Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Historic Heist: Medieval Sword of Epic Proportions Gone Without a Trace

Cultural Daily

An ancient French sword, dubbed the “French Excalibur,” has mysteriously vanished after 1,300 years of being wedged inside a rock.

According to The Telegraph on Tuesday, the sword called “Durandal” lodged in a cliff 32 ft off the ground in the city of Rocamadour in southwestern France, has vanished.

Durandal is the name of the sacred sword that was said to have belonged to Roland, one of the 12 knights in Charlemagne’s legend, a masterpiece of medieval European epic literature. 

Charlemagne, the legendary King of Francia, received the sword from an angel and handed it over to Roland. The small medieval sword was described as indestructible, capable of cutting through giant boulders with a single strike.

Legends from Rocamadour, a famous Catholic pilgrimage site, claim that Durandal was once stored in a local church and that it was thrown by Roland at the moment of his death. Afterward, it became split and embedded in the cliff here.

Local police are looking into the possibility of theft.

Previously, local tourism authorities downplayed the importance of the sword, stating that it is a mere “replica of the real Durandal.”

However, according to Dominique Lenfant, the mayor of the commune, the loss of such a historical landmark has left the village shocked and distraught.

Lenfant stated, “Rocamadour feels stripped of a part of itself. Even if it is a legend, the destinies of our village and this sword are linked.”

Hot this week

POCO F7 Pro Packs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 120Hz Display—All Under $500

Xiaomi's POCO F7 Pro and Ultra launched in Singapore, featuring sleek designs, impressive specs, and competitive pricing for South Korea.

Lunar Ambitions Accelerate as Korea Develops Rover Propulsion System

KERI transfers electric powertrain tech to UEL for lunar rovers, aiming for self-sufficiency in space exploration by 2032.

German Woman, 66, Gives Birth to 10th Child—Naturally

A 66-year-old German woman, Alexandra Hildebrandt, gives birth to her 10th child naturally, emphasizing health and family joy.

Trump Warns Putin: Ceasefire or Face Tariffs on Russian Oil

Trump grows impatient with Russia over ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine, threatening tariffs on Russian oil if no agreement is reached.

Gold Tops $3,100 for the First Time Ever as Inflation Fears Mount

Gold prices have exceeded $3,100 per ounce, driven by inflation concerns and a downturn in U.S. stock markets.

Topics

POCO F7 Pro Packs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 120Hz Display—All Under $500

Xiaomi's POCO F7 Pro and Ultra launched in Singapore, featuring sleek designs, impressive specs, and competitive pricing for South Korea.

Lunar Ambitions Accelerate as Korea Develops Rover Propulsion System

KERI transfers electric powertrain tech to UEL for lunar rovers, aiming for self-sufficiency in space exploration by 2032.

German Woman, 66, Gives Birth to 10th Child—Naturally

A 66-year-old German woman, Alexandra Hildebrandt, gives birth to her 10th child naturally, emphasizing health and family joy.

Trump Warns Putin: Ceasefire or Face Tariffs on Russian Oil

Trump grows impatient with Russia over ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine, threatening tariffs on Russian oil if no agreement is reached.

Gold Tops $3,100 for the First Time Ever as Inflation Fears Mount

Gold prices have exceeded $3,100 per ounce, driven by inflation concerns and a downturn in U.S. stock markets.

Oil Rally Ends as Stagflation Fears Shake Market Confidence

Fears of U.S. stagflation have lowered oil prices, ending Brent crude's week-long rally despite weekly gains.

Wall Street Slammed by Stagflation Fears—Nasdaq Tanks 2.7%

US stocks plummeted amid stagflation fears, with consumer confidence hitting a three-year low and tech shares suffering significant losses.

Golf Diplomacy? Vietnam Courts Trump to Dodge Tariffs

Vietnam seeks to navigate U.S. tariffs through diplomacy, including golf, while maintaining a significant trade surplus.

Related Articles