Curtana or The Sword of Mercy

The special feature of Curtana lies in its broken blade. It symbolises that justice will be tem pered with mercy.

There are no historically verifiable sources concerning the origin of Curtana. Instead, one of the legends surrounding Curtana will be mentioned here. Ogier the Dane (800-814) wanted to kill one of the sons of the Emperor Charlemagne in revenge for the death of his own son. Just as he was about to carry out the bloody deed an angel appeared and struck his sword aside. The blade broke in two, and the angel spoke the words "Mercy is better than revenge". Consequently, this Sword of Mercy always has a blunt end.

(Antje Beutel, Rebecca Jähner M.A., translated by Hugh Langridge M.A.)