| Military swords of the modern Armed Forces | | | | The sword, named Narsil, shattered upon making |
| symbolize power, strength, duty, and honor. | | | | that fateful cut. Aragorn inherited and carried his |
| There is also a historical aspect to military swords. | | | | broken, ancestral military sword. Narsil was later |
| The sword in medieval times was often the | | | | reforged and renamed as Anduril during "The Lord |
| primary weapon of the soldier. | | | | Of The Rings." It is this military sword that was |
| As weapon technology advanced, especially with | | | | Aragorn's primary means of identification, and the |
| the widespread use of gunpowder, swords | | | | key to his claim to the thrones of Middle Earth. |
| became more ceremonial in nature. Today, the | | | | Star Swords |
| military sword as a weapon survives as the | | | | The original "Star Wars" by George Lucas |
| bayonet. Full-size military swords today are not | | | | spawned multiple movies and novels. Although the |
| used in combat and are symbolic instead. | | | | original movie appeared to be pure science fiction, |
| Military Swords In Print | | | | it was actually a classic fairy tale set in a science |
| Military swords play a larger role in fantasy | | | | fiction setting. |
| literature. This literature is frequently set in a | | | | The fairy tale elements include a Princess (Leia), a |
| medieval milieu, bringing the military sword once | | | | Good Wizard (Obi-Wan Kenobi), an Evil Wizard |
| again into prominence as a primary weapon. | | | | (Darth Vader), Knights of the Realm (the Jedi), a |
| These swords often have special abilities or | | | | young Squire (Luke Skywalker), and a magic |
| confer special powers on their bearers. Some of | | | | sword (the lightsaber). |
| these swords are special enough to have their | | | | The lightsaber was the military sword preferred |
| own names. | | | | by the Jedi Knights. It differs from other military |
| Two of the many military swords of fantasy are | | | | swords because the sword had an energy blade |
| discussed in the following paragraphs. | | | | rather than a metal one. This unique military |
| Sword Of The Rings | | | | sword could cut through almost anything. |
| J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy "The Lord Of The | | | | Additionally, it could be deactivated for |
| Rings" abounds with military swords. Many of | | | | convenience, leaving only the hilt. In the hands of |
| these were forged with magic for use against evil | | | | a skilled master, this military sword was a |
| foes. Sting, the short sword wielded by Bilbo and | | | | fearsome weapon. |
| Frodo Baggins, may be the most well-known. | | | | The Cutting Edge |
| However, the true military sword of the trilogy | | | | Military swords are popular in both the real world |
| was born by Aragorn. | | | | and in the pages of fantasy. Recent Armed |
| Aragorn was the heir to the thrones of both | | | | Forces recruiting commercials feature a soldier in |
| Gondor and Arnor (much of Middle Earth), yet | | | | dress uniform brandishing a highly polished sword. |
| was virtually unknown to the population. However, | | | | The image is extremely impressive. |
| the story of the military sword that long ago cut | | | | Whether your interest is entertainment or |
| the One Ring from Sauron's hand was legendary | | | | historical, the website below provides more |
| throughout Middle Earth. | | | | information about modern military swords. |