Symbols Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

The Excalibur Sword: A Symbol of Identity and Legacy in Any Way the Wind Blows

What Is the Excalibur Sword?

In Any Way the Wind Blows, the Excalibur sword appears as a magical antique created by Merlin himself for the House of Salisbury. It is not the legendary single Excalibur of Arthurian myth, but rather "an Excalibur" —a brand or type of enchanted blade, much like the Sword of Mages Simon once wielded. In Chapter 84, Simon pulls the sword effortlessly from a dining table where it had been planted as a joke by Jamie Salisbury. The sword is heavy, well‑balanced, and feels “fucking solid” to Simon, even better than his old weapon. Lady Ruth and Jamie react with shock because once the sword is planted, only a true Salisbury by blood can remove it. Simon, convinced he is a Normal and not a magician, cannot believe the implication.

Where the Sword Recurs

The Excalibur sword appears or is discussed in three key chapters:

  • Chapter 84 – Simon pulls the sword from the table during a lunch at Lady Ruth’s home. Lady Ruth identifies it as an Excalibur made by Merlin. She leads Simon upstairs to her bedroom shrine, where her daughter Lucy’s candle has gone out, confirming Lucy’s death and hinting at Simon’s parentage.
  • Chapter 85 – Lady Ruth recognizes Simon’s shoulders as Lucy’s and his eyes as Davy’s (the Mage). She embraces him as her grandson, accepting him as family.
  • Chapter 91 – Simon practices with the sword while Baz plays violin. Simon cries and asks if he was always a magician. Baz confirms it, and Simon breaks down in Baz’s arms. The sword becomes a physical anchor for Simon’s emotional reckoning with his newly discovered heritage.

How the Sword’s Meaning Changes

Initially, the Excalibur is a family heirloom, a symbol of the Salisbury legacy and magical heritage. When Simon pulls it out effortlessly, it becomes a test of bloodline —proving he is a Salisbury and, by extension, the biological son of Lucy Salisbury and the Mage (David Cadwallader). For Simon, who has spent the entire series rejecting the Chosen One label and believing he was a Normal after giving away his magic, the sword forces a radical identity shift. He is not merely the former Chosen One; he is a born magician with a real family history. The sword transforms from an object of curiosity into a keystone of self‑discovery. By Chapter 91, it is no longer just a proof of lineage but a tool for Simon to sit with his grief and confusion. Baz suggests he keep the sword because it is “the smallest thing in your life that you need to figure out.” The sword’s meaning thus deepens from a test of inheritance to a catalyst for emotional healing.

Character Connections

  • Simon Snow – The sword directly challenges Simon’s self‑image. He has defined himself as a former Chosen One who gave away his power and is now ordinary. The sword reveals he was always a magician and a member of an ancient magical family. This new knowledge leads to an emotional breakdown in Chapter 91, where he asks Baz, “Do you think I was a magician? All along?” and admits, “It’s too much for me.”
  • Baz Pitch – Baz is a quiet witness and support. He plays melancholy violin while Simon practices, and when Simon breaks down, Baz holds him and says, “It would be too much for anyone.” Baz also teases Simon about sleeping with the sword, showing his love through gentle humor and physical presence.
  • Lady Ruth (Salisbury) – The sword confirms what she hoped: that Simon is her grandson. She immediately embraces him, calling him “My Simon.” For her, the sword fulfills a desperate prayer. In Chapter 85, she recognizes Simon’s shoulders and eyes as Lucy’s and Davy’s, accepting that Lucy is dead but that her child has come home.
  • Jamie Salisbury – Jamie first planted the sword as a joke, but when Simon pulls it, Jamie becomes serious. He points out that Simon even looks like the Mage. Jamie represents the living family connection, willingly giving Simon the sword to keep.

Theme Connections

  • Identity and Transformation – The sword is the key to Simon’s true identity. It forces him to transform from a self‑identified Normal into a magician with a heritage. This mirrors the broader theme of characters redefining themselves outside the roles assigned by Watford or the Coven. (See Identity and Transformation)
  • Family and Legacy – The sword links Simon to the Salisbury and Mage bloodlines. Lady Ruth’s bedroom shrine, the candles, and her immediate recognition all emphasize family bonds and the legacy of the House of Salisbury. (See Family and Legacy)
  • Guilt and Forgiveness – Simon feels guilty for Lucy’s death (her candle goes out when he arrives). Lady Ruth forgives him, and the sword becomes a tool for Simon to forgive himself. (See Guilt and Forgiveness)
  • Love and Control – Simon tries to control his narrative by rejecting the inheritance and the Chosen One label. The sword wrests that control away, revealing a past he cannot manipulate. Baz’s love is a steady presence as Simon navigates the loss of control. (See Love and Control)
  • Power and Manipulation – The sword’s power is innate, not earned. Simon never chose to be a Salisbury; his blood determined it. This contrasts with the Mage’s manipulation of Simon’s destiny. (See Power and Manipulation)

Four Study Questions with Answers

  1. How does the Excalibur sword function as both a proof of bloodline and a challenge to Simon’s self‑conception?
    Answer: The sword is enchanted so that only a true Salisbury can pull it from the table. Simon does so easily, proving he is a Salisbury by blood. This contradicts his belief that he is a Normal with no magical heritage. The sword forces him to accept that he was always a magician, which destabilizes the identity he built after giving away his magic. It challenges him to redefine himself not as a former Chosen One, but as a person with a real family and a rightful place in the magical world.

  2. In Chapter 91, why does Simon cry while holding the sword, and how does Baz’s response help him process the revelation?
    Answer: Simon cries because the sword represents an overwhelming truth: he was always a magician and belongs to the Salisbury family. He had convinced himself he was a Normal, and the sword shatters that narrative. Baz’s response is to play melancholy violin, letting Simon cry without judgment. When Simon asks if it was always true, Baz answers simply, “Yes.” He then holds Simon and says, “It would be too much for anyone.” Baz’s quiet, physical comfort allows Simon to accept the news without shame.

  3. What does Lady Ruth’s immediate recognition of Simon as her grandson tell us about the role of family bonds in the novel?
    Answer: Lady Ruth has been keeping a candle for her daughter Lucy and hoping for Lucy’s child to return. When Simon pulls the sword, she does not need a DNA test—she recognizes his shoulders and eyes as Lucy’s and Davy’s. This emphasizes that family bonds in the novel are emotional and intuitive, not merely legal or magical. Lady Ruth’s embrace of Simon as “My Simon” shows that true legacy is carried through love and remembrance, not just blood or power.

  4. Why does Baz tell Simon that keeping the sword is “the smallest thing in your life that you need to figure out”? What does this reveal about Simon’s journey?
    Answer: Baz is gently reminding Simon that his identity crisis is about much more than a physical object. The sword is a tangible piece of his heritage, but Simon’s deeper struggle is with grief, guilt, and self‑acceptance. By calling the sword the “smallest thing,” Baz encourages Simon not to get lost in the details but to focus on his emotional wellbeing. It reveals that Simon’s journey is not about claiming a sword or a title, but about learning to live with his past, his wings, and his new family reality.