Wallace Massey is a steward of the Night's Watch. He is the squire of Ser Denys Mallister, the commander of the Shadow Tower.
Ser Wallace Waynwood is the youngest son of Lady Anya Waynwood.
Wallace is not as muscular or tall as his nephew, Roland. He is long-faced and lantern-jawed, and has stringy brown hair and a pinched nose. He stutters.
Ser Wallace arrives with his mother, Lady Anya Waynwood, his nephew, Ser Roland Waynwood, and Ser Harrold Hardyng, at the Bloody Gate for the tournament hosted to decide on the first eight members of the Brotherhood of Winged Knights. Upon arrival, he is met by Alayne Stone and Myranda Royce. At the feast that evening, he dances with Alayne.
Wallen is a deserter from the Night's Watch.
Wallen is gaunt, with grey stubble.
Wallen is one of the group that encounters Bran Stark, who is left unattended during a hunt, in the wolfswood. The others are Osha, Stiv, Hali, and two unnamed man. Wallen and Stiv are deserters of the Night's Watch, and the rest are probably wildlings gone south to escape the Others.
The group tries to rob Bran, but Robb Stark, Summer, and Grey Wind defend the boy, with Grey Wind killing Wallen.
Only a Stark would be fool enough to threaten where smarter men would beg.
- Wallen to Bran Stark
Walrus-men are a mythical species in legends of the Known World. Some free folk of the Frozen Shore are also known as walrus men, but it is unknown if there is a connection.
Some stories claim the mazemakers of ancient Lorath were destroyed by maritime foes, such as merlings, selkies, or walrus-men.
Walter Whent was Lord of Harrenhal and head of House Whent during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen.
According to a semi-canon source, Walter was married to Shella Whent.[N 1] According to *A Game of Thrones* and *A Clash of Kings* Shella is also from House Whent.
Walter was as open handed as he was rich.
In 281 AC, the year of the false spring, Walter hosted the great tourney at Harrenhal to honor his maiden daughter.
Ser Jorah Mormont defeated a Lord Whent in the tourney at Lannisport in 289 AC; it is unknown if it was Walter or one of his descendants.
Ser Barristan Selmy remembers Walter as "Old Lord Whent".
With all the semi-canon and canon information taken into account, this is the current tree for House Whent as described in the main series.[N 1] Both Shella[N 2] and her husband, Walter, appear to have been Whents by birth. Their relation to each other, besides their marriage, is as of yet unknown. Until any confirmation is given, a clearer family tree showing all relations of the Whents cannot be depicted.
Walter Wyl was a son of the infamous Lord known as the Wyl of Wyl.
Walter fought for the first Vulture King during the reign of King Aenys I. During the Vulture Hunt, at the battle at Stonehelm, Walter was captured by Lord Orys Baratheon. Walter's father had chopped off Ory's sword hand during the First Dornish War, and in retaliation Orys chopped off Walter's sword hand, then his other hand, followed by both feet. He deemed this "usury".
Walton by cloudninja9©
Walton, known as Steelshanks Walton, is a captain in service to Lord Roose Bolton.* he is played by Jamie Michie.
See also: Images of Walton
Walton is a tall and dour man
Steelshanks is loyal and brutal, but not cruel.
Walton is a part of Lord Roose Bolton's force that captures Harrenhal. He assists with the executions of servants who aided House Lannister.
After Arya Stark escapes from Harrenhal, the girl thinks Roose will send Walton or Brave Companions to pursue her.
Walton commands Ser Jaime Lannister's escort of two hundred men from Harrenhal to King's Landing.
Upon their arrival at King's Landing, Walton and his men are rewarded the gold they were promised. Ser Balon Swann finds quarters for the Bolton men.
After Ser Gregor Clegane slays Prince Oberyn Martell in trial by combat, Walton takes possession of a girl claimed to be Arya. Walton's party departs the capital to bring the girl to Lord Roose, as the girl is to marry Ramsay Bolton and cement House Bolton's claim to Winterfell.
Walton commands Roose's guards while the new Warden of the North stays in Barrowton.
Walton travels with Lord Bolton to Winterfell for the wedding of Ramsay to "Arya" (actually Jeyne Poole).
Jaime: Unless you take me back to Harrenhal, the song I sing my father may not be one the Lord of the Dreadfort would wish to hear. I might even say it was Bolton ordered my hand cut off, and Steelshanks Walton who swung the blade.
Walton: That isn't so.
Jaime: No, but who will my father believe?—Jaime Lannister and Walton
Steelshanks, he is called. A soldier of iron loyalty.
Steelshanks Walton commanded Jaime's escort; blunt, brusque, brutal, at heart a simple soldier. Jaime had served with his sort all his life. Men like Walton would kill at their lord's command, rape when their blood was up after battle, and plunder wherever they could, but once the war was done they would go back to their homes, trade their spears for hoes, wed their neighbors' daughters, and raise a pack of squalling children. Such men obeyed without question, but the deep malignant cruelty of the Brave Companions was not a part of their nature.
—thoughts of Jaime Lannister
Walton Frey is a member of House Frey, third born son of Ser Stevron Frey and first born to Marsella Waynwood. He is married to Deana Hardyng, with whom he has three children, Steffon, Walda and Bryan Frey.
King Walton Stark, better known as Walton the Moon King, was King in the North and Lord of Winterfell. He is buried in the crypts beneath Winterfell.
Ser Walton Towers was one of King Maegor I Targaryen's best knights. He became Lord of Harrenhal and the founder of House Towers of Harrenhal.
After King Maegor I Targaryen wiped out House Harroway in 44 AC, he decreed that the strongest of his knights would have Harrenhal, though not the lands House Harroway held separatly from Harrenhall, which he gave to others.
Waltyr Frey, called Tyr, is the twenty-first born son of Lord Walder Frey, the third son of his marriage to Annara Farring. making Waltyr's parentage dubious.
Maester Walys was a maester of the Citadel.
Walys was born a bastard son of a Hightower girl and an Archmaester of the Citadel. After forging his chain, he served at Winterfell when Lord Rickard Stark was head of House Stark. Lady Barbrey Ryswell believes that Walys instigated Lord Rickard's "southron ambitions", including the marriage of his son Brandon to Catelyn Tully.
Because of the personal items in Archmaester Walgrave's strongbox, and the similarity of Walgrave's and Walys's names, some suspect he was the Archmaester who fathered Walys.
Walys Mooton was a Lord of Maidenpool and a head of House Mooton.
Following the battle of Rook's Rest in the Dance of the Dragons, Lord Walys desired to recover Rook's Rest for the blacks and Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. Walys led a hundred knights from Maidenpool and joined with soldiers from the Crabbs, Brunes, and Celtigars. They took the greens' garrison at Rook's Rest by surprise and recovered the castle. Afterwards. Walys led his bravest soldiers to the field west of Rook's Rest to kill the injured dragon Sunfyre. The attackers failed to kill the dragon, however. Three score were killed, including the charred Lord Walys, before the survivors fled. Walys was succeeded as Lord of Maidenpool by his brother, Manfryd Mooton.
The wanderers are seven moving stars visible in the sky over the known world. They are presumably other planets in the same solar system as the world of Westeros, given that the word "planet" means "wanderer".
Among the Faith of the Seven, the wanderers are considered sacred, and each are equated with a god. The red wanderer is one of them.
Yoren's Task by Piotr Chrzanowski. © Fantasy Flight Games (FFG)
A "wandering crow" is a recruiter for the Night's Watch. Members of the black brothers are sometimes called crows, and their recruiters are allowed to travel the Seven Kingdoms seeking new members.
The decline in prestige of the Night's Watch has led to fewer members of the nobility agreeing to join.
The War Across the Water, known to some as the Worthless War, was the war between the Arryn Kings of Mountain and Vale and the Stark Kings in the North over the rule of the Three Sisters in the Bite. The war is described in Archmaester Perestan's *A Consideration of History*.
The war was the result of the Rape of the Three Sisters two thousand years ago, when the northmen of House Stark occupied the previously-independent Three Sisters. In response, the Sistermen bent the knee to King Mathos II Arryn in exchange for the Vale of Arryn's assistance in driving out the northmen.
Mathos sailed for Sisterton with a hundred warships. Although he never returned from war, his sons and descendents continued the fight against the northmen for a thousand years.
A northern castle, the Wolf's Den at the mouth of the White Knife, was besieged by King Osgood Arryn and burned by his son, Oswin the Talon. although it is unknown if this was part of the Worthless War or during a different time.
The war ended when House Stark simply lost interest in ruling the Three Sisters.
War for the Stepstones occurred when Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lord Corlys Velaryon fought a series of land and naval battles with the Triarchy for control of the Stepstones, islands between the Broken Arm and the Disputed Lands in the southern narrow sea.
After defeating Volantis in 96 AC, the Triarchy of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh invaded the Stepstones to subdue outlaws and pirates living in the islands. While the Seven Kingdoms were appreciative at first, they came to resent the high tolls imposed by the Free Cities on trade in the narrow sea. Foremost among the aggrieved Westerosi was the Sea Snake, Lord Corlys Velaryon of Driftmark.
After his older brother, King Viserys I Targaryen, refused to name him heir, Prince Daemon Targaryen decided to establish his own kingdom. Daemon joined forces with Corlys in trying to wrestle control of the Stepstones from the so-called Three Daughters. While Corlys commanded the fleet, Daemon led an army of sellswords, cutthroats, landless adventurers, and second sons.
In 106 AC, Daemon invaded the Stepstones atop his dragon, Caraxes. Despite inferior numbers, they inflicted a string of defeats on the Triarchy for two years before Daemon slew Craghas Drahar in single combat with his blade, Dark Sister. By 109 AC, Daemon's armies controlled all but two of the Stepstones, and the Sea Snake's fleets had naval supremacy. Daemon chose the title King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea and received his crown from Corlys. Daemon's kingdom was supported financially by the Iron Throne.
In 110 AC, however, the Triarchy dispatched a counterattack led by Racallio Ryndoon, supported by newly-acquired Dornish allies. Fighting continued in 111 AC, when King Daemon withdrew to court at King's Landing for six months. Daemon struggled to defend the Stepstones against the Triarchy and their allies from Dorne.
Upon hearing of the death of his estranged wife, Lady Rhea Royce, in 115 AC, Daemon left his seat at Bloodstone in the Stepstones and attempted to claim Runestone in the Vale of Arryn. Although he failed to acquire Rhea's inheritance, Daemon then married Corlys's daughter, Laena Velaryon, and abandoned the Stepstones altogether. Five other men followed him as King of the Narrow Sea before the Triarchy and Dornish alliance ended the sellsword kingdom he had created.
The War of Three Princes is one of the Rhoynish Wars, fought between the Valyrians and the Rhoynar.
First Men cut down trees and burned them
First Men slay the children of the forest
The war of the First Men and the children of the forest took place during the Dawn Age.
Prior to the arrival of the First Men on the continent of Westeros, the children of the forest reigned supreme throughout the land. Then, twelve thousand years ago the First Men arrived from Essos across the Arm of Dorne. As the First Men spread throughout the land and built their holdfasts, they cut down trees and burned them. This infuriated the children of the forest, who worshipped trees. They declared war on the First Men.
The two races fought a desperate war for dominance, supposedly resulting in the destruction of the Arm of Dorne and the flooding of the Neck through the magic of the greenseers of the children of the forest. The greenseers are also said to have turned trees into warriors.
After years of warfare, before they fought one another to a standstill, the two sides agree to a truce, signing the Pact on the Isle of Faces, agreeing to peacefully coexist and granting the open lands to humanity and the forests to the children. In time, the First Men abandoned the gods they had brought from Essos and adopted the gods of the children of the forest. With the signing of the Pact, the Dawn Age ended and the Age of Heroes began. The Pact lasted for four thousand years before the enigmatic Others invaded from the Lands of Always Winter, bringing death and destruction to both races in the Long Night. The Pact between the children and humanity ended with the arrival of new invaders, beginning with the Andals.
The War of the Five Kings is a large, multi-theater conflict fought in Westeros from 298 AC until 300 AC, though some hostilities have resumed as a new claimant to the Iron Throne has arisen as well as a new King of the Iron Islands. As the name implies, over the course of the war five men claim the title of king: Joffrey Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, and Renly Baratheon all claim the Iron Throne, whilst the separatists Robb Stark and Balon Greyjoy attempt to secede their lands from the rule of the Iron Throne, with Robb claiming the titles of King in the North and King of the Trident and Balon claiming to be King of the Isles and the North.
