''Durandal'' is a novel of historical fiction by

Harold Lamb Harold Albert Lamb (September 1, 1892 – April 9, 1962) was an American writer, novelist, historian, and screenwriter. In both his fiction and nonfiction work, Lamb gravitated toward subjects related to Asia and the Middle East. Lamb was an advo ...

. The first part of a 1931 novel (see below), it was published as a stand-alone book titled simply ''

Durandal Durendal, also spelled Durandal, is the sword of Roland, a legendary paladin and partially historical officer of Charlemagne in French epic literature. The sword is famous for its hardness and sharpness. Sources including '' La Chanson de Rolan ...

'' in

1981 Events January * January 1 ** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union. ** Palau becomes a self-governing territory. * January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...

by Donald M. Grant, Publisher in an edition of 1,875 copies of which 400 were boxed and signed by the artists. Intended as the first part in a proposed trilogy, it was followed in 1983 by '' The Sea of the Ravens'', comprising the second section of the 1931 novel. A final volume to complete the trilogy, to be titled ''Rusudan'', has yet to be published. The book has illustrations by George Barr and

Alicia Austin Alicia Austin (born 1942) is an American fantasy and science fiction artist and illustrator. She works in print-making, Prismacolor, pastels and watercolors. Early life and education Austin was born in Providence, Kentucky. As her father was ...

. The Donald M. Grant editions contain Lamb's original introductions, which were not included in the 1931 edition. In this original introduction to ''Durandal'', Lamb commented, “the legend that the Arabs took the sword of Roland with them to Africa and hence to Asia Minor, I have seen and read, but cannot recall where or when. A reading of ''

The Song of Roland The ''Song of Roland'' () is an 11th-century based on the deeds of the Frankish military leader Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in AD 778, during the reign of the Emperor Charlemagne. It is the oldest surviving major work of French li ...

'' does not yield any mention of the sword Durandal after the death of the hero. It is just as reasonable to assume that the sword was taken by the Arabs (Moors) as that it remained lying under Roland’s body until the Franks arrived on the battlefield a good many hours later.” Lamb's original novel titled ''Durandal: A Crusader in the Horde'', was published in 1931 by

Doubleday Doubleday may refer to: * Doubleday (surname), including a list of people with the name Publishing imprints * Doubleday (publisher), imprint of Knopf Doubleday, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House * Doubleday Canada, imprint of Penguin Random ...

, and consisted of three stories (''Durandal'', ''Sea of Ravens'' and ''Rusudan''), which first appeared in ''

Adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...

'' in 1926 & 1927, linked by additional material into a whole.

Plot introduction

The tale of two Crusaders, betrayed by the scheming Christian Emperor Theodore and pursued by Muslim swordsmen, who discover the sword of

Roland Roland (; ; or ''Rotholandus''; or ''Rolando''; died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. The historical Roland was mil ...

References

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''Durandal''
at Curved Saber: the Official Harold Lamb Site 1926 American novels 1981 American novels American fantasy novels Novels set during the Crusades Books illustrated by Alicia Austin Books illustrated by George Barr Works originally published in Adventure (magazine) Donald M. Grant, Publisher books {{1980s-fantasy-novel-stub