Sequence
An obscure sword associated with King Arthur in later romance tradition.
Introduction#
Sequence is named as one of Arthur’s swords in later Arthurian romance. Unlike Excalibur, it appears only briefly in surviving tradition and is described as a weapon Arthur used specifically in mortal combat. The varying forms of its name reflect the instability of Arthurian textual traditions and manuscript transmission.
Alternative Names | Secace, Secance, Seure
Arthur’s Sword#
The romances describe Sequence as a sword reserved for deadly and serious battle.
Lancelot later wielded the weapon during combat before the castle of La Roche, where Arthur had been taken prisoner by Camille.
Though little detail survives concerning the sword itself, its association with mortal combat suggests a weapon of particular severity and importance.
Connection to the Sword in the Stone#
Some speculation has connected Sequence with the sword Arthur drew from the stone and anvil.
The romances, however, do not explicitly identify the two weapons as the same, and the relationship remains uncertain.
Arthurian tradition frequently attributes multiple swords to Arthur, including Excalibur, Clarent, Ron, and Sequence. These traditions are not always consistent across texts.
The Problem of Arthur’s Weapons#
Arthurian literature preserves many overlapping traditions concerning Arthur’s arms and regalia.
Some weapons appear only once or briefly before disappearing from the tradition, while others become central symbols of kingship and legend.
Sequence belongs to this more obscure layer of Arthurian weapon lore.
Significance#
Though little described, Sequence contributes to the image of Arthur as a warrior king possessing multiple renowned weapons suited to different forms of battle.
Its uncertain identity also reflects the fluid nature of medieval Arthurian storytelling, where names, objects, and traditions often shifted between romances.
Sources#
Le Morte Darthur | Sir Thomas Malory, 1469-1470
Perlesvaus | Early 13th century
