Difference between revisions of "House Blackwood"

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{{Noble House  
 
{{Noble House  
 
| House_name = House Blackwood of Raventree Hall
 
| House_name = House Blackwood of Raventree Hall
| image        = [[File:House_Blackwood.png|250px]]
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| image        = House Blackwood.svg
 
| image_caption =  
 
| image_caption =  
| Coat_of_arms = Scarlet, an escutcheon sable charged with a dead weirwood proper, all within an orle of ravens sable
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| Coat_of_arms = A flock of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead weirwood upon a black escutcheon<br>(''Gules, on an escutcheon sable a dead weirwood tree proper, all within an orle of ravens sable'')
 
| Words =
 
| Words =
 
| Seat = [[Raventree Hall]]
 
| Seat = [[Raventree Hall]]
| Current_Lord = Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]]
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| Current_Lord = Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]]{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}}
| Region = [[Riverlands]]
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| Region = [[Riverlands]]<br>[[North]] <small>(formerly)</small>
| Title = Lord of Raventree
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| Title = [[Lord of Raventree Hall]]{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}}<br>[[River king]] <small>(historical)</small>
| Heir = [[Brynden Blackwood]]
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| Heir = [[Brynden Blackwood]]{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}}
| Overlord = [[House Baelish of Harrenhal]]
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| Overlord = [[House Bracken]] {{s|historical}}<br>[[House Mudd]] {{s|historical}}<br>[[House Justman]] {{s|historical}}<br>[[House Teague]] {{s|historical}}<br>[[House Durrandon]] {{s|historical}}<br>[[House Hoare]] {{s|?–{{Date|-2}}}}<br>[[House Tully]] {{s|{{Date|-2|300}}}}<br>[[House Baelish]] {{s|{{Date|300}}–present}}
 
| Ancestral_weapon =
 
| Ancestral_weapon =
 
| Cadet_branch =
 
| Cadet_branch =
| Founded_in = [[Age of Heroes]]
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| Founded_in = [[Age of Heroes]]{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
 
| Founder =
 
| Founder =
 
| Died_out =
 
| Died_out =
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''House Blackwood of Raventree Hall''' is an old house from [[Raventree Hall]] in the [[riverlands]], one of the main families sworn to [[House Tully]]. They once ruled the riverlands as kings during the [[Age of Heroes]].{{ref|AWOIAF| Riverlands}} They blazon their arms with a flock of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead [[weirwood]] upon a black escutcheon.<ref name=Citadel1/> Their words have not yet been revealed by [[George R. R. Martin]].<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Canadian_Signing_Tour_Toronto2 Canadian Signing Tour (Toronto)], January 09, 2006</ref>
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'''House Blackwood of Raventree Hall''' is an old house from [[Raventree Hall]] in the [[riverlands]], one of the main families sworn to [[House Tully]] of [[Riverrun]]. They once ruled the riverlands as kings during the [[Age of Heroes]].{{ref|AWOIAF|Riverlands}} They blazon their arms with a flock of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead [[weirwood]] upon a black [[escutcheon]].<ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/4/ Houses in the Riverlands]</ref> Their words have not yet been revealed by [[George R. R. Martin]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Canadian_Signing_Tour_Toronto2 Canadian Signing Tour (Toronto)], January 09, 2006</ref> House Blackwood rules over wider domains and can field a much larger army than their overlord of [[House Tully]].{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}
  
