Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms. She writes weird books for teens in lots of weird genres like, fantasy (Blood of Kings trilogy), science fiction (Replication), and dystopian (The Safe Lands trilogy). Find Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or on her author website.
Why are swords so cool? What is it about them? Why do so many fictional swords have replicas you can buy and hang on your wall? Why do characters never (or rarely) name their guns or staffs or clubs or bows? Yet most swords get names—cool names too. Here are my ten favorite swords from literature.
10. Zorro’s rapier
Zorro was created by author Johnston McCulley. But even if you’ve never read one of McCulley’s books, you can probably picture Zorro in your mind. He’s the masked desperado, dressed all in black, who defends the people from bad guys. He wields a (nameless) rapier—and no one is faster with it. And he’s also handy with a whip. He especially enjoys humiliating his foes.
Why it’s cool: Because Zorro uses his rapier to leave his mark: Z.
9. Heron Mark Sword
A heron mark swords is a rare type of sword from Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. These swords were considered unbreakable and wielded by blademasters. Rand al’Thor, the main character in book one The End of the World, was given one of these swords by his father before he set off on his quest. Little did he know how valuable and rare a sword it was.
Why it’s cool: Because as Rand traveled, the heron hilt continued to draw attention, yet he didn’t know why. This was a fun way to plant seeds for a history his father never told him about (where and how daddy got the sword), and it also, eventually, opened up a conversation for Rand to learn about such blades. Good use of a prop in storytelling.
8. Dyrnwyn
In Lloyd Alexander’s The Book of Three, when Taran and Princess Eilonwy escape the Spiral Castle, they pass through the burial chamber of High King Rhitta. By the time they get out, the castle has collapsed and Eilonwy is carrying a black sword, which she took from the dead king. She refused to let Taran draw the blade as the sword is dangerous to those it deems unworthy of its power or who are not yet ready for it. It is not only
Why it’s cool: Because it scalds those who are unworthy and because it can kill cauldron born.
7. Sting
Bilbo Baggins found this blade in a troll hoard along with many other elf-made weapons. This was actually a man’s dagger, but it was just the right size for a hobbit sword. It has the magically ability to detect the nearness of orcs or goblins, glowing blue when they were nearby. Bilbo used it well and named it Sting after the giant spiders of Mirkwood called it such. Bilbo eventually gave Sting to Frodo, who eventually gave it to Sam.
Why it’s cool: 1. Because it glows blue when orcs or goblins are nearby. 2. Because it’s really a dagger but Bilbo is small, so it’s a sword for him, which is good continued characterization. 3. Because Gollum was afraid of it.
6. Ôwr-
Since this is my top ten, I’m including a sword from my Blood of Kings trilogy. Ôwr, also known as the Kingsword, was a gift to King Willham from Câan, the son-god warrior, after his rebirth. It was forged from white steel, which does not exist in Er’Rets. Ôwr is the only weapon made from the metal. It cannot be broken. Esek owned Ôwr for a time, using it to cut the slashes on Achan’s cheeks, yet Achan took it back after he cut of Esek’s arm in a duel.
Why it’s cool: Because it’s made from the metal of another world and gleams like a star. And because of what it represents: he who wields it is—or will be—king.
5. Sword of Gryffindor
The Sword of Godric Gryffindor, who was one of the founders of Hogwarts, can only be wielded by a true Gryffindor. Fawkes brings it to Harry in the sorting hat in Harry Potter in Chamber of Secrets, and Harry pulls it out, kills the basilisk, and destroys the journal. The sword was made by goblins, who take it back from Harry later on in the series.
Why it’s cool: Because J.K. Rowling is a master plotter. She plants the sword early on, and uses it, not only when Harry kills the basilisk and destroys the journal, but to prove to Harry that he belongs in Gryffindor House. And she continues to use the weapon in clever ways through the rest of the series, including the existence of a replica sword.
4. Anaklusmos a.k.a. Riptide
Anaklusmos has a long and tragic history, having been used by many Greek gods and demigods. It is made of celestial bronze, which is only effective on mythological beings, and does not harm mortals. It can take the shape of useless objects like Zoë’s hair clip and Percy’s inkpen. In English, Anaklusmos means Riptide. The sword draws its power from the ocean.
Why it’s cool: Because it’s a shapeshifting sword, that’s why! And the limitation of not being able to harm humans is an interesting twist.
3. Narsil/Anduril
King Elendil used Narsil in the battle against Sauron. The king was killed, however, and Narsil shattered. His son Isildur picked up the hilt and used what was left of the weapon to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s finger, defeating him. The shards of Narsil became an heirloom until the sword was reforged for Aragorn, recognizing him as Isildur’s heir and the rightful king of Gondor. Aragorn renamed the sword Anduril, which means “The Flame of the West.” It’s also called “The sword that was broken.”
Why it’s cool: Because even broken, it defeated Sauron. And because it was reforged and given to Aragorn to use to return as King of Gondor. So cool.
2. Inigo Montoya’s Rapier
In The Princess Bride, Inigo Montoya’s father Domingo was a great sword maker. Nobleman Count Rugen, a man with six fingers on his right hand, asked Domingo to forge a sword just for him. When the sword was completed, Count Rugen refused to pay, so Domingo refused to sell him the sword. Count Rugen killed Domingo, and when Domingo’s eleven-year-old son challenged Rugen to a duel, Rugen defeated the boy and scarred his face. Devastated, Inigo made it his life goal to avenge his father.
Why it’s cool: Because of the backstory. Everything Inigo is and strives for comes from this sword and its history.
1. Excalibur
When Arthur said, “I have no sword,” Merlin led him to a lake. An arm rose out of the water, holding a sword. And then the Lady of the Lake appeared, standing on the water. Arthur asked her for the sword, and she gave it to him on the condition that he would owe her a gift that she would claim later. Merlin told him that the scabbard was worth ten of the sword, and as long as it was buckled around his waist, he would lose no blood, no matter how grievously he was wounded.
Why it’s cool: Because it’s legendary, first of all. But also because of its auto-healing scabbard. Plus, it came from that creepy lake, so that’s cool too.
Which sword did I miss that’s one of your favorites from fiction? What’s cool about it that adds to the story it’s from?