[HPforGrownups] Swords: Broad or Dainty

[Richard Thorp]

No: HPFGUIDX 45681

Tuesday, October 22, 2002, 10:59:58 PM, Melody wrote:

M> Now, in the CoS, the only description we have of Godric's sword is--
M> Ch 17: "Something very hard and heavy...almost knocking him out."
M>        "Gleaming silver sword...handle glittering with rubies the size
M>          of eggs."
M>        "Harry threw his whole weight behind the sword and drove it to
M>          the hilt..."
M> Ch 18: "...name engraved just below the hilt."

M> Only reference again to the sword is in GoF--
M> Ch 30: "magnificent silver sword with large rubies set into the hilt."

My mental image of the sword was *definitely* a broadsword style,
indeed similar Wallace's in the Braveheart film, albeit smaller as you
say :)

But its also possible its a rapier style sword, even that sort of
weapon has a surprising weight to it for someone not use to weilding
it (I know this, having visited one of those re-enactment events, and
taking part in fencing.. even a foil is relatively heavy if you're
used to weilding nothing heavier than a wand :) Still I belive its
unlikely Godric would have something like that though.. A rapier is a
thinking mans weapon, and although I'm sure Godric was intelligent,
bravery in battle (IMO) is not associated with thought, and thus a
broadsword (or at least, a longsword) would be logical..

Altho its also possible it was a gladius style weapon (What the Romans
used to conquer the world :), although again I imagine Godric would
not be part of a shield-wall, rather the lone warrior.. Anyway I'm
rambling :)

M> Ok my point, what kind of sword would this be?  In the previews of the
M> MTMNBM part II, we see Harry thrusting about a Musketeer-esque sword.
M>  Very pretty, very honorable, but this type of sword did not come
M> around till the 16th - 17th century, right?  Wouldn't Godric have a
M> William Wallace type sword...a broad sword?  it does not have to be as
M> big as Wallace's, I mean a normal 12 year old boy could not wield that
M> size of a sword and Harry obviously was able to maneuver this one
M> about a bit, but it would be substantially bigger, right?

I don't think that the sword used in the movie-that-must-not-be-named
is the right choice, but its all up to the director/prop designers
really.

M> So, any swords experts out there?  I confess to know a little.  I
M> think I have a coloring book about swords somewhere.  :)

-Rich, not an expert but an enthusiast :)
msn: obbles at hotmail.com

PS: This is all totally opinion based, from reading a lot of heroic
fantasy, taking part in fantasy Live-roleplay and going to a couple of
re-enactors fairs :)