France: ‘Magic’ sword vanishes after being stuck in stone for 1300 years

The Durandal, which is France's version of the Excalibur sword, has gone missing after being stuck in stone for 1300 years.

Updated on: Jul 4, 2024, 11:56:59 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

France's answer to the Excalibur, the Durandal, has mysteriously vanished, after being stuck in stone for over 1,300 years in the village of Rocamadour. The French police are investigating the loss of the 'magic' sword, according to the Telegraph UK.

The Durandal, which is France's version of the Excalibur sword, has gone missing after being stuck in stone for 1300 years (Taken from twitter: @F_Desouche)

Watch: France Elections: Le Pen & Bardella’s Far-Right Party Stuns Macron In First Round; Protests Erupt

The sword was stolen on Monday, from Rocamadour, where it serves as a major tourist attraction. The ancient weapon was the favoured weapon of a famous character in French literature - the knight Roland, who was said to possess ‘an indestructible sword’.

Also Read: Another New Delhi-based French journalist claims ‘forced to leave India’

Medieval myths also claim that this ‘magical’ sword had been given to the knight by an angel. It is said that the knight threw the sword to save it from approaching enemies and lodged it into the rock permanently. This further created the legend that the sword could cut through stone with one blow.

Also Read: Kante: French hero back in business

These magical qualities of the sword are mentioned in the 11th-century poems of the Song of Roland, which is the oldest surviving major work of French literature.

Now, however, the sword into a rock, lodged 100 feet above the ground, has been stolen by someone, distressed locals say. "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,” local mayor Dominique Lenfant told La Dépêche, a French newspaper.

He added that, “Rocamadour feels it’s been robbed of a part of itself, but even if it’s a legend, the destinies of our village and this sword are entwined.”

Police are perplexed by how someone managed to climb 100 feet on a cliff and pull a sword embedded in stone out.

The sword has been considered so precious by the town, that when it was to be displayed at Cuny Museum in 2011, the local councillor and security guard escorted the sword to Paris.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

France

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.