What is the name of Sir Galahads sword in Arthurian Legend?
Most knights’ swords in Arthurian tales are not given names. Sir Galahad’s first sword, which he drew from a stone floating on the water, is never given a name. Later Galahad receives another sword for which we are given a name: Espee as Estrainges Renges meaning “Sword of the Strange Hangings”. In the Galahad romance this is explained because of a prophecy that the sword will receive a new belt to replace its current belt which is unworthy. Perceval’s sister provides a belt woven from her hair. A sword of the same name appears in Chrétien’s “Perceval ou le conte del Graal” which is the earliest known grail romance. The Sword of the Strange Hangings is offered as a reward to anyone who can rescue the maiden besieged in the hill below Montesclaire. Gawain takes on the quest, and wins the sword in the First Continuation of “Perceval”. The First Continuation explains that the Sword had originally belonged to the Jewish patriot Judas Maccabeus. In Raoul de Houdenc’s Meraugis of Portlesgue
