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10.2. The Martells
  • The Martells style themselves "Princes" (I: 690)
  • The proper name of the house is Nymeros Martell, to signify the union of Nymeria with Mors Martell. This is generally simplified in usage, however. (I: 691. III: 432. SSM: 1)
  • The Martells are believed to be able to field fifty thousand Dornishmen (II: 240)
  • Children from all ranks and areas of Dorne, and some from outside Dorne, live and play together at the Water Gardens. The youngest are five, the oldest no more than 9 or 10. They are divided equally between boys and girls (IV: 30, 32, 37)
  • There might be thirty guardsmen at the Water Gardens when the Prince is in residence (IV: 37)
  • The Martells appoint a lord treasurer (IV: 196, 723)
  • A ruling princess of Dorne never takes the name of her consort. Some of the noble houses of Dorne follow them in this custom (SSM: 1)
  • Nymeros indicates "of the line of Nymeria" and is used by both male and female Martells (SSM: 1)
Last revised August 01, 2009
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10.2.1. Sunspear and the shadow city
  • The Spear Tower and the Tower of the Sun are two of the towers of Sunspear (IV: 33, 34)
  • The Tower of the Sun is where the Prince of Dorne resides when in Sunspear (IV: 34)
  • Sunspear has an Old Palace (IV: 35)
  • The shadow city surrounds Sunspear (IV: 35)
  • The road from Sunspear to the Water Gardens runs beside the sea (IV: 38)
  • Sunspear has three notable towers. The Spear Tower is slender, a hundred-and-fifty feet tall and topped by a gilded steel spear that adds another thirty feet to its height. The Tower of the Sun is mighty and is topped by a dome of gold and leaded glass. Finally, the Sandship is dun-colored and looks like a huge dromond turned to stone (IV: 40, 588)
  • Sunspear and the shadow city smell of dust, sweat, and sand, and the people there are most active in the cool of the night (IV: 40)
  • Sunspear is the ancient stronghold of House Martell, and mud and straw brick features significantly in its construction. It stands at the easternmost end of a small peninsula of sand and stone, and is surrounded on three sides by the sea (IV: 40)
  • Clinging to the castle's massive walls, the shadow city spreads westwards. Mud-brick shops and windowless hovels are closest to the walls, then west of those are stables, inns, winesinks, pillow houses, some with walls of their own; and then more hovels and buildings grew and spread beyond those walls. (IV: 40)
  • The shadow city is no more than a town when compared to the Free Cities of Tyrosh, Myr, or Great Norvos, but it is the closest thing to a true city that the Dornish have (IV: 40)
  • The Threefold Gate, which passes through the Winding Walls, is the only direct route to the Old Palace. Otherwise one must travel through miles of narrow alleys, hidden courts, and noisy bazaars (IV: 40)
  • One must cross the squallor of the outer crescent of the shadow city before coming to the second of the Threefold Gates (IV: 41)
  • Beyond the second of the Threefold Gates, the shadow city can smell of tar, salt water, and rotting seaweed (IV: 41)
  • The path through the Threefold Gates is paved with bricks (IV: 41)
  • The throne room is beneath the dome of the Tower of the Sun, and can be reached via long stone steps (IV: 42)
  • Sunlight can pour through thick windows of many-colored glass set in the dome of the Tower of the Sun, so that the pale marble of the throne room can seem dappled by diamonds of half a hundred colors (IV: 42)
  • Courtiers might sit on pillows beside the dais on which the two high seats of the throne room stand. (IV: 42)
  • The high seats of the throne room are near twins to one another, the only difference being that one is inlaid with the Martell spear on its back and the other features the blazing Rhoynish sun that flew from the masts of Nymeria's ships. The spear seat is used by a ruling prince (IV: 42)
  • Highborn prisoners might be confined in cells at the top of the Spear Tower (IV: 45)
  • The shadow city is all but deserted in the heat of the day, but it comes alive at night (IV: 186)
  • The Martells appoint a seneschal (IV: 196)
