Tales of Joyeuse: The Sword that Conquered Europe

source: Ancient Origins

Some 1200 years ago, there lived a famous blacksmith named Galas who embarked on a mission of forging the perfect sword. In 802CE, three long years after the blacksmith first set fire to the forge, the very blade that would help conquer Europe was fashioned into existence. 

Fated to rest in the hands of the battle-born King of the Franks, Charlemagne, the sword La Joyeuse would soon command epic tales of conquests, myth, and magic. The history of Charlemagne’s conquest of Europe, for the most part, is a story of Joyeuse. Legend has it that Charlemagne was on his way back from Spain when setting camp in the very region where Galas was working; there the King of the Franks acquired Joyeuse. Charlemagne was known to be especially brutal and ruthless when fighting his battles, and Joyeuse was a weapon that was as glorious and deadly as his reputation.

There exist several accounts that ascribe magical powers to Joyeuse. Legend has it that the sword was forged with the shards of the infamous Lance of Longinus—the very lance that was stabbed into Jesus’ side during the crucifixion. It is said that whenever Charlemagne unsheathed Joyeuse in battle, he revealed a sword that outshone the sun, and left its enemies blind. It is also said that whoever mastered Joyeuse was impregnable to poison. 

The King of the Franks

source: Museum of Artifacts - blogger

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, who lived from 742CE to 814CE was the King of the Franks; the Franks was an ancient kingdom that existed in modern day France. Charlemagne was a central figure to the political, military, and spiritual reshaping of medieval Europe. 

Soon after the fall of the Roman Empire, Charlemagne was responsible for consolidating the powers of Western Europe. He was able to build one of the vastest kingdoms in written history. The King of the Franks ruled over what are now the countries of France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and the Low Countries. In a rather militaristic method, Charlemagne was able to enforce the spread of Christianity throughout the conquered lands of Europe. 

Charlemagne was born in 742CE and was the son of King Pepin the Short. Upon the death of King Pepin, Charlemagne inherited the crown with his brother Carloman.  Unfortunately, after the brothers inherited the throne, Carloman passed away. Charlemagne then became the sole King of the Franks. 

Among the many things that the new king inherited was the responsibility to protect the temporal of the Holy See, the central seat of government of the Catholic Church occupied by the Pope. As a result, Charlemagne became deeply embroiled in wars against adversaries of the church, the most powerful of which were the pagan Lombards and Saxons of Germany. 

Ultimately, the new king was able to prove his military prowess by annihilating the adversaries of the land and the church. In 774CE, with a victory against the Lombards and the Saxons under his belt, the pope declared Charlemagne as the first champion of the Catholic Church. 

The Song of Roland

source:  Marto Deluxe Edition

The next two decades of Charlemagne’s reign were marked by brutal wars waged against the Lombards and Saxons of Germany and the Moors of Spain. In 778CE, Charlemagne launched a campaign against the Moors. It was during this campaign that the legendary Battle of Roncevaux Pass took place. The Battle of Roncevaux Pass was later immortalized in the epic poem Song of Roland, one of the oldest surviving major works of French literature. The 11th-century epic poem mentioned an account of Charlemagne riding into battle with La Joyeuse: 

(Charlemagne) was wearing his fine white coat of mail and his helmet with gold-studded stones; by his side hung Joyeuse, and never was there a sword to match it; its color changed thirty times a day. 

According to the story, it was during the Battle of Roncevaux Pass when Charlemagne momentarily lost Joyeuse. To get his sword back, Charlemagne promised to reward whoever could bring Joyeuse back to him. Eventually, one of Charlemagne’s soldiers found Joyeuse and brought it to him. True to his word, the King of the Franks gifted a generous portion of land to his soldier; Charlemagne planted his sword into the earth as he proclaimed— 

“Here will be built an estate of which you will be the lord and master, and your descendants will take the name of my wonderful sword: Joyeuse.” 

According to the story, this is the origin of the French town Joyeuse which sits in South France.

In 779CE, Charlemagne once again launched a massive military assault against the Saxons; this time, the campaign dealt a rather destructive blow to the King’s adversaries as it yielded the baptism of the Saxon leader in 785CE. 

