As told in the
Matter of France, Durendal or Durandal (
Italian: Durlindana) 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 one 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 ambushing
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
Ogier the Dane's sword
Curtana read My name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as
Joyeuse and Durendal.
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