View source for Szczerbiec

{{short description|Polish coronation sword}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Szczerbiec
| image              = Szczerbiec.PNG|image_size=200px
| caption            = Pictorial documentation of Szczerbiec made in 1764 by [[Johann Christoph Werner]], court painter to King [[Stanislaus Augustus]] of Poland
| origin             = Poland (possibly [[Rhineland]]){{sfn|Czyżewski|ps=}}
| type               = [[Ceremonial weapon]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_bladed          = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 13th century as a sword of justice,<br />1320–1764 as a coronation sword
| used_by            = Poland{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=70|ps=}}
<!-- Production history -->
| production_date    = Late 12th or 13th century{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=69|ps=}}
<!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = {{convert|1.26|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|p=111|ps=}}
| length             = {{convert|98.4|cm|ft|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|p=111|ps=}}
| part_length        = {{convert|82|cm|ft|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|p=111|ps=}}
| width              = {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|p=111|ps=}}
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
| blade_type         = Straight double-edged ([[Oakeshott typology|Oakeshott type]] XII){{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=76|ps=}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|p=126|ps=}}
| hilt_type          = Flat with an arched crossguard (Oakeshott type 6) and a flat round pommel (Oakeshott type {{font|I|font=Times}}){{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=76|ps=}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|p=126|ps=}}
}}

'''Szczerbiec''' ({{IPA|pol|ˈʂt͡ʂɛr.bʲɛt͡s}}) is the ceremonial [[sword]] used in the [[coronation]]s of most [[List of Polish monarchs|Polish monarchs]] from 1320 to 1764. It now is displayed in the treasure vault of the royal [[Wawel Castle]] in [[Kraków]], as the only preserved part of the medieval [[Polish crown jewels]]. The sword is noted for its hilt, decorated with magical formulae,{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=118}} [[Christian symbolism|Christian symbols]], and floral patterns, as well as for the narrow slit in the blade which holds a small shield with the [[coat of arms of Poland]]. The name of the sword is derived from the [[Polish language|Polish]] word ''[[wikt:pl:szczerba|szczerba]]'' ("gap", "notch", or "chip"), and its meaning is incorrectly perceived as "the Notched Sword" or "the Jagged Sword" (which is included in the sword's legend), though the edges of its blade are straight and smooth. Proper meaning and rendering into English would be "the Notching/Jagging Sword" — as "a sword that is meant to notch/jag other weapons".

The legend links Szczerbiec with King [[Boleslaus I the Brave]] who was said to have chipped the sword by hitting it against the [[Golden Gate, Kiev|Golden Gate]] of [[Kiev]] during [[Bolesław I's intervention in the Kievan succession crisis|his intervention in the Kievan succession crisis]] 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 [[Ladislaus the Short]] in 1320. Looted by [[Prussia]]n 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]]. The [[Soviet Union]] returned it to Poland in 1928 as part of war reparations for their loss against Poland in the [[Polish-Soviet war]]. During the [[Second World War]], 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 [[nationalism|nationalist]] and [[Far-right politics|far-right]] movements.

== Description ==
{{for|the sword-related terminology used in this section|Sword#Morphology}}

Szczerbiec is a {{convert|98|cm|in|abbr=on|adj=mid|-long}} [[Ceremonial weapon|ceremonial sword]] bearing rich [[Gothic art|Gothic]] ornamentation, dated to the mid-13th century.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=69–70}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=137–139}} It is classified as a type XII sword with a type {{font|I|font=Times}} [[Hilt#Pommel|pommel]] and a type 6 [[crossguard]] according to the [[Oakeshott typology]],{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=126}} although the blade may have changed its shape due to centuries of corrosion and intensive cleaning before every coronation.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=76}}

=== Hilt ===
[[File:Szczerbiec diagram.svg|thumb|300px|Schematic diagram of the shapes and dimensions of the principal elements of Szczerbiec (ornamentation not shown)]]

The hilt consists of a round pommel, a flat grip and an arched crossguard.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} The grip is {{convert|10.1|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|1.2|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} thick, and from {{convert|2|to|3|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide. It is rectangular in cross-section and its hard edges make it difficult to handle and impractical for fighting, which is indicative of the sword's purely ceremonial usage. The pommel is {{convert|4.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter and {{convert|2.6|cm|in|abbr=on}} thick, with a chamfered outer ring that is {{convert|1.3|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide. The crossguard forms an arch that is {{convert|1.8|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide in the middle and widens up to {{convert|3.4|cm|in|abbr=on}} at both ends. It is {{convert|1|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} thick near the grip and measures {{convert|20|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} in length along its upper edge.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}}

The pommel and the crossguard are made of silver.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} The core of the grip is a brass chest encasing the [[Tang (tools)|tang]] of the blade. It was probably made in the 19th century to replace an original organic core, which had decomposed. At the same time the tang was riveted to the top of the pommel.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} The head of the rivet, which is {{convert|0.5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} in diameter, rests atop a rectangular washer measuring {{convert|1.1|x|1.4|cm|in|abbr=on}}.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}}

All parts of the hilt are covered with golden plates, which are engraved with sharp or rounded [[stylus|styli]]{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} and decorated with [[niello]], or black metallic inlay that contrasts against the golden background.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} Each plate is {{convert|1|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} thick and made of about 18-[[Carat (purity)|carat]] gold.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} The niello designs include inscriptions written in late [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] [[majuscule]] (with some [[Uncial script|uncial]] additions{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=122}}), [[Christian symbolism|Christian symbols]], and floral patterns.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} The floral ornaments are in negative, that is, golden against a black, nielloed background.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}}

[[File:Szczerbiec obverse retouched.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Obverse side of Szczerbiec (perspective-distorted)]]

On the [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]] side of the hilt, the pommel bears a large stylized letter '''T''' on top of a letter  '''C''' or '''G''' (the latter could be just a decorative element of the letter '''T'''{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=115}}) between the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] letters '''Α''' and '''ω''' ([[alpha and omega]]) surmounted with little [[cross]]es.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}} Below the letter '''T''', there is another cross placed within a cloud or flower with twelve petals.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Prinke|1983|ps=}} On the chamfered edge around this design runs a circular [[Latin]] inscription in two rings which reads: ''Rec figura talet ad amorem regum / et principum iras iudicum'' ("This sign rouses the love of kings and princes, the wrath of judges").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=135}} The grip bears the symbols of two of the [[Four Evangelists]]: the lion of [[Mark the Evangelist|Saint Mark]] and the ox of [[Luke the Evangelist|Saint Luke]],  as well as an ''Agnus Dei'' ([[Lamb of God]]).{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}} The crossguard bears the following Latin inscription: ''Quicumque hec / nomina Deii secum tu/lerit nullum periculum / ei omnino nocebit'' ("Whoever will carry these names of God with him, no danger will harm him").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}}