After securing a lasting victory against the Saxons, Charlemagne’s reign became relatively quiet, except for occasional small-scale revolts and Viking raids. Charlemagne’s accomplishments in defending the Holy See and Western Christendom were eventually recognized in 800CE when the Pope crowned him as the Emperor of the Western Empire. 

As great a king as he was, Charlemagne proved to be an even greater emperor. He was able to bring order to a chaotic empire and set a good example to future kings and emperors. Under his reign, agriculture, trade, and law saw unprecedented leaps forward. 

Safekeeping La Joyeuse

charlemagne's saber - Imperial treasury of vienna 

Historians of today associate two swords to Charlemagne. One of Charlemagne’s swords is a saber; it is currently in the care of Weltliche Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury) in Vienna, Austria. While the other one is the legendary sword Joyeuse which is currently in the care of the Louvre Museum. 

Joyeuse was transferred into the Louvre in 1793. Before then, the sword was kept originally in a monastery in Saint-Denis, which is a place of burial for French kings. The earliest mention of the sword being kept in the monastery was in 1905; Joyeuse was mentioned in an inventory where it was listed alongside two other royal swords—the swords of Louise IX and Charles VII.  

The sword Joyeuse derives its name from the word “joyful.” Since the 13th century, Joyeuse was featured prominently in coronation rites of rulers of France. The earliest known event when Joyeuse was used at a coronation was in 1270 when of the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold was crowned into power. This was a tradition continued until the coronation rites of Charles X in 1825.

Anatomy of the Sword

source: Medieval Ages-Life in Medieval Times

Today, the once battle-wielded Joyeuse is kept in the Louvre Museum; by this time, the sword has been preserved as a composite of numerous parts added over its long years of service as a coronation regalia. According to the Louvre, the pommel, the cross guard, and the grip had been all been replaced sometime between the 10th and 13th century. And although much of the original steel remains intact to this day, the blade itself had allegedly been refurbished sometime in the 19th century. 

Because it wasn’t being used in battle anymore, Joyeuse had undergone a lot of cosmetic changes to give it a more prestigious look. These ornamentations made Joyeuse representative of a wide range of cosmetic sensibilities from all around Europe throughout different periods in time. 

Joyeuse features two halves of a heavily sculpted gold pommel. The long gold grip measured 4.2 inches and was originally designed with a fleur-de-lis ornamentation within its prominent diamond patterning; fleur-de-lis is a stylized representation of a lily that is most famously recognized as the former royal arms of France. The fleur-de-lis ornamentation, however, was removed for the coronation of Napoleon I in 1804. 

Joyeuse features a gold cross-guard that measures 8.9 inches wide. It sports two winged dragons that are beaded with lapis lazuli eyes. The cross-guard was stamped in the 13th century with the text, “Deux marcs et demi et dix esterlins”; this translates to “two marks and a half and ten sterlings”, which is the weight of the gold. 

Joyeuse features a slender Oakeshott type II blade with a wide and shallow fuller. The blade of Joyeuse runs 32.6 inches long and measures 1.77 inches wide. There are competing schools of thought that offers opposing views on estimated age of the blade. One school of thought believes that the sword, to this very day, features the original blade of Joyeuse that dates back to the Middle Ages; the other suggests that the blade was forged when the sword allegedly got an overhaul in 1804. 

Much like most parts of the sword, the scabbard that originally carried Joyeuse had long undergone various changes. It is very likely that not much of the original scabbard remains except for its belt and the precious stones that were planted on its throat. 

At its present form, the scabbard consists of gilded silver. Its 6-inch throat is covered with purple velvet and ornamented with gold-threaded fleur-de-lis and gems. The velvet and fleurs-de-lis were late additions to the sword; both were added in 1824 for the coronation of Charles X. As for its dimensions, the scabbard has a length of 33 inches and a width of 2.75 inches. A piece of the original belt is still fitted in place, in true medieval fashion, with a gilded buckle. 

Today, Joyeuse remains to be one of the most important swords in all of Europe. Although it has long been removed from the battlefields of yesteryears, Charlemagne’s prized weapon serves as a reminder of prestige and royalty—a surviving testament to the King’s legendary conquests and much storied victories. 