The War of the Five Kings is the principal military conflict depicted in the first three novels of the *A Song of Ice and Fire* series, *A Game of Thrones, *A Clash of Kings and *A Storm of Swords, and its aftermath and successor conflicts continue in the latest two novels, *A Feast for Crows and *A Dance with Dragons*.
Lord Robert Baratheon of Storm's End was one of the leaders of the rebellion that overthrew King Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, ending the Targaryen Dynasty.
However, King Robert's brother, Stannis, eventually became suspicious of the legitimacy of Robert’s three children. He shared his suspicions with Lord Jon Arryn, still serving as the Hand of the King. Together, they investigated the case and concluded that the children were not Robert's, but the product of incest between Queen Cersei and her twin brother Jaime. Before they are able to address the issue to the King, however, Lord Arryn unexpectedly dies. While King Robert travelled North to appoint a new Hand of the King, Stannis, suspecting that Arryn had been murdered by the Lannisters because of their discovery regarding Cersei’s children, fled to his own stronghold on the island of Dragonstone.
Thus, Robert remained oblivious to these suspicions concerning his children, and travelled with a large part of the royal court to Winterfell to appoint his old friend, Lord Eddard Stark, as Arryn's successor as Hand of the King.
While the royal court is at Winterfell, Lord Eddard's younger son Bran accidentally witnesses a romantic moment between Queen Cersei and Ser Jaime, and is thrown from a tower window to silence him.
While Lord Eddard begins investigating Arryn's death, Catelyn crosses paths with Tyrion Lannister at the crossroads inn. Deciding to arrest him, Catelyn charges him with the attempt on Bran's life, which leads to the start of conflicts in the riverlands.
Meanwhile in King's Landing, Eddard’s investigation into Arryn's death has eventually independently led him to discover the truth about Queen Cersei's children. He confronts her about the matter, offering her the option to flee, which she refuses.
After Robert's death, Eddard attempts a coup, sharing with the small council that Robert's brother Stannis, and not Joffrey, is Robert's true heir. He is betrayed by Petyr Baelish and the City Watch, however, and arrested and imprisoned by the Lannisters.
The sigils of the five factions during the War of the Five Kings. From left to right: House Stark of Winterfell, House Baratheon of King's Landing, House Greyjoy of Pyke, House Baratheon of Storm's End, and House Baratheon of Dragonstone
by Garyck Arntzen.
The King on the Iron Throne: Joffrey Baratheon, the ostensible heir of King Robert I Baratheon. Joffrey is initially supported by the westerlands under House Lannister and by the royal crownlands sworn directly to the Iron Throne.
The King in Highgarden: Renly Baratheon, the youngest brother of King Robert. Despite possessing no rightful claim to the throne, as lord of Storm's End, Renly commands the loyalty of the stormlands and earns the support of the Reach by marrying Margaery Tyrell of Highgarden.
The King in the North and the Trident: Robb Stark, the heir of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell. Proclaimed king by his bannermen, Robb is supported by his own northern lords and by the river lords sworn to his mother Catelyn's family, House Tully.
The King in the Narrow Sea: Stannis Baratheon, the elder of King Robert's younger brothers. Initially supported at Dragonstone only by the lords of the narrow sea, Stannis gains the loyalty of the majority of the storm lords as well as House Florent and briefly both branches of House Fossoway and other minor houses from the Reach.
The King of the Isles and the North: Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands. Having failed in a previous attempt at independence, the war gives Balon another opportunity. He is supported by the lords and captains of the Iron Islands.
According to Archmaester Benedict, the name of the conflict is incorrect because Renly Baratheon is slain before Balon Greyjoy crowns himself, meaning that there are never technically five kings at once.
The War of the Five Kings begins as a local conflict when Catelyn Stark seizes Tyrion Lannister for the attempted murder of her son Bran.
In response to the kidnapping of his younger brother, Ser Jaime Lannister attacks Lord Eddard Stark and his companions in the streets of King's Landing, resulting in the deaths of several House Stark guards and a broken leg for Eddard.
Rather than return to Winterfell, Catelyn brings Tyrion to her sister, Lady Lysa Arryn, at the Eyrie.
When Ser Edmure Tully of Riverrun discovers that the Lannisters are raising a host, he demands that Lord Tywin proclaim his intent. When no response comes back from Casterly Rock, the Tully banners are called to Riverrun and Lords Vance and Piper are commanded to guard the main pass between the westerlands and the riverlands at the Golden Tooth.
Open hostilities begin when Lord Tywin dispatches his bannerman Ser Gregor Clegane to raid the riverlands disguised as a common brigand. The raids create chaos and force many river lords to return to their own keeps rather than attend the general muster at Riverrun.
Not long after, Eddard confronts Cersei Lannister, informing her that he has discovered the truth about the parentage of Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen. He offers her a chance to flee,
When word of Lord Eddard’s arrest arrives in Winterfell, Robb Stark calls his father’s bannermen together and marches south with a hastily assembled host of twelve thousand men, At the same time, Lord Tywin launches his planned invasion of the riverlands.
The Lannisters' riverlands campaign: 1.Golden Tooth, 2.Mummer's Ford, 3.Riverrun, 4.Conquering the riverlands
Battle near the Golden Tooth. The Lannister invasion of the riverlands begins when Ser Jaime Lannister descends on the riverlands with fifteen thousand men. Attacking from the west, in the opening battle of the war Jaime easily breaks the men under Lords Vance and Piper guarding the border near the Golden Tooth. Lord Vance is slain and Lord Piper is forced to retreat back to Riverrun with the Lannisters on his heels.
Battle at the Mummer's Ford. While crossing the Mummer's Ford, Lord Beric Dondarrion's force of around a hundred men, sent to bring Gregor Clegane to justice, is ambushed by Clegane and Lord Tywin. Dondarrion's force is nearly wiped out; Lord Lothar Mallery, Ser Raymun Darry, and Ser Gladden Wylde are all killed, as are most of the Stark guardsmen sent along by Eddard Stark.
Battle near Riverrun. After his victory at the Golden Tooth, Jaime Lannister advances to meet the massed power of House Tully outside the walls of Riverrun. The overwhelming number of Lannisters puts the river lords to rout and Ser Edmure Tully and many others are taken captive. However, Lord Tytos Blackwood manages to lead some of the survivors back within Riverrun, forcing the Lannisters to lay siege to the castle.
Conquering the riverlands. After defeating Dondarrion, Lord Tywin leads his twenty thousand men northeast toward the ruby ford, conquering much the riverlands around the Trident. With Lord Blackwood besieged in Riverrun, Tywin takes Raventree Hall. Lady Shella Whent surrenders Harrenhal due to a lack of defenders. Meanwhile, Ser Gregor Clegane burns the lands of the Pipers and Brackens.
With its armies broken and scattered, its seat of power besieged, and its heir Edmure Tully captured, the war is essentially lost for House Tully. Although Ser Marq Piper and Lord Karyl Vance begin guerrilla raids and Lord Jason Mallister falls back to his stronghold at Seagard, the only hope for the Tullys lies with the northmen, who are held in check by the Green Fork and the second Lannister host under Lord Tywin.
The Lannisters meet their first real opposition when House Stark enters the war on behalf of House Tully, in response to the arrest of Lord Eddard Stark. After assembling his force on the march, Robb Stark arrives at Moat Cailin with eighteen thousand men, where he is joined by his mother Catelyn and a final fifteen hundred men from White Harbor, bringing his total close to twenty thousand men. Moat Cailin is a formidable defensive position that has defeated countless southron invaders in the past. Here Robb garrisons a small force, consisting mostly of archers, to hold the ruin. Additionally, Robb sends word to Howland Reed to have the crannogmen bleed any Lannister attempt to come north. However, Robb knows Lord Tywin is too smart to try and will stay close to the Trident, taking castles one by one.
Robb has no choice but to move south, but his options are limited. To relieve Riverrun, he must cross the Green Fork either at the Twins (where House Frey has remained decidedly neutral) or at the ruby ford (which Lord Tywin can easily seal off). Eventually, Robb decides to do both. Splitting his horse and foot, Robb sends the foot with Lord Roose Bolton down the kingsroad to engage Lord Tywin, while secretly crossing with his horse at the Twins to race to Riverrun and surprise the besiegers. In exchange for his crossing and the support of the Freys (who provide four thousand men), Catelyn takes two of Lord Walder Frey's grandsons to ward, and Robb agrees to marry one of Lord Walder's daughters.
Robb's riverlands campaign: 1.Camp at Moat Cailin 2.Advance to the Twins 3.Green Fork 4.Whispering Wood 5.Battle of the Camps
Battle on the Green Fork. After parting with Robb at the Twins, Roose Bolton marches down the kingsroad with roughly nineteen thousand six hundred men,[N 1] mostly infantry, to engage Lord Tywin.
Battle in the Whispering Wood. After secretly crossing at the Twins with his cavalry,
Battle of the Camps. The night after the Whispering Wood, Robb is able to catch the Lannister forces besieging Riverrun completely off-guard.
The execution of Eddard Stark. Cersei Lannister's greatest fear at the outbreak of the war is that Stannis Baratheon will capture King's Landing before the Lannisters can consolidate their position. To prevent this, she needs peace with the Starks and is willing to make a deal: if Eddard will confess to treason, order Robb to make peace, and declare Joffrey the true heir, he will be allowed to take the black. To ensure Eddard’s compliance, the spymaster Varys points out that Eddard's daughter Sansa (now a ward of the crown) is also liable to be executed if he refuses.
Retreat to Harrenhal. News of Eddard Stark's execution, his son Jaime's capture, and Renly Baratheon's coronation is discussed by Lord Tywin at the crossroads inn as he is on the march from his victory on the Green Fork to Riverrun. His army is now in a precarious position: Robb Stark sits to the west across his supply lines, Roose Bolton has reformed his army to the north, and Renly Baratheon in marching up from the south. Meanwhile, Stannis Baratheon lurks on Dragonstone, within striking distance of the capital. In response, Lord Tywin retreats south to Harrenhal and dispatches three raiding parties under Ser Gregor Clegane, Ser Amory Lorch, and Vargo Hoat to set the riverlands afire from the Gods Eye to the Red Fork. To prevent any more political blunders like the execution of Eddard, Tywin dispatches his son Tyrion to King's Landing to serve as Hand of the King in his place.
Reclaiming the Trident. When news of Eddard Stark's death reaches Riverrun, his son Robb is proclaimed King in the North by his northern bannermen as well as the river lords.
Sack of Darry. The recapture of Darry does not last long. Less than a fortnight after the castle is recaptures, Ser Gregor Clegane attacks with his fierce company. After his victory over the garrison, Clegane has the entire household put to the sword, including the young Lord Lyman, which ends the male line of House Darry.
With the deaths of King Robert I Baratheon and Lord Eddard Stark, the realm sees the rise of multiple kings trying to fill the void. Robert's supposed son Joffrey Baratheon assumes the Iron Throne in King's Landing. Unable or unwilling to accept Joffrey as king, four rival kings soon arise to contest for power in Westeros. In order of proclamation, the kings are:
King Renly Baratheon, the youngest brother of the late King Robert. After failing to convince Eddard Stark to seize power while Robert lies dying, Renly flees to Highgarden.
King Robb Stark, the eldest son of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell. Following the execution of his father, Robb Stark is proclaimed the King in the North and King of the Trident by his bannermen.
King Stannis Baratheon, the eldest living brother of King Robert. Having fled to Dragonstone following Jon Arryn's death,
King Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands. As soon as word of unrest within the Seven Kingdoms reaches Lord Balon, he begins calling his banners and seizing every ship in the Iron Islands in preparation for a second rebellion.
Having set his sights on the north, King Balon Greyjoy plans three main strikes for his initial invasion. He sends his brother Victarion with the Iron Fleet to seize Moat Cailin, which has protected the north from southern invasion for thousands of years, in order to cut off the northmen from their lands. He sends his daughter and preferred heir Asha Greyjoy with a dozen ships to take Deepwood Motte. He sends his recently-returned son Theon to raid the Stony Shore as a distraction for his main strikes. With these moves, Balon believes the whole western coast of the north will fall into ironborn hands.