[[File:Szczerbiec reverse retouched.jpg|thumb|upright|Reverse side of Szczerbiec (perspective-distorted)]]

The reverse side of the pommel is decorated with a vine bush surrounded by a wreath of vine leaves. On the reverse of the grip, there are the eagle of [[John the Evangelist|Saint John]] and the angel of [[Matthew the Evangelist|Saint Matthew]], and another ''Agnus Dei''. The crossguard bears, above another pattern of vine leaves, an  inscription in corrupted [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] in Latin script: ''Con citomon Eeve Sedalai Ebrebel'' ("Fervent faith incite the names of God: Sedalai and Ebrehel").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}} On the opposite ends of the crossguard, there are again the symbols of Saints John and Matthew.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}

The circumference of the pommel is decorated with a rhombic pattern, while the upper side of the crossguard – with a similar triangular pattern.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=109}} The narrow sides of the grip used to be embellished with inscribed silver plates, which, however, were lost in the 19th century. These lost inscriptions are partly known from graphical documentation made by King [[Stanislaus II of Poland|Stanislaus Augustus's]] court painter, [[Johann Christoph Werner]], in 1764 and by Jacek Przybylski in 1792. One of the plates had already been broken by that time with only part of the inscription preserved: ''Liste est glaud... h Bolezlai Duc...'' ("This is a sword of... Duke Boleslaus...");{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}} the inscription on the other plate continued: ''Cum quo ei D[omi]n[us] SOS ''[''Salvator Omnipotens Salvator'']'' auxiletur ad[ver]sus partes amen'' ("With whom is the Omnipotent Lord and Savior, to help him against his enemies. Amen").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}} The missing part of the first inscription is only known from an old replica of Szczerbiec which once belonged to the [[Radziwiłł family]] ''(see [[#Historical replicas|Historical replicas]] below)''. The full inscription read: ''Iste est gladius Principis et haeredis Boleslai Ducis Poloniae et Masoviae, Lanciciae'' ("This is a sword of Hereditary Prince Boleslaus, Duke of Poland, [[Masovia]], and [[Łęczyca]]"). The identity of this Duke Boleslaus is uncertain.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=76}}

{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ornamentation and inscriptions on the hilt{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=111–113}}
|-
!width="5%"| !!width="30%" colspan=2 | Obverse !!width="17.5%"| Narrow side !!width="30%" colspan=2 | Reverse !!width="17.5%"| Narrow side
|-
! rowspan=2 | Pommel
|  colspan=2 | [[File:Szczerbiec pommel obverse.PNG|90px|center|Inscription on the obverse of the pommel of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle circle:''' Stylized letter T (or T on top of a C) between the letters alpha and omega surmounted with crosses, above a cross within a dodecafoil rosette
| rowspan=2 | Rhombic pattern
| colspan=2  valign=top | [[File:Szczerbiec pommel reverse.PNG|95px|center|Inscription on the reverse of the pommel of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle circle:''' Vine bush
| rowspan=2 | Rhombic pattern
|-
| colspan=2 | '''Chamfered outer ring:''' Inscription:<br />''+ REC. FIGVRA. TALET. AD AMOREM. REGVM. ET. PRINCIPVM. IRAS IUDICV. M''
| colspan=2 | '''Chamfered outer ring:''' Vine leaves
|-
! rowspan=3 | Grip
| rowspan=3 | [[File:Szczerbiec grip obverse.PNG|60px|center|Ornamentation on the obverse of the grip of Szczerbiec]]
| style="height: 66px;" | '''Top:''' Winged lion of Saint Mark, inscription:<br />''MARCVS''
| rowspan=3 | Inscription:<br />''LIST E. EST. GLAUD… h.BOLEZLAI ‘DVC…''<br />(now lost and replaced with a rhombic pattern)
| rowspan=3 | [[File:Szczerbiec grip reverse.PNG|62px|center|Ornamentation on the reverse of the grip of Szczerbiec]]
| '''Top:''' Eagle of Saint John, inscription:<br />''IhOANNES''
| rowspan=3 | Inscription:<br />''CVM. QVO. EI DNS. OS. AVXIL ETVR. ADUS. PARTES. AMEN''<br />(now lost and replaced with wax filling)
|-
| style="height: 65px;" | '''Middle:''' Winged ox of Saint Luke, inscription:<br />''LVCAS''
| '''Middle:''' Angel of Saint Matthew, inscription:<br />''MMThCVS''
|-
| '''Bottom:''' Lamb of God
| '''Bottom:''' Lamb of God
|-
! rowspan=3 | Crossguard
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St Mark.PNG|60px|Winged lion of Saint Mark]]
| '''Left end:''' Winged lion of Saint Mark
| rowspan=3 | Triangular pattern
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St Matthew.PNG|60px|Angel of Saint Matthew]]
| '''Left end:''' Angel of Saint Matthew
| rowspan=3 | Triangular pattern
|-
| colspan=2 | [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard reverse.PNG|250px|center|Inscription on the reverse of the crossguard of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle:''' Inscription:<br />''QVICVMQVE hEC + NOMI[N]A DEII SECVM TVLERI[T] NVLLVM PERICVL[VM] CN EI OMNINO NOC[E]BIT''
| colspan=2 | [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard obverse.PNG|250px|center|Inscription on the obverse of the crossguard of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle:''' Inscription:<br />''CON. CITOMON.. EEVE SEDALAI. EBREbEL''<br />above an ornament of vine leaves
|-
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St Luke.PNG|60px|Winged ox of Saint Luke]]
| '''Right end:''' Winged ox of Saint Luke
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St John.PNG|60px|Eagle of Saint John]]
| '''Right end:''' Eagle of Saint John
|}

[[Use-wear analysis]] indicates that the plates on the pommel and the crossguard were made by the same artist, while the plates on the grip were added later. The latter – obverse and reverse – were probably decorated in the same workshop and using the same tools, but by two different craftsmen.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=109–111}} Moreover, a side plate with a rhombic pattern was added in the 19th century to replace one of the lost inscribed side plates.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=107–108}}

