King Arthur Sword – History, Features, And Popularity

King Arthur Sword is among the most used medieval weapons but most of the people have never really heard about this sword. Let us share with you all the things that we know about this legendary weapon.

To begin, you must first ask these questions to yourself.

Are you a fan of Medieval Swords?
Do you want to know about all the legendary swords of the 5th – 6th Century?

If yes, you must read this piece of precious information. It will help you have a better understanding of the history and features of an iconic medieval sword – the King Arthur sword.

Origin:

King Arthur Sword, more commonly known as Excalibur, reportedly originated from a legendary Irish sword- the Caladbolg. The sword Excalibur was first observed in 1100 C.E in the work Colwich and Olwen from the Mabinogion. It was basically a collection of Welsh Legends.

Later, this word appeared as a sword in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain in 1136 C.E. However, this sword gained popularity when Sir Thomas Malory's mentioned it in his iconic work Le Morte D'Arthur. It was basically King Arthur and his sword.

Literal Meaning:

The King Arthur Sword, Excalibur, is basically a powerful mythological sword. Excalibur means ‘cut-steel’ while the sword refers to a weapon designed with a long blade designed to cut or thrust.

Other Names of the King Arthur Sword:

This sword has the distinction of having different names in different languages spoken in different parts of the world. The details of those names and regions are listed below:

Caledfwlch in Welsh
Calesvol in Cornish
Kaledvoulc'h in Britain
Caliburnus in Latin

General Perception of the King Arthur Sword:

Ever since this sword was first introduced, people have considered it a powerful weapon used by skilled warriors. The writers have immense contribution in sensibly creating stories that sustained its image as a symbol of terror and bravery.

In European and Japanese Literature, this sword is known for its power, honor, and strength.

Symbolic Worth of the King Arthur Sword:

This sword confidently symbolizes the responsibility of power. People also consider it as a weapon that represents divine kingship.

The Appearance of the King Arthur Sword:

The Excalibur looks more like a modern-day arming sword. It is a one-handed sword with a double-edged long blade that is not curved. The original Excalibur had words engraved on opposite sides.

On one side, the words were ‘take me up’ and on the other side, they were ‘cast me away’. This was something intellectual, hence, the modern-day amazing swords that replicate the original Excalibur often have words engraved on them.

Features of King Arthur Sword:

Excalibur is among the most purchased movie swords. This sword possesses a number of features that differentiate it from all others. These are mentioned below:

These swords are long.
The blades of these swords are straight.
Its blade is slightly sharpened.
It has a sharp pointed edge.

History:

This precious stone has a rich history that further makes it a weapon of great worth. Let us have a look at the fictional and real-world history of Excalibur to know a little more about this amazing weapon.

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Fictional History:

This sword enjoys a strong literary background. It has often been used to symbolize power and kingship in various novels and poems. Those works are exemplary and are written by world-famous writers such as Thomas Malory and Robert de Boron.

There are two distinct views about how King Arthur acquired this weapon, which are discussed below.

1. The Sword in the Stone:

The depiction of how Arthur got hold of this stone is an interesting controversy among thinkers and literary intellects. The details are given in the poem Merlin state that the wizard Merlin placed the sword in the stone.

She then declared that only the real heir of Uther Pendragon will be able to get it out of this stone. Several warriors tried to withdraw it, however, only Arthur successfully did it and hence, became the king.
2. The Lady in the Lake:
Other literary works such as Le Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory states that the lady in the lake gave it to King Arthur. This further states that the sword was given Arthur on request of Merlin near Bodmin Moor.

Reasons Behind Its Popularity:

There are a number of reasons behind the popularity of this weapon. Some of the most important ones among them are below.

1. Extended Usage in Literature:
This weapon has been made a part of a number of known novels and poems till today. Some of the significant modern-day novels among them are given below.

The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by James Knowles.
Boy's King Arthur written by Sidney Lanier. This story depicts a modern-day. approach to Malory’s work. The story is modified and presented in such a way as to appeal to the young boys of today.
King Arthur and His Knights of The Round Table by Howard Pyle.
Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve tells more about the Arthurian times of dark ages.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain.

2. Splendid Role in Films and Theatre:
The legendary King Arthur Sword has been used in a number of films. The recent ones among them are mentioned below.

Arthur and Merlin:

This film was released in the year 2017. It shows Arthur as a warrior and Merlin as a wizard.

King Arthur- Legend of the Sword:

This film was also released in the year 2017. It exhibits a young Arthur who is learning the art of swordsmanship.

Transformers- The Last Knight:

This is also a 2017 film that features Liam Garrigan as King Arthur.

King Arthur- Excalibur Rising:

This 2017 movie presents a re-imagined story of the Arthurian legend. It showcases Arthur’s son who is expected to bring forward his father’s legacy.

Arthur- Dawn of Destiny:

This is a highly anticipated upcoming movie that is expected to be released in the year 2020. Its storyline revolves around the struggle of Arthur and Merlin to find the sword in the stone.

All these movies play a great role in keeping this historic story of Arthur’s sword alive.

Contradictions:

Even though this sword is an equally loved weapon in all parts of the world, there are certain contradictions about its history and origin. The most common among them are discussed below.

People often argue that this sword has no existence in reality. Hence, scientists have recently found out that that Tuscany’s Excalibur exists in real life. They have discovered that its metal dates back to the 12th century.
Another major controversy that surrounds this weapon is how King Arthur acquired it? There is a split on this matter too. Some people claim that the King pulled it out of the stone others claim that it was given to the King by the lady of the lake.
Last but not least, a group of people claim that this sword had magical powers. Other negate this claim by stating that it was the King’s expertise with this weapon that gave such a vague image of magic.

Varying Forms of the King Arthur Sword:

Just like many other swords, a replica of this mythological weapon is also easily available in the worldwide market. At Knives Deal, you can find them in the category of Movie Swords:

Depending upon the material of its blade, this sword is available in two distinct forms.

1. Plastic Blade:
Adventurous kids are often fond of playing with swords. Obviously, it is impossible to allow them to play with a metal sword. That is the reason why a plastic replica of this King Arthur sword is currently available in the market.

It is highly popular among kids who desire to be as charming as King Arthur when they grow up.

2. Steel Blade:
This sword also comes with a steel blade. That looks the same as the original one. It is preferred by adventurous adults who are fond of collecting unique weapons. People also purchase this one for using it as a valuable piece for adorning their personal as well as professional space.

Don’t Miss Out On Uncovering Facts Regarding Medieval Swords

Other Weapons of King Arthur:

King Arthur used several other weapons apart from this popular sword – Excalibur. Other weapons that he extensively used are listed below.

1. Shield:
The king used it on many occasions in his life. It served as a great weapon to protect him and made it easier for him to protect himself against the enemy’s attack. The two names for this sword are:

Geoffrey of Monmouth
The Mabinogion

2. Spear:
It is called Rhongomynyad in the Mabinogion. This spear also has its own importance in the legend of Arthurian.

3. Knife:
It was called Carnwennan and was one of the King’s sacred weapons. It was a gift to the king and had magical properties.

Also Read: What Makes the Stiletto Knife Different From Other Knives?

King Arthur Sword - Your Perfect Collectible:

Even in the presence of numerous other weapons, the King Arthur Sword – The Excalibur is the only weapon that is still known to people. They must spend on this unique sword to make it a part of their lives. If you are a real enthusiast, your collection deserves an Excalibur.

This sword would be a perfect addition to your arsenal. It would be a lovely costume for Halloween and a nice cosplay weapon. Also, it can be hung along the wall as a piece of decor at your home or office. So, get your King Arthur Sword now!