Widow's Wail

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Joffrey Baratheon receives Widow's Wail as a wedding gift.
Art by Joshua Cairos © Fantasy Flight Games

Widow's Wail is a Valyrian steel longsword.[1][2]

Appearance

The blade has red and black ripples through the steel. Its scabbard is garishly decorated with gold, cherrywood, and red leather, with golden lions' heads. The eyes of the lions are rubies.[1]

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Lord Tywin Lannister has the armorer Tobho Mott melt down Eddard Stark's Valyrian steel greatsword Ice, to make a sword for House Lannister. Mott has enough metal to make two swords, one longsword and a slightly smaller sword. He attempts to tint the swords crimson for the color of House Lannister, but the metal absorbs the color, resulting in ripples of nearly-black grey and red almost as dark as the grey.[1]

Tywin gives one of the swords to Joffrey before his wedding, replacing Hearteater.[2] Accepting the name Widow's Wail when it is shouted by a guest, Joffrey uses the blade to destroy Lives of Four Kings, a gift from Tyrion Lannister.[2]

Upon Joffrey's death, Widow's Wail passes to his younger brother, Tommen Baratheon. The sword is held at the Red Keep until the boy king is old enough to wield it.[3]

Quotes

Most Valyrian steel was a grey so dark it looked almost black, as was true here as well. But blended into the folds was a red so deep as the grey. The two colors lapped over one another without ever touching, each ripple distinct, like waves of night and blood upon some steely shore.[1]

Tyrion Lannister's thoughts

Widow's Wail! Yes! It shall make many a widow, too! And when I face my uncle Stannis it will break his magic sword clean in two.[2]

Joffrey I Baratheon to his guests

Addam: Have a care, Your Grace. Valyrian steel is perilously sharp.
Joffrey: I remember. Sharp! I told you, I am no stranger to Valyrian steel.[2]

References