Preserved images of Szczerbiec from various points in time indicate that the decorative plates were several times dismounted and placed again on the hilt in variable configurations. The current composition, with the symbols of the Evangelists duplicated on each side of the hilt, matches that known from the earliest preserved depiction drafted by [[Johann Christoph Werner]] in 1794. It is possible, though, that the original placement of the golden plates was different, with the symbols of Saints John and Matthew on the obverse of the grip, so that each side of the hilt displayed the symbols of all four of the Evangelists.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=75–76}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}

=== Blade ===
The blade is {{convert|82|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, up to {{convert|5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} wide (about 5&nbsp;cm from the crossguard) and {{convert|3|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} thick. The [[Fuller (weapon)|fuller]] is about {{convert|74|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and, on average, {{convert|2|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}} [[Metallography|Metallographic]] analysis has shown that the blade was forged from unevenly [[Carburizing|carburized]] semi-hard [[bloomery]] steel. Apart from [[iron]], the material contains, by weight, 0.6 percent of [[carbon]], 0.153 percent of [[silicon]], 0.092 percent of [[phosphorus]], and other elements. Numerous [[slag]] inclusions found in the steel are typical for medieval iron smelting technology. Part of the blade was hardened by [[quenching]]. Unlike the hilt, the blade would have been fully functional as a weapon of war.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=102–105}} The surface of the blade is covered with deep scratches along its length, a result of intensive cleaning from rust before every coronation, probably with sand or brick powder. Inactive spots of corrosion may be also found on the entire surface.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=105–106}}

Just below the hilt, there are three perforations in the fuller of the blade. The largest is a rectangular slot that is {{convert|64|mm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|8.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} wide. This opening, known in Polish as ''szczyrba'' or ''szczerba'', was originally caused by rust and, in the 19th century, polished into a regular shape.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=106}} A small heraldic shield colored with oil paint{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=140}} is fastened to the slot.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} It is roughly triangular in shape, with the sides measuring from {{convert|4|to|4.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}} The shield, bearing the [[coat of arms of Poland|White Eagle]] of Poland, was originally attached to the [[scabbard]], or sheath. The Gothic scabbard, with a golden or silver locket and chape, was probably created in 1320 and lost between 1819 and 1874. The shield is the only preserved element of the sheath. It was tilted to the left – from the onlooker's point of view – while it was fastened to the scabbard's locket, but today it is aligned with the blade. The eagle on the red field of the shield is white, with a golden crown, bands across the wings, ring on the tail, and talons.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=70–72}} The two other perforations are round holes, {{convert|24|mm|in|abbr=on}} apart. The upper one, just below the slot, is {{convert|28|mm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter, while the other measures only {{convert|1.4|mm|in|abbr=on}}. They were probably punched in the 19th century to fasten the heraldic shield to the blade.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=106}}

== Location ==
[[File:Szczerbiec Wawel crop.jpg|thumb|Szczerbiec on display in the [[Wawel Castle]] treasure vault]]

Szczerbiec is owned by the [[Wawel Royal Castle National Art Collection]] (inventory number 137){{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=94}} in [[Kraków]], the former capital city of Poland. As the only preserved of Polish medieval coronation insignia, it is a prominent part of the museum's Treasury and Armory permanent exhibition. The sword is suspended horizontally inside a glass case in the middle of the [[Władysław II Jagiełło|Jagiełło]] and [[Jadwiga of Poland|Hedwig]] Vault located on the ground floor in the northeastern corner of the [[Wawel Castle]].{{sfnp|Szablowski|1969|ps=|p=25}}

== History ==
=== The Szczerbiec of Boleslaus the Brave ===
Historical accounts related to the early history of the Polish coronation sword are scant and often mixed with legend. The earliest known use of the name "Szczerbiec" appeared in the ''[[Chronicle of Greater Poland]]'' at the turn of the 14th century. According to this source, the sword was given to King [[Boleslaus I of Poland|Boleslaus the Brave]] (reigned 992–1025) by an angel; Polish kings were supposed to always carry it in battle to triumph over their enemies. During Boleslaus's invasion of [[Kievan Rus']], he hit it against the [[Golden Gate (Kiev)|Golden Gate]] of [[Kyiv]] while capturing the city. It was the notch that appeared on the edge of the blade which gave the sword its name. This account, written three centuries after the events it describes, is implausible not only because of the customary reference to the sword's supernatural origin (compare [[Excalibur]]), but also because [[Boleslaw I's intervention in the Kievan succession crisis, 1018|Boleslaus's intervention in the Kievan succession crisis]] took place in 1018, or about 19 years before the actual construction of the Golden Gate in 1037.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=16}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}}
[[File:Boleslaw Chrobry with Swietopelk near The Golden Gate in Kyiv MNK ND 11610.jpg|thumb|[[Jan Matejko]], ''[[Boleslaus I of Poland|Boleslaus the Brave]] and [[Sviatopolk I of Kiev|Sviatopolk]] at the [[Golden Gate (Kiev)|Golden Gate]] of [[Kyiv]]'' (1883)]]
It is plausible, though, that Boleslaus did chip his sword by striking it against an earlier gate in Kiev. His great-grandson, [[Boleslaus II of Poland|Boleslaus the Bold]] ({{nowrap|r. 1058–1079}}), hit the Golden Gate with a sword in 1069, which would indicate that it was a customary gesture of gaining control over a city.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=16}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}} It is also possible that this sword was preserved as a souvenir of past victories venerated by Boleslaus the Brave's successors. According to [[Wincenty Kadłubek]]'s ''[[Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae|Chronicle]]'', [[Boleslaus III, Duke of Poland|Boleslaus Wrymouth]] ({{nowrap|r. 1107–1138}}) had a favorite sword he called ''Żuraw'' or ''Grus'' ("Crane"). A scribe who copied the chronicle in 1450 added the word ''Szczurbycz'' above the word ''Żuraw'', but whether these two swords were one and the same is uncertain.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=16–17}}

According to the ''Chronicle of Greater Poland'',  the sword was kept in the treasury of the [[Wawel Cathedral]].{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=95}} The ultimate fate of the original Szczerbiec is unknown. It may have been taken to [[Prague]], together with other royal insignia, by King [[Wenceslaus II of Bohemia]] after his coronation as king of Poland in [[Gniezno]] in 1300. What happened with these insignia thereafter remains a mystery.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=18}} Although Boleslaus the Brave's notched sword has not been preserved and even its very existence is doubtful, its legend had a great impact on Polish historical memory and the treatment of its successor, the modern Szczerbiec.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=69–70}}