Ironborn campaign: in black: the ironmen forces.In blue: Stark loyalists. In Red: Bolton forces. 1.Moat Cailin. 2.Deepwood Motte. 3.Stony Shore 4.Fight at Torrhen's Square 5.Capture of Winterfell 6.Winter town 7.Sack of Winterfell 8.Capture of Torrhen's Square
Fall of Moat Cailin. Victarion Greyjoy leads the entire Iron Fleet of a hundred ships up the Saltspear to attack Moat Cailin. By attacking from the north, Victarion is able to bypass the natural defenses of the fortress and easily defeat the northmen. By capturing Moat Cailin, the Greyjoys control the route home for the Stark host, stranding Robb in the riverlands and allowing Balon to execute the rest of his plan.
Taking of Deepwood Motte. Asha Greyjoy leads a dozen ships around Sea Dragon Point to attack the small wooden keep of House Glover located just off the coast.
Harrying of the Stony Shore. Theon Greyjoy, under the supervision of Aeron Greyjoy and Dagmer Cleftjaw, leads eight ships along the Stony Shore to burn fishing villages and take salt wives.
Fight at Torrhen's Square. On Theon's orders, Dagmer Cleftjaw besieges the small keep of Torrhen's Square in a ruse to draw out Ser Rodrik Cassel and the household guard of Winterfell.
Capture of Winterfell. With the garrison absent, Theon storms Winterfell at night with about thirty men, overwhelming the few remaining guards and conquering the mighty castle with ease. After convincing the young Prince Bran Stark to yield, Theon declares himself the Prince of Winterfell and takes Ramsay Snow, disguised as "Reek," as a retainer. Bran and Rickon Stark, Little Walder and Big Walder Frey, Meera and Jojen Reed, and Beth Cassel are among the hostages.
Battle at Winterfell and sack of Winterfell. Theon Greyjoy’s occupation of Winterfell hinges on his sister arriving with reinforcements from Deepwood Motte. However, Asha does not bring the requested men. Instead, she berates Theon for attempting to hold a castle so far from resupply by sea and for killing Bran and Rickon Stark rather than keeping them as hostages. Then she urges him to burn the castle and return to Deepwood with her, but Theon refuses.
Capture of Torrhen's Square. Dagmer Cleftjaw returns to Torrhen's Square. The sparsely defended keep is easily stormed by the ironmen, who take the Tallhart household captive.
In the riverlands, after the Battle of the Camps, Lord Tywin Lannister is content to wait at Harrenhal, providing for his forces by pillaging the riverlands while Ser Stafford Lannister raises a new army near Lannisport.
In Blue: Stannis and allies. In Red: Lannisters and allies. In green: Renly and allies. 1.Siege of Storm's End. 2.Battle at Bitterbridge. 3.Battle of the Fords 4.Battle of the Blackwater
Plot to free Jaime Lannister. Taking advantage of Ser Cleos Frey's status as an envoy, Tyrion Lannister has a mummer, a poisoner, a thief and a murderer recruited and disguised as part the Lannister escort that is to accompany Ser Cleos back to Riverrun. All the envoys are welcomed by Edmure Tully and given freedom of the castle. The murderer kills two guards, the thief opens Jaime's cell, and the mummer imitates Edmure's voice to order the River Gate to be opened. The scheme fails, however, and Jaime is imprisoned in the dungeon.
Battle of Oxcross. Marching west with his northmen, Robb bypasses the Golden Tooth using a secret mountain path discovered by his direwolf, Grey Wind. He surprises Stafford Lannister's newly-raised host near Lannisport when they neglect to post enough sentries. The easy victory devastates Lannister power in the region and allows Robb to ride at will through the westerlands.
Riot of King's Landing. As a result of the famine caused by Mace Tyrell closing the roseroad to keep foodstuff from reaching the capital,
Scouring of the westerlands. After Oxcross, Robb's army takes the nearby castle of Ashemark, seat of House Marbrand. Lacking the strength to capture Casterly Rock or Lannisport without support from House Greyjoy, Robb and his host continue to scour the westerlands: Galbart Glover and Rickard Karstark raid along the coast, Maege Mormont captures thousands of livestock, and Greatjon Umber captures the gold mines at Castamere, Nunn's Deep, and Pendric Hills.
Siege of Storm's End. King Stannis arrives in the stormlands with his five thousand men and lays siege to Storm's End, the seat of his younger brother, King Renly.
Fighting at Bitterbridge. After news of Renly's death reaches the remaining sixty thousand men still camped at Bitterbridge,
Battle of the Fords. Intent on defending his lands from King Robb Stark, Lord Tywin marches west from Harrenhal with his twenty thousand men.
The Lannister-Tyrell alliance. The Battle of the Fords has great influence on the outcome of the war. Edmure Tully's tactical victory soon proves to be a huge strategic loss. Lord Tywin's advance is delayed just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of Stannis's threat to King’s Landing. Tywin immediately turns his host south to join up with Lords Mathis Rowan and Randyll Tarly near the headwaters of the Blackwater Rush. From there a forced march takes them to Tumbler's Falls, where Lord Mace Tyrell and his sons wait with their huge host and a fleet of barges. Together, the Lannisters and Tyrells float down the river to disembark half a day’s ride from the capital.
Fall of Harrenhal. Having advanced to the crossroads inn along with Helman Tallhart's garrison from the Twins, Roose Bolton occupies the ruby ford.
Storming of the Crag. Back in the westerlands, Robb assaults the half-ruined castle of the Crag
Battle of the Blackwater. In preparation of the defense of King's Landing, Cersei Lannister arranges for the production of vast amounts of wildfire., the majority of his army is destroyed.
In the aftermath of the Battle of the Blackwater, hundreds of new knights are made and several new lords are created to replace those killed in the battle. All those who fought for Stannis and do not repent are attainted and their lands are given to men loyal to the Iron Throne. In this way, the Lannisters and Tyrells take control of the stormlands with the exception of Storm's End, which holds out for Stannis.
The Lannister-Tyrell alliance is formalized by the betrothal of King Joffrey to Margaery Tyrell, the widow of King Renly Baratheon. As reward for his part in brokering the alliance, Petyr Baelish is promoted to the lordship of Harrenhal and declared Lord Paramount of the Trident.
The Battle of the Blackwater turns the tides for House Lannister. King Stannis Baratheon no longer has the strength to press his claim while King Joffrey I Baratheon's power is cemented by the new Lannister-Tyrell alliance. In addition, Tyrion Lannister, acting Hand of the King, has previously bound Dorne to Joffrey's cause by betrothing Princess Myrcella to Trystane Martell., continues to resist Robb Stark's cause in ways other than battle.
Meanwhile, despite never losing a battle himself, King Robb Stark's cause is faltering. Upon his return from the westerlands, he is faced with the arrest of his own mother,. All of this causes Robb to change his focus in the war and look north again.
Siege of Darry. Ser Helman Tallhart retakes Darry from the Lannister army, which surrenders after a brief siege. A short time later, Lord Roose Bolton sends a letter ordering Helman to put all captives to the sword and the castle to the torch by command of the King in the North, Robb.
Battle at Duskendale. Roose Bolton sends Robett Glover with Helman Tallhart,
The beheading of Rickard Karstark. Upon Robb's return to Riverrun, he pardons his mother for releasing Jaime Lannister.
Battle at the burning septry. The brotherhood without banners attack a septry near Harrenhal held by the Brave Companions. Most of the sellswords are cornered inside a septry, which the brotherhood set on fire. Those who try to escape are killed and those who surrender are given show trials before being hanged. Among them is the child-killing Septon Utt. The brotherhood also liberates a group of brown brothers that had been taken captive.
Capture of Harrenhal. After the victory at the ruby ford, Gregor Clegane and his men double back to retake Harrenhal,
Taking of Maidenpool. Following his victory at Duskendale, Lord Randyll Tarly marches north with Lord Renfred Rykker and other forces loyal to Joffrey.
After the fall of several northern seats (including Winterfell) to the ironborn, King Robb Stark sees no other choice than to return north in order to win his kingdom back and avenge the deaths of this brothers, Bran and Rickon, who are believed to be dead.
The King in the North
Lord Walder Frey agrees to reconcile with Robb on the condition that Robb apologizes in person and that Edmure Tully, now Lord of Riverrun following the death of Hoster Tully, marry his daughter Roslin, in place of the broken betrothal made with Robb.
Fighting at the fords of the Trident. As part of Robb's plan to retake the north, Roose Bolton abandons Harrenhal and marches his forces slowly north, allowing Gregor Clegane to catch up to him. As the northmen are crossing the ruby ford, Clegane overruns their rearguard, where Bolton has placed northmen under Ser Wylis Manderly. Gregor wins an easy victory and captures Manderly. Roose leaves six hundred loyal northmen led by Kyle Condon and Ronnel Stout to defend the ford.
Wedding of Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark. Lady Olenna Tyrell and her granddaughter Margaery plot to have Sansa Stark marry Willas Tyrell, the heir to Highgarden.
The death of Balon Greyjoy. During a fierce storm at Pyke, King Balon Greyjoy falls from one of the rope bridges that connect the towers of his castle. His body washes up two days later, bloated and broken. Within hours, Balon’s exiled brother Euron Crow's Eye sails into Lordsport and seats himself on the Seastone Chair. When Lord Sawane Botley protests, Euron has him drowned in a cask of seawater.
The proclamation of Robb Stark's will. With his brothers and youngest sister presumed death, and with the belief that Sansa will be killed by the Lannisters once Tyrion has fathered a son on her, Robb feels it necessary to proclaim an heir in his will. Knowing the danger he is to face at Moat Cailin, Robb makes out a will that, according to a semi-canon source,
Joffrey Baratheon’s death
The Red Wedding. At the Twins, Robb is joined by Roose Bolton and his remaining men.
The Purple Wedding. On the first day of the new century, King Joffrey I Baratheon weds Lady Margaery Tyrell of Highgarden in a lavish affair.
After Joffrey's death is confirmed, Cersei Lannister orders the arrest of Tyrion and his wife Sansa Stark,
Tyrion Lannister is put on trial, with Lords Tywin Lannister and Mace Tyrell, and Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne presiding over him.. Meanwhile, the remnants of Robb Stark's kingdom are left without a king, and the Bolton’s prepare to take their place of power in the North.
The death of Robb Stark is a blow to his young kingdom. The Red Wedding was orchestrated by Tywin Lannister and planned by Lothar Frey and Roose Bolton. For his part Roose is appointed Warden of the North by King Tommen, while his newly legitimized bastard son Ramsay is betrothed to an imposter forced to pose as Arya Stark..
The betrayels of House Frey and House Bolton give the Lannisters a power in the riverlands and north. Meanwhile, King Tommen I Baratheon is crowned as successor to his brother Joffrey, with Lord Tywin Lannister ruling as Hand of the King and Regent. The Lannister victory seems secure, but the crucial relationship between the Lannisters and the Tyrells quickly begins to fray after several sudden deaths further upset the balance of power.
Following the deaths of Renly Baratheon and Robb Stark and the defeat of Stannis Baratheon at the Blackwater, nearly all of Westeros submits to the Iron Throne. Houses Tully, Mallister, and Blackwood hold out for a time in the riverlands, but no longer pose a serious threat. Likewise, Stannis remains in possession of Dragonstone and Storm's End, though he lacks the strength for open war.
Meanwhile, Balon Greyjoy’s death on the Iron Islands is followed by the return of his exiled younger brother, Euron, the very next day. Euron immediately claims Balon’s throne, but their youngest brother, Aeron, refuses to accept Euron as his king, and calls for a kingsmoot.
Trial of Tyrion Lannister. The night of Joffrey’s death, Sansa Stark disappears without a trace to travels with Petyr Baelish to the Vale of Arryn,
Death of Tywin Lannister. Unwilling to see his brother executed, Jaime Lannister—who is newly returned to the capital—forces the spymaster Varys to assist him in freeing Tyrion.
The Queen Regent. Following the deaths of King Joffrey and Lord Tywin, the young Prince Tommen Baratheon is crowned king with Cersei as Queen Regent. However, the very deaths which bring Cersei to power also drive her to paranoia. Her chief apprehension is that young Margaery Tyrell, who soon marries Tommen I,
Lady Stoneheart and the brotherhood without banners seek out their enemies in the riverlands.
