Durendal

For other uses, see Durandal (disambiguation).

Alleged fragment of Durendal in Rocamadour

As told in the Matter of France, Durendal or Durandal (Italian: Durindana) is the sword of Charlemagne's paladin Roland (Orlando in Italian). According to Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso it once belonged to Hector of Troy, and was given to Roland by Malagigi (Maugris).

In The Song of Roland, the sword is said to contain within the hilt a tooth of Saint Peter, blood of Saint Basil, hair of Saint Denis, and a piece of the raiment of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the poem, Count Roland attempts to destroy the sword to prevent it from being captured by the invading Saracens and creates La Brèche de Roland in the Pyrenees in the process. But Durendal proves indestructible, so he hurls it into a poisoned stream instead. Local folklore claims Durendal still exists, preserved in Rocamadour, France. An inscription on Edward the Confessor's sword Curtana read My name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as Joyeuse and Durendal.

The weapons manufacturing company Matra has revived the name Durandal with its Durandal Anti-Installation, parachute delayed missile system.

Unlike many legends many historians believe this is true, although most of them do not think it is the sword in question many believe that a fragment of an old sword rests there be it durendal or not.

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