France’s sword “Excalibur” mysteriously disappeared after being stuck in rock for 1,300 years.
Police are investigating the suspected theft of the legendary weapon that was embedded in a rock 32 feet above the ground.
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The French version of King ArthurParis’ “Excalibur” has long been the main attraction of the small medieval village of Rocamadour.
The so-called Durandal is referenced in The Song of Roland, an 11th century poem.
The epic tail describes the magical properties of the sword and states that it contained the tooth of Saint Peter, the blood of Saint Basil, and the hair of Saint Denis.
According to local folklore, the sword belonged to Roland, a legendary knight who fought for Charlemagne in the 8th century.
The weapon was believed to be indestructible and capable of cutting giant boulders with a single blow.
According to legend, Durandal was given to Charlemagne by an angel before becoming the property of Roland.
Before his heroic death, Roland attempted to break the blade into the rocks to prevent his enemies from obtaining it – but failed.
He then threw the sword into the air, sending it flying hundreds of kilometers before landing on the cliff of Rocamadour.
The sword’s inexplicable disappearance confused local residents, as the thief would have had to climb 32 feet up the rocky surface to retrieve it.
Residents of Rocamadour were devastated to learn that their beloved relic had gone missing.
Durandal was so loved by the local community that a councilor personally accompanied it on its trip to the Cluny museum for a temporary exhibition in 2011.
Local mayor Dominique Lenfant told La Dépêche: “We will miss Durandal. It has been part of Rocamadour for centuries and there is no guide that doesn’t point it out when you visit.
“Rocamadour feels like a part of himself has been stolen, but even though he is a legend, the fates of our village and this sword are intertwined.”
Authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged theft.
Legend of Excalibur
EXCALIBUR is a mythical sword that belonged to King Arthur and was said to possess magical powers.
Legend has it that little Arthur was able to pull the sword out of a stone into which it had been magically embedded.
The most popular Tail tells the story of the magician Merlin who challenged the nobles to pull the sword from the rock to prove his claim to the throne.
The 15th-century prose Le Morte d’Arthur stated: “whoever draws this sword from this stone and anvil, is rightly born king of all England”.
After many gathered nobles fail, Arthur, who went there as a squire to his adoptive brother, Kay, tries his luck and succeeds effortlessly.
The act proved that Arthur was “the true king” and gave him the right to the British throne.
Merlin then announces that Arthur is a god-appointed king and reveals his true parentage.
The mysterious robbery comes amid a chilling warning to Britons to remain vigilant as thugs roam the streets of France.
On Sunday, at least one person died and five were injured after a gang armed with Kalashnikovs opened fire at a wedding ceremony in Thionville, Lorraine.
In Paris, a British woman was sexually assaulted by a gang of hooded men at the Fête de la Musique festival.
It follows similar attacks at the event in the French capital – which became notorious for violent crime and a lack of policing.
Paris authorities have also vowed to crack down on crime ahead of the Olympics, which begin in just a few weeks.
Police said they would clear the capital’s tourist area before thousands of people descended on the much-loved games.
But the biggest sporting event could be overshadowed by political upheaval, as France could be heading towards far-right dominance.
After Marine Le Pen’s National Rally won the first round of elections, hundreds of left-wing protesters took to the streets of Paris.
The results led to a deluge of protesters clashing with police, while dramatic images showed raging fires and smashed shop windows.
Dozens of protesters also climbed Place de la Republique as police and firefighters tried to quell tensions.
Police shed tears gas while firefighters tried to put out the flames.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
