Feb 6, 2008

Famous Swords: Joyeuse

Charlemagne is not only regarded as the founding father of both French and German monarchies, but as the father of Europe: his empire united most of Western Europe for the first time since the Romans. Charlemagne was engaged in almost constant battle throughout his reign, often at the head of his elite bodyguard squadrons, with his legendary sword Joyeuse in hand.

The name of Charlemagne's sword, Joyeuse, translates as "joyful." Some legends claim that it was forged to contain the Lance of Longinus within its pommel - others state it was supposedly smithed from the same materials as Roland's Durendal and Ogier's Cortana.

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