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If there is a television series that continues to mesmerize audiences across the world with its stunning visuals and fantastical story then probably is Game of Thrones, the award-winning HBO television show, a series with plot lines of a civil war, legendary creatures and power struggles which are set in the fictional world.



Some of the magic which is used to draw viewers across the planet is hidden in the colorful costumes, mystical names for characters and places and use of lifelike props in the show.

One of these props is the weaponry used in the series, with swords being the most representative symbols.

The blades wielded by the Game of Thrones characters have become synonymous with the show itself, and hardcore fans across the world pay a lot of money to get their hands on replicas of the iconic swords, which each have their own special characteristics and names, like Blackfyre, Dark Sister, and Longclaw.

Longclaw: the bastard sword (longer than a normal longsword, designed to thrust and slash) of House Mormont that was given to Jon Snow by Lord Commander Jeor Mormont. On the show, we saw Jon kill a White Walker using it

Heartsbane: greatsword (not only are they two-handed weapons, they are heavier than longswords) of House Tarly, taken by Sam

Nightfall: longsword of House Harlaw of Ten Towers in the Iron Islands

Red Rain: sword of House Drumm of Old Wyk on the Iron Islands (there is speculation it once belonged to House Reyne, the family Tywin Lannister wiped out that is forever remembered in the song “The Rains of Castemere).

(Lady Forlorn, the longsword of House Corbray of Heart’s Home in the Vale, was mislabeled as Valyrian steel in A World of Ice and Fire.)

Ice: two-handed greatsword of House Stark with a dark, smoky appearance, that was used by Ser Ilyn Payne to execute Ned. It was then melted down by Tywin Lannister to create two new Valyrian steel weapons for House Lannister

Widow’s Wail and Oathkeeper: Tywin, desperate for a Valyrian steel sword for House Lannister, had Ice made into two longswords of red and black, one for Joffrey that the king then named Widow’s Wail (which passed to Tommen after Joffrey died at the Purple Wedding), and the second for Jaime, a thicker and heavier sword than Widow’s Wail, which he christened Oathkeeper. This is the sword Jaime gave to Brienne of Tarth.

But, what makes these weapons so extraordinary?

What makes these swords superior is the material that is used when they were forged: Valyrian steel-a This mythical alloy, manufactured in the ancient empire of the Valyrians.

The weaponry made from this material is noted to be exceptionally sharp and tremendously strong, yet lightweight making it an ideal.

Its rippled patterns make it distinctive from other metals, and because of these properties, the steel is quite scarce and very expensive.

Yet what makes Valyrian steel swords most unique and powerful is the fact that they are forged with magic spells and dragon fire in a sword making the process that was all but lost over the ages.The secrets of forging Valyrian steel have been lost to time, but a few weaponsmiths in Essos can reforge it.

But this fictitious alloy was more than likely the result of imaginative thinking than the consultation of chemistry books.

Author of the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series on which the show is based George R. R. Martin, drew inspiration from real-life ancient weaponry, more specifically Damascus steel, to dream up the material.

Similar to its imaginary predecessor, Damascus steel, which originated in South India before the Common Era, was primarily used to make long-bladed weapons which were reputed to be tough, shatter-resistant and able to be honed to a sharp, resilient edge.

Additionally, the blades possessed the distinctive rippled patterns which resembled flowing water. It is said that Islamic knights would look at these patterns before a battle to be reminded of the flowing waters of the rivers of paradise, and be reassured that should they fall, their place in paradise would be secured.

Of course, there were no fire-breathing dragons or wizardry involved in the forgery of these blades, and the metal’s properties weren’t as ideal as those of Valyrian steel. The material did give rise to a number of legends, however.

It was believed that a blade made of Damascus steel could effortlessly cut through a rifle barrel, or cut in half a silk scarf falling across the blade. Some even say that Damascus steel swords were the strongest blades used in the Crusades. Whether there is any truth to these legends or not, the swords were undoubtedly extraordinary for their time.

Also like Valyrian steel, the original method of production of Damascus steel was eventually lost, and the manufacturing of the patterned swords ceased around 1750.

Although Damascus steel blades may be long gone, these intricate swords have been reincarnated, albeit fictitiously, and can continue to be admired, thanks to the Game of Thrones series.

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