Ice — Greatsword of Ned Stark | House Stark Replica | Game of Thrones

The Story Behind Ice

Ice is one of the oldest and most storied swords in the history of Westeros. For generations it served as the ancestral greatsword of House Stark — used in ceremony, in judgement, and in battle. As the traditional weapon of the Warden of the North, Ice was not merely a sword but a statement of authority, a symbol of everything the Starks stood for: honour, duty, and the cold, unforgiving justice of the North.

When Eddard Stark rode south to serve as Hand of the King at the request of his old friend Robert Baratheon, he brought Ice with him — and it was Ice that delivered the killing blow to the Night's Watch deserter in the very first scene of Game of Thrones. That moment established everything about Ned Stark in a single gesture: a man who believed in doing what was right himself, no matter the cost.

The tragedy of Ice mirrors the tragedy of Ned Stark himself. When Joffrey Baratheon ordered Ned's execution on the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor — in one of the most shocking moments in television history — it was Ice that was used to take his head. Ned Stark was executed with his own sword. The symbolism was devastating and deliberate: the honour of House Stark turned against itself by the corruption of King's Landing.

What followed was an act of calculated desecration. Tywin Lannister had Ice melted down and reforged into two new swords — Oathkeeper and Widow's Wail — erasing the Stark legacy from the blade and folding it into Lannister power. The loss of Ice as a physical object mirrors the destruction of everything Ned Stark represented, making it one of the most tragically significant swords in the history of Westeros. For collectors and House Stark fans, owning an Ice replica is owning a piece of that story — the sword that defined the honour of the North before the South took everything from it.

What is Ice in Game of Thrones? Ice is the ancestral Valyrian steel greatsword of House Stark, passed down through generations of the family and carried by Eddard Stark, Warden of the North, throughout the first series of Game of Thrones. It is one of the most iconic and tragically significant swords in the entire series.

What happened to Ice in Game of Thrones? Following the execution of Ned Stark — who was killed with his own sword on the orders of Joffrey Baratheon — Tywin Lannister had Ice melted down and reforged into two new Valyrian steel swords: Oathkeeper, which Jaime Lannister later gave to Brienne of Tarth, and Widow's Wail, which was presented to Joffrey as a wedding gift.

What is the connection between Ice, Oathkeeper and Widow's Wail? All three swords share the same Valyrian steel. Ice was the source — the ancient greatsword of House Stark destroyed on Tywin Lannister's orders and reforged into Oathkeeper and Widow's Wail. This means that when Brienne of Tarth carried Oathkeeper in service to the Stark girls, she was carrying Stark steel — a fact loaded with meaning throughout the later seasons of the show.

What is the sword made from? The blade is crafted from stainless steel with a Stark grey finish. The grip is hardwood with leather wrapping, the crossguard features an antique finish, and the sword arrives with a wooden wall display plaque bearing the House Stark Direwolf sigil.

How long is the Ice replica and how much does it weigh? The sword measures 102cm (40 inches) overall with a 98cm blade and weighs 1.4kg — capturing the imposing scale of the greatsword seen on screen.

Is the blade sharp? No — the blade is completely unsharpened and designed purely for display. It is not combat-ready or suitable for use as a weapon.

Does it come ready to display? Yes. A wooden wall display plaque bearing the House Stark Direwolf sigil is included, so the sword can be mounted straight out of the box.

What is the best House Stark display combination? For the ultimate House Stark tribute display, Ice pairs naturally with Longclaw — the sword that passed through House Mormont into Jon Snow's hands — and Needle, the slender blade forged for Arya Stark. All three are available in our Game of Thrones replica sword collection.

Is there an age restriction? Yes — as this is a metal sword it can only be sold to customers aged 18 and over. 

How quickly will my sword arrive? We offer free UK delivery on all orders. Most orders are dispatched within 2-3 weeks as all swords are hand-forged to order. Once shipped, you can expect to receive your order within 2-3 working days.

Can I return it if I'm not happy? Yes — we offer hassle-free returns. Please refer to our returns policy for full details.

Please note. It is prohibited to sell replica swords, knives and daggers to anyone under 18 years old on our website. Even though these are decorative and not sharpened. These rules apply. Anyone found to be under 18 will have their details forwarded to the respected authorities.