Cold Iron
Historical and Superstitious View of Iron
"Cold iron" is what iron was referred to in the past and was mentioned both in Spindle's End and The Gates of Sleep. The element has traditionally been imbued with some sort of magical fairy preventative. This is one reason why it is so shocking that Narl is able to be a smith. Some historians claim it is the embodiment of the man-made and the scientific which is the opposite of all things magical. They say this because iron is a man-made creation and because iron has an innate connection to blood (think about how much iron is in blood as evidenced by its rusty taste). Thus is is abhorrent to magical creatures and can be used as a protection mechanism. This may be one reason why the brave nights in our favorite stories carry swords. In addition to the advantages against mortals one has when using the newest metal for weaponry, iron could supposedly also aid in battles against the supernatural. This also explains our traditions of horseshoes as well as the creation of iron church bells. Not only were they intended to call the faithful to worship, but also to keep the unfaithful out.
Sophie Masson's Cold Iron
I read this book, hoping to get some insight into the topic of "cold iron" in general as this was one of the few items which popped up in a library search. In addition to being a very interesting and, in my opinion, well-written and well-researched fantasy novel, I did get some information about cold iron and its place in the supernatural world. This novel, based on the English tale "Tattercoats" (obviously similar to what we know as "Cinderella"), includes a depiction of the fairy realm. These fairies are neither good nor bad, but rather capricious and quick to turn vengeful, traits which Masson claim were the held opinions of the true nature of fairy folk by the lay people of England. In order to escape their power, the main character uses "cold iron," a mortal's only defense against the fairies. In the novel, "cold iron" is described as exceedingly mortal, thus its threat against fairies, who are entirely supernatural. In the case of this novel, it also represents the main character's love, a trait which fairies do not have and cannot understand. If you like Sophie Masson, check out Clementine, her retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Fun fact: Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes tales, was a fervant believer in fairies and other supernatural beings. He was taken in by a hoax perpetrated by two young girls, later referred to as the Cottingly Fairy Hoax. The girls photographed each other along with paper cut-outs of fairies found in Princess Mary's Gift Book. After seeing the photographs, Conan Doyle claimed, "The recognition of [the fairies'] existence will jolt the material twentieth century mind out of its heavy ruts in the mud, and will make it admit that there is a glamour and mystery to life."