Annotations from item #46264617:

The azure emperors are the current ruling dynasty of the Golden Empire of Yi Ti. Their rule, however, is being defied by general Pol Qo, who has named himself first of the orange emperors, and by a sorcerer lord who claims to be the sixty ninth of the yellow emperors, a dynasty fallen for a thousand years. The family name of the azure emperors is Bu.

Known azure emperors




Annotations from item #46264618:

Azzak is a boy from the House of Ghazeen, one of the noble ruling families of Meereen.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

With the Sons of the Harpy killings continuing, Queen Daenerys Targaryen has every noble family of Meereen who is of dubious loyalty send her a child as a hostage. These children are made her cupbearers.

Daenerys hopes having noble children as hostages will halt the killings, but it does not. However, Daenerys refuses to allow any harm to come to the children. She grows fond of them all, and ignores Skahaz mo Kandaq's counsel to kill one for every death done by the Sons of the Harpy. Ser Barristan Selmy instructs the boys in the ways of Westerosi chivalry.

When Daenerys disappears on Drogon's back, the cupbearers continue to serve her husband, King Hizdahr zo Loraq.

Ser Barristan Selmy plots with Skahaz mo Kandaq to seize control of Meereen in the queen's name. Although Skahaz wants to kill the cupbearers in return for the deaths of the hostages Daenerys had granted to the besiegers of Meereen, Barristan also refuses to allow any harm to come to the children.

After the death of Prince Quentyn Martell, Barristan enters the queen's chambers and finds Azzak and five other cupbearers playing a child's game, sitting in a circle on the floor as they take turns spinning a dagger. Barristan has Azzak and Grazhar zo Galare guard the door in expectation of the visit of Galazza Galare.




Annotations from item #46264619:

Bael the Bard was a King-Beyond-the-Wall.

Contents

History

Legend

According to free folk legend, Lord Brandon Stark, the liege of the north, once called Bael a coward. To take revenge for this affront and prove his courage, Bael climbed the Wall, took the kingsroad, and entered Winterfell under the guise of a singer named Sygerrik of Skagos. ("Sygerrik" means "deceiver" in the Old Tongue.) There, he sang until midnight for the lord.

Impressed by his skills as a singer, Lord Stark asked Bael what he wanted as a reward, but he requested only the most beautiful flower blooming in Winterfell's gardens. As the blue winter roses were just blooming, Brandon Stark presented him with one. The following morning, the maiden daughter of Lord Stark had disappeared, his only child, and in her bed was the blue winter rose.

Lord Brandon sent the members of the Night's Watch looking for them beyond the Wall, but they never found Bael or the girl. The Stark line was on the verge of extinction, when one day the girl was back in her room, holding in her arms an infant: they had actually never left Winterfell, staying hidden in the crypts. Bael's bastard with Brandon's daughter became the new Lord Stark.

Thirty years later, Bael was King-Beyond-the-Wall and led the wildlings' army south, and he had to fight his own son at the Frozen Ford. There, incapable of killing his own blood, he let himself be killed by Lord Stark. His son brought back Bael's head to Winterfell, and his mother who had loved the bard, seeing the trophy, killed herself by leaping from the top of a tower. The son was eventually slain by the Boltons.

Legacy

The legend of Bael the Bard is recalled in songs of the free folk. Ygritte learned the song from her mother,

Additionally, the timeframe of Lord Brandon's existence is unclear as well. Ygritte claims Brandon lived "a long time back".

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Ygritte tells Jon Snow about the legends of Bael. Jon had never heard the story at Winterfell.

A Storm of Swords

Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, tells Jon that the tale of Bael inspired his infiltration of Winterfell to attend the feast with King Robert I Baratheon.

A Dance with Dragons

In order to rescue "Arya Stark" (actually Jeyne Poole) from Winterfell, Mance pretends to be a musician and takes the alias of "Abel", an anagram of "Bael".

Quotes by Bael

All I ask is a flower, the fairest flower that blooms in the gardens o' Winterfell.

—Bael to Brandon Stark as told by Ygritte

Quotes about Bael

Ygritte: Well, long before he was king over the free folk, Bael was a great raider.
Stonesnake: A murderer, robber, and raper, is what you mean.

Ygritte and Stonesnake

Ygritte: So there it is—you have Bael's blood in you, same as me.

Jon: It never happened.

Ygritte: Might be it did, might be it didn't. It is a good song, though.

Ygritte and Jon Snow

Jon: Your Bael was a liar.
Ygritte: No, but a bard's truth is different than yours or mine.

Jon Snow and Ygritte




Annotations from item #46264620:

Lady Baela Targaryen was a daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Baela's appearance is unknown. Baela was as fearless as her father.

History

Baela was born in Pentos in 116 AC.

Towards the end of the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, as Dragonstone fell to King Aegon II Targaryen, Baela was able to escape from her bedchambers as the door was being smashed down. She managed to reach Moondancer in the stable where the castle dragons were kept. There she loosed her chains and strapped a saddle onto her. As Aegon II flew Sunfyre over Dragonmont's smoking peak and made his descent, Baela rose up on Moondancer to meet him.

The dragons fought in the pre-dawn sky, eventually slamming into the ground still fighting. Aegon jumped from the saddle twenty feet from the ground but Lady Baela stayed with Moondancer all the way down. Burned and battered, she still found the strength to undo her saddle chains and crawl away from her dragon as Moondancer coiled into her death throes. Ser Alfred Broome drew his sword to slay Baela, but Ser Marston Waters wrenched the blade from his hand. Tom Tangletongue carried her to Maester Hunnimore.

Baela and her sister introduced Daenaera Velaryon to their half-brother King Aegon III Targaryen, leading to the couple's marriage.

Quotes

So it came to pass that when King Aegon II flew Sunfyre over Dragonmont's smoking peak and made his descent, expecting to make a triumphant entrance into a castle safely in the hands of his own men, with the queen's loyalists slain or captured, up to meet him rose Baela Targaryen, Prince Daemon's daughter by the Lady Laena, and fearless as her father.

Archmaester Gyldayn

Family

Ancestors

Descendants




Annotations from item #46264621:
Annotation #1 for item #46264621: Wiki: (hedge knight) Baelish

The grandfather of Petyr Baelish was a hedge knight of the Vale of Arryn. His father was a Braavosi sellsword in the service of Lord Corbray, and he took the head of the Titan of Braavos as his sigil when he was knighted. His first name is unknown.

Family

Annotation #2 for item #46264621: Wiki: (sellsword) Baelish

The great-grandfather of Petyr Baelish was a Braavosi sellsword that came into the Vale of Arryn at the service of Lord Corbray. His line was continued by his son, who became a hedge knight and took the head of the Titan of Braavos as his sigil. His first name is unknown.

Family




Annotations from item #46264622:
Annotation #1 for item #46264622: Wiki: Baelon Targaryen

Baelon Targaryen is the name of several members of House Targaryen:

Annotation #2 for item #46264622: Wiki: (son of Aerys) Baelon Targaryen

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Baelon Targaryen was a member of House Targaryen and the son of Lord Aerys Targaryen of Dragonstone. Despite having been the second of Aerys's three sons, Baelon ruled as Lord of Dragonstone.

Family

Annotation #3 for item #46264622: Wiki: (son of Jaehaerys I) Baelon Targaryen

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Prince Baelon Targaryen, also known as the Spring Prince, for the season of his birth, and the Brave, was a member of House Targaryen and was the third born son of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen. He had three sons himself, Princes Viserys, Daemon and Aegon.

Contents

History

In 92 AC, after the death of his older brother, Prince Aemon, Baelon was named the heir-apparent by his father, King Jaehaerys I. He was thus named the Prince of Dragonstone, passing over Aemon's daughter and only heir, Rhaenys.

In 100 AC, Baelon was named Hand of the King, succeeding the position after Ser Ryam Redwyne had been fired.

After his death, an assembly of lords held the first Great Council, to answer the question of who would succeed King Jaehaerys upon his death.

Family

Baelon was married to his older sister, Alyssa, and had three sons with her: Viserys, Daemon, and Aegon.

Ancestors

Descendants

Annotation #4 for item #46264622: Wiki: (son of Viserys I) Baelon Targaryen

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Prince Baelon Targaryen was the secondborn son of King Viserys I Targaryen and his wife, Queen Aemma Arryn.

History

Queen Aemma died giving birth to Baelon. He was named after his grandfather, Prince Baelon the Brave, but the infant died one day after his birth.

While the court was grieving and bereft over the deaths of Baelon and Aemma, Prince Daemon Targaryen was observed in the Street of Silk with his highborn cronies, making drunken japes about the "heir for a day". When word of this reached King Viserys I Targaryen, he became livid and named his daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen, as his heir.




Annotations from item #46264623:
Annotation #1 for item #46264623: Wiki: Baelor

Baelor can refer to any of the following:

Characters

Geography

Television

Annotation #2 for item #46264623: Wiki: (TV) Baelor

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

"Baelor" is the ninth episode of the first season of the HBO medieval fantasy television series *Game of Thrones*, first aired on June 12, 2011. It was written by the show creators and executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Alan Taylor.

Contents

Plot

The plot of the episode depicts how Eddard Stark, imprisoned and accused of high treason, takes a fateful decision. His wife Catelyn negotiates with slippery Lord Walder Frey, and his son Robb fights his first battle in the war against the Lannisters. Meanwhile, Jon Snow discovers a secret about Maester Aemon, and Daenerys Targaryen stands up against Qotho. The title of the episode refers to the Great Sept of Baelor, the main religious building in King's Landing where the episode's pivotal scene takes place. In the world created by George R. R. Martin, Baelor was a Targaryen king of old that is revered as a patron and supporter of the Faith of the Seven. See Also List of Game of Thrones episodes.

At the Lannister Camp

Tyrion Lannister leads the hill tribes into battle.

Lord Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) tells Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) at dinner that he and his barbarian allies will fight in the vanguard of the army. Tyrion is less than pleased and leaves the table. He returns to his camp and finds the prostitute Shae (Sibel Kekilli) whom Bronn (Jerome Flynn) found for him at his request. As the three of them swap stories, Tyrion reveals that when he was sixteen, he had married a woman named Tysha that Jaime and he had rescued. When his father Tywin had discovered it, he had made Jaime confess that she was actually a hired prostitute and Tywin then made Tyrion watch as he gave her to his guards, paying her one silver for each man. Later, Tyrion is awakened by Bronn as a Stark force approaches. He leaves his tent dressed in armor and orders the hill tribes to combat, but is trampled by them as they rush to war. By the time he regains consciousness, the entire battle has been played out, and Lord Tywin reveals that the Stark host was only 2,000 men, leaving them to wonder where the other 18,000 went.

At the Twins

The Stark army arrives at The Twins, a fortified bridge controlled by the cranky Lord Walder Frey (David Bradley, a bannerman of Catelyn's (Michelle Fairley) father. However, Walder has sealed off the bridge and refuses to let the army cross, so Catelyn leaves to negotiate with Lord Walder personally. After some hard bargaining, Walder agrees to allow the Starks to enter The Twins and join them against the Lannisters, but in return he wants Robb (Richard Madden) and Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) to marry two of his children, to which Robb reluctantly agrees. After crossing the river, Robb divides his forces, sending the aforementioned 2,000 men to distract Lord Tywin's army while the remainder sneaks up on Jaime Lannister's (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) army, defeating them and capturing Jaime himself.

At the Wall

Lord Commander Mormont (James Cosmo) gives Jon Snow(w:Kit Harington:Kit Harington) a sword of Valyrian steel named Longclaw, a sword originally meant for his son Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) before his exile, as a reward from saving his life from the dead ranger. However, Jon is upset when Sam (John Bradley) tells him about Robb's war against the Lannisters, feeling that he should be there to help Robb. Maester Aemon summons Jon and explains to him that the reason why members of the Night's Watch do not marry as it will only cause a rift which forces them to choose their loyalties between their duty or their loved ones. Aemon knows this very well as he is actually Aemon Targaryen, King Aerys II Targaryen's uncle and Daenerys Targaryen's (Emilia Clarke) granduncle, and dutifully and reluctantly stayed at the Wall while his family members were killed or exiled during Robert Baratheon's Rebellion. Aemon advises Jon that he must choose either his duty to the Night's Watch or his family.

Across the Narrow Sea

Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), delirious from an infection caused by a wound on his chest, falls from his saddle. Daenerys takes Drogo into her tent and sends for Mirri Maz Duur (Mia Soteriou). When Daenerys pleads with her to do something, Drogo's bloodriders will not hear of it, and want the healer killed. Mirri tells Daenerys that there is a blood magic spell she knows, but insists that "death is cleaner". Daenerys orders her use the spell, and even when Mirri warns her that only death can pay for life, Daenerys is oblivious and commands Mirri to heal Drogo. They lead in the Khal's … horse and slit its throat, and then Mirri bids them all to leave the tent and not enter. Outside, Drogo's bloodriders come to put an end to Mirri's spell, and Ser Jorah Mormont fights and kills the rebellious bloodrider Qotho (Dar Salim), who earlier shoved Danaerys to the ground, bringing on premature labour. As the fight ends, Jorah carries Daenerys into Drogo's tent to seek Mirri's help as a midwife.

Whispering Wood

Robb Stark addresses his troops following the Battle

Jaime is captured by Robb's army.

