Game of Thrones' Major Weapon Blunder: The Shocking Mistake Explained by Expert

Summary

A weapons master has criticized Game of Thrones for inaccurately portraying the process of sword reforging in its attempt to depict a realistic medieval world. The way it was shown in the series would have resulted in brittle and useless swords for battle.

The Battle of Winterfell in the show contained several inaccuracies, including poorly constructed trenches and misplaced artillery, thus reducing the credibility of the final season. However, these shortcomings did not greatly diminish the overall quality and entertainment value of Game of Thrones.

The popular HBO show Game of Thrones, known for its attempt to create a believable medieval world, received criticism from a weapons master for getting a crucial detail wrong. In the fantasy world of the show, characters engage in battles using swords, bows, and even dragons. Swords and other weapons play a vital role in the survival of the characters and often take center stage in various scenes. Season 4 of the show features the reforging of Ned Stark's sword, which is a pivotal moment for the Lannisters' rise to power.

However, according to medieval arms and armor expert Toby Capwell, the reforging process depicted in Game of Thrones was far from accurate. Capwell explained in an interview with Insider that if the sword had been reforged in real life the way it was shown in the show, it would have become extremely brittle. Instead of providing Jaime and Joffrey with two Valyrian steel swords, Tywin would have ended up with swords that would break at the first sign of battle. Capwell gave the inaccuracy a rating of 0/10. To hear his full explanation, refer to the link below.

“No, that's not feasible. The method they are employing to mold the sword by melting down the blade is fundamentally flawed. The idea of melting the iron or steel to its liquid state renders it devoid of the desired properties. Casting iron in a mold results in cast iron, which is extremely brittle and cannot be tempered or heat treated. In the process of extracting iron from ore, it is heated to separate it from impurities without completely melting it. The iron reacts chemically with the ore, causing it to separate and settle at the bottom. Skillful weaponsmiths are cautious to never fully melt any material. It is impossible to melt armor and utilize it in the creation of new armor. Regardless of how visually appealing it may be on screen, it is an illogical practice. While I appreciate certain aspects of the armor in Game of Thrones, this particular approach is a failure, a total misstep.”

Game Of Thrones Was Not Always Accurate

Throughout its entire run, Game of Thrones failed to fully consider various important aspects, not just the process of reforging swords. Both the show and the A Song of Ice and Fire book series drew inspiration from the historical War of the Roses period, thereby effectively reflecting the overall plot and direction. However, numerous details were overlooked, revealing inaccuracies in battle strategies and reforging practices.

The Battle of Winterfell, for example, contains numerous inaccuracies. The shallow trenches allowed the dead to easily cross the barriers, and the placement of artillery in front of Winterfell's walls prevented the infantry from defending their own trebuchets. Additionally, the Dothraki charge lacked proper military tactics, as they had no support or reserves to protect them. These incorrect elements in Game of Thrones season 8 compromised its believability and weakened the final season.

TV shows that draw inspiration from medieval periods are never completely accurate. Striving for complete historical accuracy would limit the plot and require characters to focus excessively on maps and logistics. While Game of Thrones occasionally stretched believability, most viewers will never know the truth about sword reforging, so it doesn't diminish the series. The story was not fundamentally changed by ice melting any more than it would be by accurate sword reforging. Despite its failure to consider correct forging techniques, Game of Thrones did not suffer significantly as a result.

Source: Insider