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The '''Age of Heroes''' was an era during the history of [[Westeros]] which takes its name from the great men and women who lived in the years of peace that followed the forging of the [[Pact]] between the [[First Men]] and the [[children of the forest]]. Many noble houses trace their family histories to the Age of Heroes and many stories, [[songs]], and legends are told about it.<ref>[[A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying]], Campaign guide</ref> It is an era that is shrouded in mystery, with more myth than fact known about it.
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[[File:Brandon stark the builder by feliche.jpg|thumb|[[Brandon the Builder]], by Feliche ©]]
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The '''Age of Heroes''' was an era of [[Westeros]]i history prior to the [[coming of the Andals]]. It takes its name from the great men and women who lived in the years of peace that followed the forging of the [[Pact]] between the [[First Men]] and the [[children of the forest]].{{ref|AGOT|66}} Many [[noble houses]] trace their family histories to the Age of Heroes, although it is difficult for historians to differentiate between truth and legend.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
The Age of Heroes began with the signing of the [[Pact]] on the [[Isle of Faces]]. The Pact ended the [[war of the First Men and the children of the forest]]{{Ref|aGoT|66}} and lasted for nearly four thousand years.
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[[File:Garth_Greenhand_by_Douglas_Wheatley©.png|thumb|[[Garth Greenhand]], by by Douglas Wheatley ©]]
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It is generally believed that the Age of Heroes began with the signing of the [[Pact]] on the [[Isle of Faces]]. This agreement ended the [[war of the First Men and the children of the forest|the war]] between the [[First Men]] and the [[children of the forest]], leading to four thousand years of peace between the two peoples.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} Numerous petty kings and lords rose to power as the First Men spread through [[Westeros]], with some erroneously said to have ruled for hundreds of years, and their realms formed the basis of what would eventually become the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}}
  
During that time, a hundred kingdoms rose and fell.  This was a rugged time where many ancient traditions and legacies forged by the First Men were established, with influence from the children. Many of these customs live on among the lords of [[the North]], who still bear the blood of the First Men in their veins. The laws of hospitality, the obligation of a judge to also be the executioner, and the renowned [[Wall]] are all accredited to these ancestors of the northmen; the [[barrowlands|barrows]] of the First Men can still be found throughout the North. This was the time when many legendary kings and heroes walked the earth, such as:
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Much of the Ages of Heroes is shrouded in mystery, as tales about it were compiled by [[septon]]s and [[maesters]] thousands of years later.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}} [[Runes]], stone monuments, ringforts, and ancient castles of the First Men provide some insight into this legendary time, however.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}}
*[[Bran the Builder]]{{Ref|aGoT|27}} - who built the [[Wall]] and [[Winterfell]].  He is also accredited for other famous constructions, including [[Storm's End]]. He is said to have founded [[House Stark]], the [[Kings of Winter]].
 
*[[Lann the Clever]]{{Ref|aGoT|27}} - who supposedly swindled [[Casterly Rock]] from the [[House Casterly|Casterlys]] using nothing but his wits. [[House Lannister]] traces their descent from Lann.
 
*[[Garth Greenhand]]{{ref|asos|6}} - who founded [[House Gardener]] of [[the Reach]], and from him sprung numerous other lines and families.  
 
*[[Durran]]{{Ref|acok|31}} - first of the [[Storm King]]s, who raised [[Storm's End]] to check the wrath of the gods for wedding their daughter [[Elenei]]
 
*The [[Grey King]] {{Ref|aGoT|27}} of the [[Iron Islands]] - legends hold that he wed a mermaid and became king of the western isles and [[Sunset Sea|all the sea beyond]].
 
*[[Symeon Star-Eyes]] - a legendary [[knight]] who was blind.
 
