore to multifaceted enchantments in continental romances.

Symbolic Meanings

In medieval Arthurian literature, Excalibur embodies rightful sovereignty by serving as a tangible proof of Arthur's legitimate claim to the throne, bestowed by the Lady of the Lake as a sign of divine endorsement, thereby affirming his noble birthright.^[16] This act underscores divine favor, as the sword's miraculous emergence signifies God's endorsement of Arthur's rule, blending Christian notions of election with heroic validation.^[17] Furthermore, Excalibur represents the ideal of chivalric kingship, enhancing Arthur's knightly prowess in battle—its radiant gleam likened to torches symbolizing enlightened leadership and moral authority over his realm.^[16] Excalibur's symbolism draws deeply from Celtic motifs of sacred kingship, where the sword functions as a divine emblem of authority bestowed by otherworldly forces, ensuring the ruler's harmony with the land.^[15] The Lady of the Lake, rooted in Celtic water deities like Coventina, ties the weapon to themes of the land's fertility, with sacred waters representing liminal spaces of renewal and abundance that validate the king's role in sustaining prosperity.^[15] These lake associations evoke ritual deposits of iron swords in watery realms, symbolizing offerings to ensure the cyclical vitality of the earth under rightful governance.^[15] The interpretation of Excalibur evolved from its 12th-century depiction in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae as an emblem of martial conquest and Christian triumph, wielded by Arthur to vanquish foes and assert dominance.^[18] By the 19th century, in Alfred Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King, it transformed into a Victorian symbol of moral purity, representing restrained manhood, ethical governance, and the chivalric virtues of honor and integrity amid societal anxieties over materialism.^[18] In this era, Excalibur underscored Arthur's role as a "stainless gentleman," aligning the legend with ideals of personal responsibility and social reform.^[19]

Mythological Connections

Similar Swords in Other Traditions

In Norse mythology, the sword Gram serves as a prominent parallel to Excalibur, embodying motifs of divine bestowal, reforging, and heroic destiny. Originally gifted by Odin to the hero Sigmund, Gram was shattered in battle but later reforged by the dwarf Regin from its shards for Sigmund's son, Sigurd, enabling him to slay the dragon Fáfnir and claim kingship through feats of valor.^[20] This reforging process underscores a shared theme with Excalibur's legendary durability, while its supernatural qualities further align it with swords that empower their wielders in mythic trials.^[21] Irish legends offer analogous swords that echo Excalibur's attributes and supernatural origins. The sword Caladbolg, wielded by the Ulster warrior Fergus mac Róich in the Ulster Cycle, is renowned for its immense destructive power, capable of cleaving hilltops in a single stroke and likened to a bolt of lightning due to its gleaming edge.^[22] These artifacts highlight cross-cultural patterns of weapons forged or granted by supernatural entities, granting heroes supernatural resilience against formidable foes. Broader Indo-European mythological traditions reveal recurring motifs of hero-empowering swords that parallel Excalibur's role in affirming sovereignty and overcoming chaos. In Greek lore, the harpe—a sickle-shaped sword provided by Hermes to Perseus—enabled the slaying of the Gorgon Medusa, its curved blade designed for decapitation and imbued with divine favor to aid in monstrous confrontations.^[23] Such weapons often feature in dragon- or serpent-slaying narratives across Indo-European cultures, where reforged or enchanted blades signify the hero's rightful ascent, as seen in shared archetypes from Norse to Hellenic tales that emphasize indestructibility and cosmic validation.^[24]

