I'm working on a 12th or 13th century Occitan romance about King Arthur. Sir Kay (here known as Queu) enters the scene holding a baton or wand which, it is said, he has fashioned from an apple bough as a sign of his authority.
At the moment I'm drawing a complete blank as to (a) where this particular symbol might have come from and (b) where else it might turn up. I know that in Irish and Welsh mythology the apple bough (often with silver bells) can be used as a way to enter the Other World or a way to sleep. I know that apples occur fairly regularly in myths and legends. But an apple baton or wand as a sign of authority? Given the provenance of this story the influences might be Arabic, French, Spanish, Welsh, Breton or Latin ...but on the other hand I have an open mind.
If anyone can shed any light on this I'd be very grateful!