Excalibur was a mythical sword given to King Arthur (first King of Longes –Britain) by the Lady of the Lake, to replace the blade that he drew from the stone. That sword (the king maker) was broken in a fight with a rival lord – Lord Pellinor. After the fight, Merlin (Myrddin) took Arthur to the Lakes of Avalon, where he received Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake for a single pledge.

Excalibur comes from the ancient Celtic language, meaning ‘Hard Lightening’. And is quoted to have been an unbreakable, but bright sword:

‘ thenne he drewe his sword Excalibur,
but it was so breyht in his enemyes eyen,
that it gaf light lyke thirty torchys.’
(Vinaver 1, 19)

The mythical powers of the sword were not the source of King Arthur’s immortality, but the scabbard. Once stolen, and lost, Arthur succumbed to a mortal combat wound in the Battle of Camlaan, and on his dying bed; Arthur entrusted Lord Girflet to return Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake.

The ‘Swords’

Throughout history, man has armed himself with some of the finest fighting blades available within the limits of the technology of the time. The sword has been the primary personal weapon of choice, and various cultures refined and developed these fine weapons in a unique manner.

The Broadsword, a classic English design, used by warriors of the middle ages, a strong and powerful weapon wielded mainly by knights. This ‘hand & half’ sword lacked delicacy, but had real killing power.

The Cutlass, a blade of very diverse geographic usage, though its main forte was in naval environments. Slightly curved, lighter weight and versatile; a real ‘close quarter’ weapon.

The ‘Scimitar’, of Arab origin, the best made of ‘Damascus Blue Steel’. A light, delicately curved, razor sharp sword; - more than strong enough for the purpose of its design. The ornate design belied its true power as a deadly weapon.

The Rapier, a very light weight, sharp and flexible weapon. Used mainly by European gentry to settle personal disputes, but still a very valid weapon of war.

The Katana, a Japanese weapon elevated in construction to beyond an art form, to near religious status. Supremely sharp and strong, yet perfectly balanced; with hidden strengths.

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