Attacks of Lady Stoneheart. Three days after being tossed in river,
Siege of Seagard. After the Red Wedding, Black Walder Frey leads a host to besiege the defiant forces of Jason Mallister. The siege is quickly resolved when Black Walder threatens to hang Mallister’s heir Patrek, who was taken prisoner at the Twins.
Kingsmoot. In an attempt to unseat his brother King Euron from the Seastone Chair, the priest Aeron Greyjoy preaches a kingsmoot election at Old Wyk to raise the next king. Victarion, who has been trained for obedience all his life, grudgingly accepts the decision, but Aeron and Asha refuse to do so.
Raid on Saltpans. After the capture of Harrenhal and the death of Vargo Hoat, the Brave Companions disband and scatter into several lesser bands. One such group, led by the psychopath Rorge, sacks the town of Saltpans while Ser Quincy Cox cowers inside his castle. A dozen women are raped, including holy women and a twelve-year-old girl.
Rebirth of the Faith Militant. In the aftermath of the War of the Five Kings, religious fervor in the Seven Kingdoms sees an increase. Many pilgrims and refugees, who call themselves “sparrows,” congregate at the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing.
Euron Greyjoy is elected King during the kingsmoot.
Taking of the Shields. Euron, King of the Isles and the North, begins a campaign to conquer the Seven Kingdoms by sailing his fleet to attack the Shield Islands which guard access to the mainland of the Reach. Sending two ships up the Mander to draw away most of the fleet, the remaining defenders find themselves vastly outnumbered as Victarion Greyjoy leads an attack. Euron storms Lord Hewett's castle on Oakenshield. Ser Harras Harlaw is given Grimston after defeating seven knights of House Grimm in single combat on the isle of Greyshield. The islands of Greenshield and Southshield are also taken. Ser Talbert Serry is killed by Victarion and Lord Moribald Chester is also killed.
Invasion of Ryamsport, Vinetown, and Starfish Harbor. Following the conquest of the Shield Islands, the ironborn sack the port town of Ryamsport and invade Vinetown and Starfish Harbor. These are then used as bases to prey on ships bound for Oldtown. One such ship is the *Cinnamon Wind*, which is carrying Samwell Tarly of the Night's Watch. Kojja Mo and her archers are easily able to drive them away, however.
Second Siege of Storm's End. To remove him from the capital, Cersei Lannister commands Lord Mace Tyrell to lay siege to the castle of Storm's End, which remains loyal to Stannis Baratheon.
Siege of Dragonstone. After hearing of the taking of the Shields, Cersei Lannister refuses to release the Redwyne fleet to defend the Reach from ironborn until the siege of Dragonstone is resolved. Desperate to aid his homeland, Ser Loras Tyrell pledges to take command of the siege in order to speed its conclusion.
Siege of Riverrun. Ser Brynden Tully holds the castle of Riverrun in defiance of a large host of Freys, Lannisters, and subjugated river lords. Edmure Tully is displayed daily on a gibbet by Ser Ryman Frey, but Brynden does not surrender and exposes the display as an empty threat.
Siege of Raventree. Having submitted to the Iron Throne, Lord Jonos Bracken is commanded to besiege the castle of his nemesis, Lord Tytos Blackwood, who remains defiant. Fighting is fierce at Raventree Hall and the Brackens are unable to capture it. Tytos Blackwood steadfastly refuses to surrender to Bracken, but agrees to surrender to Jaime Lannister. Jaime offers reasonable terms: Blackwood forfeits several lands to Bracken and gives up his son Hoster as a hostage. However, Jaime also takes a hostage from House Bracken. The surrender of Raventree marks the end of open war in the riverlands.
Both Stannis Baratheon and Roose Bolton attempt to carve out new power bases in the vacuum left by the downfall of House Stark. For his part in helping orchestrating the Red Wedding, Roose is appointed Warden of the North by King Tommen before Tywin Lannister’s death. To cement his position, Roose's bastard son Ramsay Snow is legitimized and betrothed to an imposter forced to pose as Arya Stark. Four thousand men of House Frey march north with him, while three of Lord Walder Frey’s descendants travel to White Harbor to gain the support of House Manderly.
Meanwhile, Stannis Baratheon has set sail from Dragonstone after being informed by his new Hand of the King, Davos Seaworth, of a plea from the Night's Watch. Davos convinces his king to concentrate on his duties, rather than his rights, causing Stannis to take his meager forces north by ship and arrive at Castle Black just as the wildling army of Mance Rayder, the King-beyond-the-Wall, attacks Castle Black.
Following Aeron Greyjoy's call for a kingsmoot, both Victarion and Asha Greyjoy have abandoned their northern conquests, leaving only a token force. After Euron is elected King, Asha flees back north, where she finds herself facing Stannis Baratheon.
Stannis' northern campaign: In Blue: Stannis and allies. In Red: Boltons and allies. 1.Battle beneath the Wall 2.Siege of Moat Cailin. 3.Joint march to Barrowton. 4.Fight by Deepwood Motte 5.March on Winterfell
Battle beneath the Wall. Stannis Baratheon arrives at Castle Black just in time to defeat the army of Mance Rayder.
Siege of Moat Cailin. While Victarion is absent to attend the kingsmoot, the ironborn-occupied fortress of Moat Cailin is approached from the north by the army of the now-legitimized Ramsay Bolton and from the south by Roose Bolton. Ramsay sends Theon Greyjoy (whom he has brainwashed to be his faithful servant Reek) to offer terms of safe passage if the ironborn surrender. When they do surrender, Ramsay has all sixty-three flayed alive and impales their skinless bodies on pikes along the road.
Fight by Deepwood Motte. Following the kingsmoot, Asha Greyjoy flees back to Deepwood Motte to escape her uncle, King Euron, on the advice of her maternal uncle Rodrik Harlaw. She has not been there long when Stannis Baratheon's forces, bolstered by the mountain clans, attack in the dead of night and return it to House Glover. The ironborn ships are meanwhile burnt by the forces of House Mormont. Several ironborn including Asha and Tristifer Botley escape the castle but are apprehended in the forest soon after.
March on Winterfell. After retaking Deepwood Motte, the northmen who have joined Stannis Baratheon, now including the Glovers and Mormonts, insist that they retake Winterfell and rescue "the Ned's girl",
Arrival of Mors Umber. Pledged to serve Stannis, even though his brother Hother is at Winterfell with most of their able men, Mors is set to meet Stannis and his army beneath the walls of Winterfell. He arrives before Stannis does, however. Because the heavy snows make it impossible for the Bolton men on the walls to see what is happening below, Mors has his green boys dig pits in front of the gates.
Battle in the ice. When the body of Little Walder Frey is found, tensions at Winterfell erupt. Men loyal to House Frey attack men loyal to House Manderly, and Lord Wyman Manderly becomes injured. Roose orders the Freys and Manderlys out, to bring the battle to Stannis. With the entire castle is chaos due to preparations, Theon Greyjoy and Jeyne Poole attempt to escape. They jump from the walls of the castle when they are discovered,
The accidents the Freys have suffered due to the trap set by Mors Umber appears to have slowed down the attack. Stannis remains at the crofter's village with his army, and is confident in his chances. The veracity of the letter remains unconfirmed.
The War of the Five Kings results in vast devastation and death. The burning of crops and food supplies by rival armies means that with winter now engulfing Westeros as of 300 AC, many more will starve and die. The riverlands have borne the brunt of the fighting but the north, the westerlands, and the stormlands have been hit hard by the war as well. While the Reach did not suffer land hostilities, its resources have been used to supply the armies supported by House Tyrell and it is now suffering raiding and invasions by the ironborn. The only two regions to so far to stay out of the war and keep their armies and food supplies intact are the Vale of Arryn and Dorne.
In Yellow: Forces of the Golden Company. 1.Arrival from Volantis and the Stepstones. 2.Invasion and conquest of several castles, including Griffin's Roost. 3. March on Storm's End
While Westeros attempts to recover from the War of the Five Kings, hostilities are still ungoing in the court of King’s Landing. Due to Queen Regent Cersei Lannister’s meddling, both Queen Margaery Tyrell and Cersei herself have been arrested by the Faith, leading to Ser Kevan Lannister returning from the westerlands to take the position of regent, and to Lord Mace Tyrell abandoning the siege of Storm’s End in order to have his army present when his daughter faces her accusers in trial.
Meanwhile, the ironborn threat expands when King Euron Greyjoy continues his campaign in the Reach, while his brother Victarion has sailed to Slaver's Bay on Euron’s behalf to seek out the exiled Queen Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons.
At the same time, the long-believed-dead Prince Aegon Targaryen is revealed to be alive. Having been rescued from death by Lord Varys during Robert's Rebellion, Aegon has been trained to be the perfect king ever since. With the Seven Kingdoms weakened by the War of the Five Kings, Aegon gains the support of the Golden Company and sets sail from Essos with his foster-father, the exiled Lord Jon Connington, in order to reclaim the Iron Throne his family had lost. He invades the stormlands, and immediately seeks out the help of his late mother’s family, House Martell.
Landing of the Golden Company. The long-secret exiles Aegon Targaryen and Jon Connington cross the narrow sea with the Golden Company. The company lands in Estermont, Crow's Nest, the rainwood, and several other places in the stormlands and takes possession of several castles, including Connington's former seat of Griffin's Roost, which he leads the attack on. Their next plan is to take Storm's End to use as a base of operations, and to prove their strength.
Assassination of Grand Maester Pycelle and Regent Kevan Lannister. Varys infiltrates the chambers of Grand Maester Pycelle and murders him. Afterward he has one of his "little birds" send for Regent Kevan Lannister and shoots him with a crossbow. Varys admits he seeks to further destabilise the realm after Cersei's poor rule and drive a wedge in the Lannister-Tyrell alliance to prepare the way for Aegon to take the Iron Throne. Varys' "little birds" then kill Kevan.
Renly Baratheon is nothing to me, nor Stannis neither. Why should they rule over me and mine from some flowery seat in Highgarden or Dorne? What do they know of the Wall or the wolfswood or the barrows of the First Men? Even their gods are wrong. The Others take the Lannisters too. I've had a bellyful of them. Why shouldn't we rule ourselves again? It was the dragons we married, and the dragons are all dead. There sits the only king I mean to bend my knee to, m'lords: The King in the North!
- Greatjon Umber proclaiming Robb Stark as his king
All sorts of people are calling themselves kings these days.
- Tyrion Lannister to Joffrey I Baratheon
Robb: I can't release the Kingslayer, not even if I wanted to. My lords would never abide it.
Catelyn: Your lords made you their king.
Robb: And can unmake me just as easy.
- Robb Stark to Catelyn Stark
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 Greyjoy to Theon Greyjoy
Why the oldest son, and not the best-fitted? The crown will suit me, as it never suited Robert and would not suit Stannis.
- Renly Baratheon to Catelyn Stark
Gallant, yes, and charming, and very clean. He knew how to dress and he knew how to smile and he knew how to bathe, and somehow he got the notion that this made him fit to be king.
- Olenna Tyrell's opinion of Renly Baratheon.
It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as Robert's heir. That is law.
- Stannis Baratheon to Davos Seaworth
Any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is no true king at all.
- Tywin Lannister to Joffrey Baratheon
One little dragon could end this great big war.
- Salladhor Saan to Davos Seaworth
We should have stayed well out of all this bloody foolishness if you ask me, but once the cow's been milked there's no squirting the cream back up her udder. After Lord Puff Fish put that crown on Renly's head, we were into the pudding up to our knees, so here we are to see things through.
- Olenna Tyrell, to Sansa Stark
We had one king, then five. Now all I see are crows, squabbling over the corpse of Westeros.
- Rodrik Harlaw to Asha Greyjoy
When Robb Stark took up arms against the bastard Joffrey-called-Baratheon, White Harbor marched with him. Lord Stark has fallen, but his war goes on.
- Davos Seaworth to the Manderlys
According to George R. R. Martin, the War of the Five Kings is partially inspired by the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses.
The War of the Ninepenny Kings, also known as the Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion, was a conflict between the Band of Nine, a group of merchants, mercenaries and pirates from the Free Cities, and the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. After the Band of Nine had successfully conquered the Stepstones, King Jaehaerys II Targaryen, aware of the fact that the Band of Nine were set on conquering the Seven Kingdoms for the last remaining Blackfyre Pretender, Maelys I Blackfyre, dispatched an army to the Stepstones to defeat the enemies of the Iron Throne.
