This HTML5 document contains 52 embedded RDF statements represented using HTML+Microdata notation.

The embedded RDF content will be recognized by any processor of HTML5 Microdata.

Subject Item

n2:

rdf:type

n14:

rdfs:label

Szczerbiec

rdfs:comment

Szczerbiec () is the coronation sword that was used in crowning ceremonies of most kings of Poland from 1320 to 1764. It is currently on display in the treasure vault of the Royal Wawel Castle in Kraków as the only preserved piece of medieval Polish Crown Jewels. The sword is characterized by a hilt decorated with magical formulas, Christian symbols and floral patterns, as well as a narrow slit in the blade which holds a small shield with the coat of arms of Poland. Its name, derived from the Polish word szczerba meaning a gap, notch or chip, is sometimes rendered into English as "the Notched Sword" or "the Jagged Sword", although its blade has straight and smooth edges.

owl:sameAs

dbr:Szczerbiec

dcterms:subject

n35: n44: n46:

n3:wikiPageUsesTemplate

n4: n6: n8: n13: n16: n18: n20: n21: n23: n25: n26: n27: n30: n32: n37: n38: n40: n41: n42: n43: n47: n48: n51: n52:

n19:

Flat with an arched crossguard and a flat round pommel

n50:

yes

n10:

Rough sketches of the obverse and reverse sides of the hilt

n24:

Poland or Germany

n9:

1320 13

n17:

Szczerbiec

n11:

n12: n39:

n29:

right

n33:

Pictorial documentation of Szczerbiec made by Johann Christoph Werner, King Stanislaus Augustus's court painter, in 1764

n31:

180

n28:

horizontal

n7:

Reverse of the hilt Obverse of the hilt

n22:

Rękojeść Szczerbca.jpg Szczerbiec.jpg

n45:

Poland

n36:

Straight double-edged

n15:

Late 12th or 13th century

n49:abstract

Szczerbiec () is the coronation sword that was used in crowning ceremonies of most kings of Poland from 1320 to 1764. It is currently on display in the treasure vault of the Royal Wawel Castle in Kraków as the only preserved piece of medieval Polish Crown Jewels. The sword is characterized by a hilt decorated with magical formulas, Christian symbols and floral patterns, as well as a narrow slit in the blade which holds a small shield with the coat of arms of Poland. Its name, derived from the Polish word szczerba meaning a gap, notch or chip, is sometimes rendered into English as "the Notched Sword" or "the Jagged Sword", although its blade has straight and smooth edges. A legend links Szczerbiec with King Boleslaus the Brave who was said to have chipped the sword by hitting it against the Golden Gate of Kiev (now in Ukraine) during his capture of the city in 1018. However, the Golden Gate was only constructed in 1037 and the sword is actually dated to the late 12th or 13th century. It was first used as a coronation sword by Vladislaus the Elbow-High in 1320. Looted by Prussian troops in 1795, it changed hands several times during the 19th century until it was purchased in 1884 for the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The Soviet Union returned it to Poland in 1928. During World War II, Szczerbiec was evacuated to Canada and did not return to Kraków until 1959. In the 20th century, an image of the sword was adopted as a symbol by Polish nationalist and far-right movements.