Ice was the ancestral Valyrian steel greatsword of House Stark of Winterfell. It is as wide across as a grown man's hand, and is taller than an adolescent Robb Stark. The blade itself has a dark-smokey appearance. It was destroyed by Lord Tywin Lannister and reforged into Widow's Wail and Oathkeeper.
History[]
The name Ice is a legacy from The Age of Heroes, and pre-dates the current sword. About four hundred years before Robert Baratheon's reign, the sword was spell-forged in Valyria and acquired by the Starks, who named it after that legacy. It then became the sword of the Lord of Winterfell.
Books[]
A Game of Thrones[]
Eddard Stark Uses the greatsword in battles and personally executes condemned prisoners. Theon Greyjoy hands him the sword during the execution of Gared, a brother of the Night's Watch that had fled The Wall. He also uses it to execute the Direwolf, Lady, claiming that she deserves that as she is of The North.
After Stark's capture, Ser Ilyn Payne is given the sword and uses it to execute Stark himself.
A Storm of Swords[]
Payne carries the blade for a short while until Lord Tywin Lannister takes it from him. Tywin then commissions Tobho Mott to melt down Ice and reforge it into two new swords:
- Widow's Wail Is given as a wedding gift to Tywin's grandson, King Joffrey, who dies at that same wedding feast without ever wielding the blade. It is then passed down to his younger brother and successor, King Tommen.
- The second sword is given to Ser Jaime Lannister, who in turn gives it to Brienne of Tarth, who names it Oathkeeper when Jaime charges her with finding Sansa Stark.