Raventree is located in [[Blackwood Vale]] north of [[Riverrun]] and the [[Red Fork]].{{ref|AWOIAF| map of Westeros}} Some Blackwoods are buried in the village [[Cairns]], while others are buried beneath the dead weirwood of Raventree.{{ref|ADWD|48}}
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Raventree is located in [[Blackwood Vale]] north of [[Riverrun]] and the [[Red Fork]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|map of Westeros}}  
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==Traits==
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Multiple Blackwoods have been described as tall and thin, including Lord [[Benjicot Blackwood|Benjicot]],{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}} Lady [[Alysanne Blackwood|Alysanne]],{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}} Lord [[Tytos Blackwood|Tytos]],{{ref|ADWD|48}} and [[Hoster Blackwood|Hoster]].{{ref|ADWD|48}} [[Melissa Blackwood]] is described as slender as well.{{ref|ADWD|48}} Only three Blackwoods have the coloring of their hair described in the books—Lady Alysanne, Lord Tytos and Queen [[Betha Blackwood|Betha]]—and all three have black hair.{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}{{ref|ADWD|48}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
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 +
Some Blackwoods are buried in the village [[Cairns]], while others are buried beneath the dead weirwood of [[Raventree Hall]].{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Age of Heroes===
 
===Age of Heroes===
The Blackwoods are an ancient house descended of the [[First Men]]. Family traditions state they ruled most of the [[wolfswood]] before being driven from the [[North]] by the [[Kings of Winter]], which Maester [[Barneby]]'s runic translations support.{{ref|TWOIAF}}
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[[File:Elena-Vacas-raventreehallweirwood.jpg|thumb|400px|The godswood of [[Raventree Hall]], with its enormous dead [[weirwood]] and hundreds of [[ravens]] - by [https://www.artstation.com/artist/ab3nd Elena María Vacas] ]]
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The Blackwoods are an ancient house descended of the [[First Men]]. Family traditions state they ruled most of the [[wolfswood]] in the [[north]] before being driven south by the [[Kings of Winter]] from [[House Stark]], which Maester [[Barneby]]'s [[Runes|runic]] translations support.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The North}}
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Blackwood [[river kings]] claimed the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
The Blackwoods have an old and bitter feud against their neighbor in the riverlands, the [[House Bracken|Brackens]], coming from the [[Age of Heroes]] when both houses ruled as kings. According to the Blackwoods, the Brackens were petty lords and horse breeders who hired swords to usurp the Blackwood kings. The Blackwoods believe this occurred five hundred years before the arrival of the [[Andals]], but the ''[[True History]]'' states it was one thousand years before the Andals.{{ref|ADWD|48}}
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The Blackwoods have an old and bitter feud against their neighbors in the [[riverlands]], the [[House Bracken|Brackens]] of the [[Stone Hedge]], coming from the [[Age of Heroes]] when both houses ruled as kings. According to the Blackwoods, the Brackens were petty lords and horse breeders who hired swords to usurp the Blackwood kings. The Brackens, in contrast, claim the Blackwoods were vassals who betrayed and usurped Bracken kings.{{ref|ADWD|48}} The Blackwoods believe these events occurred five hundred years before the arrival of the [[Andals]], but the ''[[True History]]'' states it was one thousand years before the Andals.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
  
 
===Andal Riverlands===
 
===Andal Riverlands===
The Blackwoods and Brackens allied together against the [[Andal invasion]], but they were defeated in the [[Battle of the Bitter River]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Riverlands}} The feud was aided by House Bracken's conversion to the [[Faith of the Seven]] after the Andal invasion.<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P15 Blackwood-Bracken Feud and Coinage], August 13, 2003</ref> In contrast, the Blackwoods kept the religion of the [[old gods]], being one of the few houses south of [[the Neck]] to do so. The Blackwoods accuse the Brackens of having poisoned the [[weirwood]] of [[Raventree Hall]].{{ref|ADWD|48}} The [[Teats]], [[Battle Valley]], and the village of [[Blackbuckle]] are part of the disputed land. There have been numerous peaces between the Blackwoods and Brackens, many sealed by marriage, but the feud always restarts.{{ref|aDwD|48}} Benedict Rivers was a bastard born from both houses who eventually became King [[Benedict I Justman]], with [[House Justman]] ruling the riverlands for about three centuries. There were Blackwoods among the many petty kings who disputed the riverlands in the tumultuous century after King [[Bernarr II Justman]]'s death.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Riverlands}}
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The Blackwoods and Brackens allied together against the [[coming of the Andals]] to the riverlands, but they were defeated in the [[Battle of the Bitter River]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}} The feud was aided by House Bracken's conversion to the [[Faith of the Seven]] after the Andal invasion.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P15 Blackwood-Bracken Feud and Coinage], August 13, 2003</ref> In contrast, the Blackwoods kept the religion of the [[old gods]], being one of the few houses south of the [[Neck]] to do so. The Blackwoods accuse the Brackens of having poisoned the [[weirwood]] of [[Raventree Hall]].{{Ref|ADWD|48}} The [[Teats]], [[Battle Valley]], and the village of [[Blackbuckle]] are part of the disputed land. There have been numerous peaces between the Blackwoods and Brackens, many sealed by marriage, but the feud always restarts.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
  
