A two-century-old sword, unofficially named 'Kent's Excalibur,' has been discovered in the lake at Chiddingstone Castle in Edenbridge, England. The find occurred as the region experienced a severe heatwave, causing water levels to plummet.
Volunteers clearing fallen branches on Thursday, August 6, found the sword and used a grappling hook to retrieve it. The castle's curator, Naomi Collick, has begun investigating the artifact's history. The sword's location in the lake has drawn comparisons to the legend of King Arthur's Excalibur, which was famously returned to a lake.
Collick stated that the volunteers, Gordon and Paul, were excited by the discovery. "We have not discovered anything like this before on the grounds, so it was absolutely fascinating," she said. The sword has a gilded hilt featuring a lion, believed to be made of brass, and remains in good condition, though the curved blade is rusted and covered in mud.
Several theories are being considered regarding the sword's origin. Research suggests it may belong to a Victorian bandsman from the early 1800s, used for ceremonial purposes. The castle's lake was constructed in the 1800s, making a maximum age of 200 years plausible. Another possibility is that it belonged to Denys Eyre Bower, an eccentric former owner and art dealer who collected swords. Military connections are also being explored, with theories suggesting it could have belonged to Second World War soldiers stationed at the castle, or even a spectral soldier from local ghost stories.
The castle is currently experiencing the effects of the heatwave, with browned lawns and trees shedding leaves early. The lowered water levels are also impacting the grounds. The discovery of the sword highlights how extreme weather conditions can reveal historical artifacts.
This event comes as officials confirm that more than two-thirds of England is currently under drought conditions. The reduced water levels have also led to the exposure of other historical sites, such as the ruins of the medieval village of Nether Hambleton, which was submerged to create the Rutland Water reservoir 50 years ago. **
The castle is consulting with museums and experts and examining its archives to identify the sword. The find has also been reported to the local finds liaison officer. "It is basically a case of detective work, really," Collick noted, emphasizing the artifact's fragile state.