A 200-year-old sword has been discovered in a castle lake in Edenbridge, Kent, after water levels dramatically decreased due to a recent heatwave. The find has led to comparisons with the legendary sword Excalibur, famously wielded by King Arthur.
Volunteers clearing fallen branches at Chiddingstone Castle on Thursday, August 6, found the blade and retrieved it using a grappling hook. The sword was then handed to the castle's curator, Naomi Collick, who began investigating its origins.
Several theories surround the sword's potential owner. Research suggests it could be a ceremonial sword belonging to a Victorian bandsman from the early 1800s, as the lake itself was constructed around that time. This would make the sword a maximum of 200 years old. The sword features a gilded hilt with a lion emblem, appearing to be made of brass and in good condition, though its curved blade is rusted and covered in mud.
Another possibility is that the sword belonged to Denys Eyre Bower, a former owner of the castle and an art dealer known for collecting swords. Additionally, some speculate it could have belonged to troops stationed at the castle during World War II. A local ghost story about a soldier falling into the lake has also been mentioned as a possible, though unverified, connection.
The castle staff are handling the sword with care, using gloves and acid-free tissue, and have contacted museums and experts to help identify it. They are also conducting extensive research using the castle's archives. The finds liaison officer for the area has been notified.
Curator Naomi Collick noted the significant impact of the ongoing heatwave and drought on the castle grounds, with browning lawns and trees dropping leaves early. She indicated that lower water levels might reveal more historical artifacts, referencing the recent exposure of a lost medieval village in the East Midlands due to the shrinking of Rutland Water. The ruins of Nether Hambleton, a village demolished and flooded in the 1970s to create the reservoir, have re-emerged as water levels dropped significantly.