At King's Landing

Ser Ilyn Payne executes Eddard Stark

Varys (Conleth Hill) visits Eddard (Sean Bean) in the dungeons and tells him to make a false confession and swear loyalty to King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson), Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) will spare him and let him serve the Night's Watch as his exile. Ned refuses but finally relents after Varys tells him that his daughter, Sansa Stark's (Sophie Turner) life is also at stake. Arya Stark, who has been living as a beggar in the streets of King's Landing since her escape from the Lannisters, learns a crowd is gathering at the Great Sept of Baelor, where her father will be judged before the gods. With Sansa, Cersei, Joffrey and the Small Council looking over him, Ned confesses to treason and swears fealty to Joffrey in front of the crowd. Satisfied, Sansa and Cersei ask Joffrey to spare Ned as promised, but Joffrey breaks his promise and orders Ned beheaded. As Sansa watches in grief, and Arya tries to rescue Ned only to be stopped by Yoren (Francis Magee) to prevent her from seeing her father's execution, Ned accepts his death peacefully.

Production

Writing

The episode was written by the showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, based on the original book by George R. R. Martin. "Baelor" includes the content of the book's chapters Eddard XV, Catelyn IX, Jon VIII, Tyrion VIII, Catelyn X, Daenerys VIII and Arya V (58 to 60 and 62 to 65). The scene with the drinking game between Tyrion Lannister, Bronn and Shae was added to the plot, although the story of Tyrion's ill-fated marriage with Tysha was taken from a previous chapter of the books. Also, Shae's background was changed from Westerosi to foreign to accommodate Kekilli's accent. Other notable divergence from the books include the modification of the whole strategy of Robb Stark when dividing his forces, and a change to the Targaryen genealogy as explained by Maester Aemon: in the TV adaptation the Mad King is described as the son, rather than the grandson, of Aegon V Targaryen (thus eliminating Jaehaerys II Targaryen from the succession of kings).

Casting

Sibel Kekilli plays the role of "camp follower" Shae.

"Baelor" marks the first appearance of the German actress Sibel Kekilli, in the role of the prostitute Shae. Executive producer George R. R. Martin commented that she was extraordinary in her audition, in which she read a scene included in this episode with Shae meeting Tyrion in a tent the night before the battle of the Green Fork. According to Martin, "a lot of beautiful young women read for Shae. [...] But there's another dimension to Shae as well. She's not as practiced and hardened at this as a more seasoned pro. There's still a girl next door quality to her, a sense of vulnerability, playfulness, and, yes, innocence.[...] All of our Shaes were hot as hell. But only a handful of them captured that other quality, maybe three out of twenty, and Sibel was the standout. [...] Watching those auditions, any red-blooded male would want to take every one of our Shae candidates to bed. But Sibel made you fall in love with her as well.", playing the role of the Lord of the Crossing "Late" Walder Frey, a character twenty years his senior.

Guests Cast

The scenes at the Great Sept of Baelor were filmed at Fort Manoel, in Malta.

Filming locations

The interiors of the episode were filmed at the Paint Hall studios, close to Belfast. The area of the Castle Ward estate, also in Northern Ireland, was used to film on location the Stark and Lannister camps, and the battlefields of the Green Fork and the Whispering Woods.

The climactic scene before the Great Sept of Baelor was shot at Fort Manoel, in the Maltese town of Gżira.

Other

"Baelor" changes the show opening for the first time since episode five as the Eyrie is removed and replaced instead by the Twins.

Reception

Ratings

"Baelor" gathered 2.7 million viewers in its premiere telecast, keeping with the season's high reached with last week's episode. The total for the night, including the repeat, was slightly lower, with 3.4 million viewers.

Critical Response

The episode received great acclaim among the critics. Elio Garcia, writing for Suvudu, said Baelor had been "without a doubt, my favorite episode of the season so far. Everything came together in a glorious hour of television: great writing, exceptional acting, a score that suddenly came alive in a way it hadn't before, the consummate direction of one of television's best directors."

"...how masterfully directed—by Alan Taylor—that last scene was. The slow dolly in on Arya's face when Ned spots her. The careful establishment of the geography of the area. The way he lays out just who's where, so when shit hits the fan, you know what to expect. It's the biggest setpiece of book one, and he nails it, taking a scene that felt slightly distant and clinical on the page and making it visceral and real." —Todd VanDerWerff, The A.V. Club

The focus of most reviews was in the climactic final scene, whose directing and acting is universally acclaimed by critics. Writing for Cultural Learnings Myles McNutt from stated: "the final shot, with Arya looking to the sky as everything goes to silence and all she sees is the birds flying was just wonderfully haunting. Alan Taylor's direction sold both the chaos and the resignation of that moment".




Annotations from item #46264624:

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Baelor Blacktyde is Lord of Blacktyde and head of House Blacktyde. Baelor captains the *Nightflyer*.

Contents

Appearance

Baelor is smooth-faced and handsome.

History

Baelor spent eight years as a hostage in Oldtown after the Greyjoy Rebellion. When he came back to the Iron Islands, he was a worshiper of the Faith of the Seven. He lost his father during Balon Greyjoy's rebellion.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Lord Baelor stops at Ten Towers to consult with Lord Rodrik Harlaw before making his way to Old Wyk for the kingsmoot.

After Euron Greyjoy is raised as King of the Iron Islands at the kingsmoot, Baelor refuses to acknowledge Euron and attempts to leave the kingsmoot. Victarion closes Nagga's Cradle, and Baelor is taken and delivered to King Euron in chains. As punishment for his refusal to acknowledge his new liege, he is cut into seven pieces, representing his faith, by Euron's crew.

Quotes by Baelor

Balon was mad, Aeron is madder, and Euron is maddest of them all.

– Baelor to Victarion Greyjoy




Annotations from item #46264625:

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Ser Baelor Hightower, also known as Baelor Brightsmile, is a knight of House Hightower. He is the eldest son and heir of Lord Leyton Hightower. Baelor is wed to Rhonda Rowan.

Contents

Appearance and Character

The handsome Baelor has a splendid reputation.

History

Prince Oberyn Martell and Princess Elia Martell visited Oldtown on their way to Casterly Rock where their mother was to broker their marriage to the Lannister twins, Cersei and Jaime. While there they met Baelor, whom Oberyn considered Elia's best suitor. Even though he liked Baelor more than the others, he called him 'Baelor Breakwind' after he farted in their presence and Elia could no longer look at him without laughing.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

After the ironborn attack the Reach, Ser Baelor sets about building ships at Oldtown as part of the preparations to retake those lands lost.

Family




Annotations from item #46264626:

This article is about the king named Baelor Targaryen. For other characters with the same name, see Baelor Targaryen.

Baelor I Targaryen, known as the Beloved and the Blessed, was the ninth Targaryen king to reign on the Iron Throne as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Known for his piety, Baelor was a septon as well as a king..

None of the Targaryen kings are as beloved as Baelor. He loved the smallfolk and the gods in equal parts, yet imprisoned his own sisters. features a statue of him.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Baelor was a peaceful, devoted and pious man. He was very thin (due to his repeated fasts) and frail looking. He had a gentle, almost beatific smile,

History

Early life

Baelor married his younger sister, Princess Daena Targaryen, in 160 AC.

Baelor and Dorne

Upon the death of his brother, King Daeron I Targaryen, in Dorne, Baelor was crowned king and ascended the Iron Throne when he was seventeen. His uncle, Prince Viserys Targaryen, acting as Hand of the King, had sent fourteen Dornish hostages to the dungeons to await execution. Baelor's first act was to pardon the hostages and publicly forgive his brother's killers, despite outcry from his lords and council. Many similar acts of piety and forgiveness occurred throughout his ten-year reign.

Baelor desired to "bind up the wounds" of his brother's war and personally return the hostages to Dorne. The king walked the Boneway barefoot and clad in sackcloth, while the hostages rode horses. His journey took him to the location where House Wyl had imprisoned Prince Aemon Targaryen of the Kingsguard. Baelor pleaded to Lord Wyl to free the naked and caged Aemon, but was refused. Offering a prayer instead, Baelor continued his journey, swearing he would return.

Baelor arrived at Sunspear after an arduous journey, which was considered the first miracle of his reign. Baelor forged a peace with the Prince of Dorne, which was considered the second miracle. Part of the agreement was that Baelor's young cousin, Prince Daeron, the only grandson of his uncle and Hand, Prince Viserys, would marry the eldest daughter of the Prince of Dorne, Princess Mariah Martell, when both children were of age. Baelor refused the prince's offer of a galley back to King's Landing. The prince made efforts to ensure that Baelor would be met with hospitality on his way back on foot. Special attention was paid to Lord Wyl, as Baelor had requested the Prince of Dorne to command Aemon's release. Yet, when Baelor returned to Aemon's location, Aemon's imprisonment had gotten worse.

Lord Wyl granted Baelor a key to Aemon's cage, which was now suspended over a pit of vipers. Aemon begged Baelor to leave and seek aid, but Baelor felt the gods would protect him. While singers like to say the vipers bowed their heads to Baelor as he passed, not daring to strike because he was pure and holy,

Baelor in King's Landing

Upon his return to King's Landing, Baelor convinced the High Septon to dissolve his marriage to his sister Daena, since it had been contracted before he had become a king and was never consummated.

Baelor next decreed prostitution to be outlawed in King's Landing, putting more than a thousand whores and their children out of the city. This was heavily protested, but Baelor refused to listen and closed his eyes to the unrest that followed. He busied himself with building a new sept on Visenya's Hill which he had seen in a vision. The construction of this great sept would not be completed until years after Baelor's death. The smallfolk loved Baelor, as the king emptied the treasure regularly for his charitable acts. Baelor's erratic decisions made his lords uneasy, wondering if the snake venom had affected his mind. Being a septon prevented Baelor from having children, and the High Septon gained increasing influence over the spiritually-inclined king.

Baelor earned the contempt of his nobles by forcing the proud Lord Belgrave to wash the feet of a leper.

Towards the end of his reign, Baelor would fast to the point of fainting to tame the lusts that shamed him.

Death

When Baelor's cousin, Princess Naerys, gave birth to twins who both died shortly after their delivery in 161 AC, the king fasted for a moon's turn. When his sister and former wife, Daena, gave birth to a bastard named Daemon Waters in 170 AC, Baelor fasted for forty days and nights, refusing to take anything but water and some bread. On the forty-first day of his fast, in 171 AC, the king collapsed, and neither Grand Maester Munkun or the boy High Septon could save him.

History says Baelor starved himself to death by the prolonged fasting to cleanse himself of lust, but some believe he was poisoned by his Hand and uncle, Viserys.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

After the Battle of the Blackwater, Ser Axell Florent urges Stannis Baratheon to attack Claw Isle, put the island population to the sword, and loot the wealth rumored to reside there. When Stannis Baratheon tells Ser Axell to tell his plan to Ser Davos Seaworth Ser Axell turns to Davos with a look on his face that Davos thinks is much like the look that proud Lord Belgrave must have worn, the day King Baelor the Blessed had commanded him to wash the beggar's ulcerous feet.

A Dance with Dragons

Tyrion Lannister thinks of Baelor as Baelor the Befuddled,

Quotes about Baelor

The feeblest king who ever sat on the Iron Throne.

Eustace Osgrey

Lancel: Marriage requires consummation. King Baelor was made to wed his sister Daena, but they never lived as man and wife, and he put her aside as soon as he was crowned.
Jaime: The realm would have been better served if he had closed his eyes and fucked her. I know enough of history to know that.

Jaime Lannister and Lancel Lannister

He was a rare spirit, pure and brave and innocent, untouched by the evils of the world.

Lancel Lannister, to Jaime Lannister

Family Tree




Annotations from item #46264627:
Annotation #1 for item #46264627: Wiki: Baelor Targaryen

The name Baelor Targaryen can refer to multiple members of House Targaryen:

Annotation #2 for item #46264627: Wiki: (son of Daeron II) Baelor Targaryen

This page is about the prince named "Baelor Targaryen". For other characters called "Baelor Targaryen", please see Baelor Targaryen.

Baelor Targaryen by Oznerol-1516©

Prince Baelor Targaryen, known as Baelor Breakspear, was a prince of House Targaryen and was the eldest son and heir of King Daeron II Targaryen and Mariah Martell. Named after King Baelor I,.

Contents

Character and Appearance

See also: Images of Baelor Targaryen

Prince Baelor had the dark hair of his mother, a Dornish princess. He kept it cut short and kept his jaw clean-shaven.

Baelor was a warrior, and seemed to be all that could be wished in a knight, lord, or heir. He was also a man who could win respect with ease, and was as open-handed and just as his father.

However, too many men looked upon Baelor's dark hair and eyes and muttered that he was more Martell than Targaryen.

History

Early life

Prince Baelor was born in 170 AC, the first child of King Daeron II Targaryen and Mariah Martell. He won the name "Breakspear" in 187 AC at the age of seventeen, following his famous victory at Princess Daenerys's wedding tourney, where he defeated Daemon Blackfyre in the final tilt.

First Blackfyre Rebellion

When the First Blackfyre Rebellion was in its early stages, Prince Baelor advocated leniency toward Daemon Blackfyre, a position that was not favored over his uncle Bloodraven's hard line. Nonetheless, Baelor accepted the path towards war. He distinguished himself by leading the Dornish and Stormlands force which attacked the rearguard of the rebel army during the Battle of the Redgrass Field in 196 AC. Baelor's forces smashed the rebels against the shield-wall of his brother, Prince Maekar, inspiring the song "The Hammer and Anvil". After the battle, Baelor was named Hand of the King by his father and was recognized as a good Hand and "the soul of chivalry." At some point he was also given the title of Protector of the Realm.

Tourney at Ashford Meadow

In 209 AC, at the tourney at Ashford Meadow, Prince Baelor vouched for Ser Duncan the Tall because he knew Duncan's old master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree. Baelor had jousted with Arlan in a tourney at Storm's End and had unhorsed him after breaking four lances. Due to Baelor's intervention Duncan was allowed to enter the lists.