=== From a sword of justice to a coronation sword ===
The sword currently known as Szczerbiec was forged and decorated in a style characteristic of the late 12th and 13th centuries, so it could not have belonged to any of the three great Boleslauses of the 11th and early 12th centuries. Additionally, it is a purely ceremonial sword which, unlike the original Szczerbiec, was never used in combat. It was originally used as a [[sword of justice]] (''gladius iustitiae''), or insignia of the sovereign's judicial power, by one of the many local dukes during Poland's [[Age of Fragmentation (Poland)|Age of Fragmentation]].{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=69–70|ps=}} A silver plate, now lost, on the sword's grip bore an inscription which indicated a duke by the name Boleslaus as its original owner.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=70|ps=}} An inscription on the Radziwiłłs' replica of Szczerbiec, now also lost, could provide an additional hint as to the duke's identity: "Boleslaus, Duke of Poland, [[Masovia]], and [[Łęczyca]]" – except that no duke of this name and titles ever existed. Historians have variously identified the duke in question as [[Bolesław IV the Curly|Boleslaus the Curly]] ({{nowrap|r. 1146–1173}}),{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=76|ps=}} [[Bolesław V the Chaste|Boleslaus the Chaste]] ({{nowrap|r. 1226–1279}}),{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=77|ps=}} [[Boleslaw I of Masovia|Boleslaus I of Masovia]] ({{nowrap|r. 1229–1248}}){{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=76|ps=}}  or [[Bolesław the Pious|Boleslaus the Pious]] of [[Greater Poland]] ({{nowrap|r. 1239–1247}}).{{sfn|Czyżewski|ps=}}

As a coronation sword, Szczerbiec was first specifically mentioned by [[Jan Długosz]] in his account of the crowning of King [[Casimir IV Jagiellon|Casimir IV]] ({{nowrap|r. 1447–1492}}), but it was probably first used in a coronation ceremony by King [[Ladislaus the Short]] ({{nowrap|r. 1288–1333}}) in 1320,{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|p=135|ps=}} by which time he had reunited most of the core territories of Poland. If Szczerbiec had previously belonged to his uncle, Boleslaus I of Masovia, or his father-in-law, Boleslaus the Pious, then he could have inherited it. If it had belonged to any of the two Boleslauses who had ruled from [[Kraków]] as high dukes of all Poland, then Ladislaus could have simply found it in the [[Wawel Cathedral]].{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=76–77|ps=}} Thereafter, Szczerbiec became an integral part of the [[Polish Crown Jewels]], shared their fate, and was the principal ceremonial sword used in coronations of all [[List of Polish monarchs|Polish kings]] until 1764,{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=70|ps=}} except [[Jogaila]] (1386),{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=79|ps=}} [[Stephen Báthory of Poland|Stephen Báthory]] (1576),{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=89|ps=}} [[Stanislaus I of Poland|Stanislaus I Leszczyński]] (1705), and [[Augustus III of Poland|Augustus III Wettin]] (1734).{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=105|ps=}}

[[File:Bacciarelli - Chrobry.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Boleslaus I of Poland|Boleslaus the Brave]] holding Szczerbiec,{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=70|ps=}} as painted by [[Marcello Bacciarelli]] in  1771. Note the lack of a slit in the blade and the chipped edge.]]

Szczerbiec, together with other crown jewels, was removed from the [[Wawel Hill]] on several occasions during that period. After his Polish coronation in 1370, King [[Louis I of Hungary]] took the crown jewels with him to [[Buda]]; his successor on the Hungarian throne, [[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Sigismund]], rendered them to Poland in 1412.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=135|ps=}} On two occasions, in mid-17th and early 18th centuries, they were evacuated across Poland's southern border to protect them from invading Swedish armies. In 1733, during the [[War of the Polish Succession]], supporters of King [[Stanislaus I of Poland|Stanislaus I]] concealed the jewels in a [[Warsaw]] church for three years to prevent [[Augustus III of Poland|Augustus III]] from using them in his coronation. In 1764, they were sent to Warsaw again, to be used in a coronation for the last time – that of [[Stanislaus II of Poland|Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski]]. They were returned to Kraków afterwards.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=137|ps=}}

During a typical Polish coronation ceremony in the times of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]], the king-elect received Szczerbiec after his [[Anointing|anointment]] and before being crowned and [[enthronement|enthroned]]. The [[List of archbishops of Gniezno and primates of Poland|primate of Poland]], that is the archbishop of [[Gniezno]], picked up the unsheathed sword from the altar and handed it to the kneeling king. At the same time, he recited a formula which asked the monarch to use the sword to rule justly, defend the Church, fight evil, protect widows and orphans, and to "rebuild what is damaged, maintain what is rebuilt, avenge what is unjust, reinforce what is well managed," etc. Then, the king handed the sword to the Crown sword-bearer (''[[miecznik]] koronny''), who slid it into the scabbard and passed on to the primate. The primate, aided by the Crown and Lithuanian sword-bearers, fastened the scabbard to the king's belt. The king stood up and, facing onlookers, withdrew Szczerbiec, made three times the [[sign of the cross]] with it, and wiped it against his left arm before replacing it in the scabbard.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=40–42|ps=}} The king's sword-wielding abilities were closely watched by his new subjects during this part of the ritual. When Augustus III betrayed his poor fencing skills at his coronation, nobles joked that they were going to have "a peaceful lord".{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=54–55|ps=}} After Szczerbiec, a bishop handed the sovereign the [[Grunwald Swords]] symbolizing the monarch's reign over the two constituent nations of the Commonwealth.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=42|ps=}}

