The Sword of San Galgano

By Crusader1307

Galgano Guidotti was an Italian Nobleman's Son, who turned to a life of ''Immorality and Crime'', in 12th Century Tuscany. According to his Legend, The Archangel Michael visited him and ordered him to ''change his ways and turn his Life towards service to God''. Ignoring The Vision, Galgano was continued to be plagued by ''bad luck''. He was visited one last time and ''warned''. This time, the bandit and expert swordsman was told to make a Cross and to plunge it into the ground – to declare his readiness to serve God. Having to wood to make a Cross, Galgano supposedly proceeded to a nearby outcropping of granite, where he quickly plunged his blade into the rock. The self-made ''Battle Cross'' remained at it's spot, untouched and unable to be moved by any Man. Eventually, Galgano became a Cistercian Monk and founded an Order of such. Later during internal purges by unscrupulous Cardinals, his Order was abolished. However, a Monastery and later Church was built around Galgano's Sword. Still encased in rock, many cite that this was the actual beginnings of The Arthurian Legend of The Sword Excalibur. Rather unassuming for a Battle Blade, The Sword of St. Galgano is a standard Straight Sword, which can be roughly determined to be around 35-inches in blade length. Made of forged iron, it does not rust (for some ''miraculous'' reason).