The Song of Roland tells of how Charlemagne once lost the sword in battle. He offered a reward for its return and one of his soldiers finally brought it to him. The king kept his word, planting the blade in the earth and thereby founding the town of Joyeuse, now located in the modern-day French department of Ardèche. "Here will be built and estate of which you will be the lord and master," he told the worthy soldier, "and your descendants will take the name of my wonderful sword."

The historical record is unclear as to what happened to the supernatural sword after Charlemagne's death in 814. It appears to have been lost for a few centuries, before a blade identified as his trusty Joyeuse was used to coronate King Philip the Bold in 1270. It went on to be used in several French coronation ceremonies, the last time being the crowning of King Charles X in 1824.

The sword connected to Charlemagne's Joyeuse has been in the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1793. Along with the history of the centuries, it also contains parts added onto it as it was used for coronations. Whether it truly can protect one from poisons or blind entire armies, the truth about Charlemagne's legendary sword is that it has captured our imaginations for centuries and continues to do so today.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qL7Up56eZpOkunB%2Bk2pwbHBfqbWmecuenp6mlGK8p3nJqLCeraOaerTDzqubZqeWYrCprdGlnKaZl6OycA%3D%3D