Unveiling House Stark's Ancestral Sword Ice: Chronicles, Curiosities, and Secrets

Highlights

In the first episode of Game of Thrones season 1, viewers are introduced to Ice, the ancestral greatsword belonging to House Stark. This iconic weapon serves as a powerful symbol of Lord Ned Stark's authority and unwavering honor as the ruler of Winterfell.

Ice, Ned's possession, was confiscated after his arrest in season 1, episode 7 titled "You Win or You Die". It was subsequently transformed into two swords by Tywin Lannister. The origins of Ice can be traced back to Valyria, and it was previously utilized by Stark ancestors for both executions and battles. Eventually, it came into the possession of Payne, followed by Jaime Lannister and Joffrey Baratheon.

In the Game of Thrones' first season, episode 1 titled "Winter Is Coming," viewers get their first glimpse of Ice, the ancient greatsword belonging to House Stark. This powerful weapon, held by the noble and respected Lord Eddard, is noticeably larger than Longclaw.

Ice serves as a symbol of Lord Stark's authority over the North. On the HBO show, it represents his transformation from a devoted family man and loving father into an honorable lord who upholds the ancient pledge his ancestors made to the ruler who sits on the Iron Throne in the South. The magnificent Stark heirloom remains under Ned's possession until he is arrested and imprisoned in episode 7 of season 1, "You Win or You Die." The fate of this valuable sword now lies in the hands of the cunning Lannisters.

Ned's Ice In Game Of Thrones

Ned's men bring Will, a deserter from the Night's Watch, to him. With his ward Theon Greyjoy holding the scabbard made from a wolf's pelt, Ned draws his greatsword, Ice. Without hesitation, he sentences Will to death and swiftly severs his head. As he holds onto his sword, he imparts a lesson to his ten-year-old son, explaining that the one who passes the sentence should wield the sword.

Later, Ned is seen cleaning Ice with a cloth in the Godswood of Winterfell. When he is called upon to serve as King Robert's Hand, he brings Ice to King's Landing. After the outbreak of the War of the Five Kings, the greatsword never returns to Winterfell in its original form. It is eventually reforged into two swords by Tywin Lannister after the Red Wedding.

The last time Ned is seen in possession of Ice is in Season 1, Episode 7 of Game of Thrones, "You Win or You Die." In the throne room of the Red Keep, Ned demands that Joffrey step aside for the rightful king, Stannis Baratheon. However, the City Watch turns on him and his men, resulting in Ned's imprisonment in the dungeons and the loss of his greatsword. In a twist of fate, in Season 1, Episode 9, "Baelor," the royal executioner, Ilyn Payne, uses Ice to behead Ned under Joffrey's orders, accusing him of treason. As Ned gazes upon the charged crowd of King's Landing, his own Valyrian steel sword brings about his demise.

Two Swords Forged From Ice

Game of Thrones season 1, episode 10 "Fire and Blood" commences with the aforementioned greatsword drenched in the blood of Ned, who had inherited it from his father, Lord Rickard Stark. Staying true to its name, the initial scene of Game of Thrones season 4, episode 1 "Two Swords," showcases Tywin Lannister removing Ice from its scabbard adorned with a wolf pelt and entrusting it to a skilled blacksmith. This particular moment emphasizes the significant triumph of the Lannisters over the North, as Tywin subdued the Northern rebellion through treachery and with the assistance of House Frey. Knowing he now possesses complete control over the House Stark greatsword, Tywin has it disassembled by the blacksmith who removes the hilt and melts it down. As a sign of the obliteration of House Stark (at least for the time being), Tywin opts to burn the scabbard. Unbeknownst to him, the Starks of Winterfell will ultimately rise again and reclaim their rightful kingdom in the upcoming wars.

The History Of Ice

In Game of Thrones, the Valyrian steel sword Ice is described as "dark and smoky" with a rippled appearance. This immense greatsword is nearly as large as the knight who wields it, such as Ned Stark and then Ilyn Payne. According to Game of Thrones lore, Ice was spell-forged in the ancient city of Valyria and came into the possession of House Stark almost four centuries before King Robert I Baratheon ascended the throne.

Ice holds great significance for House Stark, serving both ceremonial and combat purposes. Lord Walton Stark famously used it to execute Ser Olyver Bracken, who rebelled against the Night's Watch. Another notable Stark, Lord Cregan Stark, wielded Ice during the Hour of the Wolf in King's Landing. Within those six days, which marked the end of the Dance of the Dragons, Lord Cregan Stark governed the capital and employed Ice to behead Ser Gyles Belgrave and Lord Larys Strong.

The term "Hour of the Wolf" refers specifically to this event, highlighting the period when Warden of the North, Lord Cregan Stark, assumed authority in King's Landing.

Following Ned Stark's demise, the legendary sword Ice fell into the possession of the King's Justice, Payne. However, Tywin deemed him unfit to wield such a magnificent weapon and confiscated it. Determined to have a Valyrian steel sword within his family, Tywin summoned the most skilled smiths to King's Landing. After much effort, he successfully forged two such swords. In the famous episode "Two Swords" of Game of Thrones, Tywin bestowed one of these swords upon his son Jaime, who in turn gifted it to Brienne of Tarth with the mission of locating and safeguarding Ned's daughter, Sansa Stark. The second sword was given to Joffrey as a wedding present and, upon a suggestion from one of the guests, he named it Widow's Wail.