When Duncan attacked Prince Aerion Brightfire to defend an innocent puppeteer, Baelor had a private word with Duncan and advised him. The next day Baelor sat together with Lord Leo "Longthorn" Tyrell and Lord Ashford in judgment of Duncan. Prince Aerion demanded a trial of seven, which was granted.

With the help of his squire, Egg, and Ser Raymun Fossoway, Duncan was able to recruit five men to fight for him. They needed one more, and because Baelor believed Duncan, he fought for him even though his nephew was the accuser. His brother, Maekar, was furious but Baelor said:

This man protected the weak, as every true knight must, let the gods determine if he was right or wrong.

Before the melee began, Baelor advised Dunk's champions to use tourney lances, which would strike before their opponents' shorter war lances in the opening tilt. He also noted that the three Kingsguard knights on the opposing side would be sworn not to harm him, allowing him to safely engage them. Dunk's defending party won the trial, but Baelor had received a mortal blow to his head from his brother, Prince Maekar, and died in Dunk's arms. Baelor was cremated at Ashford, per Targaryen funeral traditions.

Family

Baelor married Jena Dondarrion, with whom he had two sons, Valarr and Matarys,

Baelor's son Valarr married Kiera of Tyrosh.




Annotations from item #46264628:

Bakkalon, also known as the Pale Child, is a god. There is a statue of it in the House of Black and White. The statue is most commonly visited by soldiers.

Tyrion Lannister mentions the Pale Child during the Second Siege of Meereen, as another name for death.

Contents

Recent event

A Feast for Crows

After entering for the the first time to the House of Black and White, Arya Stark notices the statue of a pale infant with a sword.

Behind the Scenes

Bakkalon is also a god in George R. R. Martin's "The Thousand Worlds" science fiction universe, and is a key figure in his 1975 short story "And Seven Times Never Kill Man!"




Annotations from item #46264629:

Balder was a maester in service to the Night's Watch at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea near 400 BC. He wrote the book *The Edge of the World* when Osric Stark served as Lord Commander.




Annotations from item #46264630:

Baldric I Durrandon, known as Baldric the Cunning, was a Storm King of the stormlands from House Durrandon.

History

During the Andal invasion of the stormlands, the Andals conquered part of Cape Wrath. To prevent them from conquering all of the rainwood, Baldric I manipulated the petty Andal kings and warlords into attacking each other.

Behind the Scenes

Baldric may be a reference by George R. R. Martin to the character of Baldrick from *Blackadder*. One of Baldrick's catchphrases is "I have a cunning plan", the irony being Baldrick's plans are rarely cunning.




Annotations from item #46264631:
Annotation #1 for item #46264631: Wiki: Balerion

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Balerion in the War of Conquest ©HBO

Balerion, called the Black Dread, was a dragon of House Targaryen. He was ridden by King Aegon I Targaryen during his Conquest, alongside his sister Queen Visenya's Vhagar, and his sister Queen Rhaenys's Meraxes.

Balerion died of old age

Contents

Appearance

See also: Images of Balerion

Balerion was the largest of all the Targaryen dragons. His fire was as black as his scales, his wingspan so vast that entire towns would fall under his shadow when he passed overhead.

History

Balerion was named after the ancient god of the Valyrian Freehold.

At some point, Lord Aegon Targaryen claimed Balerion. Aegon first rode Balerion, demonstrating that he was a dragonrider, some time before he married his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys.

Aegon the Conqueror

Balerion and workers help forge the Iron Throne, as depicted by Donato Giancola

Aegon then turned west, to conquer the Seven Kingdoms. The first true test of Aegon's War of Conquest came from Lords Mooton and Darklyn, who had joined forces to push the invaders out. Orys Baratheon rode out to meet them, while Aegon, riding Balerion, descended on them from above. Both lords were killed in the battle.

Aegon then crossed the Blackwater to meet King Harren Hoare at Harrenhal. King Harren the Black took refuge in the formidable fortress of Harrenhal. Aegon gave him till sunset to surrender, but he did not yield. Aegon took Balerion high up and descended inside the castle walls, and put the castle to flame. Balerion's dragonfire burned so hot that the towers of Harrenhal went up like candles, melting and twisting into the shapes they retain to this day. King Harren and his sons all perished, ending the line of House Hoare.

Balerion was also deployed in the battle that became known as the Field of Fire, the only time in history that all three of the fabled Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time. Between Vhagar, Meraxes, and Balerion, four thousand men were burned to death. King Mern IX Gardener died, and with him House Gardener. The army was broken, and Aegon was victorious.

Aegon then headed to Highgarden, which yielded without a fight. When he heard word of King Torrhen Stark and the northmen marching south, he flew to meet them, calling his sisters and all bannermen to join him. Torrhen submitted the north to the rule of the Targaryens. Afterwards, Aegon headed south for the submission of Oldtown.

According to song, at the end of the war Balerion helped to forge the Iron Throne by melting the swords of Aegon's fallen enemies.

Maegor I

Maegor I and Balerion burn the Sept of Remembrance, by Jordi Gonzalez for *The World of Ice & Fire*

After Aegon's death, Balerion was claimed by his son Prince Maegor, who had long coveted his father's mount, and had not claimed another dragon because he considered all others unworthy. After Jonos Arryn imprisoned his brother Lord Ronnel and declared himself independent of the Iron Throne, Maegor rode the Black Dread to the Vale and put down his rebellion.

When Maegor was exiled to Pentos as punishment for his polygamous marriage, he took Balerion with him. After his brother King Aenys I died, Maegor flew back to Westeros on Balerion to claim the Iron Throne. In his reign as king, Maegor used Balerion to destroy the Sept of Remembrance, and in many other battles against the Faith Militant. In the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye, Maegor used Balerion to kill his nephew Prince Aegon and his dragon Quicksilver.

Viserys I

The last rider of Balerion was Viserys I Targaryen, then still a prince. He was Balerion's rider at the time of his death in 94 AC. Viserys never claimed another dragon.

Legacy

Arya Stark encounters the skull of Balerion the Black Dread, by Justin Sweet for *The World of Ice & Fire*

Along with eighteen

In 299 AC, Daenerys Targaryen had the three ships sent to her by Illyrio Mopatis renamed Vhagar, Meraxes, and Balerion, to tell the world that the dragons had returned.

There is a rather nice picture of Balerion the Black Dread, done in colored inks, in the book *Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons*, written by Maester Thomax.

Known riders

Quotes

The Conqueror's son had claimed a dragon at last, and none other than the Black Dread, the greatest of them all.

His fire was as black as his scales, his wings so vast that whole towns were swallowed up in their shadow when he passed overhead.

Daenerys Targaryen

Balerion the Black Dread was two hundred years old when he died during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. He was so large he could swallow an aurochs whole. A dragon never stops growing, Your Grace, so long as he has food and freedom.

Arstan Whitebeard, to Daenerys Targaryen

Notes

  1. While Balerion's exact age at the time of his death cannot be established, Barristan Selmy's estimation of two hundred years compared to the two hundred and twenty year minimum, implies Balerion was reasonably young upon arrival on Dragonstone
Annotation #2 for item #46264631: Wiki: (cat) Balerion

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Balerion catches a raven.
Art by Jordi Gonazels Escamilla

Arya Stark chases Balerion
by Sir-Heartsalot ©

Balerion is a kitten belonging to Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, who liked to pretend he was the dragon Balerion. After she was killed in 283 AC, it was not known what became of her kitten.

Many readers believe he is the vicious black tomcat with a torn ear that still lives in the Red Keep,

Contents

Appearance and Character

Balerion is a old black male cat, with one chewed

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Arya Stark has been assigned by Syrio Forel to catch every cat in the Red Keep, and has succeeded with all except for one mean one-eared black tomcat. She chases him halfway across the castle before she finally catches him, and kisses his forehead while he tries to claw her. Prince Tommen Baratheon, his sister Princess Myrcella, and their septa observe this, and believe that Arya is a strange peasant boy who does not belong in that part of the castle. The septa commands red cloaks to grab Arya, but she escapes.

Lord Varys speaks to Lord Eddard Stark when he is imprisoned in the black cells of the Red Keep, and tells him about Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and her kitten.

A Clash of Kings

Sansa Stark, visiting the Red Keep godswood late at night, encounters the one-eared black tom. He brushes against her leg, then spits at her and runs away.

A Feast for Crows

When King Tommen Baratheon is gifted three black kittens by his wife Queen Margaery Tyrell, his mother Queen Cersei Lannister wishes they were not black, as she feels Princess Rhaenys's black kitten brought her bad luck.

Arya Stark, as the Braavos street urchin and fishmonger Cat of the Canals, encounters many cats, one of which reminds her of the one-eared cat she had chased in the Red Keep.

A Dance with Dragons

King Tommen Baratheon tells his uncle Lord Kevan Lannister that the "bad cat" had been outside his window the previous night, but his kitten Ser Pounce had hissed at him and he ran off. Cersei explains about the old black tom, who once attacked her son Joffrey.

Quotes

That's the real king of this castle right there, older than sin and twice as mean. One time, the king was feasting the queen's father, and that black bastard hopped up on the table and snatched a roast quail right out of Lord Tywin's fingers. Robert laughed so hard he like to burst. You stay away from that one, child.

- a gold cloak to Arya Stark

She had a small black kitten she called Balerion, did you know? I always wondered what happened to him. Rhaenys liked to pretend he was the true Balerion, the Black Dread of old, but I imagine the Lannisters taught her the difference between a kitten and a dragon quick enough, the day they broke down her door.

- Varys to Eddard Stark

Could be.

- George R. R. Martin's reply when asked if the black tomcat caught by Arya was Rhaenys's kitten Balerion.

Annotation #3 for item #46264631: Wiki: (god) Balerion

Balerion was one of the many gods worshipped in Old Valyria.




Annotations from item #46264632:

Balerion was the youngest of the three bastard children of King Aegon IV Targaryen and his fourth mistress, Bellegere Otherys.

History

After Princess Naerys Targaryen had almost died, giving birth in 161 AC, her husband, Prince Aegon was sent to Braavos as an envoy, so Naerys would have sufficient time to recover. In Braavos, Aegon met Bellegere Otherys, with whom he started an affair. Aegon and Bellegere had an affair for ten years, during which Bellegere gave birth to three children: Bellanora, Narha and Balerion. Their paternity remains doubtful, as Bellegere is said to have had a husband in every port she visited.

Family




Annotations from item #46264633:

Ballabar is the maester assigned to House Redwyne in the Arbor. He has a round, pink face with a thin brown beard.

Contents

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Maester Ballabar follows Lord Paxter Redwyne to King's Landing after the Battle of the Blackwater. He is assigned the task of caring for Tyrion Lannister, who was seriously injured in the battle, at the request of Cersei Lannister. Tyrion, the former Hand of the King, dismisses Ballabar because he suspects the maester received orders to kill him. Ballabar is replaced with Maester Frenken.

A Storm of Swords

During the royal wedding of King Joffrey I Baratheon, Ballabar treats a Dornishman after he is stabbed by a Rowan knight.

After the death of Joffrey at his wedding, Ballabar and Frenken perform the autopsy that refutes the theory of a suffocation with the pigeon pie. During the trial of Tyrion for the death of Joffrey, Ballabar is called as a witness for the prosecution to present the findings of the autopsy, and he declares that poison was used.

A Feast for Crows

The small council of Queen Regent Cersei Lannister is informed by Ballabar about Lancel Lannister, who was gravely wounded at the Blackwater.




Annotations from item #46264634:

Ser Balman Byrch is a knight of House Byrch and the husband of Lady Falyse Stokeworth.

Contents

Appearance

He has a thick blond mustache. His wavy blond hair is receding and he has pot belly.

History

He was once a renowned jouster and in his youth was considered one of the most handsome knights.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Ser Balman Byrch attends the funeral of Lord Tywin Lannister with his wife, Falyse.[*citation needed*]

Queen Regent Cersei Lannister asks Ser Balman to ensure the death of his good-brother, Bronn, after Bronn gives the bastard child of his wife Lollys Stokeworth the name Tyrion, after Tyrion Lannister.




Annotations from item #46264635:

Balon is a Westerosi given name.

It is borne by:




Annotations from item #46264636:

Balon Blacksin is a legendary ironborn raider who supposedly lived during the Age of Heroes. According to legend, he fought with an axe in his left hand and a hammer in his right and was impervious to injuries from any man-made weapon: swords glanced off leaving no mark, while axes shattered against his skin.




Annotations from item #46264637:

Balon Botley is the eldest son of Lord Germund Botley.

Contents

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

After the death of Lord Sawane Botley, Balon's father, Germund Botley, is made Lord of Lordsport by Euron Greyjoy, making Balon the new heir to Lordsport.

Family




Annotations from item #46264638:

Ser Balon Byrch was a knight of House Byrch during the Dance of the Dragons. He served as a captain of the City Watch of King's Landing during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen. He commanded the Old Gate.

History

During the riots of King's landing, Ser Balon led his men against the rioters and managed to restore some semblance of order to the streets north and east of Rhaenys's Hill.

After the death of Ser Luthor Largent, Ser Balon was made the new Commander of the City Watch. He accompanied the guard that escorted Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen from King's Landing to find safe haven. He was slain by an arrow when the escort was attacked near Duskendale by broken men.