  • The Martells have bailiffs who collect taxes and duties, shariffs who patrol the shadow city, and justiciars to sit in judgment (IV: 196)
  • Looking east from the top of the Spear Tower, one can see the sun rise over the sea, while looking west one could look down on the Tower of the Sun, and see the Winding Walls and Threefold Gate beyond (IV: 588)
  • The Spear Tower is built of sandstone (IV: 591)
  • Windows beneath the highest chambers of the Spear Tower are smaller than those above, some no more than arrow loops (IV: 592)
  • The prince's solar is not in the Tower of the Sun (IV: 597)
Last revised July 18, 2009
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10.2.2. The Water Gardens
  • A terrace overlooking the numerous pools and fountains of the Water Gardens, shaded by blood orange trees, can be reached by triple arches (IV: 30-32)
  • Pale pink marble paves the gardens and courtyard (IV: 30, 31)
  • Children from all ranks and areas of Dorne, and some from outside Dorne, live and play together at the Water Gardens. The youngest are five, the oldest no more than 9 or 10. They are divided equally between boys and girls (IV: 30, 32, 37)
  • The Water Gardens is a palace (IV: 30)
  • There are stables near the gates (IV: 30)
  • The Water Gardens is on a beach next to the sea (IV: 33)
  • Children lie down to take in the sunlight, swim in the sea, build sand castles, and other activities at the Water Gardens. Particularly popular are games in pools and fountains, such as climbing on one another's shoulders and trying to push their opponents into the water (IV: 33-34)
  • A gallery featuring fluted pillars leads from the terrace to a graceful archway (IV: 36)
  • There might be thirty guardsmen at the Water Gardens when the Prince is in residence (IV: 37)
  • The road from Sunspear to the Water Gardens runs beside the sea (IV: 38)
  • The Water Gardens is three leagues to the west of Sunspear (IV: 40)
  • There are lemon trees in the gardens (IV: 40)
  • Prince Maron built the Water Gardens as a gift to his Targaryen bride, to mark the union of Dorne to the rest of the Seven Kingdoms (IV: 188)
  • 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 (IV: 188)
Last revised October 10, 2008
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10.2.3. Ancestors and History
  • The warrior queen Nymeria led her people to Dorne from the Rhoyne 1,000 years ago (I: 59. II: 233. SSM: 1
  • The Dornish Princess Elia, wife to the crown prince Rhaegar, was raped and murdered by a Lannister knight, Gregor Clegane, along with Rhaegar's son and heir Aegon (I: 263 II: 203)
  • Nymeria was the warrior queen of the Rhoyne who brought ten thousand ships to land in Dorne, taking Mors Martell as her husband and aiding him in vanquishing all rivals for the rule of Dorne (I: 690)
  • Because of the Rhoynar influence, rulers of Dorne styled themselves "princes" rather than "kings" (I: 690)
  • Dorne was never conquered by Aegon the Conqueror (I: 690)
  • Dorne was not joined to the Seven Kingdoms until two hundred years after Aegon, and then it was by marriage and treaty rather than war. Baelor the Blessed negotiated the marriage of Daeron to Myriah Martell as a means of making peace with Dorne after Daeron I's failed conquest. Later, when Daeron was king, he negotiated the marriage of his much younger sister Daenerys (who was born after he had already had a son of his own) to the Prince of Dorne, thereby uniting the realms. (I: 690. SSM: 1)
  • Doran Martell's hatred for House Lannister is well known (II: 203)
  • Prince Doran Martell is said to mourn the death of Elia and her children even some fifteen years after the fact (II: 203)
  • The Dornishmen have warred against the Reach and Storm's End for a thousand years (II: 233)
  • The Tyrells despise the Red Viper, Prince Oberyn, because of a tourney mishap which left Lord Mace's heir Willas crippled (III: 72, 433, 437)
  • Princess Elia Martell had never been the healthiest of women (III: 128, 486)
  • Beldecar's History of the Rhoynish Wars makes mention of elephants (III: 136)
