Fragarach
InIrish mythology,Fragarach(orFreagarthach), known as "The Whisperer", "The Answerer", or "The Retaliator", was theswordofNuada,the firsthigh king.The sword was forged by the gods and was meant to be wielded only by those who posed above the stone of destiny (theLia Fail) which roared and the sword whispered in response.[1]
Nuada lost his arm in the first battle ofMag Tuiredand, being mutilated, was no longer suitable to be high king. So, for the second battle of Mag Tuired, Nuada choseLughas provisional king. Using his spear and a sling given to him byManannán mac Lir,Lugh defeated theFormoriansand their kingBalor.During the battle, Nuada gave Lugh his sword, as a symbol of the king. Neither the poems nor theLebor Gabála Érennsay whether Lugh wielded the sword in the battle.[2]
It was said that, with Fragarach at their throat, no one could move or tell a lie, thus the name "Answerer". The sword was also said to place the wind at the user's command and could cut through any shield or wall, and that it inflicted piercing wounds from which no man could recover.[3]
References
[edit]- ^Smith, Sasha Peyton (28 July 2021)."Read an Excerpt From Sasha Peyton Smith's The Witch Haven".Tor.Retrieved3 August2021.
- ^Pendergrass, Rocky (22 June 2015).Mythological Swords.Lulu.ISBN978-1-329-24281-4.
- ^Clements, Paul."Adventures of a sea god – An Irishman's Diary about Manannán mac Lir".The Irish Times.Retrieved3 August2021.
External links
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