Annotations from item #46264639:

Balon Greyjoy is the head of House Greyjoy of Pyke and is the Lord of the Iron Islands. The captain of the *Great Kraken*,

Contents

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Balon Greyjoy

Balon had always been thin, but by 299 AC he is gaunt with a hard face. He has hard black eyes with long grey hair flecked with white that hangs past the small of his back.

Balon has a personality to match his people: stubborn, fearless, and quarrelsome. He is uncompromising even when it comes to his own family, and his faith in the Drowned God and the Old Way is absolute.

History

Early life

Balon is the eldest surviving son of Quellon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, and a lady of House Sunderly. It is not clear when he was born.

Balon learned to sail when still young and was a very skilled captain. Balon scaled the Flint Cliffs to the Blind Lord's haunted tower when he was ten. By his thirteenth year, he had become an expert oarsman. At fifteen he sailed with Dagmer Cleftjaw to the Stepstones on a reaving, killing his first man and taking his first two salt wives there. By seventeen he captained his own longship. Later he often went raiding and was known for his fierceness and fearlessness.

Balon and two of his brothers, Euron and Victarion, wanted their father Quellon to join Robert's Rebellion. Quellon was peaceful and cautious, however, and desired neutrality. After Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was slain in the Battle of the Trident, Quellon was convinced by his sons to join the rebellion or else gain nothing from the war. The ironmen's contribution to the war turned out to be minimal. Quellon was slain fighting the longships of the Shield Islands in a battle at the Mander, after which Balon brought the Greyjoy ships back to Pyke so he could claim the Seastone Chair.

When Balon returned to Pyke he found out his younger brother, Urrigon, had died of gangrene after being injured in the finger dance. The maester at Pyke had tried to save the hand of the boy, but his potions had failed and the fourteen-year-old Urrigon lost his life instead. Balon commanded the same treatment be used on the maester, who died along with Balon's stepmother.

Balon is married to Alannys Harlaw, who gave him three sons and a daughter: Rodrik, Maron, Asha, and Theon.

Greyjoy's Rebellion

Main article: Greyjoy's Rebellion

Lord Quellon Greyjoy had desired stronger ties with the green lands, forbade most reaving, brought maesters to the Iron Islands, and outlawed the taking of thralls. His son Balon, however, wished to return to the Old Way, which he considered a better way for the ironborn. After becoming Lord of the Iron Islands, Balon reversed most of his father's reforms. Over five years he oversaw the construction of the Iron Fleet to serve the Seastone Chair.

Balon was quick to seize the chance to revert to the ways of old when he thought that King Robert I Baratheon's recently-gained rule, through conquest, was unstable. Believing Robert would not have the support, the men, or the will to resist, Balon launched his own rebellion and declared himself King of the Iron Islands.

Balon kneels to Robert I Baratheon and Eddard Stark. Screencap from *Game of Thrones* Blu-ray

The ironborn won early success when they burned the Lannister fleet at Lannisport, but Balon's triumph was short lived. His eldest son, Rodrik, died during the storming of Seagard and his fleet and forces were defeated, while his second son, Maron, died while defending Pyke.

Balon was forced to accept defeat and bent the knee, re-swearing fealty to the Baratheons, allowing his sole surviving son, ten-year-old Theon, to be taken hostage by Lord Eddard Stark to Winterfell. Balon and his wife, Alannys, grew apart after the deaths of Rodrik and Maron and the taking of Theon.

In 297 AC one of Balon's brothers, Euron, seduced the third wife of another brother, Victarion. To prevent bloodshed between the brothers Balon sent Euron into exile and swore he would be killed if he returned. To keep his honor Victarion killed his wife.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Main article: War of the Five Kings

Balon Greyjoy's command - Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games

Though defeated, Balon never gave up on his desire to become King of the Iron Islands, and at the outbreak of the War of the Five Kings an opportunity presents itself. Balon assembles his fleet and orders all ships which visit the Iron Islands to remain so he will have the element of surprise.

Robb Stark, the King in the North, sends Balon's surviving son, Theon, to Pyke as an envoy with an offer to ally with Balon against the Lannisters.

Theon deviates from Balon's plan by sending Dagmer against Torrhen's Square.

A Storm of Swords

King Balon sitting on the Seastone Chair - by Amok ©

Balon styles himself the Ninth of His Name Since the Grey King, King of the Iron Islands and the North, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, and Lord Reaper of Pyke..

In King's Landing, the small council discusses Balon's terms of alliance instead of a pledge of fealty. Lords Mace Tyrell and Paxter Redwyne urge that these terms be accepted in order to free up new resources for dealing with Stannis Baratheon. However, Tywin Lannister rejects them since Balon is already at war with House Stark.

Balon dies in a fall while crossing a bridge during a storm in 299 AC.

A Feast for Crows

When Aeron Greyjoy is informed of his older brother's death, he thinks back to the last time he saw Balon upon returning from the Stony Shore. Aeron Damphair recalls while Balon's grey hair had turned half-white and the stoop in his shoulder more pronounced, his king had not seemed ill.

After Balon's death, his daughter, Asha, and his brothers, Victarion and Euron, are among the candidates to succeed him.

The matter is decided during a kingsmoot at Nagga's Hill organized by the Damphair.

A Dance with Dragons

Euron abandons Balon's conquests in the north, leaving the ironborn remaining there to fend for themselves.

The Winds of Winter

Euron admits to the captive Aeron that he was responsible for Balon's death, although he did not personally slay the king.

Quotes by Balon

Balon standing near Pyke - by Amok ©

Balon: The pup says nothing about a reward. Only that you speak for him, and I am to listen, and give him my sails and swords, and in return he will give me a crown. He will give me a crown...

Theon: A poor choice of words, what is meant is–

Balon: What is meant is what is said. The boy will give me a crown. And what is given can be taken away.

– Balon and Theon Greyjoy, on Robb Stark's offer

I am the Greyjoy, Lord Reaper of Pyke, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, and no man gives me a crown. I pay the iron price. I will take my crown, as Urron Redhand did five thousand years ago.

– Balon, to Theon Greyjoy

Did Ned Stark dress you like that? Was it his pleasure to garb you in velvets and silks and make you his own sweet daughter?

– Balon, to Theon Greyjoy

No man has ever died from bending his knee. He who kneels may rise again, blade in hand. He who will not kneel stays dead, stiff legs and all.

– Balon, to Asha Greyjoy

Quotes about Balon

Captain: The way I heard it in Lordsport, there was a blow coming in from the west, rain and thunder, and old King Balon was crossing one of them bridges when the wind got hold of it and just tore the thing to pieces. He washed up two days later, all bloated and broken. Crabs ate his eyes, I hear.
Greatjon: King crabs, I hope, to sup upon such royal jelly, eh?

– The captain of the *Myraham* and the Greatjon, upon Balon's death

My brother Balon made us great again, which earned the Storm God's wrath. He feasts now in the Drowned God's watery halls, with mermaids to attend his every want. It shall be for us who remain behind in this dry and dismal vale to finish his great work.

Aeron Greyjoy, to the Sparr, Steffarion Sparr, and Gormond Goodbrother

A brave man but a bad lord.

Asha Greyjoy's thoughts

Family




Annotations from item #46264640:

Given Euron's timely entrance soon after Balon's fatal accident, and Euron's lack of morals, it could be that Euron somehow had his brother Balon murdered.

One might argue King Stannis Baratheon murdered Balon Greyjoy along with Robb Stark and Joffrey Baratheon when he burned leeches filled with king's blood in an attempt to magically ensure their deaths. Robb was soon murdered by the Freys and Joffrey by Littlefinger and the Queen of Thorns. Assuming this ritual had its intended effect, it obviously doesn't directly or inexplicably kill its victims but perhaps provides a twist of fate that will ensure their death by some other means. It would then seem out of place for Balon to suddenly die by a fluke accident. It is more likely that he was murdered, just like the other two targets of the spell.

Supporting Evidence

*"I dreamt of a man without a face, waiting on a bridge that swayed and swung. On his shoulder perched a drowned crow with seaweed hanging from his wings."*

This implies that Balon was killed by a faceless man - the man without a face - hired by Euron - the drowned crow (as Euron is nicknamed the Crow's-Eye).

Questions




Annotations from item #46264641:

Ser Balon Swann is a knight of House Swann and the second son of Gulian Swann, Lord of Stonehelm.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Young

Balon's greathelm is decorated with wide white wings.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Ser Balon attends the Hand's tourney in King's Landing. He defeats Alyn, but is later beaten by Ser Gregor Clegane.

Balon participates in the hunt for a hart in the kingswood with Robert I Baratheon.

Balon remains at court after Robert succumbs to his wounds. He warns Ser Dontos Hollard about approaching Ned's daughter, Sansa Stark, when King Joffrey I Baratheon holds court.

A Clash of Kings

Ser Balon takes part in the tourney on King Joffrey's name day, unhorsing Morros Slynt in the second tilt of the day.

During a dinner given by Lady Tanda Stokeworth, Lord Gyles Rosby raises his glass "to the health of the king," and Balon replies that three glasses would be needed (for Joffrey, his uncle Renly, and Robb Stark, the new King in the North). The joke is meant to raise the spirits of the guests, but Lord Varys reports it to Tyrion Lannister, the acting Hand of the King. Tyrion decides not to follow up on it as he believes Balon made a harmless jest.

Balon supports Joffrey in King's Landing during the War of the Five Kings. His older brother, Ser Donnel, first serves Renly, but he then joins Stannis Baratheon after Renly's death at Storm's End. Their father, Lord Gulian Swann, pleads illness while remaining at Stonehelm.

Ser Balon is among the party that sees Princess Myrcella Baratheon off to Dorne, watching the ceremony in the company of Queen Cersei, and he bears a Lannister lion banner alongside the Baratheon stag carried by Ser Aron Santagar. Balon survives the riot when the party is attacked by a raging mob.

Tyrion plans for three Kingsguard—Balon, Ser Mandon Moore, and Sandor Clegane—to lead sorties during the Battle of the Blackwater.

After the battle, Balon and the other remaining Kingsguard spend hours knighting more than six hundred men.

A Storm of Swords

Balon continues to serve in the Kingsguard at the Red Keep

Balon jumps back in alarm when Joffrey first wields Widow's Wail.

When Steelshanks Walton and Brienne of Tarth escort Ser Jaime Lannister, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, back to King's landing, Balon intervenes when Loras confronts Brienne and Jaime.

Balon is called as the first witness against Tyrion in the death of King Joffrey. Balon praises Tyrion's bravery at the Blackwater and does not believe he killed Joffrey. Balon does admit that Tyrion had struck the king after the riot of King's Landing. Prince Oberyn Martell remarks that Kingsguard of old would have removed Tyrion's hand for striking the royal personage.

Jaime notes that Balon is well suited to the white cloak. When the Lord Commander holds a meeting of the Kingsguard, Balon is ashamed for not having prevented Joffrey's death. Balon promises to defend his king even if it were to mean fighting his family.

A Feast for Crows

Balon stands vigil with Jaime over the corpse of his father, Lord Tywin Lannister.

Balon is abruptly re-assigned by Queen Regent Cersei Lannister to bring Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, the skull of Ser Gregor Clegane, though Cersei also commands him to carry out another secret assignment.

At the Greenblood, Ser Arys Oakheart is killed by Areo Hotah and Princess Myrcella Baratheon is wounded by Ser Gerold Dayne.

A Dance with Dragons

Ser Balon arrives at Sunspear with three knights, eight squires, twenty men-at-arms, sundry grooms, and servants.

Balon was previously ordered by Queen Cersei to bring Myrcella back to King's Landing under the guise of visiting her brother, King Tommen. As part of the plan, Doran or a retainer will accompany them to fill the vacant Dornish seat on the small council left by Prince Oberyn Martell, who had been killed by Gregor. Prince Trystane Martell is invited as well to see the city. Doran states that traveling by ship might be easier, but an unnerved Balon replies that a voyage by sea would be too dangerous.

In a private chamber, Doran reveals to his family that friends in King's Landing informed him that Queen Cersei plans to have the party ambushed during the journey to the capital. The attack will be led by brigands shouting "halfman," and Trystane is to be killed in the fighting. Balon is to falsely claim that he saw Tyrion Lannister during the ambush, placing the blame for Trystane's death on Tyrion. Balon's aversion to Doran's suggestion of a trip by sea proves Doran's suspicions. Doran states that though Balon does not like his orders, he is compelled to obey. Obera is willing to kill the Kingsguard, but Doran refuses because of guest right.

To stop Cersei's scheme from coming to fruition, Doran has Myrcella meet Balon at the Water Gardens and lie about the Greenblood, placing responsibility for her wounds and the death of Arys Oakheart solely on Ser Gerold Dayne. Obara will then lead Balon to Gerold's seat in western Dorne, High Hermitage.

Quotes by Balon

Jaime: It's not Ser Donnel the Constant who concerns me. It's you. What will you do if brave Ser Donnel gives his sword to yet another usurper, and one day comes storming into the throne room? And there you stand all in white, between your king and your blood. What will you do?

Balon: I ... my lord, that will never happen.
Jaime: It happened to me.

Balon: My lord. On my sword, on my honor, on my father's name, I swear ... I shall not do as you did.

Jaime Lannister and Balon

Nymeria: Ser Gregor was a bloody brute, all men agree. If ever a man deserved to suffer, it was him.
Balon: That is as it may be, my lady, but Ser Gregor was a knight, and a knight should die with sword in hand. Poison is a foul and filthy way to kill.

Nymeria Sand and Balon

Quotes about Balon

He would serve with honor and courage.

– thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

His two white shadows were always with him; Balon Swann and Mandon Moore, beautiful in their pale plate. Surrounded by a circle of Velaryon spearmen, they fought back to back; they made battle as graceful as a dance.

– thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

This one is not so easily seduced as was his Sworn Brother, Hotah thought. Ser Arys was a boy, despite his years. This one is a man, and wary.

– thoughts of Areo Hotah

Nymeria: This is monstrous. I would not have believed it, not of a Kingsguard knight.
Doran: They are sworn to obey, just as my captain is.

Nymeria Sand and Doran Martell

Family




Annotations from item #46264642:

Balon Tawney is the Lord of House Tawney on Orkmont in the Iron Islands.




Annotations from item #46264643:

Balon V Greyjoy, known as "Coldwind" and formally styled Balon Greyjoy, Fifth of His Name Since the Grey King, was a High King of the Iron Islands of House Greyjoy.

History

Balon V was chosen at a kingsmoot. During his reign he destroyed the feeble fleets of the King in the North.




Annotations from item #46264644:

The Band of Nine, also known as the Ninepenny Kings, was a group of merchants, mercenaries and pirates from the Free Cities who banded together to carve out kingdoms for themselves and who caused great turmoil in Essos and the Stepstones. This group was the cause of the War of the Ninepenny Kings.

History

The Band of Nine began their conquests by overrunning the Disputed Lands and sacking Tyrosh, where they set up Alequo Adarys as a tyrant. They then marched on the Stepstones, conquering them with ease. King Jaehaerys II Targaryen had known that the Band of Nine meant to win the Seven Kingdoms for Maelys the Monstrous, who styled himself "King Maelys I Blackfyre". But he hoped that the alliance of rogues would founder in Essos, or fall at the hands of another alliance in the Free Cities. When that did not happen, the thin and scrawny king, who did not lack for courage or intelligence, resolved to meet the Ninepenny Kings upon the Stepstones, choosing to take the war to them. The actions that followed are collectively known as the War of the Ninepenny Kings, or the Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion.

The Targaryens responded quickly, sending their own force to the Stepstones. Maester Eon's *Account of the War of the Ninepenny Kings*, is a splendid source for the details of fighting, with its many battles on land and sea. It showed that the war ended when Ser Barristan Selmy killed the pretender Maelys I Blackfyre. The remainder of the Ninepenny Kings had no interest in Westeros and fell back to their own domains. Half a year of hard fighting remained before the Band of Nine lost the Stepstones and the Disputed Lands, but Alequo, the Tyrant of Tyrosh, managed to remain in power for another six years, before the Archon of Tyrosh was restored.

The Names and Styles of the Band of Nine




Annotations from item #46264645:

Bandallon

The Reach and the location of Bandallon

Bandallon is the seat of House Blackbar in the Reach. It is located along the Sunset Sea, west of Brightwater Keep, northwest of Oldtown, and southwest of the Shield Islands.




Annotations from item #46264646:

The Banded Lizard is an old galley.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

The Banded Lizard is one of the thirteen galleys Xaro Xhoan Daxos sails with from Qarth to Meereen. He tries to persuade Daenerys Targaryen to leave Slaver's Bay and go to Westeros by offering the ships to her; Daenerys thinks the galleys were provided by the Thirteen. Groleo determines the ship has some cracked oars but it would serve. Daenerys declines Xaro's offer.




Annotations from item #46264647:

Bandy is the twin sister of Shyra and daughter of Joseth, the master of the horse at Winterfell.

Contents

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Bandy plays lord of the crossing with the Frey wards.

A Feast for Crows

After the sack of Winterfell, Bandy is among the captives being held at the Dreadfort.




Annotations from item #46264648:

Banefort

The westerlands and the location of Banefort

Banefort is the seat of House Banefort in the northwestern westerlands.

History

Banefort was presumably the seat of the Hooded King, Morgon Banefort.




Annotations from item #46264649:

Bannen is a ranger of the Night's Watch at Castle Black. He is from the lands of House Manderly near White Harbor.

Contents

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Bannen is part of the great ranging beyond the Wall lead by Lord Commander Jeor Mormont. He is a scout under Jarman Buckwell's command. He participates in the scouting mission around the Milkwater led by Thoren Smallwood. Bannen and Kedge Whiteye observe Mance Rayder's host.

A Storm of Swords

Due to his great tracking skills, Bannen is one of those chosen to die by the conspirators who intend to kill Lord Commander Jeor Mormont].

Quotes by Bannen

I'm cold. Please, I'm so cold.

- Bannen at Craster's Keep

Quotes about Bannen

Sam: Sick. The smell ...
Edd: Never knew Bannen could smell so good. I had half a mind to carve a slice off him. If we had some applesauce, I might have done it. Pork's always best with applesauce, I find.

- Samwell Tarly and Eddison Tollett




Annotations from item #46264650:

A bannerman is a vassal that owes military service to his lord under the feudalism of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.




Annotations from item #46264651:

Lady Barba Bracken was a member of House Bracken during the reigns of Baelor I, Viserys II, and Aegon IV Targaryen. She was the fifth of Aegon the Unworthy's mistresses.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Barba was buxom

History

When the Princesses Daena, Rhaena, and Elaena Targaryen were confined to the Maidenvault in the Red Keep, they were accompanied only by maidens who had been sent to court by lords and knights who wanted to gain favor with King Baelor I Targaryen.

When King Viserys II died in 172 AC, Prince Aegon ascended the throne as King Aegon IV Targaryen, named Barba's father his Hand of the King, and openly took Barba as his mistress. Barba gave birth to a bastard son of Aegon, Aegor Rivers, only a fortnight before Queen Naerys Targaryen nearly died in childbirth. With Naerys lingering near death, Barba's father began to speak openly of Barba marrying King Aegon IV. However, Queen Naerys recovered, and talk about Barba marrying the king became a scandal. Princes Aemon and Daeron Targaryen forced King Aegon to send both Barba and her bastard son away from court. They returned to Stone Hedge, where Barba raised her son Aegor.

After Barba, King Aegon IV took Melissa Blackwood as his mistress. In response, Barba and her father began grooming Barba's younger sister, Bethany, to replace Melissa, which eventually worked in 177 AC. However, in 178 AC Bethany was caught abed with the handsome knight of the Kingsguard, Ser Terrence Toyne, and both Bethany and Lord Bracken were executed.

Barba's Teats

In 172 AC, King Aegon IV Targaryen was visiting Stone Hedge when he saw the hills called the Mother's Teats, and renamed them Barba's Teats on account of their resemblance to his buxom mistress's breasts. After Barba was sent from court, Aegon took a new mistress, Melissa "Missy" Blackwood; Missy was slender, and Barba was heard to say that she was flat as a boy. When Aegon heard how Barba had disparaged his mistress, he renamed the hills Missy's Teats,

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Hoster Blackwood tells Ser Jaime Lannister why the Brackens and Blackwoods call the Teats by different names.

Family

Quotes

Missy's Teats, the Blackwoods call them, but they were Barba's first.

– Lord Jonos Bracken




Annotations from item #46264652:

Barbara Bracken is a member of House Bracken, a daughter of Lord Jonos Bracken of Stone Hedge.

Family




Annotations from item #46264653:

Barbrey Dustin is the Lady of Barrowton as the widow of Lord Willam Dustin. She was born into House Ryswell as the younger daughter of Lord Rodrik Ryswell.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Barbrey is tall, unbent, and handsome. She has wrinkles around her mouth and eyes, and her hair is equal parts brown and grey. She wears her hair tied behind her head in a widow's knot. She usually dresses all in black, but she sometimes accentuates her attire with vair.

While intelligent, Lady Dustin has grown into a bitter woman over the years. Her personal banner flying over the keep of Barrow Hall quarters the spiked crown and crossed long axes of House Dustin with the golden horse head of her father, Lord Rodrik Ryswell.

Barbrey is distrustful of maesters and refers to them as grey rats.

History

Barbrey is the surviving daughter of Rodrik Ryswell, Lord of the Rills, and is the sister of Roger, Rickard, and Roose. Their sister was Bethany, the late second wife of Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort.

Brandon Stark, the eldest son of Lord Rickard Stark, often rode the Rills while being fostered at Barrowton with old Lord Dustin. Infatuated with the heir of Winterfell, young Barbrey had an affair with Brandon, who took her maidenhead. Lord Rodrik hoped to wed his daughter to a Stark, but Lord Rickard betrothed his heir to Catelyn Tully of Riverrun. Barbrey claims Brandon did not want to wed Catelyn

The abduction of Lyanna Stark by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen led to the executions of Brandon and Lord Rickard Stark by King Aerys II Targaryen in King's Landing. Now Lord of Winterfell, Eddard returned to the north to call his banners for Robert's Rebellion. Not yet half a year into marriage, Willam rode off to war against Barbrey's objections. Barbrey gifted him with a fine red steed, the pride of her father's herd, and Willam swore he would return to her mounted on the horse.

Willam attended the wedding of Eddard and Catelyn at Riverrun during the war,

As her husband's widow, Barbrey continued to rule Barrowton in her own name. She was fond of her sister Bethany's son, Domeric Bolton, who served at Barrowton for four years as her page.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Lady Barbrey sent a minimal number of soldiers from Barrowton to join the army of Robb Stark, who was proclaimed King in the North and later killed in the Red Wedding.

Barbey is one of the signatories of the letters that Ramsay Bolton sends announcing that Moat Cailin has been retaken from the ironborn.

When Lord Roose Bolton learns that Stannis Baratheon has left the Wall, he decides to move Ramsay's wedding from Barrowton to Winterfell.

Among the snowmen that squires build along the battlements of Winterfell, one is a snow lady resembling Barbrey. Lady Dustin has Theon lead her into the crypts of Winterfell, where she explains much of her history and story to to him. Barbrey resents that Lord Eddard Stark returned the horse of her husband, Lord Willam Dustin, but not his bones after Robert's Rebellion. To spite Eddard's shade, Barbrey tells Theon that if Eddard's bones, which were heading north before Moat Cailin fell to the ironborn, are discovered north of the Neck she will ensure they are never put to rest in the crypts.

As tensions arise in snow-bound Winterfell, Barbrey and her brother, Ser Roger Ryswell, calm knights from House Manderly when Ser Hosteen Frey insults Lord Manderly. When Barbrey requests a more cheerful song than "The Winter Maid" during a meal, Abel sings "The Queen Took Off Her Sandal, the King Took Off His Crown" and "The Bear and the Maiden Fair". While she appears to be loyal to House Bolton, Barbrey bears a grudge against House Frey due to the fact that several of her own men were killed at the Red Wedding. She points this out to Ser Aenys Frey when several suspicious deaths occur in Winterfell.

Quotes by Barbrey

If I were queen, the first thing I would do would be to kill all those grey rats.

—Barbrey to Theon Greyjoy

Barbrey: The bride weeps ... Dressing her in grey and white serves no good if the girl is left to sob. The Freys might not care, but the northmen ... they fear the Dreadfort, but they love the Starks.
Theon: Not you.
Barbrey: Not me, but the rest, yes. Old Whoresbane is only here because the Freys hold the Greatjon captive. And do you imagine the Hornwood men have forgotten the Bastard's last marriage, and how his lady wife was left to starve, chewing her own fingers? What do you think passes through their heads when they hear the new bride weeping? Valiant Ned's precious little girl. Lady Arya's sobs do us more harm than all of Lord Stannis's swords and spears.

—Barbrey and Theon Greyjoy

Barbrey: Why do you love the Starks?
Theon: I ... I wanted to be one of them ...
Barbrey: And never could. We have more in common than you know, my lord.

—Barbrey and Theon Greyjoy

Barbrey: Lord Wyman is not the only one who lost kin at your Red Wedding, Frey. Do you imagine Whoresbane loves you any better? If you did not hold the Greatjon, he would pull out your entrails and make you eat them, as Lady Hornwood ate her fingers. Flints, Cerwyns, Tallharts, Slates ... they all had men with the Young Wolf.
Roger: House Ryswell too.
Barbrey: Even Dustins out of Barrowton. The north remembers, Frey.

—Barbrey and Roger Ryswell to Aenys Frey

Quotes about Barbrey

Lady Barbrey is a woman who knows how to nurse a grievance. Be grateful for that.

Roose Bolton to Ramsay Bolton

Family




Annotations from item #46264654:

Barneby is a maester of the Citadel of Oldtown who researched the First Men. His translations of runes support the claim of House Blackwood that they had once ruled most of the wolfswood before being driven from the north by the Kings of Winter.




Annotations from item #46264655:

Barra is a bastard daughter of King Robert I Baratheon. She is being raised in Chataya's brothel in King's Landing. Her mother is unnamed in *A Song of Ice and Fire, but is called Mhaegen in *Game of Thrones.

Contents

Appearance

An infant, Barra has fine, dark hair.

History

Barra's mother was a young virgin prostitute, who became pregnant when King Robert Baratheon visited Chataya's brothel. She named her daughter "Barra" after him.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

With the help of Petyr Baelish, Lord Eddard Stark finds Barra and her mother in his search for King Robert's bastards. The mother asks to see Robert again, just to show him how beautiful his daughter is. Eddard promises to talk about it with the king.

When Robert is dying, he tells Eddard to take care of his children. Eddard thinks of Barra and Robert's other bastards, and promises to protect them.

A Clash of Kings

Barra and her mother are killed by Allar Deem, an officer of the City Watch of King's Landing, on orders of Commander Janos Slynt, as Queen Cersei wanted Robert's bastards dead.

Quotes

Barra. Is that supposed to please me? Damn the girl. I thought she had more sense.