5 Christian Relics That Supposedly Have Supernatural Powers

Miracles were once frequent phenomena that confirmed the validity of Christian teachings. According to the Christian faith, God’s purpose in performing miracles was to convince disbelievers of the divine appointment of the perpetrators of these miracles, and thereby proving the reliability of their claims and teachings. In fact, for Christian authorities, a miracle was not really considered a miracle unless it helped prove the truth of the Christian religion.

Thus, it is not surprising that the history of Christianity overflows with claims of miraculous events, and some of them are not just performed by Jesus and the saints, but also by several holy items. Many of these relics are believed to have been preserved since biblical times in hidden places, only to be miraculously discovered later on by devout Christians.   

 Setting aside the prevailing doubt surrounding such holy items, here are five Christian relics that supposedly have miraculous as well as supernatural powers.

1. The Miraculous Medal of the Our Lady of Graces

source: legion of mary

The first relic on this list is the Miraculous Medal. Also known as the Medal of the Our Lady of Graces, the Miraculous Medal was created in response to a supposed request from the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. The design was originated by Saint Catherine Labouré after her apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rue du Bac, Paris, France. Mary told her that those who wear the medal would receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.

After two years of investigation and observation of Saint Catherine, the request to design the Miraculous Medal was approved and was produced through the goldsmith Adrien Vachette.

The first medals were made in 1832 and were distributed in Paris. As the story goes, the blessing that Mary had promised began to shower down almost immediately on those who wore the medal, and soon, the people of France clamored to have what they called the “Miraculous Medal.” Since then, the use of the medal has spread in different parts of the world, and until now, there are devout Christians who continue to wear the Miraculous Medal around their neck and claim to receive the special graces from God for the body and the soul.

2. The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Source: crossroads initiative

The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe had been the subject of many technical studies since 1751 and extensive scientific evaluations in recent years. However, up to this very day, this relic has continued to baffle science, human reasoning and even some skeptics.

The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which marks the day when the Blessed Mother appeared to a 57-year-old peasant named Juan Diego in Mexico back in 1531. According to the earliest reliable account of the story, the Virgin Mary appeared several times before Juan Diego. The surface of his “tilma” – a burlap-type cloak – which bore the image of the Blessed Mother, served as proof of what he had seen. This image on his “tilma” came to be known as “Our Lady of Guadalupe.”

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, until now, continues to be a relic of awe and mystery. According to some experts, this relic possesses qualities that are humanly impossible to replicate. Many duplicates of the image were made to verify the validity of this supposedly miraculous relic, and while the duplicates have deteriorated over a short period of time, the original image has endured until now and remained in a state of perfect condition.

 The “tilma” featuring the image of the Virgin Mary is also believed to be virtually indestructible, having survived two instances that should have completely destroyed the image. For example, in 1921, an anti-clerical activist hid a bomb inside the Basilica at Guadalupe. When the bomb exploded, almost everything was broken except the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The only damage that occurred in close proximity to the “tilma” was a brass crucifix that got twisted and bent back by the blast.

3. The Blood of Saint Januarius

source:  Aleteia

The third relic on this list is the Blood of Saint Januarius. In the very early fourth century, Saint Januarius was a bishop of Beneventum in Italy who died a martyr during the bloody persecution of Emperor Diocletian.

A relic of his dried blood has been preserved to this day and is kept in the cathedral of Naples, where he is the patron saint. In what appears to be a miracle, the blood liquefies on its own on three separate occasions each year, and thousands of people assemble to witness this miracle in Naples Cathedral three times a year.

On rare occasions that the blood of Saint Januarius fails to liquefy, it has historically been attached to an impending calamity. The last time the miracle of blood liquefication failed to occur was in 1980, and the people of Naples associated it with the earthquake of Irpinia during which 2,900 people died in what is considered to be the worst natural disaster in Italian post-war history. In 1973, the blood also failed to liquefy, and believers connected it with a cholera epidemic that visited Naples that year.

 Scarily enough, for the first time in 36 years, the blood of Saint Januarius did not liquefy in the city’s cathedral last year in December. To many people of Naples, the blood remaining solid is considered a premonition of evil.

