Bloody Gate
Bloody Gate | |
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Fortress | |
The Bloody Gate - by Alyn Spiller. © Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) | |
Location | Westeros, Vale of Arryn |
Government | House Arryn |
Founded | Age of Heroes |
The Bloody Gate is a series of battlements placed across the mountain road that leads into the Vale of Arryn from the Mountains of the Moon.
Contents
About
There are two long parapets built into the stone of the mountains. The pass, narrow where it meets the gate, is watched over by twin watchtowers, which are joined by a covered bridge of grey stone that arches above the road.[2] The Bloody Gate is located southwest of the Eyrie and northwest of the Redfort.[1]
The gate has its own commander who is given the title the Knight of the Gate. This commander traditionally asks the question, "Who would pass the Bloody Gate?" to all who would pass through.[2]
History
Originally a rough-hewn unmortared wall built in the fashion of the ringforts of the First Men, the Bloody Gate was constructed anew during the rule of Osric V Arryn, King of Mountain and Vale.[3] During the Age of Heroes, a dozen armies smashed themselves to bits upon the Gate.[2]
Halleck Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers, failed to conquer the Bloody Gate three times.[4]
During the War of Conquest, Visenya Targaryen was charged with subduing the Vale of Arryn for her brother, Aegon I Targaryen. Sharra Arryn, Queen Regent of the Vale, who ruled in her son's name, the boy-king Ronnel Arryn, amassed the Vale's army at the Bloody Gate. Visenya, however, simply bypassed the gate and flew on her dragon Vhagar straight up to the courtyard of the Eyrie to obtain the surrender of House Arryn.
After Robert's Rebellion, which led to House Targaryen's downfall, Lord Jon Arryn named Ser Brynden Tully the Knight of the Gate.
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
When Catelyn Tully brings Tyrion Lannister to the Vale of Arryn, Ser Brynden Tully meets her at the Gate after a sortie led by Ser Donnel Waynwood saves her party from the mountain clans. Brynden resigns his title of Knight of the Gate to return to Riverrun.
A Feast for Crows
At some point, Donnel replaces Brynden as the new Knight of the Gate at the Bloody Gate.[5][6]
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Lands of Ice and Fire.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 34, Catelyn VI.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Black Blood.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 41, Alayne II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Appendix.