Late during the reign of King Aegon V Targaryen, in 258 AC, news reached King's Landing that the so-called Band of Nine, a group of ambitious power-seekers in Essos, had come together under the Tree of Crowns where they had vowed to aid one another in carving out kingdoms for each individual member. Among them was Maelys I Blackfyre, better known as Maelys the Monstrous, the last Blackfyre Pretenders, who had won the command of the Golden Company by killing his cousin Daemon a few years before.
When told of these events, Prince Duncan Targaryen famously quipped that "crowns were being sold nine a penny", and afterwards the Band of Nine became known in the Seven Kingdoms as the Ninepenny Kings.
The Band of Nine met their goals with initial success, conquering the Disputed Lands and securing the Free City of Tyrosh, setting up Alequo Adarys, the Silvertongue, as its ruler. Second, they conquered the Stepstones. From there, they stood ready to threaten the Seven Kingdoms.
King Jaehaerys II Targaryen, who had succeeded his father upon the Iron Throne in 259 AC, recognized the threat the Band of Nine posed and sent a large force to the Stepstones, bringing the war to the Band of Nine. The king wished to personally take command of his forces but was persuaded by his Hand, Lord Ormund Baratheon. Lord Ormund took command of the Targaryen army instead.
When the Targaryen host landed upon the Stepstones in 260 AC, the fighting began in earnest on land and sea and lasted for most of the year.
Many young knights and lords distinguished themselves in battle, including Steffon Baratheon, Brynden Tully, Tywin Lannister and his brother Kevan, and Aerys Targaryen.
It took another six years before the Band of Nine's holdings in Essos were lost. Alequo Adarys was eventually poisoned by his queen and the Archon returned to power in Tyrosh.
With Ormund slain, Steffon Baratheon became the new Lord of Storm's End. He remained close friends with both Prince Aerys Targaryen and Ser Tywin Lannister. Tywin, himself a new-made knight, received the honor of giving Prince Aerys his spurs, after fighting gallantly in the war.
Lord Hoster Tully became acquainted with Lord Baelish during the war, which subsequently led to Hoster taking Baelish's son, Petyr, on as a ward.
The Blackfyres were extinguished in the male line thanks to Ser Barristan Selmy. When the next opening presented itself, Barristan was named to the Kingsguard,
The war is described in *Account of the War of the Ninepenny Kings* by Eon and *Observations Upon the Recent Blood-Letting on the Stepstones* by Pycelle. According to Septon Meribald, many of the smallfolk who fought in the war became broken men.
Hyle: The War of the Ninepenny Kings?
Meribald: So they called it, though I never saw a king, nor earned a penny. It was a war, though. That it was.
The War of the Wolves is the name by which singers refer to a savage conflict between House Stark and a skinchanger named Gaven Greywolf, referencing both Greywolf's name and the Stark sigil, the direwolf. He was killed along with his kin by a King of Winter during the course of the war. This was one of the many conflicts House Stark fought in the process of establishing their hegemony over the North.
The War of the Wombs was the name used by Lord Toad, a fool at Casterly Rock, to describe the fierce rivalry between Lady Ellyn Reyne and Lady Jeyne Marbrand.
Lady Ellyn Reyne
As depicted in *The World of Ice and Fire* by Magali Villeneuve
Lady Ellyn Reyne had been betrothed for years to Tywald Lannister, the eldest son and heir to Lord Gerold Lannister of Casterly Rock. However, Tywald died in 233 AC, fighting in the Peake Uprising. Ellyn had anticipated to become the Lady of Casterly Rock for a long time, and was not willing to give up on that dream, so she turned to Tywald's twin brother, Tion Lannister, and convinced him to break his own betrothal, to a daughter of Lord Rowan, and take her as his betrothed instead.
While Lord Gerold Lannister was opposed the match, he consented in the end. Thus, in 235 AC, Ellyn and Tion were married in a double ceremony, while Tion's younger brother Tytos married Lady Jeyne Marbrand. Due to his health and his status as a widower, Ellyn, as the wife to the heir to Casterly Rock, became the Lady of Casterly Rock in all but name. The influence of the Reyne's at Casterly Rock grew, until Tion's death in 236 AC, whilst fighting in the Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion.
Ellyn's influence at Casterly Rock ended with Tion's death. According to a semi-canon source, Ellyn made a final attempt to cling to power by claiming to be pregnant with Tion's child. This was eventually revealed to be a lie.
Lady Jeyne Marbrand
As depicted in *The World of Ice and Fire* by Magali Villeneuve
Ellyn was allowed to remain at Casterly Rock, though her brothers all returned to Castamere.
Ellyn gave birth to two daughters and a son by her new husband.
Ellyn would remain forever unwelcome at Casterly Rock. Following Lord Gerold's death in 244 AC, Tytos inherited the rule of the westerlands, but was an ineffectual ruler, with a desire to be liked by all. As such, Ellyn's brothers managed to loan great sums of money from House Lannister, which was given to Ellyn, who used the money to restore the ancient but impoverished House Tarbeck. Both House Reyne and House Tarbeck rose in power due to Tytos's rule.
Tensions between the Reynes, Tarbecks and Lannisters would remain, until it came to a head in 261 AC, when Ser Tywin Lannister demanded all loans given out by Casterly Rock to be repaid. Lord Walderan Tarbeck refused, and travelled to Casterly Rock to negotiate, upon which Tywin arrested him. In response, Ellyn took three Lannisters captive (including Stafford Lannister), and demanded the return of her husband. Late that same year, Ser Tywin summoned Lord Roger Reyne, his brother Reynard, Lord Walderan Tarbeck and Lady Ellyn Reyne to Casterly Rock, so they could answer for their crimes. Both House Reyne and House Tarbeck refused, and rose in revolt, beginning the short-lasting conflict known as the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt.
The War on Dagger Lake is one of the Rhoynish Wars, fought between the Valyrians and the Rhoynar.
The ward of Lord Gyles Rosby is a young male ward of Lord Gyles Rosby.
The ward of Lord Gyles Rosby refuses Lady Falyse Stokeworth and her husband Ser Balman Byrch when they seek shelter at Rosby on their way to King's Landing. Falyse informs Queen Regent Cersei Lannister that when Lord Gyles dies, by rights Rosby should come to House Stokeworth as her lady mother was aunt to his second wife and herself a third cousin to Gyles. Falyse voices concerns that the ward, whom she considers to be an ill-born wretch, may try to claim the Rosby lands and lordship.
After Grand Maester Pycelle informs Cersei that Lord Gyles has died, he tells her that Gyles had no children of his body - but he did have a ward. Cersei immediately dismisses the ward as not of Gyles’s blood and contrives to seize Rosby’s gold, lands, and castle. Pycelle begins to object, telling her again that Gyles had a ward, but she orders the hesitant Pycelle to tell the ward that Gyles’s dying wish was that all his lands and wealth go to King Tommen I Baratheon.
The Rosby inheritance is brought up during the small council meeting in the Red Keep's throne room. According to Grand Maester Pycelle, six claims have been put forward, but the council, led by Regent Ser Kevan Lannister, decides to settle the issue at a later date as they have more pressing matters to deal with. It is not mentioned if Lord Gyles's ward is among the six claimants.
Warden is a title used in different regions of the known world, including Essos and especially Westeros.
The ancient title of Warden of the River is used by the Meereenese official in charge of ferries, dredges, and irrigation ditches along the Skahazadhan.
Wardens have historically been used through Westeros south of the Wall, including by petty kings of Dorne prior to Nymeria's War.
During Aegon's Conquest and the unification of the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon the Conqueror granted new warden titles to monarchs who submitted to House Targaryen, including Loren Lannister, Ronnel Arryn, and Torrhen Stark. Aegon also named Harlen Tyrell, a former steward, as warden.
Wardens for the Iron Throne act as supreme military leaders responsible for the defense of their region in the event of foreign invasion.
The four major directional wardens are currently:
There are also smaller-scale wardens:
King Robert I Baratheon called upon Tywin, his Warden of the West, and Eddard, his Warden of the North, to help suppress Greyjoy's Rebellion.
Lord Jon Arryn, the Warden of the East, dies unexpectedly.
Lord Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North, is executed upon the order of King Joffrey Baratheon.
Robb Stark, King in the North and King of the Trident, creates the new title of Warden of the Southern Marches for his uncle, Ser Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, in recognition of his prominent military role in the War of the Five Kings.
Lord Tywin Lannister restore the title of Warden of the East to Robert Arryn once Lysa weds Petyr Baelish, thereby restoring the allegiance of House Arryn to the Iron Throne.
Queen Regent Cersei Lannister grants the title of Warden of the West to Ser Daven Lannister in a deliberate slight against Tywin's brother, Ser Kevan Lannister.
Skahaz mo Kandaq refuses the offer of King Hizdahr zo Loraq to be named Warden of the River.
Wardens are supposed to defend their regions against invaders. In theory, at least, they are each the supreme general for their region and therefore preventing any disunity of command.
Warden of the East is the title given to the person responsible for the defense of the eastern coasts of the Seven Kingdoms. Traditionally the title is conferred upon House Arryn, Lords of the Eyrie and Defenders of the Vale.
After the death of Lord Jon Arryn, King Robert I Baratheon names Ser Jaime Lannister to the office, as Jon's son is still a child. the True Warden of the East.
To obtain the allegiance of the Vale of Arryn and to make peace with Lady Lysa Tully, Tyrion Lannister considers restoring the title to House Arryn.
Lord Tywin Lannister restores the title to House Arryn.
Warden of the North. © FFG
Lord Eddard Stark, Warden of the North. © FFG
Warden of the North is a title traditionally held by House Stark, the lords of Winterfell and the North.
The initial appointment of a warden in northern Westeros was likely to help deal with the wildlings. The territory of the North also has shores on both the Shivering Sea and the Sunset Sea, making pirates and reavers a real threat.
After the execution of Lord Eddard Stark, the North rises in rebellion and declares independence from the Iron Throne, with the title of Warden of the North remaining vacant.
The title remains vacant until after the Red Wedding. For his involvement in the betrayal of Robb Stark, the King in the North, Lord Roose Bolton is appointed the new Warden of the North for King Tommen Baratheon.
Warden of the Prince's Pass is a Dornish title traditionally conferred upon the head of House Fowler of Skyreach indicating military seniority over other local lords in the defense of the Prince's Pass.
Prior to bending the knee to House Martell, House Fowler held the title of Lord of the Wide Way, referring to the previous name of the Prince's Pass.
Warden of the River is a title granted in Meereen to the guardian of the Skahazadhan. The official is in charge of ferries, dredges, and irrigation ditches along the river for fifty leagues. According to Hizdahr zo Loraq, it is an ancient and honorable office.
Skahaz mo Kandaq refuses the offer of Hizdahr zo Loraq, King of Meereen, to be named Warden of the River.
Warden of the Sands is a defunct warden title granted to Lord Rosby during brief occupation of Dorne in the First Dornish War. When King Aegon I Targaryen left Dorne to return to King's Landing, he named Rosby the Castellan of Sunspear and Warden of the Sands. The Dornishmen soon rebelled, however, and Rosby was killed in the Defenestration of Sunspear.
Warden of the South. © FFG
Warden of the South is a warden title bestowed on the most prominent house of the Reach by the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. All known Wardens of the South thus far have been from House Tyrell, who became Lords of Highgarden after the extinction of House Gardener, the former Kings of the Reach, during the War of Conquest.
The initial appointment of a warden in southern Westeros was likely to deal with Dorne, which had not been subdued during the Targaryen conquest and was still hostile to outsiders. When Dorne joined the Seven Kingdoms during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen, the title likely became more ceremonial. However, the warden titles were used during the War of the Ninepenny Kings.
Warden of the Southern Marches is a title created by King Robb Stark, King in the North, for Ser Brynden Tully. Robb creates the title when he marches north to attend the wedding of Edmure Tully and retake Moat Cailin. Remaining at Riverrun, Brynden is named warden and tasked with defending the Riverlands, the southern territory of Robb's combined Kingdom of the Trident and the North.
Warden of the Stone Way is a Dornish title traditionally held upon the head of House Yronwood of Yronwood. It indicates military seniority over other local lords in the defense of the Stone Way, more commonly known as the Boneway.
The earliest known Warden of the Stone Way is King Yorick V Yronwood. Previous Yronwood kings styled themselves Lords of the Stone Way.