4. The Holy Lance/The Spear of Destiny

source: vienna muses

The Holy Lance. In Christian tradition, the Holy Lance, also known as the Spear of Destiny, is the spear believed to be the one the Roman soldier Longinus used to pierce the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross.

Christian knights discovered the Holy Lance at Antioch during the First Crusade in 1098. As the story goes, the sight of the sacred relic in the Church of St. Peter inspired the beleaguered Christian soldiers and they successfully routed the Saracens from the city. According to legend, whoever claims the spear and uncovers the secrets it holds will possess supernatural powers that will enable him to conquer the world.

There are currently several relics in various European churches that claim to be the genuine Holy Lance. However, the spear that is on display in the Hapsburg Treasure House Museum in Vienna has been considered the most authentic one.

This particular relic was also known as Constantine’s Lance, and it was used as a symbol of the imperial power of Holy Roman emperors during their coronation. The lance is also believed by some to have been possessed by a series of successful military leaders, including Theodosius, Charles Martel, Charlemagne and Frederick Barbarossa. There is also a theory claiming that Hitler took possession of the Spear of Destiny at some point during his most successful military campaigns.

5. The Holy Grail

source: typewoon.wikia.com

Last but certainly not the least: at number 5, the Holy Grail. Most people identify a single chalice as the only Holy Grail. However, there are those who have pointed out that European legends about this special cup during the 12th to 15th centuries enumerated more than ten different Holy Grails.

In the Christian faith, the Holy Grail is identified as a serving dish or a chalice that was used by Jesus during the Last Supper. This chalice is also considered as the vessel that Joseph of Arimathea used to catch the blood and sweat of the Messiah in after he was taken down from the Cross.

As the story goes, Joseph of Arimathea was imprisoned for several years for expressing his faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the son of God. After he was released, he traveled to Britain and took the grail with him, and when he died, the grail was passed on to his descendants. According to legend, the Holy Grail provided magical qualities to the righteous if they drink or eat from it, or even by just touching it. Its miraculous powers are believed to be capable of healing and enlightening people, and possibly even making them immortal.  

The legend of the Holy Grail has been perpetuated through literature since the 12th century, specifically in tales which involve the knights of Camelot who served the legendary King Arthur of Britain. In modern times, this special chalice has been the subject of blockbuster films like “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” thrusting the legend of the magical cup back to people’s consciousness.

There are many relics associated with Jesus and the Christian faith which have been claimed and displayed throughout the history of Christianity. The authenticity of many of these relics as well as their supposed miraculous and supernatural powers are still heavily disputed until now. However, the firmness in the faith and belief of those who are devoted to these relics and the miracles they are thought capable of performing should not be so easily taken for granted by science or by skeptics.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that in the Christian faith, homage or respect is not really paid to inanimate objects like relics, but to the holy person they’re connected with. And the veneration of that holy person is itself an honor paid to God. As such, the miracles and cures attributed to these relics are not because of their own power but because of the holiness of the person they represent.

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Sources:

https://cammonline.org/the-story-of-the-miraculous-medal/
http://catholicism.org/miraculous-medal.html
http://www.marian.org/news/The-Meaning-of-the-Miraculous-Medal-2942
http://infallible-catholic.blogspot.com/2012/04/miraculous-image-of-our-lady-of.html
http://mtncatholic.com/2014/12/11/4-literally-awesome-facts-about-our-lady-of-guadalupe/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/r-andrew-chesnut/the-virgin-of-guadalupe-t_b_8752084.html
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/12/19/bloody-of-st-januarius-fails-to-liquefy/
http://novusordowatch.org/2016/12/not-this-time-saint-januarius-blood-fails-to-liquefy/
http://www.unmuseum.org/spear.htm
http://www.unexplainedstuff.com/Objects-of-Mystery-and-Power/Things-of-Sacred-Power-The-spear-of-destiny.html
http://www.unexplainedstuff.com/Objects-of-Mystery-and-Power/Things-of-Sacred-Power-The-holy-grail.html
http://www.ancient-origins.net/opinion-guest-authors/truth-about-holy-grail-magical-chalices-around-world-005124