Arthur's Complementary Weapons

In Arthurian tradition, King Arthur possesses an array of armaments that complement Excalibur, enhancing his martial versatility and underscoring themes of sovereignty and divine favor. These include the spear Rhongomyniad and the multifaceted Pridwen, which provide ranged offense and defense, respectively, in contrast to Excalibur's focus on intimate, decisive sword combat. Rhongomyniad, Arthur's spear, appears prominently in Welsh lore as a weapon of reach and ritual importance. In the medieval tale Culhwch and Olwen from the Mabinogion, Arthur invokes Rhongomyniad alongside his sword Caledfwlch (Excalibur's Welsh counterpart) and dagger Carnwennan when granting boons, designating it among his inviolable treasures. This spear's name, meaning "slaying spear" or "cutting spear," evokes its piercing power, distinguishing it from Excalibur's personal, gleaming blade by enabling strikes from afar in massed battles. Geoffrey of Monmouth Latinizes it as Ron in his Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136), where Arthur bears the lance at the Battle of Bath against Saxon forces, wielding it to rout enemies and emphasizing its role in large-scale warfare over Excalibur's dueling precision. In the Welsh Triads, edited by Rachel Bromwich, Rhongomyniad forms part of Arthur's sacred regalia, grouped with Caledfwlch and Carnwennan as divine gifts, highlighting its ceremonial function in affirming kingship rather than everyday skirmishes. Pridwen, meanwhile, offers protective balance to Excalibur's aggression, manifesting as either a shield or vessel depending on the source. Early Welsh poetry portrays it as Arthur's ship in Preiddeu Annwfn (The Spoils of Annwn), a 14th-century poem attributed to Taliesin in the Book of Taliesin, where three loads of Pridwen sail to otherworldly fortresses, surviving perilous quests that test Arthur's leadership and only seven return from Caer Sidi.^[25] This nautical role symbolizes safe passage and collective endeavor, contrasting Excalibur's individual heroism by safeguarding warriors en route to glory. Geoffrey of Monmouth adapts Pridwen as a circular shield in Historia Regum Britanniae, adorned with the Virgin Mary's image and slung over Arthur's shoulders during campaigns, providing literal defense in the thick of combat where Excalibur demands exposure. Across these depictions, Pridwen's dual nature reinforces Arthur's strategic depth, shielding against blows that Excalibur might provoke. Together, these arms interact in Arthurian narratives to portray a holistic warrior-king: Excalibur dominates ritual swordfights and symbolic victories, as in its extraction from the stone or lake, while Rhongomyniad extends lethal range in open fields and Pridwen ensures survival amid chaos. The Welsh Triads further bind them as a triad of holy implements bestowed by providence, elevating their use in lore like Culhwch and Olwen to acts of divine mandate rather than mere tactics, with Excalibur's radiance often taking narrative precedence in personal confrontations.

Modern Interpretations

As a Purported Relic

One notable historical artifact sometimes linked to the Excalibur legend is the sword embedded in rock at the Montesiepi Chapel near St. Galgano Abbey in Tuscany, Italy. This weapon belonged to Saint Galgano Guidotti, a 12th-century knight who, following a religious vision in 1180, renounced violence and thrust his sword point-down into a bedrock outcrop to form a cross, where it remains today. Metallurgical analysis conducted at the University of Pavia dated the sword to the mid-12th century, confirming its authenticity through composition and style consistent with that era. Some researchers, including historian Mario Moiraghi, have proposed that this event inspired the Arthurian "sword in the stone" motif and the name Caliburn (an early form of Excalibur), given the temporal proximity to the legend's development in medieval literature. However, scholars emphasize that the sword has no direct connection to British Arthurian mythology and was instead a symbol of Christian asceticism venerated as a saintly relic. Claims of Excalibur as a lake-deposited relic often center on Dozmary Pool in Cornwall, England, a site tied to folklore where Arthur supposedly returned the sword to the Lady of the Lake. No ancient sword has been verifiably recovered from the pool as the legendary blade; instead, modern discoveries, such as a four-foot iron sword found by a schoolgirl in 2017, have been sensationalized but proven to be a contemporary object, likely discarded recently and unrelated to Arthurian origins. Broader archaeological evidence of Iron Age and medieval swords deposited in British lakes and rivers, such as those from the River Witham, reflects ritual votive offerings to deities rather than any specific link to Excalibur; these Iron Age practices (circa 800–50 BCE) predate Arthurian tales by centuries and show no inscriptions or attributes matching the myth. Scholars widely debunk purported Excalibur relics, noting the absence of pre-modern artifacts reliably tied to Arthurian legend, with most claims emerging from medieval relic veneration practices aimed at drawing pilgrims and funding church repairs. For instance, the 1191 "discovery" of Arthur's grave at Glastonbury Abbey by monks—complete with a lead cross but no sword—was likely a fabricated narrative to capitalize on post-fire reconstruction needs and the era's enthusiasm for saintly and heroic relics. Such associations reflect the medieval tendency to authenticate local histories through legendary ties, but forensic and historical analyses confirm no verifiable Excalibur exists outside literary tradition.