Throughout the period from [[Casimir III the Great|Casimir the Great]] ({{nowrap|r. 1333–1370}}) to Stanislaus Augustus, Polish crown jewels were commonly believed to date back to the times of Boleslaus the Brave. This conviction helped maintain a sense of continuity of Polish statehood and provide [[Legitimacy (political)|legitimacy]] for the nation's kings, implicitly making each Polish monarch a successor of the ancient and glorious legacy of the first king of the [[House of Piast]]. Accordingly, the coronation sword took over the name and the legend of the original Szczerbiec.{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|p=136|ps=}} The corrosion-induced slit in the blade became associated with the fabled ''szczerba'', or notch that Boleslaus had purportedly made on his sword in Kiev. The power of tradition was so strong that when Stanislaus Augustus's court painter, [[Marcello Bacciarelli]], who had made detailed studies of Polish crown jewels, painted an imaginary portrait of Boleslaus the Brave, he chose to depict Szczerbiec so that its appearance agreed with legend rather than reality. The images of the [[Crown of Bolesław I the Brave|coronation crown]] and sword are overall meticulously accurate, but Bacciarelli's Szczerbiec lacks the slit and has a chipped edge instead.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=70–72|ps=}}
{{clear}}

=== In foreign hands ===
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = horizontal
| footer    = Rough sketches of the obverse (left, by S. Smolikowski) and reverse (by [[Sebastiano Ciampi]]) sides of the hilt
| width1    = 170
| image1    = Szczerbiec.jpg
| alt1      = Obverse of the hilt
| width2    = 172
| image2    = Rękojeść Szczerbca.jpg
| alt2      = Reverse of the hilt }}

In 1794, during the failed [[Kościuszko Uprising]] which led to the [[Third Partition of Poland|final partition of Poland]] a year later, [[Prussia]]n troops captured Kraków. In the following year, on King [[Frederick William II of Prussia|Frederick William II]]'s orders, the treasure vault of the Wawel Castle was looted and the crown jewels taken to Breslau (now [[Wrocław]] in Poland), then to [[Berlin]], and finally to Königsberg (now [[Kaliningrad]] in Russia). Between 1809 and 1811 most of the jewels were melted down, but some, including Szczerbiec, were put up for sale.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=70–72, 138–141|ps=}} The coronation sword was acquired by the future Russian minister of justice, Prince [[Dmitry Lobanov-Rostovsky]], who probably hoped to resell it to one of Polish aristocrats. In 1819, he approached General [[Wincenty Krasiński]], speaker of the [[Sejm of the Republic of Poland|Sejm]] (parliament) of the [[Congress Poland|"Congress" Kingdom of Poland]]. The prince did not disclose the actual source of the sword and claimed to have bought it in [[Moscow]] from an Armenian merchant who had found the weapon somewhere between [[Belgrade]] and Rusçuk (now [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]] in Bulgaria) during the recent [[Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812)|Russo-Turkish War]]. Krasiński, who was a known antique  weapon collector, suspected it could be Szczerbiec, but asked Prof. [[Sebastiano Ciampi]], a historian of the [[Warsaw University]], for opinion. Ciampi examined the [[lithography]] Krasiński had had made of the sword, but was unsure whether it was the actual Szczerbiec. As a consequence, Krasiński declined Lobanov-Rostovsky's offer.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=72–74|ps=}}

Lobanov-Rostovsky ultimately sold Szczerbiec to Prince [[Anatoly Nikolaievich Demidov, 1st Prince of San Donato|Anatoly Demidov]], who kept it together with the rest of the [[Demidov collection]] in his [[Villa San Donato]] near [[Florence]]. In 1870, the sword was bought for 20,000 [[French franc]]s by [[Alexander Basilevsky]], Russian ambassador to France and great art collector. In 1878, he displayed Szczerbiec at the [[Exposition Universelle (1878)|World's Fair]] in [[Paris]]. By that time, the scabbard had been lost and the sword itself was presented as of [[Teutonic Knights|Teutonic]] origin. It was seen by several Polish visitors who speculated whether it could be the Polish coronation sword. In 1884, the entire Basilevsky collection was purchased by Emperor [[Alexander III of Russia]] for the [[Hermitage Museum]] in [[Saint Petersburg]]. Both Polish and other experts at the time expressed doubts as to the authenticity of Szczerbiec held in Russia's largest museum ''(see [[#Historical replicas|Historical replicas]] below)''. An international museum congress held in Saint Petersburg in 1913 pronounced the sword a 17th-century replica.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=74|ps=}}

In 1917, as a result of the [[October Revolution]], Russia became a communist state. In the aftermath of [[World War I]], Poland reemerged as an independent country in the following year. From 1919 to 1921, the two states fought the [[Polish–Soviet War]] which was concluded with the [[Peace of Riga]]. Article 11 of the peace treaty required that the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] side return all culturally significant collections and items that had been removed from Poland since the [[First Partition of Poland|First Partition]] in 1772. A special bilateral committee was set up to carry out the restitution of cultural goods.{{sfnp|Wójcik|1997|ps=}} In 1928, the committee's efforts resulted in the return to Poland of, among other national treasures, Szczerbiec,{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=75|ps=}} which, after 133 years, was deposited back in the Wawel Castle.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=70|ps=}}

=== Evacuation in World War II ===
{{See also|Evacuation of Polish National Treasures during World War II}}
[[File:Bank of Montreal Wellington Street Ottawa.jpg|thumb|upright|From 1945 to 1959, Szczerbiec was locked away in a vault of the [[Bank of Montreal]] branch at [[144 Wellington Street]], [[Ottawa]].{{sfnp|Swoger|2004|p=77|ps=}}]]
On 3 September 1939, two days after [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] invaded Poland triggering the [[World War I|Second World War]], began the evacuation of the most precious national treasures, including Szczerbiec, from the Wawel Castle. The cargo was transported on barges, wagons, buses and trucks to Romania. From there, it was shipped by sea to France and later to Britain.{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|pp=138–139|ps=}} On the way from [[Bordeaux]] to [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]], the ship carrying Polish national treasures came under fire from the [[Luftwaffe]].{{sfnp|Swoger|2004|p=53|ps=}} [[Karol Estreicher (junior)|Karol Estreicher]], who oversaw the evacuation, decided then to remove Szczerbiec from a chest and sandwich it between two wooden planks, and to attach to them an explanatory [[message in a bottle]] – so that in the event that the ship was sunk, at least the coronation sword could be salvaged.{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|p=139|ps=}} When the [[Battle of Britain|German bombing of Britain]] began in July 1940, the valuables were transported aboard the Polish ocean liner [[MS Batory|MS ''Batory'']] to Canada{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|pp=138–139|ps=}} and finally deposited at the Polish consulate and then other locations in [[Ottawa]].{{sfnp|Swoger|2004|p=58|ps=}} After the war, one of the custodians of the national treasures, who remained loyal to the [[London]]-based [[Polish government-in-exile]], was reluctant to return them to Poland, which had fallen under communist rule and Soviet influence.{{sfnp|Swoger|2004|p=76|ps=}} After lengthy negotiations, the first batch of the most important objects, including Szczerbiec, was ultimately returned in 1959; the rest followed in 1961. Since then, the Polish coronation sword has been on permanent display in the treasure vault of the Wawel Castle.{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|pp=138–139|ps=}}

