From Excalibur to Anduril: wielding magic swords

Course delivery and schedule

The course includes 7 x 90-minute sessions with plenty of opportunity for further conversations and networking during breaks and mealtimes.

Aims of the course

The course will allow you to:

• Understand the historical reasons for the very high cost and fetishisation of swords;
• Trace in outline the magical sword from Excalibur to Andúril;
• Explore recent fantasy deconstructions of the magical sword.

Course content

The course begins with a practical question: What’s in a sword? The answers include not only iron, steel, and the materials of the hilt and pommel, but a considerable anterior industry providing raw iron, complex tools, and huge quantities of charcoal: good swords were and are as costly as luxury cars, and much of the fetishisation of them as inherited and violently practical objects initially arises from how advanced a technological work a good sword is.

In the second and third sessions, we will look at the emergence and tale of Excalibur, and the lore that accretes around it, in Malory and, rather differently, T. H. White. That in turn was one source that informs Tolkien’s major blade in The Lord of the Rings, Narsil, re-forged as Andúril; we will also consider other magical blades in Middle-earth, including Sting and the blade of Westerness that Merry uses so tellingly on the Witch-King of Angmar.

The fifth session centres on discussion around the fighter’s perspective, both in real terms and from the film-producers' angle. Historically, how have swords developed, and how have myth and ‘magic’ developed around them? And what of their counterpart, armour, and the other weapons present on historical battlefields?

The fourth and sixth sessions are practical ones with Magnus Sigurdsson Hardradi, using (if weather permits) a portable forge, or talking to film-footage of Magnus forging if not, so students can see what is truly involved in hammering red-hot metal into the desired shape; and, using replica weapons, discover carefully why balance of both body and sword matters, back-scabbards are not a good idea, and some swords have very particular shapes.

• The forge session at least will necessarily be outside, so please dress appropriately.
• Health and safety considerations will be paramount, but sensible behaviour is required: even practice blades can do damage if people are careless.
• Photographs may be taken only with explicit permission.

The final session will consider some more recent variations on and deconstructions of the topos, Philip Pullman’s ‘Subtle Knife’, largely a narrative convenience, and Lois McMaster Bujold’s The Sharing Knife, a far more radical challenge to the mystique of the magical sword.

Presentation of the course

Each literary session will have 35–40 minutes of formal instruction, with PowerPoint images, followed by open discussion.

The practical sessions will be organised as necessary for health and safety, but students will be allowed as much hands-on experience as is practicable. Please note that the timing of these session may necessarily vary from the formal schedule.

Course programme

Friday

Please plan to arrive between 16:30 and 18:30. You can meet other course participants in the Terrace Bar which opens at 18:15. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the study bedrooms.

Saturday

Sunday

Course materials

Course materials include the course syllabus, detailed timetable, reading list and tutor biography. Once these materials are available, you can download them from the Documents section below. 

We will also email these to you before your course starts. Please check your spam folder if you have not received them.

Please note that our weekend courses are non-credit bearing and there is no formal assessment.

About Madingley Hall

This weekend course takes place at Madingley Hall, home to the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education. Built in the 16th century, Madingley Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, and is set in eight acres of landscaped gardens designed in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown. Madingley is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports.

As a student you will enjoy award-winning cuisine in our elegant Dining Hall and first-rate facilities in an atmospheric and inspiring setting. You can choose to stay at the Hall in comfortable en suite accommodation, or attend as a non-resident.

Accommodation

Accommodation for residential students is provided in single, double or twin study bedrooms, with attractive views over the woods, gardens and courtyard.

Each room has internet access, a digital television and a direct-dial telephone, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities and a safe for valuables. Rooms are all en suite and centrally heated.

A lift gives access to two bedrooms adapted for wheelchair users, and all areas on the ground floor can be reached once inside the building. If you would like us to make any special provision for your stay, please let us know when booking and we will be happy to discuss your requirements. 

Fees

Residential fees cover tuition, accommodation and meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch (a total of two breakfasts, two lunches, and two evening meals), as well as morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours. 

Non-residential fees include tuition, lunches, evening meals, morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours. 

Please note: accommodation spaces are limited and priority is given to course attendees. Non-residential places are available for those who live locally or who prefer to stay elsewhere. If space permits, non-student guests may accompany a course attendee for the weekend, paying the rate below for accommodation and meals. 

* where rooms are shared by course attendees, ie, where a partner or family member is also enrolled on a weekend course. 

Extra nights

We may be able to offer accommodation after your course should you wish to extend your stay. Please contact us if you would like to book an additional night. 

Dietary requirements

If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies please indicate these when booking. 

Bursaries for teachers

Our State School Teacher bursary offers 50% off tuition fees for any teacher with Qualified Teacher Status working in a UK state-funded school or further education institution. 

You will be asked to enter the name and contact details of the school when booking.

Getting to Madingley Hall

The Institute of Continuing Education is based at Madingley Hall (CB23 8AQ) in the village of Madingley, four miles west of Cambridge. It is easily accessible from the M11, A14 and A428. Other gateways include Cambridge Main Railway Station and London airports.  

If you are arriving in Cambridge by train you can take a taxi to Madingley Hall. Please contact Reception to book a taxi for your return journey. 

Parking

Free on-site car parking is available and we have a small number of spaces close to the Hall entrance for Blue Badge holders. 

Booking a course

To book a weekend course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

Payments

Payment can be made by credit/debit card using our secure online booking system, unless otherwise arranged. You can either pay in full at the time of booking, or pay a 15% registration fee as a deposit; the balance will automatically be taken two weeks before the start of the course. 

Booking deadlines

Bookings close 11 days before the start of the course. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Booking terms and conditions

Before booking your course, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions.