An old French legend passed down from generation to generation relates how the Main Gauche, or left hand dagger could have been born. A noble family of the thirteenth century had lost prestige, and had drifted to near the poverty level, because the male offspring were inept at the tasks that added prestige to a family—military expertise. The family was unable to provide the crown support with its wars with the English, because they could not wield a sword effectively. They were all left-handed, and the sword they used did not adapt well to the left hand. Lefties were often frowned upon in Medieval Europe, because they were too odd. Everyone, called them the stupid, “Main Gauche.” In French the word means, left hand.
The third born son of this unfortunate family had no hope at all because of the law of primogeniture or the rights of the firstborn son. The only job he could find was a lowly task of feeding the animals of a noble who lived near his family. He realized that the had to come up with some solution to this problem, or he eventually would be forced to sell himself into slavery. He was also one of the Main Gauche fools of the family.
While watching the animals, he had a lot of time to think and ponder his sad situation. He began amusing himself by carving a knife with his sword barn. It was sharp and it was designed for his Main Gauche hand. Although he was more adept with his left hand, he had been taught swordmanship with a master before his father had fallen to his lowly state. He always had a sword and several hand-carved left hand daggers in his possession as he guarded the horses of the great nobleman.
He was eventually employed to keep the animals of the upper- tier noble all day and night. Because of his willingness to submit to a lowly position, he was able to eat, so he was not forced to roam the streets for food.
One night a band of outlaws invaded the barn. They felt there was nothing to fear because the poor Main Gauche boy was guarding the animals. The thugs felt there would be no problem in getting away with some of the finest horses in France.
Five men assaulted the barn. First the Main Gauche boy grabbed his sword. The marauders easily deflected his blows. He ran near the wall of the barn and was ready to give up his life, but suddenly he drew one the hidden Main Gauche daggers from under his shirt. The first man fell and the others were slow in reacting because they were attempting to lead out the horses.
The agile lefty felt powerful for the first time in his life. He drew one dagger after the other, and while the horses trampled and he stabbed with all his might, the barn became awash with the blood of the outlaws.
The Main Gauche boy won. What happened to the boy after this is only heresay. Many relate that he joined the Crusaders and became an assassin.