  • Dorne and the Reach had fought border wars beyond count and made countless raids across mountains and marches even when at peace, leading to their great enmity, though it had waned somewhat since Dorne became a part of the Seven Kingdoms (III: 214)
  • Growing frantic, Aerys gracelessly reminded Prince Lewyn Martell that Princess Elia was in his power and sent him to take command of 10,000 Dornishmen coming up the kingsroad (III: 418)
  • Doran Martell past fifty (III: 430)
  • Oberyn Nymeros Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne, is infamous. At sixteen he was found abed with the paramour of old Lord Yronwood, a huge man of fierce repute and short temper. A duel to first blood ensued, in light of the prince's youth and high birth. Both men took cuts and honor was satisfied, but Prince Oberyn swiftly recovered while Lord Yronwood's wounds festered and killed him. Afterwards men whispered that Oberyn fought with a poisoned sword, and thereafter friends and foes alike called him the Red Viper (III: 432)
  • Prince Oberyn had gone on to the Free Cities, learning the poisoner's trade and perhaps darker arts as well if rumors could be believed. He had studied at the Citadel, going so far as to forge six links of a maester's chain before he grew bored. He had soldiered in the Disputed Lands across the narrow sea, riding with the Second Sons for a time before forming his own company. It is said that he beds both men and women both, and has begotten bastard girls all over Dorne. The sand snakes, men call them (III: 432, 433)
  • The ruling Princess of Dorne, her daughter Princess Elia, and her son Prince Oberyn visited Casterly Rock many years ago, when Tyrion Lannister was a newborn. It was some 25 years ago, when Elia was fifteen or sixteen. Oberyn was a year younger than she was. Cersei and Jaime were 8 or 9 at the time (III: 433)
  • As children, Elia and Oberyn were inseparable (III: 436)
  • Jon Arryn came to Sunspear the year after Robert took the throne, and was questioned closely, along with a hundred others, about what happened during the Sack and who was responsible for deaths of Elia and her children (III: 436)
  • When Prince Rhaegar was young, he rode brilliantly in a tourney at Storm's End, defeating many notables, including Prince Oberyn the Red Viper (III: 485)
  • Elia Martell was a good and gracious lady (III: 486)
  • Prince Oberyn attempted to raise Dorne for Prince Viserys. Ravens flew and riders rode, and Jon Arryn came to Sunspear to return Prince Lewyn's bones and ended all talks of war when he spoke with Prine Doran. Robert never visited Dorne thereafter, however, and the Red Viper rarely left it (III: 593)
  • After the Submission of Sunspear, the Young Dragon left the Lord of Highgarden to rule Dorne for him. He moved with his train from one keep to the next, chasing rebels and keeping the knees of the Dornishmen bent. It was his custom to turn the lords of the keeps he stayed in out of their chambers, to sleep in their place. One night, finding himself in a bed with a heavy velvet canopy, he pulled a sash near the pillows to summon a wench. When he did so, the canopy opened and a hundred red scorpions fell upon him. His death led to rebellion throughout Dorne, and in a fortnight all the Young Dragon had won was undone (III: 747)
  • About the time Tyrion Lannister was born, some 8 or 9 years before the Sack of King's Landing, the ruling Princess of Dorne set out on a quest to find a husband for Princess Elia and a wife for Prince Oberyn, travelling to Starfall, the Arbor, Oldtown, the Shield Islands, Crakehall, and Casterly Rock. Her eldest son, Prince Doran, was betrothed to Lady Mellario of Norvos at the time, and so remained at Sunspear as castellan (III: 795)
  • Prince Doran's mother, the ruling Princess of Dorne before him, had served at King's Landing in her youth as one of Princess Rhaella's companions. She knew Lady Joanna from that occasion and was friends with her (III: 795)
  • It seems the ruling Princess of Dorne planned to wed Princess Elia or Prince Oberyn to one of Lord Tywin's children, or both of them to his twins. However, after his wife's death he was unreceptive and offered the newborn Tyrion, which was seen as an insult (III: 795, 796)
