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Through out history there are have been many battles, many heroes and legendary warriors . Weather these warriors were real or not and actually performed the deeds they are known for is one thing. But one thing that is true about them and that’s the weapons they used. Some do physically exist, others have either been lost or are surrounded by myth. These weapons are now stored in museums or people’s private collections throughout the world. Here are 10 real-life legendary weapons.

Sword of Goujian

Wallace Sword

Goujian is an ancient Chinese sword that has defied time. Originally found some 50 odd years ago in a tomb in China. It is well over 2000 years old yet didn’t show a single trace of rust despite being buried in damp conditions. Tests conducted by the archaeologists showed that the blade could easily cut a stack of twenty pieces of paper and it also drew blood when an arachnologist tested it on his finger. The blade has 2 columns of ancient Chinese script known as “鸟虫文” (literally “‘birds and worms’’ characters”) Thieve proved very difficult to translate and six of the 8 characters were deciphered as “越王” (King of Yue) and “自作用剑” (“made this sword for (his) personal use”) The remaining characters were probably the kings name. Some debate sparked about which king originally owned the sword until the experts agreed that the original owner was Goujian (496 – 465 BC). This means this sword is 2500 years old.Goujian reigned during a time of chaos with many conflicts. This led to the creation of perfect weapons to the point of taking years to forge, making them very deadly and resilient. Test have been conducted on the bronse sword to see how it remained rust proof and is still as sharp today as when it was forged. It showed it is resistant to oxidation as a result of sulphation on the surface. The sword-smiths of the Wu and Yue regions in Southern China reached such a high level of metallurgy that they were able to incorporate rust-proof alloys into their blades. It is kept in the Hubei Provincial Museum

William Wallace needs no introduction. He was a Scottish knight who lived from 1272-1305. Wallace is known for leading the Scottish resistance against England during the late 13th and 14th centuries. He led many battles against English troops in hand to hand combat. In order to survive, you needed two things, to be a skilled swordsman and a good sword.

The Wallace Sword has always stood for freedom and is sometimes referred to as Freedom’s Sword. The shaft of the sword measures 4 feet by 4 inches in length. Although the hilt of the sword is said not to be the original and that it has been modified on separate occasion. It is believed this is sword he used during the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and the Battle of Falkirk (1298).

Some debate comes in as many historian’s states that it would be impossible to be used on horseback and even on foot the person who wielded it would have to be at least 7 foot tall.

The sword now rests at the National Monument in Stirling, Scotland.

Durandal

Durandal is the legendary Sword of Roland. Although not much is known about the historical Roland, he is a prominent figure in medieval European tales. Said to be the nephew of the famous Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne. He was the best among his twelve peers, the greatest warriors in the emperor’s court. He is most notably known for his last stand at the Battle of Roncevaux. His story is told in a famous poem La Chanson de Roland (‘The Song of Roland’). The poem says how Durandal was given to him by an angel of God. In contrast, Italian epic Orlando Furioso (‘Orlando Enraged’) says how Durandal was once the sword of Trojan Hero Hector who was defeated by Achilles. Either way, Durandal was a valuable and powerful sword. In fact, the invasion of France by Gradasso, the heathen king of Sericena, it is said it was to obtain Durandal. Said to be indestructible. When all hope was lost, Roland attempted to destroy the sword to prevent it from falling into enemy hands, striking it repeatable on a rock to no avail. At Roncesvaux, Roland was able to hold back the Muslim army, which was a hundred thousand strong from attacking Charlemagne’s main force. Using Durandal, he slew a huge number of enemies, and even chopping off the right hand of the Saracen king, Marsile, and decapitated the king’s son, Jursaleu. Although Roland was eventually defeated in failing to destroy the sword he flung it the sword into the air where it wedges in a rock in Rocamadour and remains there to this day. In another account, he hid beneath his dying body. Visitors to the Chapelle de Notre-Dame in Rocamadour can see an iron sword stuck in the rock above the door leading to the chapel. A chain has been attached to it to prevent it from being stolen.

