As told in the Matter of France, Durendal or Durandal (Italian: Durlindana Spanish: Durandal or Durandarte) 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). The name probably comes from the French verb "durer", "to endure".
In The Song of Roland, the sword is said to contain within its golden 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 hides it beneath his body along with the oliphant, the horn used to alert Charlemagne.
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.
Other uses
Durandal appears as a sword in the 6th and 7th instalments of the Fire Emblem series. It was originally wielded in the series by a character named Roland, just as it was in the original folklore.
Durandal also appears in the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI as a weapon exclusively for the paladin job class.
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