Oil Painting Lesson: Dick's Art World!

Celtic Legends: The Arthurian Legends [VHS] $19.95 For over fourteen centuries the shadowy figure of King Arthur has been cloaked in myth and fantasy. Arthur has been transformed by time from a fighting warlord into the image of heroic medieval chivalry. This program presents the incredible myths and legends that surround King Arthur. 50 minutes….

The Mists of Avalon $6.55 Magnificent adaptation of Marion Zimmer Bradley’s feminist fantasy novel takes a look at the women behind King Arthur’s throne and the battle between pagan beliefs and Christianity in 7th-century England. Anjelica Huston is Viviane, “The Lady of the Lake,” a pagan princess who teaches niece Morgaine (Julianna Margulies) how to influence King Arthur in order to save paganism. Causing trouble is Mor…

Excalibur $3.03 Director John Boorman’s dazzling filming of the legend of King Arthur features stunning cinematography, mature themes, and superlative performances. After removing the magic sword Excalibur from a stone, young Arthur is guided towards his destiny by the wizard Merlin as he becomes king, assembles the Knights of the Round Table, and pursues the Holy Grail. Nigel Terry, Nicol Williamson, Helen Mirre…

Quest for Camelot $2.79 Lively animated saga with music details the adventures of Kayley, a knight’s spunky daughter who teams with a two-headed dragon and a blind squire to retrieve the sword Excalibur from the evil Ruber in the England of King Arthur. Jessalyn Gilsig, Cary Elwes, Gary Oldman, Don Rickles, Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle supply the voices; soundtrack by Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, Steve Perry. 86 min. Widesc…

Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy $15.50 The Merlin Trilogy is Mary Stewart’s take on the Arthurian legend in three books: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment. These books have Merlin, Arthur’s wizard mentor, as their focal point, and the result is a charming, engrossing tale providing a unique perspective on a familiar tale. Her history is superb and richly detailed, her characterizations are masterful, an…

The Arthurian Legend (Blackmore’s Night – Ghost Of A Rose)

Excalibur Swords, Awesome Power, Legendary Beauty, Lasting Appealexcalibur Swords, Awesome Power, Legendary Beauty, Lasting Appeal

Excalibur – the famous “Sword in the Stone” Take a moment and let your mind’s eye picture the images those words evoke. No sword, real or mythical, is more renowned, more beloved, than Excalibur. There is one simple reason, Excalibur is intimately associated with the myths, legends and romance surrounding King Arthur, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table.

According to legend, Excalibur was a mysterious sword with magical powers, sometimes blinding Arthur’s foes with a blazing-bright light. As legend has it, Arthur became the rightful king of Britain because, even though many others tried, he was the only man able to pull Excalibur out of the stone. Alternate legends say that Arthur received Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake after he broke his first sword, Caliburn. Either way, Excalibur was a magical sword with awesome power and legendary beauty.

No one knows if King Arthur is an actual historical figure, if he actually wielded Excalibur, or if the entire story is merely an entertaining myth. But everyone knows the lore of Excalibur and its royal owner. And the epic film “Camelot” enhanced the mystique and appeal of this famous sword, whetting peoples’ desire to have an Excalibur Sword for themselves.

The Modern Excalibur Sword.

The modern Excalibur Sword was born out of legend, out of mystique, out of the mists of the past. “Movie swords” such as replica Excalibur Swords are extremely popular with film buffs and with people who have an affinity for the history and lore of the Middle Ages.They are also sought-after by people who love historical fiction and fantasy books such as the Arthurian novel “The Once and Future King.” One look at an Excalibur Sword will easily evoke images of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Excalibur Swords are very collectible and can be a bold addition to a home’s decor. And Medieval tournament re-enactments have become very popular. An Excalibur Sword worn by a man attending a Medieval re-enactment would be the perfect complement to a period costume from that era.

Elegant Yet Powerful.

Usually double-handed, there are several varieties of the Excalibur Sword. All are beautiful, and all evoke the pageantry and glory of long ago, heroic times. Some Excalibur Swords have leather-wrapped hilts and rough leather or wood scabbards or sheaths. Other Excalibur Swords have chrome-plated steel hilts and blades. Still others have solid silver or brass hilts and polished stainless steel blades. Some have hilts that have been etched with the traditional triple crown design of King Arthur. And some have precious or semi-precious gems and jewels inlaid or set into the hilt.But no matter what metal is used for the sword, and no matter how ornately or simply decorated, the design always harkens back to those that were used when King Arthur and his knights lived and died so valiantly. And to magic and mystery.

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