Sword of Sts. Cosmas & Damian

By Crusader1307

Also known as the Sword of Essen. It was a gift from King Otto III to The Convent of Essen in 993 A.D. It symbolized the martyrdom of Saints Cosmas and Damian (Patron Saints of The City of Essen, Germany). The blade is 4 feet long and was once decorated with gold filigree and precious stones (little remain). The scabbard is beechwood and embossed with gold plating. The blade is inscribed in Latin with the phrase "The Sword, with which our Patrons were beheaded". Overall, it is an impressive sword.