King Arthur’s ancient sword mysteriously disappears after remaining stuck in rock for 1,300 years
Ancient Durandal sword remains lodged in the rock.
The famous ancient Durandal sword, which is also called the French version of King Arthur’s legendary “Excalibur”, had a mysterious disappearance after remaining lodged in a rock for the last 1,300 years.
According to a report published in The Telegraph, a thief appears to have stolen the Durandal sword from its stone, even though it was wedged and chained to the stone 32ft off the ground.
The sword had remained in the tiny medieval town of Rocamadour and was one of the main attractions of the town.
It has been believed for centuries that the sword was once wielded by semi-legendary knight Roland who had fought wars for Charlemagne in the eighth century.
An investigation has been launched by the officials in Rocamadour into the mysterious disappearance of the sword.
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This theft has led to the clifftop village losing its prized tourist attraction with Mayor Dominique Lenfant stating that locals feel like a part of them has been stripped off.
Speaking to a French newspaper La Depeche, Mayor Lenfant said that the town has been devastated.
"We're going to miss Durandal. It's been part of Rocamadour for centuries, and there's not a guide who doesn't point it out when he visits," she added.
"Rocamadour feels it's been stripped of a part of itself, but even if it's a legend, the destinies of our village and this sword are entwined," the mayor said.
What do legends say about the mysterious sword?
According to the legend, Durandal is the sharpest and indestructible sword in the world. It is able to cut through stone using a single blow.
The magical qualities of the sword have been vividly described in the 11th-century epic poem “The Song of Roland.”
The poetry has been written in old French and is the French literature's oldest surviving major work. Its only surviving copy has been kept at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, as per the Telegraph.
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The legend says that anangel gave Durandal to former Roman emperor Charlemagne which he gifted to his best soldier.
Before meeting his death at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, Roland had made efforts to break the sword on the rocks so that his enemies would not take it with them but had failed to destroy it.
He then threw the sword into the air and Durandal then travelled hundreds of miles before it got stuck in the cliff in Rocamadour, narrated the legend.
(With inputs from agencies)