—King Robert Baratheon, to Eddard Stark

Varys: There was another bastard, a boy, older. I took steps to see him removed from harm's way ... but I confess, I never dreamed the babe would be at risk. A baseborn girl, less than a year old, with a whore for a mother, what threat could she pose?
Tyrion: She was Robert's. That was enough for Cersei, it would seem.

Varys and Tyrion Lannister

Family Tree




Annotations from item #46264656:

Barre is a septon on Dragonstone.

Contents

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Barre protests when the men sworn to Queen Selyse Florent burn his castle sept, and he is thrown into Dragonstone's jails, along with Lord Guncer Sunglass and the two surviving sons of Ser Hubard Rambton.

A Storm of Swords

Guncer and the Rambtons are burned by Melisandre and Selyse. It is not mentioned if Barre is burned alongside them.




Annotations from item #46264657:

Lord Barris Hightower was a head of House Hightower and Lord of Oldtown. He succeeded his father, Lord Triston Hightower. Barris gave the first crystal crown to the High Septon.




Annotations from item #46264658:

Barristan Selmy oversees the last preparations before the troops of Meereen attack the armies of Yunkai.

Contents

Synopsis

The Yunkish troops are shooting dead men into Meereen with six trebuchets, but despite their size, the trebuchets fail to get the corpses far into the city. Barristan rides through the western market square, remembering the time Daenerys took Meereen. The market has again become a scene of carnage, this time from the pale mare.

He ride Daenerys's silver, hoping that the horse's presence will inspire the warriors of Meereen to be brave, since Daenerys is gone. In addition, Barristan knows the horse has grown used to the presence of her dragons, who are now loose in the city. Tumco Lho, Larraq the Lash, and the Red Lamb ride with Selmy, carrying the banners of the Kingsguard and House Targaryen and a warhorn to sound the commands. The Stormcrows and five thousand Unsullied have gathered as well. Even the last few Dothraki who remain in Meereen have come to fight, and Barristan is surprised to see many pit fighters have gathered at the market square as well. They have always loved Hizdahr zo Loraq more than Daenerys, yet it seems that freedom means something to them after all.

The Brazen Beasts man the city walls to free up as many Unsullied as possible. Barristan reflects that if they lose the battle, it will be Skahaz mo Kandaq and his men who will have to hold Meereen against Yunkai until Daenerys's return. At every gate a force has gathered, the Stalwart Shields at the eastern gate, the Mother's Men at the south gate, and the Free Brothers and Symon Stripeback at the north gate. Barristan is certain that the Yunkai'i have more men than they do, and he feels that this attack he is planning goes against his instincts. Barristan's plans hinge upon the greed of the Tattered Prince.

Barristan gives a speech to the men assembled at the eastern market square. He repeats their plans for all to hear, and reflects that if he falls, Jokin will have the command, and Grey Worm after him. The realization that some of the men fear the pale mare more than they fear the enemy makes Barristan speak once more to his squires, about how every warrior is afraid before battle. He admits they are too few to win the battle, and their goal is to create chaos so the Unsullied will have enough time to form a spear wall. He is interrupted when the harpy on top of Meereen's Great Pyramid takes fire, their signal. The portcullis goes up, and Barristan dons his helm, ready for the battle.

Character List

Places and Terms Mentioned




Annotations from item #46264659:

Ser Barristan Selmy, also called Barristan the Bold, is a knight from House Selmy and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard of Robert I Baratheon.

Contents

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Barristan Selmy

Barristan is tall and has blue eyes which some consider to be sad.

Barristan is considered one of the most skilled and respected knights in the Seven Kingdoms,

A dutiful

Like other members of the Kingsguard, Barristan's plate armor, cloak, and shield are all in white.

History

Early life

A young Barristan slaying Maelys I Blackfyre during the War of the Ninepenny Kings, as depicted by Jose Daniel Cabrera Pena in *The World of Ice & Fire*.

Barristan was born the first son of Ser Lyonel Selmy, the Knight of Harvest Hall. He squired for Lord Manfred Swann in his youth.

An eminently successful tourney knight throughout his career, Barristan also proved his worth on the battlefield. During the War of the Ninepenny Kings Barristan slew Maelys I Blackfyre in single combat, ending the male line of the Blackfyre Pretenders. Barristan cut a bloody path through the Golden Company to reach Maelys.

Barristan was named to the Kingsguard at the age of twenty-three and swore his vows before Ser Gerold Hightower, while King Jaehaerys II Targaryen bestowed the white cloak on him.

Aerys II

Barristan continued to serve in the Kingsguard after Jaehaerys died and Aerys II Targaryen ascended the throne. In 277 AC, during the Defiance of Duskendale, King Aerys had been held hostage inside of the town for half a year. Lord Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King, was planning to storm Duskendale, but Barristan offered to personally attempt to retrieve the captive Aerys himself. Tywin gave him a day.

Disguised as a hooded beggar in the dead of night, Barristan climbed the walls of Duskendale, scaled the walls of the Dun Fort, and slew a sentry before the man could raise the alarm. Barristan freed Aerys from the dungeon and led him to the upper levels. During the escape attempt, Barristan slew two guards and Ser Symon Hollard, avenging the death of his sworn brother, Ser Gwayne Gaunt, who had been killed by Symon. Barristan and Aerys rushed to the stables, with the knight fending off those who tried to intervene. Mounted on stolen horses, the pair charged out the Dun Fort's gate and escaped through the streets of Duskendale.

When the band of outlaws known as the Kingswood Brotherhood caused problems, the king sent his Kingsguard on campaign in the kingswood. Barristan rescued Lady Jeyne Swann and her septa, and he killed the bandits' leader, Ser Simon Toyne, in single combat.

Barristan had greater difficulty keeping his vows in the later years of Aerys's reign, as the king became madder and crueler.

Robert's Rebellion

During Robert's Rebellion, after the defeat of Lord Jon Connington at the Battle of the Bells, Barristan and Ser Jonothor Darry of the Kingsguard were sent to rally the remnants of the loyalist army.

Barristan fought in the Battle of the Trident, during which he was wounded by arrow, spear, and sword

Because he had been wounded so badly, Barristan was not present in King's Landing when the bodies of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's children, Princess Rhaenys and Prince Aegon—slain during the Sack—were presented to Robert by Lord Tywin Lannister. Barristan later felt that if he had been present and Robert had smiled at the bodies, nothing would have stopped him from killing the man.

Robert I

Barristan considered seeking out Prince Viserys Targaryen, but the exile was too young to rule on his own and had already begun showing signs of Targaryen madness.

Having already had reservations about Ser Jaime Lannister due to the youth's age and inexperience, Barristan did not approve of Robert allowing Jaime to continue his service after having killed King Aerys II Targaryen in the Sack of King's Landing. Barristan was known to say that the Kingslayer's white cloak should be traded for a black one.

Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, knew Barristan when he was younger.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Barristan by Romain Leguay © Fantasy Flight Games

As the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Barristan travels together with Lord Renly Baratheon and Ser Ilyn Payne to the inn at the crossroads, to serve as an honor guard to the procession led by King Robert I Baratheon and his new Hand of the King, Lord Eddard Stark, on their way back to King's Landing from Winterfell.

During the Hand's tourney, Barristan is defeated by Ser Jaime Lannister after three tilts, having defeated men thirty and forty years younger in his first two contests.

As Lord Commander, Barristan is present at the small council meeting when King Robert orders the death of the pregnant Daenerys Targaryen, daughter to the late King Aerys II Targaryen. He and Eddard are the only council members who protest the move.

In an unprecedented move, as per Lord Varys's suggestion, Barristan is dismissed from the Kingsguard and the small council on grounds of old age, the implied accusation being that he did not keep King Robert safe. The Lannisters' motivations, however, are to allow Joffrey to give a white cloak to his "dog," Sandor Clegane, and to allow Queen Cersei Lannister to place her brother Jaime as the new Lord Commander with a seat on the small council. Outraged by his removal, Barristan throws down his sword and leaves the throne room. Joffrey orders the knight seized and questioned for a perceived threat uttered in the heat of his dismissal. Barristan enters the White Sword Tower to edit his White Book entry, dutifully recording his own dismissal.

While his kin at Harvest Hall would welcome Barristan back home, Barristan does not want to inflict Joffrey's displeasure on them. Instead, once outside of King's landing, Barristan sells his horse and disguises himself as a commoner, cloaked in his old age. He returns to the city in a stream of smallfolk, pretending to be fleeing from the war. Having grown a long white beard, Barristan is present in the crowd when Eddard Stark is executed before the Great Sept of Baelor. Following Lord Stark's death, Barristan goes to the sept to pray for Eddard's soul and thank the gods that he himself had only been dismissed. Reevaluating his years of service in Robert's Kingsguard, he admits that Robert had been a good knight, but a poor king. Barristan decides that he must find his true king and die in his service.

Lord Tywin Lannister considers Barristan's dismissal a folly. While Barristan is old, he still commands enough respect to make him a threat in case he chooses to back Stannis Baratheon or Robb Stark, and he cites it as one reason why he sends his son Tyrion as acting Hand to King's Landing to keep Joffrey better in check than Queen Cersei is capable of.

A Clash of Kings

Barristan as Arstan Whitebeard, by Amok ©

Renly Baratheon declares himself king and hopes that Ser Barristan's announcement that he is going to serve the true king refers to him. Renly keeps a cloak in his Rainbow Guard ready for Barristan in case the old knight offers him his sword. When he concludes that his hopes have been futile, Renly gives Barristan's spot on his Kingsguard to Brienne of Tarth, believing that Ser Barristan might have gone to Riverrun to support Robb Stark as king.

Following his decision to find his true king, Viserys Targaryen, Barristan crosses the narrow sea and travels to Pentos.

Barristan and Strong Belwas sail east on the three ships of Captain Groleo, which visit New Ghis before arriving at Qarth.

A Storm of Swords

Arstan Whitebeard kneels at Daenerys Targaryen's feet, by Sara K. Diesel © Fantasy Flight Games

Rather than sail to Pentos, Daenerys chooses to sail on Groleo's ships to Astapor to buy Unsullied. Barristan, still keeping his true identity a secret, discusses with Daenerys her dragons, her father, King Aerys II, and her brother, Prince Rhaegar. Ser Jorah Mormont distrusts Barristan and Belwas, pointing out that Barristan speaks out too brazenly for a mere squire.

Barristan is with Daenerys in the Plaza of Pride when they meet with Kraznys mo Nakloz, the Good Master selling Unsullied. Barristan disapproves of buying slaves, and when Daenerys asks how she is to win Westeros without an army, he replies that half of Westeros would support her because of Rhaegar. When she asks about her father, however, Barristan has little positive to say. He advises Daenerys that she should send envoys, and that even those that opposed her father might support her. after which she frees them from slavery.

When Daenerys announces her plan to take Yunkai, Barristan agrees with Jorah that she is Rhaegar's sister, adding that she is also a queen. While waiting for the results of the battle near Yunkai, Barristan and Daenerys discuss Rhaegar, the tourney at Harrenhal, and Summerhall.

During the siege of Meereen, Oznak zo Pahl rides out of the city on a white charger with a fourteen-foot lance, challenging the besiegers to send forth a champion. Barristan tells Daenerys that this challenge must be met, after which Daenerys decides that Belwas is the best choice.

Daenerys later decides that she will ride out amongst her people with only a limited guard. She is attacked by Mero, the former commander of the Second Sons, but Barristan easily dispatches him. The sellsword falls into the water and the freemen fall on his body.

Barristan begs forgiveness from Daenerys for withholding truths from her. Jorah recognizes Barristan and informs Daenerys that Barristan had betrayed House Targaryen to serve Robert I Baratheon. Barristan tells her that he is hers, if she will have him. He also explains he took Robert's pardon and served with men not worthy of a place in the Kingsguard, and that, when Joffrey Baratheon dismissed him aside and sent men to kill him, he realized that he had to find his true king. Barristan tells Daenerys he kept his identity a secret because he wanted to prevent the Lannisters from learning he had joined her. When Barristan insinuates that Jorah has been spying on Daenerys for Varys since her wedding to Drogo, Jorah affirms the accusation is true.

Daenerys captures Meereen by having Barristan, Jorah, and Belwas infiltrate the city through the sewers and release slaves. Afterward, Barristan shaves his beard and looks ten years younger. Daenerys reveals she had hoped that they would die in the sewers. Barristan admits he had kept his identity hidden to be certain that she did not have the taint of madness like her father had. Barristan tells the queen that her brother, Viserys, had more of the taint of her father, the Mad King. Rhaegar did not, and he sees no taint in her. He further tells her that he will do whatever she asks, and if she will not have him he would continue to serve Belwas. Daenerys accepts him in her service, and Barristan receives a sword from her, refusing to take one from anyone else. In contrast, Jorah is exiled from Meereen.

Daenerys realizes that Barristan had personally known her grandfather, King Jaehaerys II, and he could tell her more about where she came from. After he has been pardoned, Barristan tells Daenerys that her father's secrets, which he had overheard as a Kingsguard knight, now by rights belong to her. He explains that Aerys had not been mad initially, but that his lapses became worse over time, while her mother, Queen Rhaella, did her best to shield Viserys from his father's insanity. Daenerys decides she does not want to hear it at that moment, but that he should tell her more some other time. Barristan is among her advisors when she states she will not leave but stay and rule as a queen in Meereen.

A Dance with Dragons

Daenerys names Barristan the Lord Commander of her Queensguard

Barristan attempts to lead his queen down an honorable path towards the safety of Meereen. Barristan distrusts Daenerys's paramour, Daario Naharis, and he unsuccessfully suggests holding a tourney.

Grazhar instructs Grazhar zo Galare and other other noble boys in western chivalry.

