Difference between revisions of "Longclaw"

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===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Jon uses Longclaw when he escapes from [[Thenn (people)|Thenns]] at [[Queenscrown]].{{ref|ASOS|41}} He also wields the blade during the [[Battle of Castle Black]].{{ref|ASOS|55}}
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Jon uses Longclaw when he escapes from [[Thenn (people)|Thenns]] at [[Queenscrown]].{{ref|ASOS|41}} He also wields the blade during the [[attack on Castle Black]].{{ref|ASOS|55}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===

Revision as of 19:18, 13 April 2018

Jon Snow holding Longclaw © FFG
Depiction of Longclaw

Longclaw is the ancestral Valyrian steel bastard sword of House Mormont.

Appearance

Longclaw is a bastard sword or hand and a half sword, which means it is a good half a foot longer than a standard long sword, tapered to thrust as well as slash. With three fullers incised into the blade to reduce weight. There are ripples in the dark steel indicating it is of Valyrian steel. It has a bear's head for the pommel.[1]

History

The Mormonts have carried Longclaw for five hundred years. Jeor Mormont gave the blade to his son, Jorah Mormont, when Jeor joined the Night's Watch. Jorah later brought dishonor to the House by selling poachers to a slaver, however, but he had the grace to leave the sword behind before he fled Bear Island. His aunt Maege Mormont returned the sword to her brother Jeor, who put it aside at Castle Black since the sight of it reminded him of his son's shame.[1]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

In saving Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's life from a wight attack at Castle Black, Jon Snow sets a fire that damages Longclaw's hilt, melting silver on the bear's head pommel and burning the crossguard and grip.

After finding the blade in the ashes of his bedchamber, Jeor has a stonecarving builder of the Night's Watch replace the hilt with one capped by a snarling wolf's head of pale stone with chips of garnet for the eyes to reflect Jon's Stark heritage. It is also weighted with lead to give better balance. Jeor gives the blade to Jon, who notes the appropriateness of a bastard wielding a bastard sword.[1]

A Clash of Kings

Jon uses Longclaw in combat with wildlings[2] and later with Qhorin Halfhand.[3]

A Storm of Swords

Jon uses Longclaw when he escapes from Thenns at Queenscrown.[4] He also wields the blade during the attack on Castle Black.[5]

A Dance with Dragons

Jon beheads Janos Slynt with the bastard sword.[6]

Quotes

The hilt had been fashioned new for him, adorned with a wolf's-head pommel in pale stone, but the blade itself was Valyrian steel, old and light and deadly sharp.[7]

- thoughts of Jon Snow


Godry: A man who bears Valyrian steel should use it for more than scratching his arse.
Jon: I use Longclaw when I must, ser.[8]

- Godry Farring and Jon Snow

References