Ancient history

Durandal

Durandal is the name of the knight Roland's sword.

The latter's death in Roncesvalles in an ambush by Basques is recounted in Roland's song (where the Basques are replaced by the Moors). Sensing his end approaching, Roland tried to smash Durandal on a rock, to prevent her from being taken by the enemy. But the blade remained intact and shattered the rock, opening Roland's Breach. One version of the legend has it that Roland then called on the Archangel Saint Michael for help, then threw the sword down the valley. It then miraculously crossed several hundred kilometers before burying itself in the rock of Notre-Dame de Rocamadour where it can still be admired today.

Durandal comes from Dragvendill:sword/glaive, Norwegian name, old sword of the Rafnista family, is the origin of the word Durendal:“blind force” in Welsh, which gave its name to Durandal. Sword called Flæmberg:"Flamberge", from Flæma:"hunting" and Berg:"rock", literally:"hunting rock" in Norse, the latter was later attributed to Renaud de Montauban by his cousin, the magician Maugis, in the French chanson de geste by Les Quatre fils Aimon.


Previous Post
Next Post