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Sword in the Stone: Difference between revisions
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When it was discussed unofficially with members of the Faculty, they found that it would be less likely to removed if it were not visible from Convocation Hall. Thus, over several months, a new plan was hatched to recreate the monument in front of the main entrance to the Sandford Fleming Building. | When it was discussed unofficially with members of the Faculty, they found that it would be less likely to removed if it were not visible from Convocation Hall. Thus, over several months, a new plan was hatched to recreate the monument in front of the main entrance to the Sandford Fleming Building. | ||
[[File:Sword v1 unveiling.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Original Sword in the Stone unveiling in front of SF]] | |||
===Re-construction of the Sword in the Stone=== | ===Re-construction of the Sword in the Stone=== | ||
Shortly after the removal of the original sword, the Sword in the Stone was re-erected in front of the main entrance of the building. When the Sword was re-erected, a time capsule was placed into the base as a historical tribute. The capsule, however, did not survive the subsequent removal of the sword years later. | Shortly after the removal of the original sword, the Sword in the Stone was re-erected in front of the main entrance of the building. When the Sword was re-erected, a time capsule was placed into the base as a historical tribute. The capsule, however, did not survive the subsequent removal of the sword years later. | ||
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[[File:Sword Unveiling Bottle.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Bottle used by Mario Baker to unveil the Sword in the Stone]] | [[File:Sword Unveiling Bottle.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Bottle used by Mario Baker to unveil the Sword in the Stone]] | ||
====Unveiling of the Sword==== | ====Unveiling of the Sword==== | ||
The sword was finally installed in the summer of 2008 in the Galbraith Garden, and officially unveiled during F!rosh Week | The sword was finally installed in the summer of 2008 in the Galbraith Garden, and officially unveiled on September 4, 2008 during [[F!rosh Week]]. During the unveiling, a speech was given to a large crowd of first years and selected F!rosh Leaders to commemorate the occasion. The sword was wrapped in flash paper before the ceremony, and was set on fire by the BFC for its official unveiling. A large champagne bottle was then broken over the concrete base by Mario Baker. | ||
==Construction== | ==Construction== | ||
==Plaque== | ==Plaque and Inscription== | ||
[[File:SwordInTheStone-OriginalPlaque.jpg|thumb|right|Original plaque from the Sword in the Stone, displayed at an alumni event]] | |||
The original sword in the stone was accompanied by a plaque quoting the 14th-century alliterative poem ''Alliterative Morte Arthure'': | The original sword in the stone was accompanied by a plaque quoting the 14th-century alliterative poem ''Alliterative Morte Arthure'': | ||
"For he that is blemist with this brode brande blinne shall he never." | <blockquote>"For he that is blemist with this brode brande blinne shall he never."</blockquote> | ||
The quote is translated as "For he who is wounded with this broad sword shall never cease bleeding". | The quote is translated as "For he who is wounded with this broad sword shall never cease bleeding". | ||
For the second sword, the Sword Project that helped make the monument possible also sought input from supporters for the content of the new plaque. Suggestions included quotes relating to philosophy, society, science, and the profession of engineering. The final plaque | For the second sword, the Sword Project that helped make the monument possible also sought input from supporters for the content of the new plaque as well as the Faculty. Suggestions included quotes relating to philosophy, society, science, and the profession of engineering. The final plaque reads: | ||
<blockquote>"An Engineer's responsibility to Society is represented by the Sword of Damocles, which dangles precariously from the thread of Knowledge imparted by this institution. Mistakes cannot be covered, Failures cannot be buried and Obligation cannot be denied; to accept Bad Workmanship is to sever the Trust of our Calling and strike tragedy upon us all."</blockquote> | |||
The plaque references the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damocles Sword of Damocles], a Greek legend in which a sword was hung precariously over Damocles (a courtier in the service of Dionysius II of Syracuse) as he sat on Dionysius' throne in order to demonstrate to him a sense of constant fear which accompanied the responsibilities and fortune of the king. | |||
This anecdote was favoured for its analogy to the engineering profession, which required constant attention from each engineer to avoid the inherent risks and to properly carry out the responsibilities of the profession. | |||
The second iteration of the sword also carried a Latin engraving on the sword pommel: | |||
<blockquote>"Exima Normam Provocat Res"</blockquote> | |||
The inscription was transcribed by a Professor of Latin, and translates roughly to the English idiom "the exception proves the rule", a variation of the original Latin legal phrase, "exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis". A nod to the inscription was included on the [[Sword in the Stone at McMaster (2011)|McMaster Sword in the Stone]], which had "Disrupto Ergo Sum" engraved on its pommel. | |||
==Additional Information== | ==Additional Information== | ||
From Chris Colohan (COMP 9T7, | From Chris Colohan (COMP 9T7, LGMB Leedur 9T5-9T6): | ||
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