  • Baelor Breakspear led a host of stormlords and Dornishmen at the Redgrass Field, where they shattered the enemy by charging into the rebel rear (TSS: 112)
  • Dorne closed its ports and the high pass during the Great Spring Sickness, thereby sparing itself from the plague (TSS: 121)
  • Following Daeron II's marriage to a princess of Dorne, many Dornishmen and women flocked to his court. He later arranged the marriage of his sister to the Prince of Sunspear, even though it was said that she and Daemon Blackfyre were in love (TSS: 137)
  • In recent decades, there appear to have been many conflicts in which Martell house guards have taken part (IV: 3)
  • House Martell used a spear as its emblem, while Nymeria and the Rhoynar used the sun as their emblem. These were combined when Nymeria wed Lord Mors Martell (IV: 42)
  • When Daeron the Good married the Dornish princess Myriah and then brought Dorne into the realm, it was agreed that Dornish law would always rule in Dorne (IV: 43)
  • It's claimed that Prince Lewyn Martell kept a paramour, a great beauty in her day, while he was in the Kingsguard (IV: 193)
  • Many armies have marched into Dorne in past centuries, only to perish in the hot red deserts (IV: 308)
  • There is bad blood between the Fowlers and the Yronwoods since the Fowlers chose Martell over Yronwood during Nymeria's War (IV: 594)
  • Prince Lewyn of Dorne was an uncle of Doran Martell and died fighting on the Trident (SSM: 1)
  • Dorne has had a violent history, particularly with the mountain houses who lived by raiding across the borders into the marches, feuded with each other endlessly, and were the first to face invaders (SSM: 1)
  • Dorne accepted the High Septon even after Maegor the Cruel and Jaehaerys the Concilator disarmed the Faith and carried undue influence over the Faith (SSM: 1)
  • The Rhoyne is a river on the eastern continent (SSM: 1)
  • The Rhoynar brought various old gods with them, but over the last thousand years they have largely disappeared and been replaced by the Faith of the Seven (SSM: 1)
  • The Martells name themselves prince or princess after the Rhoynar custom. The Rhoynar rulers of the various cities along the Rhoyne River followed the same convention (SSM: 1)
  • Dorne avoided being ruled by Aegon the Conqueror by refusing to assemble huge armies to be burned by dragons as happened to the army of the Two Kings, nor did they hide in their castles as Harren the Black and his sons did. They fled before the dragons instead and returned to harrass and murder when they could (SSM: 1, 2)
Last revised November 17, 2009
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10.2.4. Bannerhouses
  • House Jordayne of the Tor (I: 691. III: 429)
  • House Santagar of Spottswood. They are knights, ruled by the Knight of Spottswood (I: 691. IV: 303, 352)
  • House Allyrion of Godsgrace (I: 691. III: 429)
  • House Toland, the lords of Ghost Hill (I: 691. IV: 600)
  • House Yronwood is the most powerful of the Martell bannermen. Lord Yronwood rules the seat of the same name at the Dornish end of the Boneway, and holds the office of Warden of the Stone Way (I: 691. III: 959. IV: 600)
  • House Wyl, who have their seat in the Boneway (I: 691. IV: 600)
  • House Fowler, ruled by Lord Fowler. Their seat of Skyreach can be found at the Prince's Pass. They hold the office of Warden of the Prince's Pass (I: 691. IV: 594, 724)
  • House Qorgyle of Sandstone (III: 82, 429)
  • House Dalt of Lemonwood. The head of the house is known as the Knight of Lemonwood. They are more powerful than petty lords, but not so powerful as to intimidate House Martell (III: 429. IV: 593-594)
  • House Uller and House Fowler are powerful houses in Dorne. There is a saying stating that half the Ullers are mad, and the other half are worse. The Fowlers
  • House Blackmont of Blackmont (III: 429)
  • House Manwoody of Kingsgrave (III: 429)
  • House Uller of Hellholt (III: 429)
  • House Gargalen of Salt Shore (III: 429)
  • House Ladybright (IV: 196)
  • The Jordaynes, Allyrions, Qorgyles, Dalts, Blackmonts, Manwoodys, Ullers, and Gargalens are among the greatest noble families of Dorne. None of them are small or insignificant (III: 429, 430)
