Top 10 Legendary Swords

October 16, 2009

These swords are considered to be Legendary Swords because they have achieved lasting fame due to their association with historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Attila the Hun or historical/mythical events. The majority of them had some part in ancient wars of conquest.

1. Sword of Attila

This is the sword used by Attila the Hun, Leader of the Huns from 434 to 453 AD. He ruled the Hun Empire which stretched from Germany to the Ural River and from the Danube River to the Baltic Sea. According to reports from the Roman historian, Priscus, the sword came to Attila by miraculous means.

2. Caladbolg

Caladbolg was the sword of Fergus mac Róich, from ‘Ulster Cycle’ of Irish Mythology. It is the sword associated with Ulster hero ‘Fergus mac Leda’. It is said that this sword was a two-handed sword which, when it was swung made an arc like a rainbow and had the power to slice the tops off of hills.

3. Crocea Mors

Meaning ‘Yellow Death’, it was the name given to the sword used by Julius Caesar. In the Middle Welsh version of the legend, this sword was called ‘Agheu Glas’, meaning ‘Grey Death’, or ‘Angau Coch’, meaning ‘Red Death’. Prince Nennius acquired it from Caesar in single combat and it was said that the sword killed everyone that Nennius struck. The sword was buried with Nennius upon his death during a subsequent fight with Caesar.

4. Curtana

Often referred to as ‘Edward the Confessor’s Sword’ or ‘Sword of Mercy’, it is a symbolically-broken sword which is now part of the traditional English regalia included in the “Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom”. According to legend, it bore an inscription reading “My name is Cortana, of temper and steel of Durendal and Joyeuse”.

5. Durendal

The sword of Paladin Roland of Charlemagne, according to Ludovico Ariosto’s “Orlando Furios”, the sword once belonged to Hector of Troy. It was given to Paladin Roland by Malagigi, or Maugris. According to the legend of Roland, it is said that the sword contained a tooth of Saint Peter, hair of Saint Denis, blood of Saint Basil and a piece of the raiment of the Blessed Virgin Mary in its golden hilt.

6. Excalibur

Excalibur was the legendary sword of King Arthur. This sword is attributed with some magical powers and is associated with the rightful sovereignty of Britain. Typically, this sword and the ‘Sword in the Stone’ are said to be the same weapon however they are considered to be different swords in some versions of the legend. Excalibur was associated very early on with the Arthurian Legend. This sword is known as ‘Caledfwlch’ in Welsh.

7. Heaven’s Will

This is the mythical sword of Vietnamese king, Lê Lợi. He liberated Vietnam from the occupation of Ming after ten years of fighting from 1418 to 1428 AD. According to the legend, this sword possessed magical powers which made the king grow tall. When he used the sword, it is said that he gained the strength of a thousand men.

8. Lobera

This was the sword which symbolized the power of Saint Ferdinand III. He was the King of Castile from 1217 and the King of Leon from 1230. In 1231, he united Leon and Castile. During his lifetime, he was considered an exemplar knight. He was called the ‘Invincible Champion of Jesus Christ’ by Pope Innocent IV.

9. Zulfiqar

Zulfiqar is the two-bladed sword used by Muslim Prophet Muhammad and later given to Ali ibn Abu Talib. It was also used by Husayn ibn Ali.

10. Seven-Branched Sword

This sword is also known as the Seven-Pronged Sword. It was said to have been 74.9 cm in length and made of iron. It was used by Wa after he was given it by Baekje.