Tonbokiri

Tonbokiri is one of 3 legendary spears created by the famed swordsmith Fujiwara Masazane. It was said to be wielded by the legendary warrior Honda Tadakatsu. It a gigantic bladed polearm know is the Dragonfly Cutter. As I mentioned in my 5 real life legendary martial artists article it is said it got its name from a dragonfly that landed on the tip of the blade and was sliced in two. Tadakatsu used the blade in many battles such as at the Battle of Anegawa, withstanding repeated attacks it is said from a force of over 10,000 long enough for Tokugawa’s army to regroup. The weapon, along with Nihongō and Otegine, is listed as one of “three great spears” in the Kyōhō Meibutsucho, a listing of famous Koto blades made before the Nanbokucho period and compiled by the Hon’ami family during the Kyōhō era (1716–1735). Although only replicas exist today one is kept in Tokyo National Museum.

Tizona Sword

Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid, or simply Rodrigo, was a Castilian nobleman and military leader in medieval Spain. He had used many swords through his life, arguably his most famous was Tizona. One of Spain’s most cherished relics he used it to fight against the Moors. The Christians called him El Campeador, which stood for Outstanding Warrior. He was named the chief general of the army of Alfonso VI and became a Spanish hero. Tizona is 103 cm/40.5 inches long and weighs 1.1 kg/2.4 pounds. It was eventually passed onto his sons-in-law, the Infantes de Carrion but eventually returned into the possession of El Cid. Tizona is currently on display at the Museo de Burgos in Spain.

Zulfigar

Zulfiqar is the ancient sword of the Islamic leader Ali. it’s said to have been given to him by Muhammad. It’s one of the most famous mythical weapons in the Muslim world. After Ali defeated the Meccan’s strongest warrior at the battle of Uhud, he weapons broke so was given Zulfiqar. Ali is commonly drawn holding the sword. It’s said that Ali used the scimitar at the Battle of Trench which is a famous siege attempt on the city of Medina. Ali and his other Muslim defenders-built trenches to repeal attacks.

Holy Prophet PBUH owned about 9 swords like Azab, Al Battar, Al Hattaf and from which eight were kept in the Topkapi museum of Turkey and one in Cairo, Egypt. But Zulfiqar was not found anywhere. It is unknown where the sword is located today.

Muramasa blades

It is said Muramasa Sengo was an evil Japanese swordsmith, who prayed to the gods that his weapons would become great destroyers. Muramasa has been described as completely mad and prone to bouts of violence. It was therefore believed that these destructive qualities were passed by the master swordsmith into the blades he forged. Whoever then wielded the blades would become insane and deadly warriors. The mythical weapons went on to cause devastation wherever they were found. The swords even managed to kill almost every family member of Tokugawa Leyasu. The Shoguns father and grandfather were both killed by servants wielding Muramasa blades. Some call it coincidence but either way, Muramasa blades were then forbidden by the Shogun and anyone caught using one faced harsh punishment. Many of the blades were melted down, some hidden away. The most notable punishment was of Nagasaki in 1634. He was caught hording no less than 24 Muramasa blades so was ordered to perform seppuku (ritual suicide by disembowelment). Despite the harsh punishment, some continued to keep the blades almost like it had some hold over them. Even to go as far as changing the markings to avoid detection. As a result, any Muramasa blades about today are hard to identify as legitimate. One such blade resides in the Tokyo National Museum.

