Difference between revisions of "Garth Greenhand"
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According to legend, Garth Greenhand was the High King who led the First Men across the [[Arm of Dorne]]. Other tales claim he predated the arrival of the First Men, making not only the first human in Westeros but also the only human, and that he interacted with the [[children of the forest]] and [[giants]]. In some tales he is a god, and in a few of these, the oldest ones, he demands blood sacrifice from his worshippers to ensure a bountiful harvest. Some tales claim he had green hands, green hair or green skin overall, or antlers like a stag. | According to legend, Garth Greenhand was the High King who led the First Men across the [[Arm of Dorne]]. Other tales claim he predated the arrival of the First Men, making not only the first human in Westeros but also the only human, and that he interacted with the [[children of the forest]] and [[giants]]. In some tales he is a god, and in a few of these, the oldest ones, he demands blood sacrifice from his worshippers to ensure a bountiful harvest. Some tales claim he had green hands, green hair or green skin overall, or antlers like a stag. | ||
− | It is also said Garth first taught | + | It is also said Garth first taught men to farm, giving them the gift of seed and showing them how to plant and sow, how to raise crops and reap the harvest. Some tales indicate he tried to do the same with giants and children of the forest, but the giants pelted him with boulders and the children laughed, stating the woods proved them with all their needs. Where he walked, farms and villages and orchards sprouted. He carried a canvas bag, heavy with seed, which he scattered as he went along. Befitting a god, the bag filled with seeds for all of the world's trees, grains, fruits and flowers, and its content was endless. |
Garth Greenhand not only brought fertility to the land but also to women, making barren ones fruitful with a touch, even crones who no longer got their moon blood. Maidens ripened in his presence, mothers brought forth twins or even triplets when he blessed them and young girls flowered at his smile. Lords and common men alike offered up their virgins daughters to him where he went so their crops may ripen and trees grow heavy with fruit. Any maiden he deflowered delivered strong sons or fair daughters. | Garth Greenhand not only brought fertility to the land but also to women, making barren ones fruitful with a touch, even crones who no longer got their moon blood. Maidens ripened in his presence, mothers brought forth twins or even triplets when he blessed them and young girls flowered at his smile. Lords and common men alike offered up their virgins daughters to him where he went so their crops may ripen and trees grow heavy with fruit. Any maiden he deflowered delivered strong sons or fair daughters. |
Revision as of 12:11, 8 January 2015
Garth Greenhand | |
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Monarch | |
Reign | In the Age of Heroes |
Full name | Garth Greenhand |
Title | High King of the First Men |
Personal Information | |
Aliases |
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Culture | First Men |
References | |
Books |
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Garth Greenhand, also called Garth Greenhair and Garth the Green, was a mythical High King of the First Men and said to have been the common ancestor of numerous houses from the Reach. His firstborn son, Garth the Gardener, founded House Gardener, the Kings of the Reach. [1]
He supposedly wore a crown of vines and flowers and made the land bloom.[2]
Legend
According to legend, Garth Greenhand was the High King who led the First Men across the Arm of Dorne. Other tales claim he predated the arrival of the First Men, making not only the first human in Westeros but also the only human, and that he interacted with the children of the forest and giants. In some tales he is a god, and in a few of these, the oldest ones, he demands blood sacrifice from his worshippers to ensure a bountiful harvest. Some tales claim he had green hands, green hair or green skin overall, or antlers like a stag.
It is also said Garth first taught men to farm, giving them the gift of seed and showing them how to plant and sow, how to raise crops and reap the harvest. Some tales indicate he tried to do the same with giants and children of the forest, but the giants pelted him with boulders and the children laughed, stating the woods proved them with all their needs. Where he walked, farms and villages and orchards sprouted. He carried a canvas bag, heavy with seed, which he scattered as he went along. Befitting a god, the bag filled with seeds for all of the world's trees, grains, fruits and flowers, and its content was endless.
Garth Greenhand not only brought fertility to the land but also to women, making barren ones fruitful with a touch, even crones who no longer got their moon blood. Maidens ripened in his presence, mothers brought forth twins or even triplets when he blessed them and young girls flowered at his smile. Lords and common men alike offered up their virgins daughters to him where he went so their crops may ripen and trees grow heavy with fruit. Any maiden he deflowered delivered strong sons or fair daughters.
In some myths he's a contemporary of Bran the Builder or Durran Godsgrief, in others he's ancestor of them all.
To the maesters, howver, he was no more than a warchief or petty king who led the first wave of First Men across the Arm of Dorne.[1]
Garth also planted an oak from which the Oakenseat, the throne of the Gardener kings.[3]
Garth had many descendents; supposedly half the noble houses in the Reach, including the Tyrells and the Florents, can trace their lineage back to him.[4]
His numerous children are said to have included:[1]
- Garth the Gardener, ancestor of House Gardener
- John the Oak, ancestor of House Oakheart
- Gilbert of the Vines, ancestor of House Redwyne
- Florys the Fox, ancestor of Houses Florent, Ball, and Peake
- Maris the Maid, an ancestor of House Hightower
- Foss the Archer, ancestor of House Fossoway
- Brandon of the Bloody Blade, ancestor of Brandon the Builder and House Stark (according to some tales)
- Owen Oakenshield
- Harlon the Hunter and Herndon of the Horn, ancestors of House Tarly
- Bors the Breaker, ancestor of House Bulwer
- Rose of Red Lake, ancestor of House Crane
- Ellyn Ever Sweet, ancestor of House Beesbury
- Rowan Gold-Tree, ancestor of House Rowan
Quotes
Garth like to plant his seed in fertile ground, they say. I shouldn't wonder that more than his hands were green.[4]
- Olenna Redwyne to Sansa Stark
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Gardener Kings.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 6, Sansa I.