Dawn is the legendary greatsword of House Dayne. Its wielder got the title Sword of the Morning, and only a select few used the blade. Unlike Valyrian steel with a dark color, Dawn is pale as milk but has the same features as the incredible magical weapons crafted by the Valyrians.
Dawn Sword Properties
Dawn is an exceptionally unique sword. It has similar properties to Valyrian steel but is as pale as milkglass. Due to its looks, it is one of the most coveted blades in the Seven Kingdoms. Unlike standard tradition, only a knight of House Dayne with exceptional skill and achievements uses the sword.
History
According to legend, the founder of House Dayne tracked a falling star to the mouth of the Torentine, where he constructed Starfall, the ancestral home of the Daynes. From the heart of the fallen star, the founder forged a weapon of incredible magnificence; this weapon would become the greatsword, Dawn. The blade got passed down for over ten thousand years.
The last wielder of Dawn was Ser Arthur Dayne, a member of the Kingsguard for King Aerys II Targaryen. Though the Smiling Knight of the Kingswood Brotherhood tried claiming the blade for himself, he got killed by Arthur.
After the tourney at Harrenhal, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen allegedly kidnapped Lyanna Stark. Her brother, Brandon, traveled to King’s Landing demanding justice, but he got arrested for threatening the prince. Lord Rickard then traveled to King’s Landing to help acquit his son. However, he gets killed.
King Aerys then orders Lord Jon Arryn to bring the heads of Lord Eddard Stark and Lord Robert Baratheon. However, Jon refused, and Robert’s Rebellion began. After Rhaegar’s death at the Trident, Eddard led a faction of the Starks to King’s Landing, where he witnessed the horrors of the Sack of King’s Landing.
Ned travels to the Tower of Joy, where Lyanna is held. On reaching the Tower of Joy, Eddard meets Arthur Dayne and other members of the Kingsguard. A fight ensues, and everyone except Ned and Howland Reed gets killed. As a last act of respect, Eddard returns Dawn to Arthur’s sister, Ashara Dayne.
Relevance in A Song of Ice and Fire
A Game of Thrones
After fighting with Ser Jaime Lannister, Ned Stark gets injured. While under the influence of the milk of the poppy, he has a flashback of the events that unfolded at the Tower of Joy.
In the dream, he and his friends Howland Reed, Ethan Glover, Ser Mark Ryswell, Martyn Cassel, Lord Willam Dustin, and Theo Wull face off against the three legendary knights of the kingsguard Ser Gerold Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent, and Ser Arthur Dayne. After Arthur’s death, Ned returns his family’s ancestral sword to his sister Ashara. When Ned wakes up, Cersei defends her brother’s actions, claiming he got attacked by Ned instead.
Relevance in Adaptation
In HBO’s Game of Thrones, Joffrey reads the Book of Brothers and learns about Dawn when he comes across the legend of Ser Arthur Dayne. In the season 6 episode titled Oathbreaker, Bran gets a vision of the past where he sees his father and Howland Reed face off against Arthur Dayne and some knights of the kingsguard.
Ned enters the Tower of Joy after the fight to find his sister at the point of death. She gives him a child and says his name is Aegon Targaryen. Bran then realizes the child is Jon Snow. In Season 8, Brienne of Tarth scans through the Book of Brothers and comes across Dawn and Arthur.
Dawn: The Great Sword of the Morning
Though many people believe Dawn gave its wielder special abilities, the truth of its power lay in its bearer’s strength. Ser Arthur Dayne was one of the greatest knights in Westeros. His skill surpassed almost everyone. However, Dawn did not make him an exceptional fighter. He was already a man of great character and skill long before he wielded the blade.
FAQs
What was the greatsword Dawn made from in the novels?
In A Song of Ice and Fire, Dawn was created from a fallen star. It had the properties of Valyrian steel but looked completely different because it was not get forged by dragons and dragonfire.
Was Ser Arthur Dayne the greatest knight because of Dawn?
No. Ser Arthur Dayne was already an incredible knight before wielding Dawn. He was an exceptional fighter who could beat anyone in combat. Dawn only enhanced his prowess a little.
Is Dawn the best sword in Westeros?
Dawn is likely the best sword in the known world. First, it came into existence when House Dayne was founded, making it thousands of years old, older than Old Valyria. The blade has incredible strength and holds its sharpness almost forever. It is so beautiful that it is the most coveted sword in the Seven Kingdoms.
Why was Dawn so beautiful?
Dawn got forged from a fallen star. It is as pale as milkglass and as sharp as Valyrian steel. It is thousands of years old and predates so many massive empires. It was so incredible that it cut through Jaime Lannister’s cloth and skin during his introduction into the Kingsguard.