Warden of the West. © FFG
Warden of the West is a title bestowed on the most prominent house of the westerlands by the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms since the War of Conquest. All known Wardens of the West have been from House Lannister. Traditionaly, the title is held by the head of the house, the Lord of Casterly Rock.
The initial appointment of a warden in western Westeros was likely to deal with the ironborn, who were prone to reaving and pirating along Sunset Sea and the western shores.
After the death of Lord Tywin Lannister, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister grants the title to Ser Daven Lannister, who would have preferred that the load were entrusted to Ser Kevan Lannister. However, Ser Kevan was refused the title after he rejected the post of Hand of the King after Cersei refused to name him Tommen's Regent.
Warden of the White Knife is a title used by House Manderly of White Harbor. The predecessor of the city of White Harbor, the castle of the Wolf's Den, was raised by King Jon Stark to guard the mouth of the White Knife at the Bite.
The current Warden of the White Knife is Lord Wyman Manderly.
The Warg King was a monarch and a skinchanger in what is now the North after the Long Night. His given name is unknown.
Documents of the Nightfort indicate that the Warg King ruled Sea Dragon Point. He was allied with the children of the forest, but they were defeated by the Kings of Winter of House Stark. The Starks killed his sons, beasts, and greenseers, but took his daughters as prizes.
The Warhammer is an ironborn longship and is part of the Iron Fleet.
The Warhammer accompanies the rest of the Iron Fleet when they sail for Slaver's Bay.
Warlock's Way is a street in Qarth.
While listing events that have happened in Qarth since the destruction of the House of the Undying, Xaro Xhoan Daxos mentions to Daenerys that phantom tortoises have been seen carrying messages between the windowless houses on Warlock's Way.
Pyat Pree, a blue-lipped warlock. © FFG
A warlock of Qarth - by John Moriarty. © Fantasy Flight Games©
Warlocks are magic practitioners of Essos. Their center of power is the House of the Undying, home to the Undying Ones of Qarth.
See also: Images of Warlocks
The warlocks of Qarth are known to dress in long, beaded robes. They have white, pale skins and pale blue lips, from drinking shade-of-the-evening many times, in pursuit of ever-greater knowledge. The Undying Ones' flesh is ripe violet blue, their nails are so blue they are nearly black, and even the whites of their eyes are blue.
Though legend speaks of the mighty power of the warlocks, they have done little in the past century. Similarly to the Alchemists' Guild of the Seven Kingdoms, the warlocks' power and prestige have waned over the years. Their mighty House of the Undying is long since a grey stone ruin, neither repaired nor expanded upon, often referred to as the Palace of Dust.
In an effort to cure Samwell Tarly of his timidity, his father Lord Randyll Tarly once brought to his castle at Horn Hill two warlocks from Qarth, with white skin and blue lips. The warlocks slaughtered a bull aurochs, and made Sam bathe in the hot blood, but it did not make him brave as promised. Randyll had the warlocks scourged.
Archmaester Marwyn studied with warlocks.
At the beginning of Daenerys Targaryen's stay in Qarth, Xaro Xhoan Daxos warns her to avoid the warlocks in the city.
In Winterfell, Maester Luwin tells Bran Stark that magic does not work, but Bran reminds him there are mages and warlocks in the east. Luwin corrects Bran, telling him that these are men who simply refer to themselves as mages and warlocks.
On the *Balerion*, Daenerys thinks of various threats she faces. She recalls that back in Qarth, Pyat Pree had sent a Sorrowful Man after her to avenge the Undying she'd burned in their House of Dust. She remembers it is said warlocks never forget a wrong.
Pate recalls that Archmaester Marwyn had spent eight years in the east, and during that time, among other things, had studied with warlocks.
Quellon Humble confides to Victarion Greyjoy that his brother Euron Greyjoy has three wizards aboard the Silence, queer terrible men but Euron has made them his slaves. Victarion tells the dusky woman that Euron's wizards had seen that the Shield Islands would fall to him.
Euron tells Victarion that he had captured four warlocks in a galleas out of Qarth. On board was a cask of shade-of-the-evening, along with some cloves and nutmeg and forty bolts of green silk. The warlocks told him a curious tale, which Euron does not elaborate upon. Euron killed a warlock who threatened him and fed him to the other three.
In Meereen, Daenerys learns from Xaro that she had not been gone a fortnight from Qarth when Pyat Pree set out from the city with three of his fellow warlocks to seek her in Pentos, in order to seek revenge on her for the burning of the House of the Undying.
Inspired by Euron's captive warlocks, Victarion spares the life of Moqorro, who is knowledgeable of Slaver's Bay and dragonkind.
When Aeron Greyjoy is held captive by his brother Euron in the hold of the *Silence*, he notices mutilated warlocks. One of the captives cries a word, "Pree".
Xaro: There is a saying in Qarth. A warlock's house is built of bones and lies.
Daenerys: Then why do men lower their voices when they speak of the warlocks of Qarth? All across the east, their power and wisdom are revered.
Xaro: Once they were mighty, but now they are as ludicrous as those feeble old soldiers who boast of their prowess long after strength and skill have left them. They read their crumbling scrolls, drink their shade-of-the-evening until their lips turn blue, and hint of dread powers, but they are hollow husks compared to those who went before.
– Xaro Xhoan Daxos to Daenerys Targaryen
Pyat Pree has blue lips, and it is truly said that blue lips speak only lies. Heed the wisdom of one who loves you. Warlocks are bitter creatures who eat dust and drink of shadows. They will give you naught. They have naught to give.
– Xaro Xhoan Daxos to Daenerys Targaryen
Beware men with cold hearts and blue lips.
– Xaro Xhoan Daxos to Daenerys Targaryen
If a warlock's spell could kill me, I would be dead by now. I left their palace in ashes.
The Noble and Puissant Order of the Warrior's Sons is an order of Westerosi knights sworn to the Faith of the Seven. They are part of the Faith Militant, and are also known as the Swords. Their counterparts are the "Stars", also called the Poor Fellows. The Warrior's Sons obey and answer to the High Septon, as they believe the High Septon speaks for the Seven.
See also: Images of the Warrior's Sons
Warrior's Sons escort. By Joshua Cairos © FFG
The Warrior's Sons of old wore rainbow cloaks and inlaid silver armor over hair shirts. They bore star-shaped crystals in the pommels of their longswords.
The recent Warrior's Sons wear swordbelts and cloaks striped in the seven colors of the Faith.
The Warrior's Sons are all anointed knights. Most had been household knights or hedge knights before joining the military order, while few are of higher birth.
Before their disbandment during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, the Warrior's Sons were permanently stationed at chapterhouses in several major cities and towns. The Warrior's Sons had one overall commander known as a Grand Captain.
At the outbreak of the Faith Militant uprising in 41 AC, the major chapters were:
White Harbor, despite being one of the only five settlements in Westeros large enough to be considered a "city", did not host a chapterhouse of the Warrior's Sons, even though House Manderly follow the Seven.
Warrior's Sons. © FFG
The Faith Militant rebelled against King Aenys I Targaryen when the king married his eldest daughter to his eldest son and heir in 41 AC.
Following the death of King Aenys I on Dragonstone in 42 AC, his half-brother, Maegor I Targaryen, claimed the crown. Maegor traveled to King's Landing, where Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen challenged those who questioned her son's right to rule. The captain of the Warrior's Sons, Ser Damon Morrigen, met this challenge, and the parties agreed to a trial of seven. Maegor was the only survivor of the fourteen combatants.
With Maegor declared as the winner, the Warrior's Sons who witnessed the fight dropped their knees in submission and returned to the Sept of Remembrance, where they began to pray and debate whether to accept Maegor as their king, since the gods had granted him victory, or to fight on as they were bound by oath to the High Septon. Twenty-nine days after the trial of seven, the Sept of Remembrance and all the Warrior's Sons in it were burned down by Maegor with his dragon, Balerion.
Thirteen thousand Poor Fellows and hundreds of knights of the Warrior's Sons joined forces with rebel lords of the riverlands and westerlands to fight against Maegor's forces at the Stoney Sept. During this fierce battle at the Great Fork of the Blackwater, the Faith lost when Maegor and his dragon, Balerion, left death in their wake.
In 43 AC, the order elected Ser Joffrey Doggett as its new Grand Captain, who rode for Oldtown to seek the blessing of the High Septon. Meanwhile, Maegor raised a set of laws which outlawed the orders of the Faith Militant,
The captive Warrior's Sons were given a choice by Maegor: renounce the order and be permitted to join the Night's Watch or die as martyrs of the Faith. Three-quarters of the captive chose the Wall, while the remainder died. Seven of their number, famous knights and sons of lords were given the honor of having Maegor behead them himself with Blackfyre. The rest were beheaded by their own former sworn brothers. Only one of the condemned received a pardon: Ser Morgan Hightower, brother of Lord Martyn and commander of the local chapter of the order. The pardon has led to rumors still persisting today, suggesting he had murdered the High Septon at his brother's request,
The new High Septon disbanded the Stars and Swords, while Maegor granted the surviving members of the Faith Militant til the year's end to surrender their weapons and give up their rebellion.
In 46 AC, Maegor brought two thousand skulls from his campaign against the Faith back to King's Landing, claiming they were the heads of Warrior's Sons and Poor Fellows. However, many suspected they were the skulls of innocent smallfolk.
The end of the Warrior's Sons began following the death of Maegor I and the ascension of Jaehaerys I Targaryen in 48 AC. Although much reduced in numbers, the Warrior's Sons and Poor Fellows were still present. They remained restless and eager to restore their orders. King Jaehaerys sent Septon Barth to Oldtown to speak with the High Septon. Eventually, it was agreed that the Iron Throne would always protect and defend the Faith, if the last few Stars and Swords would put down their weapons, and if the Faith agreed to accept justice from the Iron Throne instead of the Faith. As a result, the Faith Militant was disbanded.
After the War of the Five Kings in 300 AC, the ruling King Tommen I Baratheon, under the edict of his mother and Regent Cersei Lannister, overturns Maegor the Cruel's law which forbade holy men from being armed, and the orders of the Faith Militant are reborn.
Warrior's Sons and Poor Fellows escort Cersei during her walk of atonement. The knights of Ser Theodan Wells wear silver plate atop hair shirts, and their kite shields depict the crystal sword.
Holy men, ascetics, fanatics, sorcerers, dragonslayers, demonhunters … there were many tales about them. But all agree that they were implacable in their hatred for all enemies of the Holy Faith.
– Cersei Lannister to Taena Merryweather
Drunk on the gods, the lot of them.
– Cersei Lannister's thoughts
The Warrior - by mustamirri ©
Favored by the Warrior. © FFG
The Warrior is one of the seven aspects of a single deity. Believers of the Faith of the Seven consider their god to be one with seven aspects, as the sept is a single building, with seven walls.
See also: Images of the Warrior
The Warrior represents strength in battle. He is prayed to for courage and victory. He carries a sword.
A passage in the Seven-Pointed Star says that the Warrior gave strength to the arms of Hugor of the Hill's four-and-forty mighty sons.
With the Valyrian sword Blackfyre in hand Daemon Blackfyre was said to have fought like the Warrior himself.[*citation needed*]
The Noble and Puissant Order of the Warrior's Sons are an order of Knights sworn to the Faith of the Seven.
Catelyn Stark prays in a nameless village’s sept. The sept is modest and has no statues of the Seven, only rough charcoal drawings to represent them. She asks the Warrior to keep Robb Stark strong and shield him in his battles.
In the House of the Undying Daenerys Targaryen says a quick prayer, begging the Warrior for courage and the Dothraki horse god for strength.
When Tyrion Lannister chooses Ser Arys Oakheart to go with Myrcella Baratheon to Dorne, Arys lights a candle to the Warrior in thanks.
While standing vigil over his father’s body, it is revealed that the Warrior has been Jaime Lannister’s god since he was old enough to hold a sword. While other men may be fathers, sons and husbands, Jaime thinks to himself that he is a warrior, and that it is all he will ever be.
Meribald tells Podrick Payne that he has never known a boy who did not love the Warrior. He remarks that he is old though, and he loves the Smith.
During her imprisonment, Cersei Lannister prays to all the gods, the Warrior included, stating *"Any god in a storm"*.
In his bedchamber in the Great Pyramid Barristan Selmy keeps a beeswax candle and a small carving of the Warrior on his bedside table. Though he is not a pious man, the carving makes him feel less alone in the unfamiliar city that is Meereen.