When Yunkai marches on Meereen, Skahaz mo Kandaq advises Daenerys to remain within Meereen's strong walls while Barristan suggests defeating the Yunkai'i in the field. Selmy objects to allowing into Meereen refugees from Astapor, because of the danger of the bloody flux,

When Drogon begins attacking people in Daznak's Pit, Barristan tries to protect Daenerys by drawing the dragon's attention to himself. The queen ends up fleeing Meereen atop Drogon.

Barristan and the Brazen Beasts by Urukki Saki ©

After Daenerys's departure, Hizdahr replaces the royal advisors, but Barristan meets with Skahaz and Grey Worm.

Convinced that Hizdahr had attempted to assassinate Daenerys with poisoned locusts,

Barristan assumes the title of Hand, sending a reluctant Galazza Galare an envoy to the Yunkai'i and preventing Skahaz from executing hostages. Barristan refuses to hold court, instead holding a council session which plans for battle with Yunkai. A beacon system will be used to call the attack should the fragile peace between the sides be broken.

The Winds of Winter

The Yunkish threat in the second siege of Meereen has been augmented by the presence of the bloody flux. Ser Barristan notes that under normal circumstances, he would defend Meereen from behind its strong walls. However, because the Yunkish introduced the pale mare into Meereen by catapulting infected corpses over the walls, he resolves to ride out and meet his enemy on the field rather than watch the impending outbreak annihilate Meereen. On the eve of the offensive, he gives a pep talk to his newly anointed knights and soldiers. When his talk is interrupted by the arrival of dawn, Barristan orders the Red Lamb to "sound the attack".

Quotes by Barristan

Ian McElhinney as Barristan in *Game of Thrones*.

Varys: We are not unmindful of your service, good ser. Lord Tywin Lannister has generously agreed to grant you a handsome tract of land north of Lannisport, beside the sea, with gold and men sufficient to build you a stout keep, and servants to see to your every need.
Barristan: A hall to die in, and men to bury me. I thank you, my lords, but I spit on your pity ... I am a knight. I shall die a knight.

Varys and Barristan

Have no fear, sers, your king is safe... no thanks to you. Even now, I could cut through the five of you as easy as a dagger cuts cheese. If you would serve under the Kingslayer, not a one of you is fit to wear the white. Here, boy. Melt it down and add it to the others, if you like. It will do you more good than the swords in the hands of these five. Perhaps Lord Stannis will chance to sit on it when he takes your throne.

—Barristan denouncing his former sworn brothers

I took Robert's pardon, aye. I served him in Kingsguard and council. Served with the Kingslayer and others near as bad, who soiled the white cloak I wore. Nothing will excuse that. I might be serving in King's Landing still if the vile boy upon the Iron Throne had not cast me aside, it shames me to admit. But when he took the cloak the White Bull had draped about my shoulders, and sent men to kill me that selfsame day, it was as though he'd ripped a caul off my eyes. That was when I knew I must find my true king, and die in his service...

—Barristan to Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys: Can we win this fight?
Barristan: Men can always fight, Your Grace. Ask rather if we can win. Dying is easy, but victory comes hard.

Daenerys Targaryen and Barristan

Duskendale had been his finest hour, yet the memory tasted bitter on his tongue. It was his failures that haunted him at night, though. Jaehaerys, Aerys, Robert. Three dead kings. Rhaegar, who would have been a finer king than any of them. Princess Elia and the children. Aegon just a babe, Rhaenys with her kitten. Dead, every one, yet he still lived, who had sworn to protect them.

—thoughts of Barristan

Prince Rhaegar loved his Lady Lyanna and thousands died for it. Daemon Blackfyre loved the first Daenerys, and rose in rebellion when denied her. Bittersteel and Bloodraven both loved Shiera Seastar and the Seven Kingdoms bled. The Prince of Dragonflies loved Jenny of Oldstones so much he cast aside a crown, and Westeros paid the bride price in corpses. All three of the sons of the fifth Aegon had wed for love in defiance of their father's wishes. And because that unlikely monarch had followed his heart when he chose his queen, he allowed his sons to have their way, making bitter enemies when he might have made fast friends. Treason and turmoil followed, as night follows day, ending at Summerhall in sorcery, fire and grief.

—thoughts of Barristan

I am no Hand, a part of him wanted to cry out. I am only a simple knight, the queen's protector. I never wanted this. But with the queen gone and the king in chains, someone had to rule, and Ser Barristan did not trust the Shavepate.}

—thoughts of Barristan

I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too.

—Barristan addressing his men in the second siege of Meereen

Quotes about Barristan

Sansa: Even in the far north, the singers praise the deeds of Barristan the Bold.
Renly: Barristan the Old, you mean. Don't flatter him too sweetly, child, he thinks overmuch of himself already.

Sansa Stark and Renly Baratheon

Eddard: Ser Barristan is as valiant and honorable as any man in King's Landing.
Petyr: And as tiresome.

Eddard Stark and Petyr Baelish

Of these seven, only Ser Barristan Selmy is made of the true steel.

Varys to Eddard Stark regarding Robert I Baratheon's Kingsguard

And dismissing Selmy, where was the sense in that? Yes, the man was old, but the name of Barristan the Bold still has meaning in the realm. He lent honor to any man he served. Can anyone say the same of the Hound

Tywin Lannister to Tyrion Lannister after learning of Barristan's dismissal from the Kingsguard

The smallfolk talk of him the same way they talk of Serwyn of the Mirror Shield and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight.

Tyrion Lannister to Cersei Lannister

He has a good face, and great strength to him.

—thoughts of Daenerys Targaryen

I saw him perhaps a dozen times ... from afar, most often, standing with his brothers or riding in some tourney. But every man in the Seven Kingdoms knows Barristan the Bold ... Khaleesi, before you kneels Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who betrayed your House to serve the Usurper Robert Baratheon.

Jorah Mormont to Daenerys Targaryen

I learned from the White Bull and Barristan the Bold. I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, who could have slain all five of you with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right. I learned from Prince Lewyn of Dorne and Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Jonothor Darry, good men every one.

Jaime Lannister to Loras Tyrell, Osmund Kettleblack, Balon Swann, Meryn Trant, and Boros Blount

Ser Barristan is a valiant knight and true; but none, I think, has ever called him cunning.

Illyrio Mopatis to Tyrion Lannister

We should be heeding Selmy. When Barristan the Bold tells you to run, a wise man laces up his boots.

Gerris Drinkwater to Quentyn Martell

Queen's Hand. An old woman's hand, I am thinking, wrinkled and feeble.

Skahaz mo Kandaq to Barristan

Entry in the White Book

Ser Barristan of House Selmy. Firstborn son of Ser Lyonel Selmy of Harvest Hall. Served as squire to Ser Manfred Swann. Named "the Bold" in his 10th year, when he donned borrowed armor to appear as a mystery knight in the tourney of Blackhaven, where he was defeated and unmasked by Duncan, Prince of Dragonflies. Knighted in his 16th year by King Aegon V Targaryen, after performing great feats of prowess as a mystery knight in the winter tourney at King's Landing, defeating Prince Duncan the small and Ser Duncan the Tall, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Slew Maelys the Monstrous, last of the Blackfyre Pretenders, in single combat during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Defeated Lormelle Long Lance and Cedrik Storm, the Bastard of Bronzegate. Named to the Kingsguard in his 23rd year, by Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower. Defended the passage against all challengers in the tourney of the Silver Bridge. Victor in the mêlée at Maidenpool. Brought King Aerys II to safety during the Defiance of Duskendale despite an arrow wound in the chest. Avenged the murder of his Sworn Brother, Ser Gwayne Gaunt. Rescued Lady Jeyne Swann and her septa from the Kingswood Brotherhood, defeating Simon Toyne and the Smiling Knight, slaying the former. In the Oldtown tourney, defeated and unmasked the mystery knight, Blackshield revealing him to be the Bastard of Uplands. Sole champion of Lord Steffon's tourney at Storm's End, whereat he unhorsed Lord Robert Baratheon, Prince Oberyn Martell, Lord Leyton Hightower, Lord Jon Connington, Lord Jason Mallister, and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Wounded by arrow, spear, and sword at the Battle of the Trident whilst fighting beside his Sworn Brothers and Rhaegar Prince of Dragonstone. Pardoned, and named Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, by King Robert I Baratheon. Served in the honor guard that brought Lady Cersei of House Lannister to King's Landing to wed King Robert. Led the attack on Old Wyk during Balon Greyjoy's Rebellion. Champion of the tourney at King's Landing, in his 57th year. Dismissed by King Joffrey I Baratheon in his 61st year, for reasons of advanced age.

– the achievements of Barristan as recorded in the White Book by Gerold Hightower and Barristan himself




Annotations from item #46264660:

King Barron Durrandon, also known as Barron the Beautiful, was a Storm King of House Durrandon and the successor of Durran XI Durrandon. He is rememebered for having yielded up territories his grandfather had conquered and more.




Annotations from item #46264661:

Barrow Hall

The North and the location of Barrow Hall

Barrow Hall is a castle in the town of Barrowton in the North. It is the residence of House Dustin. The keep of House Stout near Barrowton's eastern gates is less than a mile away.

Built on the hill Great Barrow,

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Ramsay Bolton is upset that a feast is held for him by Harwood Stout at Goldgrass instead of Lady Barbrey Dustin at Barrow Hall, as Barbrey has banned Ramsay from her castle.

Lord Roose Bolton, who has called the northern bannermen to Barrowton, rides through the town to Barrow Hall with Theon Greyjoy. Flapping in the wind above its towers are the banners of Houses Bolton, Cerwyn, Tallhart, Manderly, Locke, Umber, Flint, Hornwood, Stout, and Slate, in addition to four different Ryswell banners. Above the northern banners is that of House Baratheon of King's Landing.

Once they reach the keep of Barrow Hall Theon sees the arms of House Dustin and the quartered arms of Lady Barbrey, whom Theon meets before the keep's hearth.




Annotations from item #46264662:

The Barrow Kings were a dynasty of kings from the barrowlands in what is now the north. They claimed to have been monarchs over all First Men and called themselves Kings of the First Men.

History

The Barrow Kings claimed descent from the First King of the First Men, who is said to be buried at Great Barrow at Barrowton.

Singers claim the Barrow Kings fought against the Kings of Winter, the Starks of Winterfell, north of the barrowlands, in the Thousand Years War, but runes of the First Men indicates the conflict lasted about two hundred years. When the last Barrow King submitted to Winterfell, the Stark king received his daughter in marriage. The Dustins of Barrowton claim descent from the First King and the Barrow Kings.

Maester Kennet's *Passages of the Dead* mentions a curse was supposedly placed on the Great Barrow, weakening and making corpselike any living man who dared to equal the First King. Some maesters think the corpse queen of the Night's King may have actually been a daughter of a Barrow King, as they were often connected with graves.




Annotations from item #46264663:

Barrowlands

The North and the location of the barrowlands

The barrowlands is an area of extensive plains between Winterfell and Moat Cailin in the North.

Most northmen follow the old gods, but barrow knights are mentioned by Maester Luwin.; it is unknown if some followers of the Faith live in the barrowlands, as it is closer to southern Westeros than most of the North, or if these knights follow the old gods.

Contents

History

The barrowlands is a region of wide, hilly plains covered with barrows, the ancient graves of the First Men.

Attendees of the tourney at Harrenhal included barrowdown men.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

After accepting the position of Hand of the King, Lord Eddard Stark travels with King Robert Baratheon south from Winterfell to King's Landing. While traveling through the barrowlands, the longtime friends temporarily depart from the kingsroad to ride amongst the plains.

While traveling through the barrowlands en route to Castle Black, Samwell Tarly sees snow for the first time.

Maester Luwin tells Bran Stark that barrow knights wait to join Robb Stark's army as it travels south from Winterfell.

A Clash of Kings

Luwin sends a raven to the barrowlands requesting a levy to assist in the Battle of Torrhen's Square.

A Dance with Dragons

Led by Lady Barbrey Dustin of Barrowton, the barrowlands support Lord Roose Bolton, the Warden of the North, after the death of King Robb Stark.

Using Barrowton as a base, Ramsay Bolton and the Bastard's Boys unsuccessfully search the barrowlands for the Frey envoys, Rhaegar, Symond, and Jared, who have gone missing after leaving White Harbor.

Quotes

Robert: Have we ridden onto a graveyard?

Ned: There are barrows everywhere in the north, Your Grace, this land is old.

Robert: And cold.

- Robert Baratheon to Eddard Stark

Chapters that take place in the barrowlands




Annotations from item #46264664:

Barrowton

The north and the location of Barrowton

Barrowton,.

Contents

Layout

Barrowton is centered around the large hill Great Barrow, on which was built the Dustins' castle, Barrow Hall.

History

The Great Barrow of Barrowton is said to contain the grave of the First King of the First Men or a King of the Giants.

Denys Snow, the Bastard of Barrowton, was killed fighting for Prince Aegon Targaryen in the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye.

Near the start of the Dance of the Dragons, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon gained the north for the cause of his mother, Rhaenyra Targaryen. After gathering men to Barrowton, Lord Roderick Dustin led his Winter Wolves south to join Rhaenyra's blacks.

According to a semi-canon source, there may be a cadet branch of the Starks in the town.

Against the wishes of his wife, Lady Barbrey Dustin, Lord Willam Dustin personally led the Barrowton levies during Robert's Rebellion. After Willam was slain in combat at the tower of joy, Lord Eddard Stark returned Willam's stallion, but not his bones, to Barrowton.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Barbrey Dustin, the Lady of Barrowton, sends a minimal number of troops from Barrowton when Robb Stark marches south to rescue his father, Lord Eddard Stark.