  • House Vaith rules Vaith, and are called the Lords of the Red Dunes (TSS: 101, 106. IV: 724)
  • Around 210, Lady Vaith headed the house. She was a madwoman (TSS: 106)
  • Members of House Yronwood rode with Bittersteel in three of the Blackfyre Rebellions (IV: 198)
  • There is bad blood between the Fowlers and the Yronwoods since the Fowlers chose Martell over Yronwood during Nymeria's War (IV: 594)
  • Dorne has had a violent history, particularly with the mountain houses who lived by raiding across the borders into the marches, feuded with each other endlessly, and were the first to face invaders (SSM: 1)
  • A ruling princess of Dorne never takes the name of her consort. Some of the noble houses of Dorne follow them in this custom (SSM: 1)
  • The vast majority of Dornish follow the Rhoynish custom of the eldest child inheriting regardless of gender. However, some few of the stony Dornish houses, little touched by Rhoynish blood, may go their own way (SSM: 1)
  • There have been a number of Vulture Kings in the past, from various houses, including possibly House Blackmont (SSM: 1)
Last revised August 07, 2009
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10.2.4.1. The Daynes of Starfall
  • Starfall sits on the shores of the Summer Sea (I: 55)
  • The Daynes may be largely violet-eyed (I: 55)
  • The Daynes have a famous greatsword, named Dawn whose blade is as pale as milkglass (I: 354)
  • The sister of Arthur Dayne, Ashara Dayne, threw herself into the sea after Eddard Stark brought her the familial sword Dawn which the Sword of the Morning carried (I: 407)
  • The sword Dawn was forged from the heart of a fallen star (II: 243)
  • Ser Arthur Dayne was Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's oldest friend (III: 90)
  • Arthur Dayne was said to be the only knight in the realm who was Prince Rhaegar's peer (III: 90)
  • At least some Daynes are fair-haired (III: 387, 493)
  • Edric Dayne, lord of Starfall, was born in the 287th year after Aegon's Conquest, the only son of the prior Lord Dayne who had been elder brother to Ser Arthur, Ashara, and the still-living Allyria (III: 493-495. SSM: 1)
  • Ashara Dayne threw herself from a tower at Starfall called the Palestone Sword (III: 495)
  • Allyria Dayne says her sister Ashara fell in love with Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell at the great tournament at Harrenhal, and killed herself because of a broken heart (III: 495)
  • The Smiling Knight was a madman, chivalry and cruelty all jumbled together, but he did not know the meaning of fear. When Ser Arthur Dayne broke the Kingswood Brotherhood, he fought against the squire Jaime Lannister and then against the Sword of the Morning with Dawn in his hands. The outlaw's sword had so many notches by the end that Ser Arthur had stopped to let him fetch a new one. When the robber knight told Dayne that it was Dawn that he wanted when the fight resumed, Ser Arthur responded that he would have it and made an end of it, killing him (III: 753)
  • Ulrik Dayne was a past Sword of the Morning, and clearly accounted one of the great warriors in 211, although it is not clear when he actually lived (TSS: 137)
  • Sword of the Morning is an office that some men of House Dayne are selected to hold if they're deemed worthy to carry Dawn (TSS: 137. SSM: 1, 2, SSM: 3)
  • A cadet branch of the family serve as vassals to Starfall, ruling as the Knights of High Hermitage, a castle in the mountains (IV: 300)
  • The Daynes and Oakhearts have fought one another for several thousand years (IV: 302)
  • The Daynes have existed for ten thousand years, to the dawn of days, it's said (IV: 304)
  • Ashara Dayne was not stuck in Starfall the entire time of the war, apparently, and was a lady in waiting to Princess Elia in the first few years of her marriage to Prince Rhaegar (SSM: 1)
  • Ashara Dayne's body was never recovered from the sea (SSM: 1)
  • Dawn is at least a few thousand years old, and beyond that matters grow hazy (SSM: 1)
  • The family is not descended at all from Valyrian blood (SSM: 1)
  • The greatsword Dawn has had an illustrious history (SSM: 1)
Last revised July 18, 2012
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