When approaching the dragons Viserion and Rhaegal, Prince Quentyn Martell prays to the Warrior for courage.
The Warrior would lift his shining sword again and cleanse this sinful realm of all its evil.
– the High Sparrow
May the Warrior give strength to your sword arm, Brienne.
– Catelyn Tully's thoughts
In the sept they sing for the Mother’s mercy but on the walls it’s the Warrior they pray to, and all in silence.
– Sansa Stark's thoughts shortly before the start of the Battle of the Blackwater
The Warrior stands before the foe,
protecting us where e'er we go.
With sword and shield and spear and bow,
he guards the little children.
Warrior Wench is an ironborn longship and part of the Iron Fleet.
Warrior Wench is part of the Iron Fleet contingent dispatched to Slaver's Bay.
Visenya Targaryen, who wielded the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister - by Amok©
Brienne of Tarth.
Dacey Mormont depiction by Amok©
Hyrkoon warrior maid © HBO
Warrior women are women who are skilled in combat and take part in battle, warfare etc.
In Westeros male warriors are plentiful. Westerosi warrior women on the other hand are quite uncommon. Westerosi women however are not forbidden from becoming warriors but neither is it encouraged or seen as acceptable and feminine by many Westerosi. Nor is a woman viewed as a suitable opponent for men, especially during one-to-one combat. Even hitting a shield with the image of a woman can make a man feel unchivalrous.
Despite Westeros having a martial culture, a culture that reveres the warrior,. They accepted women as warriors.
One of the few famous warrior women in Westeros’s histories is Visenya Targaryen, who wielded the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister and rode Vhagar into battle. Unlike her sister Visenya Targaryen there is no mention of Rhaenys wielding a sword or any other weapon but like her sister she commanded armies and rode her dragon into battle during the War of Conquest. According to George R. R. Martin both women were warriors and dragonriders in their own rights.
Nymeria, the warrior-queen of the Rhoyne who conquered Dorne, is well known, however Nymeria was a war leader but not a warrior - that is, a commander rather than a combatant.
In Westeros women tend to be considered the gentler sex, in need of protection. The ability for a woman to be able to defend herself is considered unnecessary and unfeminine besides. Highborn women are not encouraged towards warfare or expected to know how to physically defend themselves, although they may perhaps be instructed on the tactics of warfare, especially if they are female heirs to a House. Lord Randyll Tarly sums up many a man’s thought on women warriors,
The gods made men to fight, and women to bear children. A woman’s war is in the birthing bed.
It is not possible for a woman to become a knight, nor is there a female equivalent of knighthood for a woman who is bent on living a martial life, for a woman who also wishes to abide by a chivalric code. Although Brienne of Tarth is as skilled as most any a knight there is no place among them for a woman such as she. Nor is there a feminine title for a woman warrior, such as Ser as knights have, to acknowledge her ability and chosen vocation, much to the confusion of Podrick Payne.
Further north however it is not so unusual for a woman to be able to physically defend herself. The women of House Mormont and Bear Island have had no choice but to learn how to preserve themselves during attacks from ironmen and wildling raiders while their menfolk are absent. Lady Maege Mormont tells Catelyn Stark,
We have needed to be [warriors]. In olden days the ironmen would come raiding in their longboats, or wildlings from the Frozen Shore. The men would be off fishing, like as not. The wives they left behind had to defend themselves and their children, or else be carried off.
Beyond the Wall there are spearwives, they are accepted and respected by the men of the Free Folk. The Free Folk culture is a warrior culture, one that gives women the right, but not the obligation, to be fighters. , daughter of Cheyk, is a woman warchief of her own clan.
The ironborn are more also more accepting of women warriors and are willing to fight alongside them.
Some of the women of Dorne fight but it's not the rule.
The Summer Islands have warrior woman, once such warrior woman was Xanda Qo, Princess of Sweet Lotus Vale, who united all of the islands under her rule.
Amongst the Jogos Nhai There are also female *jhats* but girls who choose the warrior's way are expected to dress and live as men.
In the ancient nation of the Patrimony of Hyrkoon there was possibly a custom of having warrior women. A present there is a culture for warrior woman east of the Bone Mountains which may originate from the Patrimony. There are warrior maids of Kayakayanaya, Bayasabhad and Shamyriana who fight bare-breasted and pierce their nipples with iron rings and cheeks with rubies. Lomas Longstrider apparently visited these successor cities as he said that there are no fiercer fighters in the world than their warrior women.
The greatest of the Sarnori went to battle in scythed chariots pulled by teams of bloodred horses. These were often driven by their wives or daughters, for it was the custom among the Tall Men for men and women to make war together.
It is not known if the Valyrians had warrior women. Thus far there has been no mention of Dark Sister being passed on to a female Targaryen after Visenya. There is, however, ample evidence for the existence of female dragonlords both in ancient Valyria and among the Targaryens.
All men must die, and women too... but not all will be remembered.
- Barsena to Daenerys Targaryen
It is a rare and precious gift to be a knight.
– Brienne of Tarth, to Jaime Lannister
Men will always underestimate you and their pride will make them want to vanquish you quickly, lest it be said that a woman tried them sorely.
– Ser Goodwin, to Brienne of Tarth
Ser? My Lady?
– Podrick Payne, to Brienne of Tarth
Her last foe was a northman with an axe, a big man bald and bearded, clad in a byrnie of patched and rusted mail that could only mean he was a chief or champion. He was not pleased to find himself fighting a woman.
– Asha Greyjoy's thoughts
What we are is what you made us. On Bear Island every child learns to fear the krakens rising from the sea.
– Alysane Mormont, to Asha Greyjoy
Her very womanhood seemed to offend him. Men from the green lands liked their women soft and sweet in silk, she knew, not clad in mail and leather with a throwing axe in each hand.
I wanted to present my female characters in great diversity, even in a society as sexist and patriarchal as the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Women would find different roles and different personalities, so women with different talents would find ways to work with it in a society according to who they are.
She is supposed to be freakish. She was an answer to the bad fantasy cliché of warrior women.
Lord Warryn Beesbury is Lord of Honeyholt and head of House Beesbury in the Reach.
The Wars of Conquest were a series of campaigns by House Targaryen to conquer the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Six of the kingdoms submitted to Aegon I Targaryen, the first Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, during the initial war of two years, which became known as Aegon's Conquest. Dorne remained independent, however.
Aegon invaded Dorne during the First Dornish War
There are no known attempts by Aegon's family to conquer beyond the Wall. Generations later, King Aerys II Targaryen considered claiming all land one hundred leagues north of the Wall, however.
Waspwillow is a plant found on the road between Yunkai and Meereen in Slaver's Bay on the continent of Essos.
Waspwood is a place in the Riverlands. It is disputed land between House Bracken and House Blackwood. It is currently held by House Blackwood.
Lord Jonos Bracken unsuccessfully asks Ser Jaime Lannister for Waspwood for subduing Lord Tytos Blackwood.
Wat's Wood is a forest located in House Osgrey lands in the Reach. It is made up of oaks and pines.
Wat's Wood burned during the long drought of King Aerys I Targaryen's reign, though the fire could have been started by members of House Webber, who had issues with House Osgrey.
Wat, also known as Wat Barleycorn, was a farmer in service to House Osgrey. He had a younger brother, Wet Wat.
Wat was among those that were called by Ser Eustace Osgrey to defend the Osgrey lands after a disagreement over the Chequy Water with House Webber escalated into threats of war. He was given the name "Barleycorn", derived from the crop planted in the town he comes from, in an effort to distinguish him from the other Wats among the forces. He was to be wed the next time the septon came through.
Wat was sent home by Ser Duncan the Tall with the others when Duncan realized that it would be futile to fight.
Wat is the brother of Jack-Be-Lucky. He was sent to the Wall.
Wat was a farmer in service to House Osgrey during the reign of King Aerys I Targaryen.
Wat was among those that were called by Ser Eustace Osgrey to defend the Osgrey lands after a disagreement over the Chequy Water with House Webber escalated into threats of war. He was sent home by Ser Duncan the Tall with the others when Duncan realized that it would be futile to fight.
Wat, better known as Wet Wat, was a farmer in service to House Osgrey. He had an older brother, Wat Barleycorn.
Wat was among those that were called by Ser Eustace Osgrey to defend the Osgrey lands after a disagreement over the Chequy Water with House Webber escalated into threats of war. He was given the name "Wet Wat", derived from the time that Wat had fallen down the village well, in an effort to distinguish him from the other Wats among the forces.
Wat was sent home by Ser Duncan the Tall with the others when Duncan realized that it would be futile to fight.
Wat is an orphan boy.
Wat is among the orphans taken in by Willow Heddle at the Crossroads Inn. When Brienne of Tarth and her party arrive to stay at the inn, Wat is told to help them with their horses.
Wat is a member of the crew of the *Brazen Monkey*.
He approaches Cat of the Canals in Braavos, asking her where he can find a good brothel.
Wat the Hewer was a leader of the Poor Fellows during the Faith Militant uprising.
Wat was described as him as a giant on account of his large size and prowess.
During the Faith Militant uprising, Wat the Hewer led Poor Fellows out of the Reach on a march towards King's Landing. In the battle at Stonebridge he killed half a dozen knights, including Lord Meadows, the commander of King Maegor I Targaryen's army, but Wat was taken alive and delivered to King's Landing in chains.
Maegor cut off Wat's limbs with his own axe, then commanded his maesters to keep Wat alive so he could attend the king's wedding to Tyanna of the Tower. When Maegor later took Tyanna as his third wife on Rhaenys's Hill, surrounded by the remains of the Warrior's Sons who had died there when Maegor burned down the Sept of Remembrance, Wat was present as a witness.
For the television episode, see "The Watchers on the Wall".
Watchers on the Wall is a book written by Archmaester Harmune. It includes many legends about the Nightfort. Notably, it tells the story of how Brandon the Breaker allied with the King-beyond-the-Wall Joramun, to end the thirteen-year rule of the Night's King and his corpse queen. Thereafter he obliterated the Night's King's name from memory.
Wate was a guardsmen in service to House Targaryen during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen.
Wate is one of the guardsmen who accompanied Prince Aerion Targaryen to Ashford for the tourney at Ashford Meadow. He helped Prince Aerion destroy the puppeteer's stall after Aerion took issue with their skit involving a dragon.
Water Gardens
Dorne and the location of the Water Gardens
The Water Gardens by Cris Urdiasles
The Water Gardens is a palace with gardens and waterworks that serves as a private retreat to House Martell, the rulers of Dorne.
The Gardens are located on a beach next to the Summer Sea, three leagues to the west of Sunspear on a coastal road.
Pale pink marble paves the gardens and courtyard. Terraces overlooking the numerous pools and fountains of the Water Gardens, shaded by blood orange trees, can be reached via a fluted pillar gallery leading to a triple archway.
The Water Gardens are pleasant in autumn: hot days, cool nights, the salt breeze blowing in from the sea, and fountains and pools to admire and play in.
The Water Gardens were raised by Maron Martell, Prince of Dorne, as a gift for his new bride, Princess Daenerys Targaryen, to mark the union of Dorne with the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.
The young Arianne Martell often played in the pools and fountains of the Water Gardens with Tyene Sand, Garin, Andrey Dalt, and Sylva Santagar. Sometimes they were joined by Nymeria Sand and Sarella Sand.
A Martell guard at the Water Gardens, art by Aaron Riley © Fantasy Flight Games
Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, resides at the tranquil Water Gardens, having moved there from Sunspear in 298 AC. The prince watches generations of children play there as he relaxes and thinks. He is protected by thirty guards and their captain, Areo Hotah.
After the death of Oberyn fighting Ser Gregor Clegane, his eldest daughter, Obara Sand, pressures Doran to seek vengeance. The gout-ridden prince reluctantly leaves the Water Gardens to return to the Old Palace of Sunspear.
After Cedra sneaks a message from Arianne, who is imprisoned in Sunspear, Doran has the servant reassigned to the Water Gardens. Doran tells Arianne that Ellaria Sand and her daughters are ensconced at the Water Gardens.
Prince Quentyn Martell recalls that while visiting his father, Doran, at the Water Gardens, Doran explained his plan to wed Quentyn to Daenerys Targaryen.
After a feast welcoming Ser Balon Swann to Sunspear, Prince Doran intends to bring him to the Water Gardens where he will hear the story of the wounded Myrcella.
