Great voyages
The great voyages were long voyages at sea made by Ser Corlys Velaryon and later his grandson, Lord Alyn Velaryon.[1][2] Many ships of Westeros had sailed as far as Qarth to trade for spices and silk, but Corlys the Sea Snake dared to go farther in nine voyages, reaching fabled lands in the Further East of Essos.[3] Alyn Oakenfist followed in his grandfather's footsteps with six voyages.[2]
Contents
History
According to Archmaester Gyldayn, Corlys Velaryon dreamed of the sea in his boyhood.[4] He first crossed the narrow sea at the age of six, sailing to Pentos with an uncle. When he was sixteen, Corlys captained Cod Queen from Driftmark to Dragonstone and back. in the following years, he took larger and faster ships on longer and more dangerous ventures. Corlys visited Oldtown, Lannisport, and Lordsport in western Westeros, and he sailed to Lys, Tyrosh, Pentos, and Myr in the Free Cities. He took Summer Maid to Volantis and the Summer Isles, and Ice Wolf north to Braavos, Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, and Hardhome before turning into the Shivering Sea for Lorath and the Port of Ibben. On Ice Wolf, he also unsuccessfully sought a rumored passage around northern Westeros.[3]
It is unknown when Ser Corlys made his first great voyage on Sea Snake. By 77 AC, the 24-year-old captain was already a celebrated mariner and captain of ships. That year, Princess Daella Targaryen was sent to Driftmark to meet Corlys. Daella became seasick crossing Blackwater Bay, however, and on her return complained that "he likes his boats better than he likes me."[4] Corlys would soon be hailed as the greatest seafarer Westeros had ever known.[4]
In 90 AC, Corlys, who had completed nine great voyages on Sea Snake, came home to marry and make a family.[4] After becoming Lord of the Tides, Corlys used his wealth to build High Tide on Driftmark. While serving as master of ships for King Viserys I Targaryen, Lord Corlys tripled the size of the royal fleet. After giving up that position, the Sea Snake also built many merchantmen and trading galleys.[3]
During the regency of King Aegon III Targaryen, Lord Alyn Velaryon made his first great voyage, with five other voyages following.[5]
Voyages of Corlys Velaryon
Corlys Velaryon made nine great voyages aboard Sea Snake, the ship which gave him his nickname.[6] Corlys designed and built Sea Snake himself.[3]
- First voyage: Corlys sailed beyond the Jade Gates to Yi Ti and Leng. He returned with such a wealth of spice, silk, and jade that House Velaryon doubled their wealth.[4]
- Second voyage: Corlys sailed even farther east than his first voyage, becoming the first Westerosi ever to reach Asshai-by-the-Shadow. Tales say that Corlys lost his love and half of his crew in the mysterious city. Corlys was convinced that an old ship in Asshai's harbor was Sun Chaser, which Elissa Farman had sailed into the Sunset Sea west of Westeros.[4]
- Third voyage: Corlys sailed the Shivering Sea, becoming the first Westerosi to navigate the Thousand Islands, as well as the first to see N'ghai and Mossovy.[3]
- Ninth voyage: Corlys filled the hold of Sea Snake with gold and bought twenty more ships at Qarth, loading them with spices, elephants, and the finest silk. The elephants died at sea during the return voyage and only fourteen of the ships reached Driftmark. The wealth that remained briefly made House Velaryon the wealthiest family in the Seven Kingdoms, however, richer than even the Lannisters and Hightowers.[1]
Voyages of Alyn Velaryon
Unlike his grandsire, Alyn Velaryon made each of his six great voyages aboard different ships, which he called "my ladies".[6]
- First voyage: In 133 AC, Alyn was commanded by the Hand of the King, Lord Unwin Peake, to sail around Westeros to the Iron Islands to meet Dalton Greyjoy in battle and stops his raidings of the westerlands. Alyn sailed aboard a Braavosi war galley renamed Lady Baela after his wife, Baela Targaryen.[5]
- Second voyage: In mid 136 AC, Alyn departed from Driftmark for his second voyage, leading the Velaryon fleet from a galley he named Bold Marilda after his mother, Marilda of Hull. The destination of this voyage is as of yet unknown.[7]
- Fifth voyage: Alyn's former squire, Ser Russell Stillman, lost his leg during the voyage.[5]
- Sixth voyage: Since Alyn disappeared at sea,[8] it is possible he died during this sixth and last voyage.
Books written on the voyages
- The Nine Voyages by Maester Mathis
- Six Times to Sea: Being an Account of the Great Voyages of Alyn Oakenfist by Maester Bendamure
- Hard as Oak by Ser Russell Stillman
- Bastard Born by Rue
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.