Birgitte's "gleaming silver bow" <TGH: 47, 660, The Grave Is No Bar To My Call> is again presumably of a simple curved design, a self bow, but executed in silver or some material covered in silver. Silver itself is far too soft, though perhaps a Power-wrought silver bow could meet her standards: "Aligning the Matrix made metals stronger ..." <LOC: 39, 511, Possibilities>. Still, the bow is never described as Power-made. It's also improbable that she'd find an Aes Sedai-made bow in each of her lives. If indeed she has a silver bow each time she's spun out, though this is likely: "the stories" consistently mention a silver bow.

Some core material could be covered in silver, though silver plating would not last under use, unless again the Power is invoked. Silver wire wrapping might work. None of these explanations really satisfy: Jordan would likely describe a silver-wrapped, plated or covered bow as such. Perhaps, in some or all of her lives outside of Tel'Aran'Rhiod, Birgitte opts for a white-painted bow.

Birgitte has an often-mentioned habit of leaning on her bow: if she leans her chin onto the end of the bow, this imposes a maximum length of about 54" or less. This presumes an average height, which is likely, as her height receives no comment in the WOT. The bow could however be much shorter, or longer.

With her bow, Birgitte carries silver arrows; "Even the fletchings appeared to be silver." <TFoH: 36, 570, A New Name>. Presumably, she settles for unpainted or painted white arrows out of Tel'Aran'Rhiod.

As Captain-General of the Andoran Queen's Guard, Birgitte dons a white-collared red coat - similar to theirs, though likely of simpler make and cut, as she typically prefers. Four golden knots on the left shoulder and gold stripes on the cuffs designate her rank. Unlike the Guard, Birgitte goes unarmored, and wears "wide sky-blue trousers tucked into her boots," as well as a horn-hilted belt knife <KoD: 10, 310-319, Siege>.

Return to A Compendium of Weaponry and Military
Costuming of the Wheel of Time

** Birgitte and her bow **

Birgitte and her bow