Historian sheds new light on sword found in river mystery

AN amateur historian on the other side of the world may be close to solving the mystery surrounding the origins of an ancient sword found in the River Towy at Carmarthen two years ago.

The sword was discovered by coracle fisherman Andrew Davies, who netted it from the river in May 2017.

The 3ft weapon was initially thought to be of Roman origin but a closer examination by the Carmarthenshire County Museum concluded that it originated from south east Asia in the 18th Century.

However, a keen historian in Malaysia believes he may have pieced together a little more of the blade’s history.

Yusrin Faidz, who works as a lawyer in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, said: “From its description and pictures circulated over the internet, I believe that it is a sundang sword.

“Also known as a keris sundang, which is a traditional weapon for the Bugis and Suluk (Tausug) people of the Malay archipelago.”

He goes on to say that the blade may have been acquired by Thomas Phillips, who was a surgeon within the East India Company, which was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region but ended up seizing control over large parts of the Indian subcontinent and colonised parts of south east Asia.

Phillips spent most of his military career in India and died in 1851.

He was born in London in 1760 but raised in Radnorshire.

Beginning 18 years before his death and continuing for months following it, some 22,000 manuscripts – of which were Malaysian ones – and rare books were taken from his home in London to St David’s College at Lampeter – now University of Wales Trinity Saint David – and about 7,000 of his rare books to Llandovery College.

Yusrin believes the keris sundang sword may have been in one of the crates being transported by river with Malay manuscripts relating to Hang Tuah – who is the Malay equivalent to Sir Galahad of The keris sundang sword and (right) Yusrin Faidz, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, believes he may have pieced together a little more about the origins of the sword that was discovered in the River Towy by coracle fisherman Andrew Davies, below. Arthurian legend.

The crate with the sword in along with others were en route to Lampeter when it ended up in the waters of the Towy at Carmarthen, believes Yusrin.

Carmarthen, of course, is no stranger to sword stories. In Arthurian legend it is the believed birthplace of Merlin the magician.

Theorising on how the sword came to be in the River Towy, Yusrin added: “According to Phillips’ biography, 60 consignments of rare books and manuscripts began arriving in Lampeter in 1834 and continued until 1852, six months after Phillips’ death.

“The shipments were from London to the river port of Carmarthen.

“Upon arrival, the consignments would be carted the remaining 23 miles along rough roads to Lampeter.

“Although there is no direct evidence by way of any cargo or ship’s manifest, I believe that the keris sundang was part of the consignments from London to Lampeter via Carmarthen’s river port.

“The sword’s final destination would have either been St David’s or Llandovery College.

“As to how it got into the river, I believe that the sealed crate or chest containing the keris sundang and perhaps other items may have fallen into the river during transportation or during unloading at the quay.

He added: “As to the actual origin of the keris sundang, we can only speculate that it was procured by Phillips events of Phillips’ life as established by his biography.

“In 1796, when he visited Penang on his return journey to India from Australia. It is possible that he could have procured it from Penang traders.

“In 1811, when he accompanied the British expeditionary force under Lord Minto which invaded and captured Java.

“The keris sundang may have been procured there as it was widely used throughout the Malay archipelago.”

Yursif added: “I would say further research has to be conducted to confirm this theory and perhaps to determine the date of the sword.

“The possible clues may be in Phillips’ last will and testament, the list of the donated items held by the two institutions, and the cargo manifest for the 60 shipments which arrived at Carmarthen.

“To me, I believe that Phillips may have procured it at the same time he procured the Malay manuscripts around 1835 to 1842.”

Speaking at the time of finding the sword two years ago, coracleman Andrew said: “I was out one night in my coracle and the net was cast, when I pulled it in there was this sword in there.

“It was quite a surprise to be honest, not the usual sort of catch.

“I was just between the two river bridges where coracle fishing takes place and I found it.” Thomas Phillips (above) and (right) his Hikayat Hang Tuah manuscript which was transported to Lampeter University in the 1800s and is now at the British Museum.