== Historical replicas ==
A treasury inventory of the [[Radziwiłł family]]'s [[Nesvizh Castle|Nieśwież Castle]] (now [[Nesvizh]] in Belarus) made in 1740 includes a detailed description of a sword decorated with symbols of the Evangelists and inscriptions identical to those on Szczerbiec. According to the inventory, it was a gift from Crown Prince [[Jakub Ludwik Sobieski|Jakub Sobieski]] to Prince [[Michał Kazimierz "Rybeńko" Radziwiłł|Michał Radziwiłł]], but the original source of the supposed replica was not given. An inventory made in 1738 of the treasure vault of the [[Sobieski family]]'s Żółkiew Castle (now [[Zhovkva]] in Ukraine) mentions "an [[estoc]] (''[[koncerz]]'') covered with golden plates bearing images of the Four Evangelists; Skanderbek's." Based on this record, historian [[Aleksander Czołowski]] hypothesized that a replica of Szczerbiec was forged as early as 1457 and awarded to [[Skanderbeg|George Kastrioti Skanderbeg]], the national leader of Albania, in recognition of his victory over the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] forces (see [[Battle of Ujëbardha]]). After King [[John III of Poland|John III Sobieski]] defeated the Ottomans in the [[Battle of Vienna]] in 1683, Albanians presumably returned the sword to him. His son, Jakub, possibly passed it on to Michał Radziwiłł as a present.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|p=74|ps=}}

There are doubts, however, whether the swords known to have been at Żółkiew in 1738 and at Nieśwież two years later, were in fact the same sword. The Radziwiłłs' castle was plundered by the Russian army in 1812 and the subsequent fate of their replica of Szczerbiec is unknown. This fact cast doubts over the authenticity of Szczerbiec held in the Hermitage. Some experts suspected that the sword possessed by the Russian imperial museum was in fact the Nieśwież replica, not part of the original royal insignia.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|pp=74–75|ps=}}

Another historically notable replica of Szczerbiec was produced probably in [[Dresden]], [[Duchy of Saxony|Saxony]], at the time when the original was in Prussian hands. It is modest and inexact; the handle is carved in bovine bone and the niello is imitated with black paint. Designs on the handle are patterned on those of the genuine Szczerbiec, except that the crosses and letters on the pommel were replaced with the coat of arms of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. The blade was initially shorter than that of the original, actually typical for a [[stiletto]].{{sfnp|Żygulski|2003|ps=}} It was purchased in Dresden by art historian [[Edward Rastawiecki]], who in 1869 donated it to the archeological collection of the [[Jagiellonian University]] of Kraków. The university lost it during the German occupation in World War II. After the war, the replica found itself in the hands of Tadeusz Janowski who smuggled it to the United States in 1947.{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|p=140|ps=}} At around that time, the short stiletto blade was replaced with a long blade of a 16th-century German sword. To imitate Szczerbiec, a slit was cut in the blade and small heraldic shields were attached to it on both sides. During the [[People's Republic of Poland|communist rule in Poland]], the [[Polish American]] community of [[Chicago]] treated the replica as a symbol of Poland's independence. In 1968, it was demonstrated to U.S. Senator [[Robert F. Kennedy]] while he was meeting with Polish Americans during [[Robert F. Kennedy 1968 presidential campaign|his presidential campaign]]. Janowski returned the sword to the Jagiellonian University in 2003.{{sfnp|Waltoś|2003|ps=}}

== Modern symbolism ==
[[File:Stronnictwo Narodowe emblem.svg|thumb|left|150px|National Party (Poland) emblem.]]
[[File:MlodziezWszechpolska01.jpg|thumb|A demonstration of the [[All-Polish Youth]] in 2003. The ''Mieczyk Chrobrego'' symbol is visible on a banner on the left-hand side.]]

In the interwar period, a simplified image of Szczerbiec wrapped three times in a white-and-red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of Polish nationalist organizations led by [[Roman Dmowski]] – the [[Camp of Great Poland]] (''Obóz Wielkiej Polski''), the [[National Party (Poland)|National Party]] (''Stronnictwo Narodowe''), and the [[All-Polish Youth]] (''Młodzież Wszechpolska''). Their members wore it as a badge called ''{{ill|Mieczyk Chrobrego|pl}}'', or "Little Sword of [[Bolesław I the Brave|[Boleslaus] the Brave]]". The symbol was also sewn onto the left sleeve of the sand shirt which was part of the Camp of Great Poland uniform.{{sfn|Dobrowolski|ps=}} Among the politicians who wore the badge before World War II were Roman Dmowski, [[Władysław Grabski]], [[Wojciech Korfanty]], [[Roman Rybarski]],{{sfnp|Chruszcz|2007|ps=}} and [[Wojciech Jaruzelski]].{{sfnp|Jaruzelski|2009|ps=}}{{Needs independent confirmation|reason=Interview with the person in question may not be reliable source|date=February 2023}} It was banned in 1938 during the "[[Sanation]]" period.<ref>[https://wyborcza.pl/7,75399,25115258,heraldyka-teskniacych-za-faszyzmem-wracaja-emblematy-z-przeszlosci.html?disableRedirects=true "Heraldyka tęskniących za faszyzmem. Wracają emblematy z przeszłości"], ''[[Wyborcza]]'', August 24, 2019</ref> During World War II, the badge was used by right-wing anti-[[Nazism|Nazi]] and anti-Soviet military resistance groups, the [[National Armed Forces]] (''Narodowe Siły Zbrojne''){{sfn|Dobrowolski|ps=}} and the [[National Military Organization]] (''Narodowa Organizacja Wojskowa''). After the [[End of Communism in Poland (1989)|fall of communism in Poland]], the ''Mieczyk Chrobrego'' symbol was readopted by new or reactivated nationalist and [[far right|far-right]] organizations, including [[League of Polish Families]] (''Liga Polskich Rodzin''),{{sfnp|Chruszcz|2007|ps=}} All-Polish Youth and the [[Camp of Great Poland (association)|Camp of Great Poland]]. Additionally, ''Szczerbiec'' is the title of a periodical published since 1991 by a minor radical nationalist party, the [[National Revival of Poland]] (''Narodowe Odrodzenie Polski'').{{sfn|''Reaktywacja pisma Szczerbiec...''|ps=}}

[[File:Lwów Cmentarz Łyczakowski cmentarz Orląt 5.JPG|thumb|left|A likeness of Szczerbiec sculpted at the Polish [[Cemetery of the Defenders of Lwów|Eaglets' Cemetery]] in [[Lviv]], Ukraine. The inscription reads, "Here lies a Polish soldier fallen for the Fatherland."]]

