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Tanglemorph-wanderer — Sword of Martin the Warrior - Version 2
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#matthias #redwall #swordofmartin #martinthewarrior
Published: 2016-02-11 11:52:58 +0000 UTC; Views: 2597; Favourites: 12; Downloads: 0
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Description
I recently got on a Redwall kick and, after getting the original book out at the library, I decide to try my hand (or should it be paw?) at making Martin's Sword.What follows is the description of the blade, as best as I can remember it. "There was a single blood channel that ran the length of the blade; inscribed on either side of the channel were words that Matthias could not understand. The guard was plain and forged from silver; the hilt was black leather inlaid with silver to match the scabbard. The pommel consisted of a single, polished red stone."
I probably got some of the words wrong, but (and I'll post this later) the first version of the sword that I made was according to the book's description when I had it in my possession. This is just a version that I find more accurate.
One of the things I didn't add that was in the book was the fact that the sword is battle-worn; it has a lot of nicks and scratches from many years of use. I don't think I yet have the skill to make that kind of a blade.
Fun fact: the text on the blade is a part of the tapestry verse, translated into very rough Old English and then written in Futhark, to convey the sense of not understanding the words.
"Who says that I am dead / knows naught at all. / I - Am that is / Two mice within Redwall."
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Comments: 4
Ah! So I'm not the only one who noted the detail of the inscribed text!
Fun fact: the original Redwall novel is the only entry in the series to ever mention said inscriptions, and it only ever does so in passing, never revealing what the inscriptions say. This is probably why so many fans seem to overlook this detail. In my head, though, that inscription is always remained there (and I think that's why the sword is likewise inscribed in the TV show).
It's also probably the only novel to mention the sword being battle-scarred, as I think Brian Jacques (may he rest in peace) later opted to retcon that detail in favor of the sword being "ageless" and always intact, so to better explain how it lasts through the many generations it's gone through.
Anyway, save for the cross hilt and the choice of script to put the inscription in, this is pretty much exactly how I've always envisioned the sword myself.
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Might I ask what you would have the inscription say, or the hilt that you had in mind? It would be interesting to see where our views differ.
I actually have a bit of a head-canon regarding the sword; how it's both claimed to be magic and how it's also stated that the sword ISN"T magic.
As far as I can see it, there are three "spells" on the sword, if you can call it that, and each relates to Martin's life.
The first is that if the sword is taken by one of evil heart, then they WILL suffer a karmic death. The first to die in this manner was Badrang, who enslaved Martin for a good chunk of his life. I wouldn't be surprised if this experience somehow infused the blade or something.
The second "spell" that I can see is that despite being battleworn, the blade will not dull, rust, or break. Since Tsarmina broke the sword blade before its reforging - and after all the trauma Martin went through to reclaim it - it stands to reason that the blade could never be damaged that badly again. Or it might just be due to Boar the Fighter's skill. I couldn't say.
The third "spell" is perhaps the most intriguing. No matter how long it's away or who takes it, the sword will always find its way back to Redwall. I'd say that this is because of Martin's spirit hanging around the blade, and how he, who never had a home, found peace between the redstone walls. As such, the sword always returns to the place that he was able to call home.
Or at least, that's my opinion.
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What I meant was more what language the inscription is written in. Rather than the Viking-esque Futhark you've used, Latin maybe (which would make a bit more sense for a medieval-themed tale, historically speaking), or perhaps an invented language unique to the world. I seem to recall that an illustration of the Joseph Bell in Mariel of Redwall portrayed the badger writings written on it with unique characters of the artist's own invention; perhaps that could be used, seeing it was a badger who smithed it.
As for what it says, it could say just about anything. Parts of the "I--Am That Is" verse is a likely candidate, or again referencing that a badger smithed it, some badger axiom or message. Or perhaps the names of the warriors Boar chanted when he was smithing the blade. I've at times thought to myself that when thinking about how I'd portray the sword if I ever drew it, I'd jokingly comment the inscriptions just say "Property of Martin The Warrior." 
The cross hilt I just envisioned as more traditionally straight rather than curved...with maybe small and elongated sapphires embedded in it to contrast the red pommel stone...but only if that didn't make the sword look too gaudy, because I would also expect the thing to be humble in appearance.
As for the purported mysticism of the sword, we can only speculate. It was clearly Brian Jacques's intention to leave it vague, and I think he himself had no straight answer, liking to keep it's nature mysterious even to himself. But personally I've always figured it's never so much the sword itself that's magic, or at least supernatural, but rather the creature who wields it. It is, after all, only a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for both sides of the spectrum. It's really those that use it that determine it's reputation.
As for the sword never aging, I just take that to be a mixture of the unique metals it was made with as well as Boar's skills in making it...plus the generally reverent care and respect it has received ever since, especially after Matthias recovered it.
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