... In Geoffrey of Monmouth's Chronicle we read how "Arthur himself, dressed in a breastplate worthy of so great a king, places on his head a golden helmet engraved with the semblance of a dragon.  Over his shoulders he throws his shield called Priwen, on which a picture of Holy Mary, Mother of God, constantly recalled her to his memory.  Girt with Caliburn, a most excellent sword, and fabricated in the isle of Avalon, he graces his right hand with the lance named Ron.  This was a long and broad spear, well contrived for slaughter."  Merlin informed Arthur that Excalibur's scabbard was "worth ten of the sword, for while ye have the scabbard upon you ye shall lose no blood, be ye never so sore wounded" (Malory, i. 23).  Arthur had also a second-best sword, Clarent; and in Merlin, ii. 9, he is described as capturing the Irish king Ryance's "excellent sword Marandoise."  Gawain also had a "good sword," called Galatine. (Coming of Arthur and the Passing of Arthur, Tennyson, 1894)