Cultural Depictions and Legacy

In the 19th-century Romantic revival of Arthurian legend, Alfred Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King (1859–1885) reimagined Excalibur as a symbol of moral integrity and imperial heroism, with Arthur ultimately renouncing the sword to signify the rejection of violence in favor of ethical leadership.^[10] In the poem's "The Passing of Arthur," the blade is described as a divinely wrought artifact returned to the Lady of the Lake, emphasizing themes of duty and sacrifice that resonated with Victorian ideals of chivalry.^[26] Pre-Raphaelite artists further elevated Excalibur as a moral emblem in visual depictions, such as Edward Burne-Jones's 1858 painting Arthur with Excalibur, which portrays the king in contemplative possession of the sword amid ethereal symbolism, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's illustrations of Arthur receiving it from the Lady of the Lake, blending medieval mysticism with Romantic introspection.^[27]^[28] Excalibur's motifs permeated 20th- and 21st-century media, adapting its legendary power for diverse narratives. Walt Disney's animated film The Sword in the Stone (1963) presents the sword—explicitly identified as Excalibur—as a test of innate worthiness, with young Arthur (Wart) drawing it to claim kingship, infusing the tale with humor and moral lessons on humility.^[29] John Boorman's Excalibur (1981) offers a darker, mythic retelling where the sword embodies destiny and cyclical renewal, forged in dragon fire and wielded by Arthur to unite Britain, influencing subsequent fantasy cinema through its visceral portrayal of chivalric bonds and betrayal.^[30] In video games, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020) incorporates Excalibur as a mythical artifact retrieved from a cave after collecting ancient tablets throughout Britain, symbolizing ancient sovereignty and blending Arthurian lore with Norse mythology to explore themes of legacy and conquest.^[31] Excalibur endures as a national symbol in Britain, bolstering cultural heritage and tourism, particularly at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, long associated with Arthur's birthplace and the sword's mystical origins, drawing over 200,000 visitors annually.^[32] This site exemplifies how the legend fosters a sense of enduring British identity, with guided tours and exhibits highlighting Excalibur's role in unifying narratives of heroism.^[33] Feminist reinterpretations have reframed the Lady of the Lake—Excalibur's bestower—as an empowered figure, notably in Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon (1983), which centers female perspectives and portrays her as a priestess guardian of sacred knowledge, challenging patriarchal elements of the original myths.^[34] This novel's influence extends to broader literary and cultural discussions, emphasizing the Lady's agency in Arthurian sovereignty.^[35]

