How Many Excalibur Swords Are There?
The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as one might hope. In the popular imagination, there’s usually one Excalibur, the legendary sword of King Arthur. However, delving into Arthurian legend reveals a more nuanced picture. While the iconic image is of a single, powerful sword, the truth is more complex, suggesting the existence of not one, but potentially multiple swords associated with the name “Excalibur” and its precursors.
Historically, there are two distinct swords that are frequently conflated or mistakenly considered as one. There’s the sword from the stone, which established Arthur’s right to rule, and then there is Excalibur, the magical blade bestowed upon him by the Lady of the Lake.
The idea of multiple “Excaliburs” takes a further, more fanciful turn in some modern interpretations. One example is the idea, mentioned in your source material, that a broken Excalibur was reforged into seven different swords, each still bearing the name and dispersed across various religious institutions. While this isn’t a traditional part of Arthurian lore, it speaks to the enduring power of the legend and its capacity to adapt to new tellings.
Therefore, the answer is: there are at least two notable swords associated with King Arthur, and possibly more depending on the source. The traditional tales distinguish between the sword from the stone and Excalibur, while more modern interpretations further complicate the issue, sometimes depicting several swords all tied to the same legend.
The Two Main Swords
The Sword from the Stone
This is the sword that proves Arthur’s birthright and legitimacy as King. Placed within a stone or an anvil by Merlin, it bears the inscription that only the true king could remove it. This sword is often, but not always, presented as a prototype or an early version of what is later known as Excalibur. It’s important to note that, in some accounts, Arthur breaks this sword, leading him to seek out the more powerful Excalibur.
Excalibur: The Sword of Power
The more renowned sword is Excalibur, received by Arthur from the Lady of the Lake. This sword is usually depicted as having extraordinary power and magical properties, often described as being able to cut through anything and making the wielder near invincible. It is the sword of legend and the one usually associated with King Arthur. Excalibur is not simply a weapon, but a symbol of his kingship and power. It is said the sword was forged by an Avalonian elf in dragon fire.
The Idea of Multiple Excaliburs
In some less traditional accounts, particularly modern interpretations of the legend, the story of Excalibur takes some interesting turns:
- Reforged Excalibur: Some stories feature a broken Excalibur that is reforged into multiple blades. In this version of the tale, the pieces become swords and are scattered throughout the world, including two being stored by the Catholic Church, Protestant Church of England, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. These stories usually explore the idea that the true power of Excalibur can still exist in these fragments.
- The Mirror Sword: Some modern stories create a counterpart to Excalibur, often called Caliburn. This counterpart, while existing within the context of the Arthurian mythos, is a distinctly separate sword often with dark or evil properties. One example of this concept is how in the Lords of Avalon series Caliburn is the opposite of Excalibur with the wearer immune to harm when they use the scabbard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions about the swords associated with the Arthurian legends, providing a deeper understanding of this iconic aspect of the mythos:
1. What is the difference between the sword from the stone and Excalibur?
The sword from the stone is primarily a test of worthiness, proving Arthur’s right to rule. Excalibur, received from the Lady of the Lake, is a magical weapon and symbol of power and kingship. In many retellings, the first sword is broken, necessitating the acquisition of Excalibur.
2. What does the name “Excalibur” mean?
The name Excalibur is thought to be derived from the Welsh “Caledfwlch” or the Latin “Caliburnus,” which means “cut steel.” In some retellings of the stories, it is said that Excalibur means ‘cut-steel’.
3. Who created Excalibur?
According to the legends, Excalibur was not made in the ordinary world. It was supposedly made by an Avalonian elf and forged in dragon-fire. Other accounts have said that the goddess, Nimue created the sword.
4. What are some of Excalibur’s magical properties?
Excalibur is often depicted as having the ability to cut through anything, and rendering the wielder near invincible. It is sometimes said to have other powers, such as blinding enemies or preventing them from being able to draw blood.
5. Does Excalibur have a scabbard, and is it important?
Yes, Excalibur often comes with a magical scabbard. In many versions, the scabbard is as important as the sword, said to prevent the wearer from losing blood. In some stories, the scabbard can enhance a user’s defensive ability.
6. What happened to Excalibur after Arthur’s death?
According to the legends, Arthur commands one of his knights, often Bedivere, to throw Excalibur back into the lake from which it came. This returns the sword to the Lady of the Lake, signaling the end of Arthur’s era.
7. What is Caliburn, and how is it related to Excalibur?
Caliburn is considered the Latinized form of the Welsh word Caledfwlch, the name of Arthur’s sword in some early texts. In modern stories, Caliburn is sometimes depicted as a counterpart to Excalibur.
8. Did a real sword inspire the legend of Excalibur?
There is no conclusive historical evidence to suggest a specific sword inspired the legend of Excalibur. The story is likely a compilation of Celtic mythology and folklore with no historical basis, though in modern times, a 700-year-old sword was found embedded in rock at the bottom of a lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The weapon is from the 14th century.
9. Did King Arthur have any other famous weapons?
While Excalibur is his most famous weapon, some tales mention Arthur using other swords and a spear. One other sword was Clarent, a royal sword of peace which was stolen and used to kill him.
10. Is Excalibur similar to Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer?
There are similarities, in that both weapons are powerful symbols of their wielders’ authority and power. Excalibur is to Arthur as Mjolnir is to Thor. Both weapons are also uniquely powerful in their own contexts.
11. Was Excalibur a longsword or greatsword?
Excalibur is often depicted as a longsword, though it is likely a short sword that would have been used in the 6th century when Arthur supposedly lived.
12. Did anyone pull a sword from the stone at Disneyland?
Yes. In 2004, a girl named Alison pulled the sword from the stone at Disneyland.
13. Are there stories of Arthur’s sword in other cultures?
The Arthurian legends have spread through many cultures and have inspired countless iterations, but the sword’s core legend remains the same. Variations are often inspired by the different cultures they have been adapted into.
14. Is there a “true” version of the Excalibur story?
There is no single, definitive version. The story of Excalibur has evolved over time through different authors and retellings. Each version adds its own unique interpretation of the legends.
15. Is it possible for anyone to wield Excalibur, or is it only for King Arthur?
In the legends, only those destined for it can truly wield the power of Excalibur, and only then can they avoid the corruption and thirst for power that it can instill. According to the legends, when a person not meant for it touches the sword, it will corrupt and destroy them with power.