a little reminder that George R. R. Martin should not be considered remotely an expert on literally anything but especially not medieval combat:

he claims that the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister was made to be wielded by a woman and is thus shorter and lighter.

historical longswords weighed 4lbs max, and usually rather less than that. women do not need special lithe girly longswords for their delicate wrists. women can wield a regular longsword just fine. there’s probably some women in HEMA who would like to have a very pointy word with Mr Martin for this.