References

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Excalibur - World History Encyclopedia
May 17, 2017 · Excalibur is the sword of King Arthur in Sir Thomas Malory's iconic work Le Morte D'Arthur published in in 1485 CE.
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BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. The Morte D'Arthur was finished, as the epilogue tells us, in the ninth year of Edward IV., i.e. between March 4, 1469 and the same ...CHAPTER XVIII. How King... · CHAPTER XXV. How Arthur by...
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The origins and evolution of Excalibur can be traced through the development of the name Excalibur, by looking at Celtic and Welsh legends, and by tracing the ...
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Being full of deceit and wickedness, it shall make use of the fountain Galabes. ... had, with his Caliburn alone, killed four hundred and seventy men. The.
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Excalibur - Etymology, Origin & Meaning of the Name
Originating from Old French Escalibor, derived from Welsh Caledvwlch and Irish Caladbolg, the word refers to King Arthur's sword, meaning "hard-belly" or ...
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[PDF] FIRST LINE OF TITLE - University of Delaware
In How Culhwch Won Olwen, Arthur tells Culhwch that he can have any gift that he wishes, “except my ship and my mantle, and Caledfwlch my sword, and. Page 78 ...
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Culhwch ac Olwen is acknowledged as the earliest Welsh prose tale that has come down to us. Idris Foster dated the composition of the written text to c.1100,.
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... 13th century, and it was again adapted, this time to fit at the beginning of the five-branch prose cycle ... Excalibur, whose scabbard will protect him.
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sword, Excalibur. He received the sword from a hand that emerged from a lake. Arthur rules his land from Camelot and marries a beautiful young woman named ...
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central to Tennyson's epic poem is not Thackeray's "eternal possession" of Excalibur, but, in fact, Arthur's renunciation of it and all this might imply.
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Apr 14, 2023 · This trilogy of prose romances in the development of the legend of the Holy Grail and in the evolution of Arthurian literature as a whole.Missing: primary | Show results with:primary
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The Post-Vulgate richly rewards investigation. As seen earlier, Arthur receives his sword from the lake in the Merlin part of the cycle, used in turn by ...
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CHAPTER V. How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur into the water, and how he was delivered to ladies in a barge. CHAPTER VI. How ...
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This paper examines the connections between Celtic Iron Age sword deposits and the Arthurian legend of Excalibur, particularly in the context of votive ...
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Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone | Robbins Library Digital Projects
The Sword in the Stone, sometimes a sword in an anvil, is drawn by Arthur as proof of his birthright and of his nobility. It is both a test and a miraculous ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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[PDF] The Sword of Laban as a Symbol of Divine Authority and Kingship
Jan 31, 1993 · Swords often symbolize divine authority and king- ship. Numerous examples from the mythology, litera- ture, and history of the world attest ...
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This article analyses three key texts in Arthurian literature to illustrate the changes the myth has undergone from its popularisation in the twelfth.
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[PDF] Idylls of the King: Searching for Equilibrium in Victorian Society
Throughout , Tennyson consistently depicts Arthur as an inhuman representation of morality, which suggests that the Victorian concept of.
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Oct 16, 2020 · Sigurd used a magic sword called Gram, to slay the great dragon Fafnir. Reflecting descriptions of the Greek hero Hercules, some historians have ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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[PDF] The Hero and his Values - Vilnius University Press
that “[o]nly with this particular sword, named Gram, was Sigurd able to kill the dragon Fáfnir”. Reginn is no ordinary smith, and Gramr is no ordinary sword.
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Feb 7, 2021 · Also given as Caladbolg (meaning “hard blade” or “hard “cleft”), this was the sword of Fergus mac Roth (a.k.a. mac Róich), former king of Ulster ...
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He also gave him his harpe sword to kill the Medusa. Hades, the god of the underworld, lent him a helmet of invisibility, allowing him to move unseen. Some ...<|separator|>
[24]
[PDF] Old Norse Fránn and Other Symmetry in Norse-Germanic Dragon Lore
Previous endeavors to identify a common origin of the dragon-slayer myth (and its many derivatives) in the Indo-European language family have produced mixed ...
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The following is the text (and translation) of a poem taken from the fourteenth-century Llyfr Taliesin (Book of Taliesin) which makes intriguing mention of ...
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from Idylls of the King: The Passing of Arthur | The Poetry Foundation
And hid Excalibur the second time,. And so strode back slow to the wounded King. Then spoke King Arthur, breathing heavily:.
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https://www.victorianweb.org/painting/prb/arthur.html
[28]
Rossetti Archive Related Pictures
Page Images Available for The Pre-Raphaelite Meeting. 1848. The Pre-Raphaelite ... Page Images Available for King Arthur Receiving the Sword Excalibur ...Missing: depictions | Show results with:depictions
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The Sword in the Stone | Disney Movies
Humor, spectacle and magic rule in Walt Disney's legendary classic tale The Sword In The Stone! Embark on an adventure-filled quest for an unlikely hero!<|separator|>
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Excalibur (1981) - IMDb
Rating 7.3/10 (71,448) Excalibur is a truly atmospheric film. It has the ability to take you back to the time it depicts, without using sentimentality or rose tinted spectacles.Full cast & crew · Excalibur · Parents guide · Excalibur, a Espada do Poder
[31]
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Players Figured Out How To (Legitimately ...
Jan 27, 2021 · The in-game description for Excalibur says it can “break anything,” including, presumably, boulders in the middle of nondescript frozen lakes.
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Visit Tintagel Castle | English Heritage
Take the medieval gateway to Tintagel, explore the island, see early medieval buildings, lean into the legends, visit the island garden, head down to the beach.History and Legend · Prices and Opening Times · Tintagel Bridge · Plan Your VisitMissing: Excalibur | Show results with:Excalibur
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King Arthur left an ancient trail across Britain. Experts say it ... - CNN
Nov 16, 2024 · Tintagel Castle is one of the most romantic sites connected with Arthur: an atmospheric ruined castle clinging to the cliffside of a small ...
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Maidens, Mothers, Wise Women, and Dysfunction - Vault
Bradley feminizes several elements from the Arthurian legend to create a more female-centered version of the legend. She de-emphasizes the brotherhood of men ...
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The evolution of Arthurian female characters - from patriarchy to ...
Bradley's 'The Mists of Avalon' reinterprets Arthurian legends from a feminist perspective, empowering female characters. The study highlights the evolution of ...