Arthurian & Chivalric
Excalibur
Excalibur
Cuts through enemy armor, and whoever wears its scabbard does not bleed.
WeaponFirst recorded 1136
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Photograph: An Italian parade shield from Milan, about 1570. Saint Paul falling from his horse amid soldiers is densely embossed on steel enriched with gold and silver.
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3,000 × 2,400 PX3000×2400
ArchiveArthurian & Chivalric · Armor
Prydwen
Prydwen
With the Virgin painted inside, it guarded Arthur in battle.
- Owner
- King Arthur
- Maker
- Unknown
- First record
- Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain1136
- Gallery
- Arthurian & Chivalric
Notes on the photograph 3
Story
Geoffrey of Monmouth writes that when Arthur set out for the battle of Bath he hung a round shield called Pridwen on his shoulder. The Virgin Mary was painted on its inner side, so that Arthur would keep her in mind throughout the fight.
In the older Welsh poem Preiddeu Annwfn, Prydwen is not a shield but a ship. Arthur and his men sail it to the otherworld of Annwfn to seize a magic cauldron, but only seven return.
Its two faces, shield and ship, are traces of a single name becoming different objects as it passed through different traditions.
The object in the photo
The photograph shows Parade Shield Depicting the Conversion of Saint Paul(Italian, Milan, ca. 1570), a real museum object that evokes the legendary artifact.
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Grants those who see it the food they desire, and shows itself only to the pure knight.
VesselFirst recorded 1180
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