  
Other royal houses from the era include the [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]],{{ref|ADWD|48}} [[House Bracken|Brackens]],{{ref|ADWD|48}} and [[House Darklyn|Darklyns]].{{ref|AFFC|9}} During the Age of Heroes the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] are said to have flayed Starks and worn their skins as cloaks.{{ref|ASOS|62}} A dozen armies smashed themselves to bits upon the [[Bloody Gate]].{{ref|AGOT|34}} The [[Ravenry]] of the [[Citadel]] is believed to have been the stronghold of a pirate lord.{{ref|AFFC|45}}
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Many legendary figures are said to have lived during the Age of Heroes, including:
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*[[Bran the Builder]],{{Ref|AGOT|27}} who built the [[Wall]] and [[Winterfell]]. He is also accredited for other famous constructions, including [[Storm's End]] and the [[Hightower]]. He is said to have founded [[House Stark]], the [[Kings of Winter]].
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*[[Lann the Clever]],{{Ref|AGOT|27}} who supposedly swindled [[Casterly Rock]] from the [[House Casterly|Casterlys]] using nothing but his wits. [[House Lannister]] traces their descent from Lann.
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*[[Garth Greenhand]],{{ref|ASOS|6}} the ancestor of [[House Gardener]] and many other houses from the [[Reach]].
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*[[Durran Godsgrief]],{{Ref|ACOK|31}} founder of [[House Durrandon]] and first of the [[Storm King]]s, who raised [[Storm's End]] to check the wrath of the gods for wedding their daughter [[Elenei]].
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*The [[Grey King]],{{Ref|AGOT|27}} whom legends hold wed a [[mermaid]] and became king of the [[Iron Islands|western isles]] and [[Sunset Sea|all the sea beyond]].
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*The [[Winged Knight]],{{ref|TWOIAF|The Vale: House Arryn}} who is conflated with Ser [[Artys Arryn]].
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*[[Symeon Star-Eyes]],{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}} a legendary [[knight]] who was blind.
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*[[Serwyn of the Mirror Shield]],{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}} erroneously said to have been a knight of the [[Kingsguard]].
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*[[Florian the Fool]] and [[Jonquil]]{{ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
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*Ser [[Galladon of Morne]],{{ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: The Men of the Stormlands}} a hero from [[Tarth]].
  
While much was achieved during this ancient era, it was at a cost - in the midst of the Age of Heroes fell the longest and blackest of winters - the [[the Long Night]] which heralded the arrival of the [[Others]]. During this time it was also recorded by the [[Night's Watch]] that the children of the forest gave the defenders of the Wall a hundred [[obsidian]] daggers every year.{{Ref|aFfC|5}}
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Other royal houses from the era include the [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]],{{ref|ADWD|48}} [[House Bracken|Brackens]],{{ref|ADWD|48}} and [[House Darklyn|Darklyns]].{{ref|AFFC|9}} During the Age of Heroes the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] are said to have [[flaying|flayed]] Starks and worn their skins as cloaks.{{ref|ASOS|62}} A dozen armies smashed themselves to bits upon the [[Bloody Gate]] in the [[Mountains of the Moon]].{{ref|AGOT|34}} The [[Ravenry]] of the [[Citadel]] is believed to have been the stronghold of a pirate lord.{{ref|AFFC|45}}
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In the midst of the Age of Heroes fell the longest and blackest of winters, the [[Long Night]] which heralded the arrival of the [[Others]]. During this time it was also recorded by the [[Night's Watch]] that the children of the forest gave the defenders of the Wall a hundred [[obsidian]] daggers every year.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}
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The Age of Heroes possible overlaps with the [[Age of the Hundred Kingdoms]]. The [[coming of the Andals]] to Westeros led to most realms of the First Men being conquered by or submitting to [[Andals]].{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Arrival of the Andals}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|The oldest histories we have were written after the [[Andals]] came to [[Westeros]]. The [[First Men]] only left us runes on rocks, so everything we know about the Age of Heroes and the [[Dawn Age]] and [[the Long Night]] comes from accounts set down by [[septon]]s thousands of years later. There are [[archmaester]]s at the [[Citadel]] who question all of it. Those old histories are full of kings who reigned for a hundred years, and [[knight]]s riding around a thousand years before there '''were''' knights.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}}} - [[Samwell Tarly]], to [[Jon Snow]]
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[[File:Nagga and Grey King fight2.jpg|350px|thumb|right|The [[Grey King]] fights [[Nagga]], from ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Blu-ray]]
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{{Quote|What is commonly accepted is that the Age of Heroes began with the [[Pact]] and extended through the thousands of years in which the [[First Men]] and the [[children of the forest|children]] lived in peace with one another.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}
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{{Quote|Did such heroes once exist? It may be so. But when the singers number [[Serwyn of the Mirror Shield]] as one of the [[Kingsguard]]—an institution that was only formed during the reign of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]]—we can see why it is that few of these tales can ever be trusted.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}
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{{Quote|The oldest histories we have were written after the [[coming of the Andals|Andals came]] to [[Westeros]]. The [[First Men]] only left us [[runes]] on rocks, so everything we know about the Age of Heroes and the [[Dawn Age]] and the [[Long Night]] comes from accounts set down by [[septon]]s thousands of years later. There are [[archmaester]]s at the [[Citadel]] who question all of it. Those old histories are full of kings who reigned for a hundred years, and [[knight]]s riding around a thousand years before there were knights.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}| [[Samwell Tarly]], to [[Jon Snow]]}}
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
* [[Timeline of major events]]
 