The Sword in The Stone Of San Galgano

Who would have thought that the sword in the stone would be real, well it is although whoever pulls the sword from the stone probably doesn’t become king of England. It belonged to a fierce knight and nobleman San Galgano. It is said he renounced his violent ways and converted to Christianity when he was visited by Archangel Michael. The story goes he was walking on Montesiepi when he saw another vision of a round temple with Jesus and Mary surrounded by the Twelve Apostles. He heard a voice. The archangel Michael spoke to him commanding he renounce his ways and become a knight of god. Galango took his sword and thrust it through a rock which it went through like nothing and remains stuck there to this day. Some recent studies have confirmed its medieval origin. No doubt this is what inspired the King Arthurs Sword in the stone tale. It can be found Inside a glass case in a round chapel on top of Montesiepi in Tuscany, Italy.

Joyeuse

Joyeuse is one of the most famous swords in history. Historical records link the sword to Charlemagne the Great, King of the Franks. Some 1200 years ago, there lived a famous blacksmith named Galas who embarked on a mission of forging the perfect sword. In 802CE, three long years after the blacksmith first set fire to the forge, the very blade that would help conquer Europe was fashioned into existence. That sword was Joyeuse. The sword La Joyeuse would soon command epic tales of conquests, myth, and magic. Charlemagne was known to be ruthless and brutal during battle and Joyeuse was a weapon that was as glorious and deadly as his reputation. Many myths surround the sword, it is said it was forged with the shards of the Lance of Longinus, the very spear that was thrust into Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. It is said whenever Charlemagne unsheathed the sword in battles, a blinding light would blind his enemies and also whoever weirded the sword would become impregnable. Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, King of the Franks; the Franks was an ancient kingdom that existed in modern day France. After the fall of the Roman empire. He was able to build one of the vastest kingdoms in written history. The sword today sits in the Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

The Holy Lance

The holy lance, the Lance of Longinus, the spear of destiny it has many names No other weapon has more controversy or questionable validity as the Holy Lance. Said to be the lance that pierced Jesus of Nazareth during his crucifixion, it was socked in Christ’s blood. With several different artifacts laying claim to the name over the centuries. Are any of the relics real? Over history it has been passed from ruler to ruler including Charlemagne, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, and Alaric, the King of the Visigoths and even Hitler. Napoleon also sought the spear, but never obtained the relic. The holders of the spear believed it gave them the power to control the destiny of the world, but with one fatal caveat – the holder dies soon after the spear leaves their possession. On April 30th, 1945, at 2:10 PM, advancing American forces took possession of the artifact Hitler believed to be the spear. Eighty minutes later Adolf Hitler died, by his own hand, in a bunker in Berlin, holding true to the legend that the loss of the spear leads to the death of the owner.

In addition to the spear that General Patton’s forces obtained there are two others spears which claim to be the spear of destiny. The one obtained from Hitler is also known as the Vienna Lance. It was examined by Dr. Robert Feather who concluded that is was from the 7th Century AD making it a Roman artifact.

A fragment of a second spear is held in Saint Peter’s Basilica within Vatican City. The history of this spear dictates a shard of it broke off for an unknown reason when it was thrust into Jesus side during the 7th Century. The body of this spear, currently held in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The point of the spear is never physically reunited with the fragment within Saint Peter’s Basilica. The only confirmation of a “proper fit” came when a drawing of the tip (made prior to its loss in the French revolution) received by Pope Benedict XIV is compared to the large fragment held at Saint Peter’s Basilica around 1750.

A third spear that is also mentioned to be the spear of destiny is held at Echmiadzin Lance, is held in Armenia. This spear, however, is clearly a religious artifact and not aweapon due to its size and Greek cross cut into the spear. Probably manufacture for ceremonial purposes.

None of the spear’s dates to the proper time period. The earliest spear claimed to be the Spear of Destiny appears in the 7th Century AD, roughly 600 years after the period its perceived use in the 1st Century AD.

No concrete evidence exists linking the spear to the archaeological truth, even the Catholic Church makes no claim the spear they hold is the one that pierced Jesus of Nazareth and it’s just a religious artifact. If there ever truly was a real Spear of destiny, with the amount of war, ransacking of Kingdoms and the changing of hands it was probably lost of destroyed centuries ago.

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