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Old 13th September 2009, 03:49 PM   #3
Jim McDougall
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Location: Route 66
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There are I believe at least a couple of swords attributed to Charlemagne, so I dont know which one Pallas is referring to. It is well known that swords in many cases were refurbished if they continued thier working lives as heirlooms into following generations. Swords were of course often repaired and serviced after combat as well, and often swords considered 'composite' are actually still essentially 'original' if elements corroborate in commensurate age.

The swords displayed in museums that are of regalia type status, such as these Charlemagne swords; the swords attributed to Ferdinand in Spain as well as those to 'El Cid' ; and the Holy Swords attributed to Mohammed in Topkapi, are all held to have been refurbished in much later periods.
This by no means lessens their veneration or esteem, only that they were reverently remounted for presentabiity purposes.

To me these famous swords are all the more fascinating for the subsequent history of thier movements and holding in the many years since their use as they were protectively cared for.

It seems there was some discussion and research on some famous swords, I think on the swords of El Cid and thier names.


Best regards,
Jim
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