This is interesting, the legendary sword Durandal (or Durendal) embedded in the cliff face. According to medieval French epic literature, the sword belonged to the heroic knight Roland, a paladin of Charlemagne. Legend states that Roland, near death after the Battle of Roncevaux, attempted to destroy the indestructible sword to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. He threw it a great distance, and it miraculously landed and lodged in the rock at Rocamadour.