In 2005, the [[Polish Football Association]], in an attempt to fight racism among Polish football fans, prepared a blacklist of most common [[racism|racist]] and [[fascism|fascist]] symbols to be banned from Polish football stadiums. The catalog, co-authored by independent [[Anti-fascism|anti-fascist]] organization Never Again (''Nigdy Więcej''), listed the ''Mieczyk Chrobrego'' as one of the extreme right symbols that are often displayed at the Polish stadiums. The catalog listed other racist and fascist symbols like the Nazi [[swastika]], the [[Celtic cross]], and the [[Confederate Flag]].{{sfnp|Uhlig|2007|ps=}}{{sfnp|''Wykopmy rasizm ze stadionów''|ps=}}{{sfn|''Materiał szkoleniowy...''|ps=}} After a protest by [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Sylwester Chruszcz]] of the League of Polish Families,{{sfn|''Chruszcz: Umieszczenie "szczerbca"...''|ps=}} additional consultations were held with historians, academic researchers and other experts and as a result the symbol is still listed in the catalog of extreme-right symbols banned at Polish football stadiums.{{sfn|''Wytyczne dla Delegatów Meczowych PZPN''|ps=}} It was also banned by UEFA during Euro 2008 and 2012.{{sfn|''Respect Diversity''|ps=}}

The symbolic use of Szczerbiec became a bone of contention again in 2009. After a monument to the [[Ukrainian Insurgent Army]] (''Ukrayins'ka Povstans'ka Armiya'') on the {{ill|Chryszczata|pl}} Mountain in southeastern Poland was vandalized, authorities of the Ukrainian city of [[Lviv]] demanded the removal of an image of Szczerbiec from the local [[Cemetery of the Defenders of Lwów|Polish military cemetery]]. The Ukrainians, recalling the legendary use of the original sword in a Polish invasion of Kiev, argued it was a Polish nationalist, militaristic and anti-Ukrainian symbol.{{sfn|''Lwów: Polski symbol...''|ps=}}{{sfn|''Mizhnarodnyi skandal...''|ps=}}
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|23em}}