* [[Timeline of major events]]
  
==References and Notes==
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==References==
{{References|2}}
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{{references}}
  
 
[[Category:History]]
 
[[Category:History]]

Latest revision as of 19:40, 1 February 2024

Brandon the Builder, by Feliche ©

The Age of Heroes was an era of Westerosi history prior to the coming of the Andals. It takes its name from the great men and women who lived in the years of peace that followed the forging of the Pact between the First Men and the children of the forest.[1] Many noble houses trace their family histories to the Age of Heroes, although it is difficult for historians to differentiate between truth and legend.[2]

History

Garth Greenhand, by by Douglas Wheatley ©

It is generally believed that the Age of Heroes began with the signing of the Pact on the Isle of Faces. This agreement ended the the war between the First Men and the children of the forest, leading to four thousand years of peace between the two peoples.[1] Numerous petty kings and lords rose to power as the First Men spread through Westeros, with some erroneously said to have ruled for hundreds of years, and their realms formed the basis of what would eventually become the Seven Kingdoms.[2]

Much of the Ages of Heroes is shrouded in mystery, as tales about it were compiled by septons and maesters thousands of years later.[2] Runes, stone monuments, ringforts, and ancient castles of the First Men provide some insight into this legendary time, however.[2]

Many legendary figures are said to have lived during the Age of Heroes, including:

Other royal houses from the era include the Blackwoods,[9] Brackens,[9] and Darklyns.[10] During the Age of Heroes the Boltons are said to have flayed Starks and worn their skins as cloaks.[11] A dozen armies smashed themselves to bits upon the Bloody Gate in the Mountains of the Moon.[12] The Ravenry of the Citadel is believed to have been the stronghold of a pirate lord.[13]

In the midst of the Age of Heroes fell the longest and blackest of winters, the Long Night which heralded the arrival of the Others. During this time it was also recorded by the Night's Watch that the children of the forest gave the defenders of the Wall a hundred obsidian daggers every year.[14]

The Age of Heroes possible overlaps with the Age of the Hundred Kingdoms. The coming of the Andals to Westeros led to most realms of the First Men being conquered by or submitting to Andals.[15]

Quotes

The Grey King fights Nagga, from Game of Thrones Blu-ray

What is commonly accepted is that the Age of Heroes began with the Pact and extended through the thousands of years in which the First Men and the children lived in peace with one another.[2]

—writings of Yandel

Did such heroes once exist? It may be so. But when the singers number Serwyn of the Mirror Shield as one of the Kingsguard—an institution that was only formed during the reign of Aegon the Conqueror—we can see why it is that few of these tales can ever be trusted.[2]

—writings of Yandel

The oldest histories we have were written after the Andals came to Westeros. The First Men only left us runes on rocks, so everything we know about the Age of Heroes and the Dawn Age and the Long Night comes from accounts set down by septons thousands of years later. There are archmaesters at the Citadel who question all of it. Those old histories are full of kings who reigned for a hundred years, and knights riding around a thousand years before there were knights.[14]

See Also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Age of Heroes.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
  4. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 6, Sansa I.
  5. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.
  6. The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale: House Arryn.
  7. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: The Men of the Stormlands.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 48, Jaime I.
  10. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  11. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 62, Jaime VII.
  12. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 34, Catelyn VI.
  13. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
  14. 14.0 14.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
  15. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Arrival of the Andals.