Doran sends Arianne from the Water Gardens as an envoy to Aegon Targaryen in the stormlands. She is joined by Nate, who tends seven ravens from the Water Gardens. Dorea Sand remains at the palace.
The Water Gardens are my favorite place in this world.
- Doran Martell to Balon Swann
The water dance is a unique style of sword fighting practiced in the Free Cities, mostly associated with the bravos of the city of Braavos. Practitioners are also referred to as water dancers, given the custom of bravos to duel upon the Moon Pool near the Sealord's Palace; it is claimed that true water dancers can fight and kill upon the pool's surface without disturbing the surface of the water.
The style is a refined form of fencing in which the practitioner stands sideways and wields a slender blade. It is a swift and deadly style that focuses on speed, balance and grace, thus requiring slender pointed blades far lighter than the longswords of Westerosi knights and warriors. Trainees learn to wield their sword as though it is part of the arm, and to see with all the senses.
Pugnacious bravos are a common sight in the city of Braavos, frequently duelling to display their skill.
The Citadel has an account of a water-dancer duel thanks to Pilman of Lannisport, a ship's captain.
While in King's Landing, Arya Stark trains as a water dancer under Syrio Forel, a celebrated Braavosi swordsman. Arya is on the steps of the Tower of the Hand when her father, Lord Eddard Stark, finds her standing on one foot with her feet scuffed. He asks what she is doing and she tells him that Syrio says that a water dancer can stand on one toe for hours. Eddard expresses his concern about her falling down the steps and Arya states a water dancer never falls.
Water magic was the water-based magic of the Rhoynar.
Legend has said that the Rhoynar had their own magic — a water magic very different from the sorceries of Valyria, which were woven of blood and fire. It was said the Mother Rhoyne herself whispered to her children of every threat, that the Rhoynar princes wielded strange, uncanny powers, and that their cities were protected by "watery walls" that would rise to drown any foe.
During the First Turtle War, the Rhoynar emerged victorious over the Valyrians when their water wizards called up the power of the river Rhoyne and proceeded to flood Volon Therys. If the tales can be believed, half the city was washed away.
In the Second Spice War, the Rhoynish Prince Garin raised an army a quarter of a million strong to fight the Volantenes and Valyrians. So long as the army remained beside Mother Rhoyne, the prince declared, they need not fear the dragons of Valyria; their own water wizards would protect them from their fires. In the battle at Volon Therys, the water wizards raised enormous waterspouts against the Valyrians' three dragons, and the Rhoyne flooded the city.
Princess Nymeria has been called a "witch queen",
The children of the forest may have had their own form of water magic. According to legend, their greenseers called upon the hammer of the waters twice in attempts to stop the First Men from invading Westeros. The first use of the hammer of the waters resulted in the shattering of the Arm of Dorne into the Stepstones and the Broken Arm. The second attempt, to break Westeros in two, only resulted in the flooding of the Neck.
Watkyn is a sellsword in service to the Golden Company. He is cupbearer and squire to the company commander Harry Strickland.
When Jon Connington and "Young Griff" met Harry Strickland and the rest of the Golden Company at Volantis, Harry has Watkyn rub his feet as he complains of blisters. He like the rest of the company swears his allegiance to Aegon Targaryen when they invade Westeros.
Watt of Long Lake is a member of the Night's Watch from Long Lake in the north.
The brothers of the Night's Watch who defend the Wall during the attack by the wildlings name one of the straw dummies after Watt.
Watt is killed by an axe through his skull during the fight at the Bridge of Skulls. His corpse is knocked off the Bridge of Skulls by the wildlings, landing in a deep pool of water.
Edd: The gods always smiled on Watt, though. When the wildlings knocked him off the Bridge of Skulls, somehow he landed in a nice deep pool of water. How lucky was that, missing all those rocks?
Grenn: Was it a long fall? Did landing in the pool of water save his life?
Edd: No, he was dead already, from that axe in his head. Still, it was pretty lucky, missing the rocks.
- Eddison Tollett and Grenn
Watty the Miller is a member of the brotherhood without banners.
The brotherhood engages the Brave Companions in the battle at the burning septry. Watty, positioned as a bowman, is injured by an opposing archer. When they leave the septry, he serves as a scout for the brotherhood.
After Beric's final death, a part of the Brotherhood, including Watty, apparently go their separate way from those who chose to follow the resurrected, vengeful Lady Stoneheart.
Wayfarer's Rest is the seat of House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest in the Riverlands.
Karyl Vance becomes Lord of Wayfarer's Rest after the death of his father in the Battle of the Golden Tooth.
After the Battle of Oxcross, captives such as Ser Lymond Vikary are held here.
Wayfarer's Rest is a reference by George R. R. Martin to Liane the Wayfarer from *The Dying Earth* by Jack Vance.
Ser Waymar Royce is a knight of House Royce. The third and youngest son of Lord Yohn Royce, he became a ranger of the Night's Watch. In the television adaptation *Game of Thrones*, Waymar is played by Rob Ostlere.
See also: Images of Waymar Royce
Waymar is handsome, graceful and slender, with grey eyes. He wears leather boots, woolen pants, moleskin gloves, a sable cloak, and ringmail over layers of wool and boiled leather, all in black.
Waymar displays a sense of entitlement as well as arrogance towards more experienced members of the Night's Watch.
As a third son of a lord, Waymar had few chances at wealth or land and so joined the Night's Watch.
Shortly before *A Song of Ice and Fire* begins, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont gave Waymar the command of a ranging in the haunted forest in search of a band of wildling raiders. He was accompanied by Gared and Will. Waymar was the least experienced of the three, having been in the Night's Watch for less than half a year, whereas Jeor counted Gared and Will among his best men. However, Waymar felt it was his due to have a command because he was a knight, and Jeor accepted because he did not want to offend Waymar's father.
Waymar is attacked by the Others - by Amok ©
On the ninth day of ranging north and northest through the haunted forest, Will discovers a camp of eight immobile wildlings. Gared tries to persuade Ser Waymar to head back to the Wall, but without luck. While they approach the camp, Gared says he can feel something is wrong, but Waymar mocks the experienced ranger. Gared intends to make a fire, arguing that fire can keep some enemies away, but Waymar calls him a fool.
When they are at the wildling camp, Will and Waymar cannot find any bodies. Will climbs a tree to look for them, and both men feel markedly colder. Suddenly, Waymar is surrounded by Others. Though Waymar bravely duels an Other, he is blinded when his longsword shatters, and the group of Others swiftly kill the knight. Will stays in the trees until he is sure that the Others have left. When Will descends, he is attacked and strangled by Waymar, who has been turned into a wight with a blue eye.
Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, laments to Tyrion Lannister that he gave command to someone as inexperienced as Waymar. Jeor sends Benjen Stark to search for the missing rangers, but Benjen also disappears.
Craster tells Jeor that the three rangers stopped at Craster's Keep during their search for raiders.
As Tormund's free folk pass through the Wall at Castle Black, they surrender treasures to the Night's Watch. One man relinquishes a broken sword with three sapphires in the hilt, possibly Waymar's sword.
I am not going back to Castle Black a failure on my first ranging.
Dance with me then.
– Waymar to an Other
Ser Waymar had been a Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch for less than half a year, but no one could say he had not prepared for his vocation. At least insofar as his wardrobe was concerned.
- thoughts of Will
He lifted his sword high over his head, defiant. His hands trembled from the weight of it, or perhaps from the cold. Yet in that moment, Will thought, he was a boy no longer, but a man of the Night's Watch.
- thoughts of Will
Too proud to sleep under my roof, him in his sable cloak and black steel. My wives give him big cow eyes all the same.
- Craster to Jeor Mormont
The name Wayn can refer to:
Wayn is a guard sworn to House Stark.
Wayn is one of the guards, Quent being the other, who accompany Robb and Bran Stark to the wolfswood for Bran's first ride since his fall. He and Quent fall behind and then follow Theon Greyjoy after he spies a turkey, failing to guard Bran, who is seized by wildlings. After the skirmish, Wayn binds Osha for the return to Winterfell.
Weasel is a girl who lived in the Riverlands. Her real name is unknown. She was found by Yoren on the march north from King's Landing. She was named "Weasel" by Lommy who claimed she looked like one.
Weasel is a young child with matted hair who never speaks a word after she is rescued. She is stubborn and resilient, but has a bad habit of eating mud.
Weasel was a survivor from a holdfast that had been raided. Along with a wounded woman who later died, she was taken in by Yoren on his march north.
She is brought by Arya and Gendry through a secret tunnel, and thus survived the assault by Ser Amory Lorch and his men on the Yoren and his recruits.
While imprisoned and forced to serve at Harrenhal, Arya takes the name Weasel for her own.
The big eyes and hollow face of the Waif remind Arya of Weasel.
Run, Weasel, run as fast as you can, run and never come back.
- Arya Stark's thoughts
Weatherback Ridge is a ridge that sits near Castle Black.
The Night's Watch sends scouts to watch for wildlings coming up the kingsroad. When the wildlings show, the scouts light a beacon atop the ridge to warn the defenders back at Castle Black of the impending attack.
Webber is a sellsword of the Windblown. He is most likely a descendant of House Webber.
Webber is short and muscular, with spider tattoos across his head, chest, and arms.
Webber was part of the Siege of Astapor. He was later sent by the Tattered Prince, along with the other Westerosi Windblown, to go over to Daenerys Targaryen. The Prince told Webber that when he meets her, the excuse he should give for deserting is that he has some claims to lost lands in Westeros.
Wed to the Sea, Being an Account of the History of White Harbor from Its Earliest Days is a history of White Harbor written by Yorrick, who was a maester in service to House Manderly. The text mentions the practice of blood sacrifice to the old gods.
The wedding tourney at Whitewalls
The format was a standard knock-out tournament; only few outcomes are known to us, as the tourney was aborted prematurely when a royalist army led by Lord Bloodraven threatened Whitewalls. Two knights entered the lists under false names, Ser Duncan the Tall as the mystery "Gallows Knight" and Daemon II Blackfyre as "John the Fiddler". The prize for the winner was supposed to have been Lord Butterwell's dragon egg, but it was stolen before it could be awarded.
The tourney was then interrupted by claims that a thief had stolen the dragon egg. The next tilt would have been:
Some words are wind. Some words are treason. This is a traitor's tourney, ser.
The Weeper, also known as the Weeping Man, is a notorious free folk raider and leader of a war band.
See also: Images of the Weeper
The Weeper is a thick, blond-haired man, nicknamed for his watery eyes. He carries a large curved scythe of steel.
Qhorin Halfhand brings news to the Night's Watch encampment on the Fist of the First Men that the Weeping Man has allied himself with Mance Rayder.
Leading a group of Mance's outriders, the Weeper encounters Rattleshirt and the captive Jon Snow.
During the wildling assault on the Wall, the Weeper is spotted near Icemark.
After Mance's army is defeated in the battle beneath the Wall, the Weeper gathers warriors at the Milkwater and plans to cross the Bridge of Skulls to take the Shadow Tower.
The Weeper and his men capture three rangers of the Watch, Garth Greyfeather, Black Jack Bulwer, and Hairy Hal. He has them killed, their heads removed, and their eyes plucked out, then leaves their heads on spears near the Wall for the men of the Night's Watch to find.
Jon is willing to offer clemency to the Weeper and passage through the Wall if the raider joins the Night's Watch. Othell Yarwyck discounts the suggestion, however, and Torghen Flint wants the Weeper imprisoned for his crimes.
Along with the Tormunds and the Longspears rode other sorts of wildlings, though; men like Rattleshirt and the Weeper who would as soon slit you as spit on you.
- thoughts of Jon Snow
Cutting out the eyes, that's the Weeper's work. The best crow's a blind crow, he likes to say. Sometimes I think he'd like to cut out his own eyes, the way they're always watering and itching. Snow's been assuming the free folk would turn to Tormund to lead them, because that's what he would do. He liked Tormund, and the old fraud liked him too. If it's the Weeper, though ... that's not good. Not for him, and not for us.
- Mance Rayder to Melisandre
Othell: The Weeper will not say the words. He will not wear the cloak. Even other raiders do not trust him.
Jon: We need the Weeper, and others like him. Who knows the wild better than a wildling? Who knows our foes better than a man who has fought them?
Othell: All the Weeper knows is rape and murder.
– Othell Yarwyck and Jon Snow