A 200-year-old sword, dubbed 'Kent's Excalibur', has been discovered in a dried-up lake at Chiddingstone Castle in Edenbridge, Kent. Scorching temperatures lowered water levels, allowing volunteers clearing fallen branches to spot the metal object. They retrieved it with a grappling hook and handed it to the castle's curator, Naomi Collick, who has begun investigating its origins.
Discovery and Initial Reactions
The volunteers, named Gordon and Paul, made the find during routine maintenance. Collick, 33, expressed her astonishment: 'The volunteers were called Gordon and Paul so not Arthur unfortunately – but quite noble names still I think. You never know, maybe they will be called to rule the country. Hopefully the sword is at the centre of another great story. I think [the volunteers] were very excited and proud to have discovered it. When [they] showed it to me, I was just in shock really. I was so amazed.'
Collick noted that nothing like this had been found on the grounds before, calling it 'absolutely fascinating'. The lake was built in the 1800s, so the sword is estimated to be at most 200 years old.
Theories and Historical Context
Research suggests the sword may be a Victorian bandsman's ceremonial sword from the early 1800s. It features a gilded hilt with a lion on the end, believed to be made of brass and in very good condition. The curved blade, however, is rusted and covered in lake mud. Castle staff have wrapped it in acid-free tissue and handle it with gloves to preserve it.
Several theories about its owner have emerged. One suggests it belonged to Denys Eyre Bower, an eccentric former owner and art dealer who collected swords. Another posits it was left by troops stationed there during World War Two. The most whimsical theory involves the ghost of a soldier said to haunt the lake in local legend. Collick commented: 'There are a few different theories but it is still a bit of a mystery. There are so many options really. It could have been from the early 1800s and have been hidden in the lake all this time. There is a local ghost story about a soldier falling in the lake but I don't know if that can be verified in any way. There are definitely some interesting local stories about the lake and the castle.'
Ongoing Research and Broader Impact
Collick and her team have contacted museums and experts to help identify the sword, while also conducting extensive research and reviewing archives. The discovery comes amid a wider drought affecting England, with officials confirming that more than two-thirds of the country is now in drought conditions. Collick noted the impact on the castle grounds: 'If the water level goes down any further due to the heatwaves and droughts maybe there is more to be discovered. The grass on our lawns is totally browned and dry. You can definitely see the impact of the heat on the grounds. Trees are dropping leaves early as well.'
The sword remains a mystery, but the castle is continuing its investigation, hoping to uncover more about its past.