A Clash of Kings

After hearing of the ironborn threat to Torrhen's Square, Maester Luwin sends ravens to White Harbor, the barrowlands, and the wolfswood with instructions to summon their levies.

A Storm of Swords

Barrowton men in service to House Dustin are slain during the Red Wedding.

Maester Aemon sends a raven to Barrowton in a plea for help to defend Castle Black from wildlings.

A Dance With Dragons

A host from Barrowton joins the Ryswells in destroying ironborn ships on the Fever River

Melisandre tells Jon Snow she had a vision of a town with wooden walls and streets. Its banners depict a moose, a battle-axe, pine trees, longaxes, and a horse's head.

Following the surrender of Moat Cailin, the Boltons call upon the northern bannermen to assemble in Barrowton to pledge loyalty to the Iron Throne and attend the wedding of Ramsay to "Arya Stark", actually Jeyne Poole.

After hearing that Stannis Baratheon has taken Deepwood Motte, Lord Roose Bolton decides to move the wedding to Winterfell to strengthen Ramsay's claim and to goad Stannis into fighting. While riding from the Stouts' keep to Barrow Hall, Roose tells Theon Greyjoy about his sons Ramsay and Domeric Bolton.

A smith from Barrowton hammers a crude iron kraken brooch for Theon to wear for the wedding. Jeyne is protected by Lady Dustin during the journey from Barrowton to Winterfell. Barbrey brings furnishings from the town for Jeyne's bedchamber in Winterfell,

Within the crypt of Winterfell, Barbey confides to Theon that if the bones of Eddard Stark are found, they will not pass Barrowton.

Quotes

Fear is what keeps a man alive in this world of treachery and deceit. Even here in Barrowton the crows are circling, waiting to feast upon our flesh.

- Roose Bolton to Theon Greyjoy

Chapters that take place in Barrowton




Annotations from item #46264665:

Barsena Blackhair is a pit-fighter in the fighting pits of Meereen.

Contents

Appearance

Barsena is a tall, lean, dark woman.[*citation needed*]

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Along with her fellow pit fighters Khrazz, Camarron of the Count, Goghor the Giant, the Spotted Cat, Fearless Ithoke and Belaquo Bonebreaker, Barsena accompanies Hizdahr zo Loraq when he petitions Daenerys Targaryen for the seventh time for the fighting pits to be reopened.

During the reopening of the fighting pits to celebrate the marriage of Hizdahr and Daenerys, Barsena faces a boar with a sword instead of a spear. Despite her quickness and skill the boar manages to rip her open. Moments later Drogon descends into the arena, kills the boar, and begins to devour both corpses.

Quotes

All men must die, and women too... but not all will be remembered.




Annotations from item #46264666:

Barter Beach is a market of sorts on Talon, one of the Basilisk Isles. It is where the corsairs of the isles go to trade among themselves.




Annotations from item #46264667:
Annotation #1 for item #46264667: Wiki: Barth

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Barth was a septon who served as Hand of the King for Jaehaerys I Targaryen.

Contents

History

Barth was described as plain spoken but possessing of a brilliant mind. He was common-born, his father a blacksmith. After he joined the Faith, his intelligence was plain for all to see and saw his appointment to oversee the Red Keep's library a position he excelled in, attending to the king's books and records.

King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, who loved to read, became acquainted with Barth and the pair developed a friendship. The king saw Barth's worth and eventually named him his Hand of the King. Many lords of long and noble lineage were aghast at the appointment of a smith's son to this prestigious office. Barth excelled at the office, however, and served as Hand until his death. The forty years he was Hand are generally referred to as synonym for prosperity, much like the reign of Jaehaerys I.

With Barth's aid Jaehaerys reformed the realm more than any king who lived before. Jaehaerys created a unified code, so that from the north to the Dornish Marches the realm would share common law. Great works were implemented to improve King's Landing, such as sewers, drains and wells. Barth believed fresh water and the flushing away of offal and waste are essential to a city's health.

Barth was sent to Oldtown to forge a lasting agreement between the Iron Throne and the Faith of the Seven. This agreement took away the right of the Faith to conduct criminal trials while at the same time Jaehaerys pledged upon the Iron Throne that the crown would always defend the Faith. The great schism between crown and faith were healed by this accord.

While it was said that Queen Alysanne Targaryen was Jaehaerys's great love, Barth was his greatest friend. No man of humble birth ever rose so high as the plain spoken but brilliant septon.

Writings

Barth wrote an important corpus about dragons, *Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History*. When Jaehaerys I Targaryen was dying, his caregiver Alicent Hightower read to him; among the books were the writings of Barth.

Barth claimed that dragons were neither male nor female.

He also speculated that the bloodmages of Valyria used wyvern stock to create dragons.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

When Davos Seaworth feels insecure about his new position as Hand of the King to Stannis Baratheon due to his low birth, Maester Pylos reassures him by explaining the prosperous and peaceful tenures of the humbly-born Septon Barth and his time as Hand to illustrate that high birth does not equal ability.

A Feast for Crows

In Braavos, the dying Maester Aemon hears the talk of Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons emanating from Qarth. He tells Samwell Tarly that Daenerys is the one, born amidst salt and smoke and that the dragons prove it. Aemon explains to Sam that no one ever looked for a girl, it was a prince that was promised, not a princess. He tells Sam that dragons are neither male nor female; Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame.

Aboard the *Cinnamon Wind* Aemon's wits wander and his talk is all a jumble. He asks Sam to read for him from a book by Septon Barth, whose writings had been burned during the reign of Baelor the Blessed.

A Dance with Dragons

Aboard the *Shy Maid* while writing his dragonlore Tyrion Lannister thinks of the various books about dragons he would like to get his hands on. He is not hopeful concerning Septon Barth's *Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History. He recalls that Baelor the Blessed had ordered all Barth's writings destroyed when he came to the Iron Throne. Ten years ago, he had read a fragment of *Unnatural History that had eluded the Blessed Baelor, but he doubts that any of Barth's work found its way across the narrow sea.

Later, outside of Meereen on his way to the camp of the Second Sons, the escaped slave Tyrion sees that the Yunkai besiegers are making preparations in case Drogon should return. He knows how hard dragons are to kill and is scornful of these would-be dragonslayers, remembering Barth's writings in Unnatural History.

Quotes

As for birth, the dragonkings oft chose Hands from their own blood, with results as various as Baelor Breakspear and Maegor the Cruel. Against this you have, Septon Barth, the blacksmith's son the Old King plucked from the Red Keep's library, who gave the realm forty years of peace and plenty.

Maester Pylos to Davos Seaworth

What fools we were, who thought ourselves so wise! The error crept in from the translation. Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame. The language misled us all for a thousand years.

Maester Aemon, talking of the prince that was promised

Death comes out of the dragon’s mouth, but death does not go in that way.

– Barth in *Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History*

Annotation #2 for item #46264667: Wiki: (brewer) Barth

Barth is the brewer at Winterfell. His wife took Theon Greyjoy's virginity.




Annotations from item #46264668:

Lord Barthogan Stark, also called Barth Blacksword, was the fourth born son of Lord Cregan Stark, the third by his last wife Lady Lynara Stark.

History

Barthogan became Lord of Winterfell and head of House Stark after the death of his brother Jonnel, as Jonnel had no issue. He was killed when Skagosi rose up against Winterfell during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen.

Barthogan is entombed in the crypts of Winterfell.

Family




Annotations from item #46264669:

Bartimos Celtigar was a Lord of Claw Isle and a head of House Celtigar during the Dance of the Dragons.

History

Lord Bartimos was a member of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's black council during the Dance of the Dragons. He urged the queen to use her numerical advantage in dragons to take King's Landing from King Aegon II Targaryen, but Rhaenyra agreed with the cautious Prince Daemon Targaryen. After the Treasons of Tumbleton by the Two Betrayers, Bartimos urged Rhaenyra to arrest the other two baseborn dragonriders, Ser Addam Velaryon and Nettles.




Annotations from item #46264670:

Ser Bartimus is an old knight, one-legged, one-eyed, and oft drunk, the castellan of the Wolf's Den, He is a descendant of the First Men who lived at the mouth of the White Knife before the coming of the Manderlys. Though he is a knight he worships the old gods.

History

Ser Bartimus lost his leg to an unmanned horse falling on it and the Maester's saw. Wyman Manderly gave the Wolf's Den to him as a reward for saving his life at the Battle of the Trident.




Annotations from item #46264671:

The base of the Great Pyramid is at ground level.

Contents

About

The base is a hushed place, full of dust and shadows. Within the ground level walls, sounds echo off arches of many coloured brick, and amongst the stables, stalls, and storerooms.

Horses (including Daenerys' mare the Silver), mules and donkeys are stabled in the western walls, elephants in the eastern. Currently there are only three elephants within the pyramid.

Recent Events

Daenerys’s wedding procession- by Marc Fishman ©

A Dance with Dragons

Daenerys's wedding procession forms up inside the gates. The procession then heads to the Temple of the Graces.

When conspiring to arrest Hizdahr zo Loraq, Barristan Selmy and Skahaz mo Kandaq have a secret meeting by the stables. Missandei had transferred the message between them. The location had been chosen because the stables are always quiet after sunset. While there, Ser Barristan notes to himself that the silver and the elephants are at their proper places.




Annotations from item #46264672:

A basilisk, depicted with six legs, by Kevin Catalan ©

Basilisks are a kind of reptile, hideous

In some places, basilisks are used to fight other animals, such as dogs, with wagers made on the outcome. A basilisk is able to tear a large dog to pieces.

Basilisks are venomous, and are the source of basilisk venom.

Contents

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Tyrion Lannister sees basilisk venom in Grand Maester Pycelle's collection of medicines and poisons.

When Daenerys Targaryen is visiting the docks at the port of Qarth, she dismounts from her silver beside a gaming pit where a basilisk is tearing a big red dog to pieces amidst a shouting ring of sailors.

A Storm of Swords

Davos Seaworth sees basilisks among the gargoyles that adorn the fortress of Dragonstone.

A Feast for Crows

Arya Stark learns of the properties of basilisk blood paste from the Waif of the Faceless Men, and suspects it may be how Jaqen H'ghar caused Weese's spotted dog to go mad and kill him.

Cersei Lannister dreams of her visit to the tent of Maggy the Frog, which was lit by an iron brazier shaped like a basilisk's head.

A Dance with Dragons

In Meereen, the animal-headed brass masks of the Brazen Beasts include the heads of basilisks.




Annotations from item #46264673:

A map showing the location of the Basilisk Isles and Naath in blue.

The Basilisk Isles are a group of islands off the northwestern coast of Sothoryos, on the Summer Sea. They are named after the basilisks that once infested them.

The mud-and-blood towns of the Basilisk Isles teem with escaped slaves, slavers, skinners, whores, hunters, brindled men, and worse.

Life on the islands is described as nasty, brutal, and often short. The isles are hot, humid, and swarming with stinging flies, sand fleas, and bloodworms, making them unhealthy for both man and beast.

Contents

The Basilisks

The Basilisks off the northern coast of Sothoryos, with Naath to the west

History

Ruins on the Isle of Tears, the Isle of Toads, and Ax Isle indicate the presence of an ancient civilization, now lost, established during the Dawn Age. Maester Yandel speculates the inhabitants of the Isle of Toads may have a link to this vanished people.

The Old Empire of Ghis founded Gorgai on the Isle of Tears. The Valyrian Freehold captured it during the Third Ghiscari War and renamed it Gogossos. The dragonlords used it as a twisted penal colony for the worst criminals.

During the migration of their ten thousand ships, the Rhoynar stopped in the Basilisks for provisions but were attacked by corsair kings of Ax Isle, Talon, and the Howling Mountain, who put two score ships to the torch and carried off hundreds into slavery. The corsairs offered to allow the Rhoynar to settle on the Isle of Toads, provided they gave up their boats and sent each king thirty virgin girls and thirty pretty boys each year as tribute. Princess Nymeria refused and took her fleet to sea again.

Powerful Gogossos fell into ruin after an outbreak of the Red Death during the Century of Blood, and the Basilisks were shunned for a century until corsairs returned. The Qartheen pirate Xandarro Xhore eventually built a black fort at Ax Isle, while the Brotherhood of Bones settled on the Isle of Flies. In the aftermath of the Doom of Valyria, the islands became nests for pirates who attacked merchants attempting to avoid the Valyrian peninsula and Smoking Sea.

Volantis and other Free Cities periodically send fleets to clear out these pirates, with varying success. Saathos Saan of Lys joined the pirates and reigned as King of the Basilisk Isles for three decades.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Garin tells Arianne Martell that according to sailors in Planky Town, a new corsair king has risen in the Basilisk Isles and has raided Tall Trees Town.

A Dance with Dragons

It is revealed that Missandei and her brothers had been taken from their home in Naath by raiders from the Basilisk Isles and sold into slavery in Astapor.

After returning to Meereen, Daario Naharis tells Daenerys Targaryen that among the turncloaks who have come over to her side is an axeman from the Basilisk Isles, a brute bigger than Strong Belwas.

Among Ser Barristan Selmy's squires is a young former slave called Tumco Lho who is originally from the Basilisk Isles.

Victarion Greyjoy gives Red Ralf Stonehouse the Iron Fleet's swiftest ships to sail the corsair's road along the northern coast of Sothoryos and seek provisions through the iron price from towns in the Basilisk Isles. Victarion gave orders to reunite off the southern tip of the Isle of Cedars; only nine of the ships that had sailed with Ralf turn up, with Ralf himself among the missing.