| Colada |
The name probably derives from acero colado, or cast steel. It is believed that the sword said to be the Colada in the Royal Armory in Madrid is not, in fact, the real sword, which disappeared in 1503.
Thus was Count Ramon Berenguer made prisoner, and my Cid won from him that day the good sword Colada, which was worth more than a thousand marks of silver. A replica can be purchased.
Thus was Count Ramon Berenguer made prisoner, and my Cid won from him that day the good sword Colada, which was worth more than a thousand marks of silver.
Badly were we matched with them, and now for the after-feast he hath made this mockery of us! But we must keep secret this which we bear in mind, and not let him wit that we are wroth against him, for otherwise he would not let us depart from hence, neither give us our wives to take with us, and he would take from us the swords Colada and Tizona which he gave us....
And the women said, Don Diego and Don Ferrando, ye have strong swords and of sharp edge; the one is called Colada and the other Tizona; cut off our heads and we shall become martyrs! But set not this evil example upon us, for whatever shame ye do unto us shall be to your own dishonour.
I demand of the Infantes of Carrion, before you, two swords which I gave into their keeping; the one is Colada and the other Tizona.
So they brought the swords Colada and Tizona, and delivered them to the King.
And he laid them upon his lap and said, Ah, my swords, Colada and Tizona, truly may I say of you, that you are the best swords in Spain; and I won you, for I did not get you either by buying or by barter.
Then Alvar Fanez rose and kissed the hand of the Cid, and said, I beseech you give Colada into my keeping while this Cortes shall last, that I may defend you therewith: and the Cid gave it him and said, Take it, it hath changed its master for the better.
Then the Cid rose and said, Thanks be to God and to you, Sir King, I have recovered my swords Colada and Tizona.
And Count Don Remond armed the knights of the Cid, and instructed them how to do their devoir, and Count Garcia Ordonez helped arm the Infantes of Carrion and their uncle Suero Gonzalez, and they sent to ask the King his favour that he would give command that the swords Colada and Tizona should not be used in that combat.
Martin Antolinez drew forth Colada, the brightness of which flashed over the whole field, for it was a marvellous sword; and in their strife he dealt him a back-handed blow which sheared off the crown of his helmet, and cut away hood and coif, and the hair of his head and the skin also: this stroke he dealt him with the precious Colada.