Excalibur was the sword traditionally associated with King Arthur in medieval legend.
The name developed from older Welsh Arthurian traditions and became especially prominent in French and English medieval romances. In many versions, Excalibur is a supernatural weapon connected with Arthur’s rightful kingship. Some stories distinguish it from the sword Arthur draws from a stone, while others treat the two swords as the same weapon.
The sword’s scabbard is also important in several romances because it protects its wearer from losing blood. Excalibur is a legendary object rather than a documented medieval weapon, so it should not be treated as evidence that Arthur was a historically verified king. Durendal belongs chiefly to the legend of Roland, Joyeuse is associated with Charlemagne, and Gram belongs to Germanic and Norse heroic tradition.