Legendary Valyrian Steel Swords to look out for in House of The Dragon: Part 1

Valyrian steel swords have always been a source of fascination for the fans of Game of Thrones. Made of a fictional metal in the ancient land of Valyria, not many such weapons have survived since its doom. They are very rare, priceless, magic-infused, and are often passed down as family heirlooms.

We have seen a few of them in HBO’s TV adaptation of Game of Thrones. But there will be a lot more in the prequel show House of the Dragon. There have been about 227 Valyrian steel swords that have been recorded in the history of Westeros, most of them have been lost or destroyed. Let’s have a look at a few of them that might make an appearance in House of the Dragon.

This article is a part of our series on Legendary Valyrian Steel Swords. Read Part 2

Read More: Everything you wanted to know about the Valyrian Steel swords in the Game of Thrones universe

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Vigilance

Credit: Zudaran

Vigilance is a Valyrian steel longsword owned by House Hightower. Ormund Hightower, the Lord of the Hightower, last wielded it during the Dance of the Dragons. He fought for King Aegon II Targaryen.

After the Battle on the Honeywine, Ormund used Vigilance to knight Prince Daeron Targaryen, who had been his squire. Daeron earned the title “Ser Daeron the Daring” for turning the battle in their favor with his dragon, Tessarion.

During the First Battle of Tumbleton, Roderick Dustin, the Lord of Barrowton, killed Ormund. After Ormund’s death, Vigilance was lost, and its whereabouts remain unknown.

Ice

Credit: HBO

Ice is the ancestral greatsword of House Stark, made of Valyrian steel. Ned Stark wields it in Game of Thrones. Before him, Lord Cregan Stark used Ice during the Dance of the Dragons, supporting Rhaenyra Targaryen under the Pact of Ice and Fire. The sword has been passed down through generations of Starks, serving both in battle and ceremonies. Its wolf-pelt scabbard symbolizes its deep connection to House Stark.

In the first season of Game of Thrones, Ned uses Ice to execute Will, a deserter from the Night’s Watch. Later, in a cruel twist, Ser Ilyn Payne uses Ice to behead Ned at King Joffrey’s command. Afterward, the sword remains in King’s Landing as a trophy.

In season four, Tywin Lannister orders Ice to be melted down by a Volantene blacksmith. Due to the sword’s large size, the blacksmith forges two longswords from it. Tywin names one Widow’s Wail and gives it to Joffrey as a wedding gift. The second sword goes to Jaime Lannister, who later gives it to Brienne of Tarth, naming it Oathkeeper.

Ice returns to the Starks indirectly when Brienne swears her service to Sansa Stark in season six, bringing Oathkeeper back to Winterfell. Jaime later arrives at Winterfell with Widow’s Wail, symbolically returning Ice to its home.

By the end of the series, Brienne serves as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, wielding Oathkeeper. The fate of Widow’s Wail remains uncertain after Jaime’s imprisonment and escape from King’s Landing.

In the books, Ice is described as a massive, dark, and smoky blade, forged in Valyria over four centuries ago. After Ned’s execution, Tywin has Ice reforged into two swords by Tobho Mott, a Qohorik blacksmith.

Truth

Credit: A Wiki of Ice and Fire

Truth was a Valyrian steel longsword carried by Moredo Rogare, a Lysene noble from the wealthy banking Rogare family. During the Dance of the Dragons, the Rogare Bank rivalled the Iron Bank of Braavos in size. We might get a glimpse of the sword in House of The Dragon.

Orphan-Maker

Credit: Douglas Wheatley

Orphan-Maker is a Valyrian steel longsword belonging to House Roxton with a black blade. Ser Jon Roxton wielded the blade during the Dance of the Dragons. He sided with King Aegon II Targaryen and the sword was used in the Battle of Honeywine and the second battle of Tumbleton. The sword later came into the possession of Lord Unwin Peake, after which its whereabouts are unknown.

Blackfyre

Credits: Max

Blackfyre is the fabled hand-and-a-half longsword of Valyrian steel once wielded by Aegon the Conqueror. It is perhaps the most famous sword in all of Westeros. It was passed down to every ruler who sat on the Iron Throne.

In House of the Dragon, King Viserys I Targaryen first wields this sword. It then passes into the possession of his son Aegon II Targaryen. Aegon II Targaryen’s possession of Blackfyre enhanced his legitimacy against his rival, Rhaenyra Targaryen, during the succesion war.

This sword was the cause of the infamous Blackfyre Rebellions, some of which we will see in the upcoming ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ series. The rebellions started when King Aegon IV passed the sword to his bastard son, Daemon Waters.

Waters then took the name ‘Daemon Blackfyre’ and began a rebellion against King Daeron III, who sat on the Iron Throne. Most of the realm believed that Daemon Blackfyre was the true heir, since the king passed down the Conqueror’s sword to him. It was lost after the Blackfyre rebellion.

Is there any Valyrian steel sword you wish to own? Tell us in the comments below!

Read More: Everything we know about House of the Dragon Season 3

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12/23/2024 05:52 am GMT