Colbrand The Giant

By Crusader1307

Considered to be part of The Matter of England (or the collection of stories – real or supposed, which established English Cultural History), the story of Colbrand The Giant – bears some ''identities'' with that of the biblical tale of ''David and Goliath''. In fact, the comparison made be a direct link to establish that set of biblical ''virtues''. According to written text of the 13th Century AD, Colbrand was a Danish ''Giant'', terrorizing England. The Hero Knight – Sir Guy of Warwick (whose previously documented ''life'' may well too be mythic), slayed Colbrand in hand to hand combat, requiring several days of battle. Warwick took Colbrand's head and presented it to King Athelstan. The story of courage and determination (at least on Warwick's part), would travel in part to France (which adopted a similar tale into their Matter). The popular story would even be used throughout the 17th Century – with the term a ''Colbrand'' being used to denote a person of ''Great Stature''.