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  | newspaper = Zaxid.net
  | date = 2009-06-23
  | url = http://zaxid.net/home/showSingleNews.do?mizhnarodniy_skandal_u_lvovi_mozhut_demontuvati_polskiy_mechshherbets&objectId=1080487
  | access-date = 2012-05-15
  | ref = {{harvid|''Mizhnarodnyi skandal...''}}
  }}
*{{Citation
  | last = Prinke
  | first = Rafal T.
  | title = The Jagged Sword and Polish Rosicrucians
  | journal = Journal of Rosicrucian Studies
  | volume = 1
  | pages = 8–13
  | year = 1983
  | url = http://www.levity.com/alchemy/sword.html
  | access-date = 2009-12-06
  }}
*{{Citation
  | title = Reaktywacja pisma Szczerbiec – "Faszyzm wraca na salony"
  | language = pl
  | trans-title = Reactivation of the Szczerbiec magazine – "Fascism returns to the salons"
  | work = Narodowe Odrodzenie Polski
  | date = 2009-07-14
  | url = http://www.nop.org.pl/old_www/?artykul_id=851
  | access-date = 2012-05-15
  | ref = {{sfnref|''Reaktywacja pisma Szczerbiec...''}}
  }}
*{{Citation
  | title = Respect Diversity – Football Unites: The FARE Network's Programme of Activities at Euro 2012
  | publisher = FARE Network
  | url = http://www.nigdywiecej.org/images/czytelnia/ang/Respect_Diversity_Project_Report.pdf
  | access-date = 2015-04-29
  | ref = {{sfnref|''Respect Diversity''}}
  }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{Citation
  | last = Rożek
  | first = Michał
  | title = Polskie koronacje i korony
  | language = pl
  |trans-title=Polish Coronations and Crowns
  | place = Kraków
  | publisher = Krajowa Agencja Wydawnicza
  | year = 1987
  | isbn = 83-03-01913-9 }}
*{{Citation
  | last = Swoger
  | first = Gordon
  | title = The Strange Odyssey of Poland's National Treasures, 1939–1961: A Polish-Canadian Story
  | place = Toronto
  | publisher = Dundurn Press
  | year = 2004
  | isbn = 1-55002-515-5
  | url-access = registration
  | url = https://archive.org/details/strangeodysseyof0000swog
  }}
*{{Citation
  | last = Szablowski
  | first = Jerzy
  | title = Zbiory Zamku Królewskiego na Wawelu
  | language = pl
  |trans-title=Collections of the Royal Wawel Castle
  | place = Warszawa
  | publisher = Arkady
  | year = 1969 }}
*{{Citation
 |last         = Uhlig
 |language     = pl
 |trans-title  = Will they allow Boleslaus the Brave's sword in stadiums?
 |first        = Dominik
 |title        = Czy "mieczyk Chrobrego" wpuszczą na stadiony?
 |newspaper    = Gazeta Wyborcza
 |date         = 2007-06-26
 |url          = http://wyborcza.pl/dziennikarze/1,96017,4251732.html
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120316010327/http://wyborcza.pl/dziennikarze/1,96017,4251732.html
 |archive-date = 2012-03-16
 |url-access   = subscription
}}
*{{cite interview
 |last         = Waltoś
 |first        = Stanisław
 |interviewer  = Rita Pagacz-Moczarska
 |title        = Pamiątka sentymentalna
 |url          = http://www3.uj.edu.pl/alma/alma/49/01/09.html
 |language     = pl
 |trans-title  = A sentimental relic
 |work         = Alma Mater
 |publisher    = [[Jagiellonian University]]
 |year         = 2003
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927162245/http://www3.uj.edu.pl/alma/alma/49/01/09.html
 |archive-date = 2011-09-27
}}
*{{Citation
  | last = Wójcik
  | first = Karol
  | title = Rewindykacja zbiorów i zabytków (po Traktacie Ryskim)
  | language = pl
  | trans-title = Revindication of collections and monuments after the Treaty of Riga
  | journal = The Scrolls
  | volume = 4
  | year = 1997
  | url = http://www.zwoje-scrolls.com/zwoje04/text06p.htm
  | issn = 1496-6115
  }}
*{{Citation
  | title = Wykopmy rasizm ze stadionów
  | language = pl
  | trans-title = Let's kick racism out of stadiums
  | publisher = Stowarzyszenie Nigdy Więcej
  | url = http://www.nigdywiecej.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=29
  | access-date = 2009-12-19
  | ref = {{harvid|''Wykopmy rasizm ze stadionów''}}
  }}
*{{Citation
  | title = Wytyczne dla Delegatów Meczowych PZPN
  | language = pl
  | trans-title = Guidelines for Polish Football Association Match Delegates
  | publisher = Polski Związek Piłki Nożnej
  | url = https://www.pzpn.pl/public/system/files/site_content/635/632-Wytyczne%20dla%20Delegat%C3%B3w%20Meczowych%20PZPN%20%E2%80%93%20wersja%202.1.pdf
  | access-date = 2015-04-29
  | ref = {{harvid|''Wytyczne dla Delegatów Meczowych PZPN''}}
  }}
*{{Citation
  | last = Żygulski
  | first = Zdzisław, jun.
  | author-link = Zdzisław Żygulski, Jr.
  | title = Stara kopia Szczerbca
  | language = pl
  | trans-title = An old replica of Szczerbiec
  | work = Alma Mater
  | publisher = [[Jagiellonian University]]
  | year = 2003
  | url = http://www3.uj.edu.pl/alma/alma/49/01/10.html
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927162252/http://www3.uj.edu.pl/alma/alma/49/01/10.html
  | archive-date = 2011-09-27
  }}
{{Refend}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Citation
  | last1        = Budzioch
  | first1       = Dagmara
  | last2        = Tomal
  | first2       = Maciej
  | title        = A Hebrew Inscription on the Polish Coronation Sword
  | journal      = Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia
  | location     = Kraków
  | publisher    = Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
  | volume       = 8
  | pages        = 39–47
  | year         = 2010
  | isbn         = 978-83-233-3049-3
  | issn         = 1733-5760 }}
*{{cite wikisource 
|editor-last=Gloger
|editor-first=Zygmunt
|editor-link=Zygmunt Gloger
|wslink=Encyklopedia staropolska
|wslanguage=pl
|plaintitle=Encyklopedja Staropolska
|trans-title=Old Polish Encyclopedia
|chapter=Szczerbiec
|year=1900
|publisher=P. Laskauer i W. Babicki
|volume=IV
|location=Warszawa
}}
*{{cite wikisource
|last=Kopera
|first=Feliks
|wslink=Encyklopedia staropolska
|wslanguage=pl
|editor-first=Zygmunt
|editor-last=Gloger
|editor-link=Zygmunt Gloger
|plaintitle=Encyklopedja Staropolska
|trans-title=Old Polish Encyclopedia
|chapter=Klejnoty i insygnia koronne
|trans-chapter=Crown jewels and insignia
|year=1900
|publisher=P. Laskauer i W. Babicki
|volume=III
|location=Warszawa
}}
*{{Citation
  | title = Monitoring discriminatory signs and symbols in European football
  | publisher = FARE Network
  | url = http://www.farenet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Monitoring-discriminatory-signs-and-symbols-in-European-football.pdf
  | access-date = 2015-04-29
  | archive-date = 6 August 2015
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150806194736/http://www.farenet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Monitoring-discriminatory-signs-and-symbols-in-European-football.pdf
  | url-status = dead
  }}
*{{Citation
  | last = Sadowski
  | first =  Jan Nepomucen
  | title = Miecz koronacyjny polski "Szczerbcem" zwany
  |trans-title=Polish coronation sword known as Szczerbiec
  | language = pl
  | place = Kraków
  | publisher = [[Academy of Learning|Akademia Umiejętności]]
  | year = 1892
  | url = http://www.pbi.edu.pl/book_reader.php?p=52284
  | via = Polska Biblioteka Internetowa
  | access-date = 2014-05-31}}
* {{cite news |last=Żukow-Karczewski |first=Marek |author-link=Marek Żukow-Karczewski |url=http://mbc.malopolska.pl/dlibra/docmetadata?id=12429&from=publication&tab=1 |title=Klejnoty i insygnia koronacyjne w dawnej Polsce. Prawdy i legendy |trans-title=Crown jewels and insignia in the former Poland. Truth and legend |newspaper=Życie Literackie |number=32 |date=1987 |page=5 |lang=pl |issn=0591-2369 |access-date=22 February 2016 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510063808/http://mbc.malopolska.pl/dlibra/docmetadata?id=12429&from=publication&tab=1 |url-status=dead }}
*{{Citation
  | last = Żygulski
  | first =  Zdzisław, jun.
  | author-link = Zdzisław Żygulski, Jr.
  | editor-last= Grzybkowski
  | editor-first = Andrzej
  | title = Urbs Celeberrima: Księga pamiątkowa na 750-lecie lokacji Krakowa
  |trans-title=The Most Famous City: Memorial Book for the 750th Anniversary of the Incorporation of Kraków
  | chapter = Szczerbiec
  | language = pl
  | place = Kraków
  | publisher = [[National Museum, Kraków|Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie]]
  | year = 2008
  | isbn = 978-83-89424-77-8
  | pages = 309–355
  | chapter-url = http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/grzybkowski2008/0315/scroll?sid=75fd3fd70ee6a8bfdcf1d15a4de3c5b8
  | via = [[Heidelberg University Library|Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg]]
  | access-date = 2014-05-22 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Cite web
  | title = Crown Treasury and Armory
  | work = Wawel Royal Castle
  | publisher = Państowe Zbiory Sztuki na Wawelu
  | url = http://www.wawel.krakow.pl/en/index.php?op=8,1,5}}

{{National symbols of Poland}}
{{Notable swords}}
{{Wawel}}

{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Polish crown jewels]]
[[Category:Medieval European swords]]
[[Category:National symbols of Poland]]
[[Category:Individual weapons]]