Difference between revisions of "Black cells"

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The secret passages in the [[Tower of the Hand]] are explored, and a passage to the black cells is discovered.{{ref|affc|12}}
 
The secret passages in the [[Tower of the Hand]] are explored, and a passage to the black cells is discovered.{{ref|affc|12}}
  
Cersei allows Qyburn to use various prisoners in his experiments in the black cells, including her former handmaiden [[Senelle]] and some female puppeteers. When Qyburn requests the puppeteers for his experiments, Cersei recalls how Senelle had come with her to the black cells unknowing of her fate until Qyburn manacled her. She also recalls hearing a "foul thing screaming in the darkness".{{ref|affc|24}} After the puppeteers die, Cersei gives Qyburn Lady [[Falyse Stokeworth]], to make her disappear.{{ref|affc|32}}
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Cersei allows Qyburn to use various prisoners in his experiments in the black cells, including her former handmaiden [[Senelle]] and some female puppeteers. When Qyburn requests the puppeteers for his experiments, Cersei recalls how Senelle had come with her to the black cells unknowing of her fate until Qyburn manacled her. She also recalls hearing a "[[Robert Strong|foul thing]] screaming in the darkness".{{ref|affc|24}} After the puppeteers die, Cersei gives Qyburn Lady [[Falyse Stokeworth]], to make her disappear.{{ref|affc|32}}
  
 
Cersei has Qyburn torture the [[Blue Bard]] in the black cells, to convince him to give evidence against [[Margaery Tyrell]]. Cersei later dreams that she is in chains in the black cells, being tortured by Tyrion.{{ref|affc|39}}
 
Cersei has Qyburn torture the [[Blue Bard]] in the black cells, to convince him to give evidence against [[Margaery Tyrell]]. Cersei later dreams that she is in chains in the black cells, being tortured by Tyrion.{{ref|affc|39}}

Revision as of 17:44, 23 May 2016

The black cells are in the third level of the dungeons of the Red Keep.[1]

About

The Red Keep has four levels of dungeons. The third level has small cells with no windows and solid wooden doors, which leaves the prisoners in darkness. Because of this, they are called the "black cells".[1] They are reserved for the most vile and dangerous prisoners,[2] and therefore are not often used.[3] The gaoler Rugen (actually a disguise of Varys) is in charge of the black cells.[4]

There are no windows or beds in the black cells, and not even a bucket for waste. The straw on the floor smells of urine and feces. The doors are made of wood, four inches thick and studded with iron. The dark is absolute. The only light the prisoners receive is when the door is opened to feed them, or if they receive a visitor with a torch.[5] The cells are bitterly cold.[6]

History

King Maegor I Targaryen ordered four levels of dungeons when he completed the construction of the Red Keep, including the third level of the black cells.[1]

During the Dance of the Dragons civil war between the blacks faction of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and the greens faction of King Aegon II Targaryen, the master of coin Lord Lyman Beesbury was killed by the greens, the first death of the war.[7] Some say he died from a chill after being thrown into the black cells.[8]

Grand Maester Orwyle advised King Aegon to parlay with Queen Rhaenyra, but the king was angered at the suggestion and threatened to have Orwyle thrown into the black cells "with your black friends". But others on the green council also supported the idea to parlay, and Orwyle's imprisonment was avoided.[7] However, after the blacks captured King's Landing and the Red Keep, Grand Maester Orwyle was imprisoned in the black cells.[7] He wrote his account of the Dance of the Dragons while in his cell.[9]

Rhaenyra also imprisoned Lord Corlys Velaryon in the black cells, for treasonously warning Addam Velaryon to escape her arrest order.[7] Lord Corlys was later freed and pardoned by King Aegon when he retook the city.[8]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Eddard Stark is held in the black cells when he is arrested for treason.[1][5] Varys, in his disguise as the gaoler Rugen, visits Eddard in his cell and convinces him to confess to treason in exchange for the life of his daughter Sansa.[5]

A Clash of Kings

The Night's Watch recruiter Yoren has taken several men from the dungeons of the Red Keep, to bring to the Wall. Three of them -- Rorge, Biter, and Jaqen H'ghar -- were found in the black cells. Yoren keeps them fettered hand and foot in the back of a wagon, and vows that they will stay in irons all the way to the Wall.[2]

Acting Hand of the King Tyrion Lannister arrests Grand Maester Pycelle for treason, and has him thrown into the black cells.[10] Later, on Queen Regent Cersei Lannister's request, Tyrion allows Pycelle to be removed from the dungeons.[11]

A Storm of Swords

Tyrion Lannister had been held in a tower cell after his arrest for the murder of King Joffrey Baratheon. After the death of Oberyn Martell, Tyrion's champion in his trial by combat, Tyrion is taken to the black cells.[12]

Jaime Lannister has Varys help Tyrion escape the black cells. Varys, in disguise as Rugen, doses the guards' wine with sweetsleep, so that they fall asleep. After a conversation with Jaime, Tyrion walks with Varys down past the fourth level of the dungeons and into a secret passageway.[1]

A Feast for Crows

Cersei Lannister learns that Tyrion has escaped the black cells, and that the guards were found asleep. She orders their death.[13] Cersei is also told that the gaoler Rugen is missing.[4]

Cersei tells the former maester Qyburn that he may experiment on the dying Gregor Clegane, but that he must confine his studies to the black cells.[4]

Jaime Lannister speaks with chief undergaoler Rennifer Longwaters, who says that the black cells are not often used. Longwaters says that the only recent prisoners have been Tyrion Lannister, Grand Maester Pycelle, Lord Eddard Stark, and three common men that were given to the Night's Watch. Longwaters says he recommended against freeing those three men.[3]

The secret passages in the Tower of the Hand are explored, and a passage to the black cells is discovered.[14]

Cersei allows Qyburn to use various prisoners in his experiments in the black cells, including her former handmaiden Senelle and some female puppeteers. When Qyburn requests the puppeteers for his experiments, Cersei recalls how Senelle had come with her to the black cells unknowing of her fate until Qyburn manacled her. She also recalls hearing a "foul thing screaming in the darkness".[6] After the puppeteers die, Cersei gives Qyburn Lady Falyse Stokeworth, to make her disappear.[15]

Cersei has Qyburn torture the Blue Bard in the black cells, to convince him to give evidence against Margaery Tyrell. Cersei later dreams that she is in chains in the black cells, being tortured by Tyrion.[16]

A Dance with Dragons

Falyse Stokeworth has died screaming in the black cells.[17]

References