Return to the shrine homepage This short section helps the Arthurian dabbler keep track of the profusion of magic swords, scabbards and boats.
Boat, the Priest's - white samite-draped boat lent to Percivale by the old hermit on the island of temptation.
Boat, Morgan le Fay's - used to trap & separate Arthur, Uriens & Accolon when out hunting, then much, much later to carry the dying Arthur to Avelion (or Glastonbury).
Boat, Solomon's - ancient magic silk-draped boat built by Solomon's wife using bits of the Tree of Knowledge, and carrying King David's Sword.
Excalibur - magic sword given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake. AKA Cut-steel. Comes with scabbard that prevents all loss of blood.
Longinus, Spear of - used to poke Christ on the cross. Brought to Britain by Joseph of Aramathie & ended up in King Pelles' castle. AKA Spear of Vengeance.
Round Table - built by Merlin for Uther, stored by Leodegrance then given to Arthur as a dowry with Guenever. Seats 150 at sieges that magically rename themselves, including the deadly Siege Perilous. Seemingly travels round with Arthur from seat to seat.
Sangreal, the - magical golden vessel bearing the blood of Christ, in the keeping of King Pelles, able to heal & feed the righteous. AKA The Holy Greal AKA the Holy Vessel. It may be the cup Jesus drank from at the last supper, filled with his blood by Joseph of Aramathie, or it may be the residue of Christ's blood on the Spear of Longinus (or it may be his descendent !).
Questing Beast, The - the head of a serpent, the body of a leopard, the buttocks of a lion, the feet of a hart and tummy rumbles like 60 barking hounds. First pursued by King Pellinore, then Palomides. "Questing" & "glatisant" both mean "barking". Merlin's predictions regarding which appear to be lost.
Shield of Joseph - built by Joseph of Aramathie for King Evelake, and painted with his last nose-bleed. White with a red cross.
Sword in the Stone - Drawn by Arthur from an anvil atop a marble block in London to prove his kingship, then broken fighting with King Pellinore.
Sword of Avelion - brought to Camelot by a damosel of the Lady Lile of Avelion. Drawn by Balin, and after his death set adrift in a block of marble by Merlin, much later to be drawn by Galahad at Camelot at the feast of Pentecost in AD 487.
Sword of David - placed in a magic boat by Solomon circa 950 BC and sent on a world cruise. Cursed to maim or kill any who drew it but the one truly destined (Galahad). Broken by Nacien and repaired by King Mordrains in AD 73. Briefly carried by Kings Hurlame & Pelles circa AD 450. Finally drawn by Galahad in AD 488. AKA Sword with the Strange Girdles (& its sheath Mover of Blood).
Sword of Silver - briefly glimpsed in book 11 by Sir Bors, floating around in Castle Corbin.
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