With the support of the [[Storm King]] [[Arlan III Durrandon]], Lord [[Roderick Blackwood]] rebelled against [[Humfrey I Teague]], [[King of the Rivers and the Hills]]. Roderick was killed in the [[Battle of Six Kings]], ending Arlan's attempt to restore the riverlands to the Blackwoods. After the river lords rejected the possibility of being ruled by Roderick's daughter, [[Shiera Blackwood]], Arlan added the riverlands to the realm of the Storm Kings.
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Benedict Rivers was a bastard born from both houses who eventually became King [[Benedict I Justman]], with [[House Justman]] ruling the riverlands for about three centuries. There were Blackwoods among the many petty kings who disputed the riverlands in the tumultuous century after King [[Bernarr II Justman]]'s death.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
  
When the [[Kings of the Iron Islands]] from [[House Hoare]] invaded the riverlands three centuries later, Lady [[Agnes Blackwood]] led the rivermen's resistance. She was betrayed by Lord [[Lothar Bracken]], however, and then slain by King [[Harwyn Hoare]]. The [[ironborn]] then conquered the riverlands from the Storm King, [[Arrec Durrandon]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Riverlands}}
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With the support of [[Arlan III Durrandon]], a [[Storm King]] from [[Storm's End]], Lord [[Roderick Blackwood]] rebelled against [[Humfrey I Teague]], [[King of the Rivers and the Hills]]. Roderick was killed in the [[Battle of Six Kings]], ending Arlan's attempt to restore the riverlands to the Blackwoods. After the river lords rejected the possibility of being ruled by Roderick's daughter, [[Shiera Blackwood]], Arlan added the riverlands to the realm of the Storm Kings.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
  
===Targaryen Era===
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When the [[Kings of the Iron Islands]] from [[House Hoare]] invaded the riverlands three centuries later, Lady [[Agnes Blackwood]] led the rivermen's resistance. She was betrayed by Lord [[Lothar Bracken]], however, and then slain by King [[Harwyn Hoare]]. The [[ironborn]] then conquered the riverlands from the Storm King, [[Arrec Durrandon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
House Blackwood aided [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conquerer]] during his [[War of Conquest]] and rebelled against Harwyn's grandson, King [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]] of [[Harrenhal]].<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/6592/ Chicon 7 Reading], September 02, 2012</ref> The Blackwoods and Brackens had been weakened by a private war a decade before the rebellion, however, and Aegon granted the new title of [[Lord Paramount of the Trident]] to Lord [[Edmyn Tully]] of [[Riverrun]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Riverlands}}
 
  
A Blackwood fought a duel with a Bracken over [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] in {{date|112}}, but the princess eventually wed Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]].{{ref|TRP}} The Blackwoods supported [[the blacks]] of Rhaenyra during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. Lord [[Benjicot Blackwood]] and [[Red Robb Rivers]], the Bowman of Raventree, participated in the [[Battle by the Lakeshore]]. Lord Ben had one of his best archers, [[Billy Burley]], mercy kill the dragon [[Tessarion]] after the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]].{{ref|tpatq}} After the civil war ended, [[Alysanne Blackwood|"Black Aly" Blackwood]], Bloody Ben's aunt, married Lord [[Cregan Stark]] in return for allowing King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]'s pardon of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] to stand.{{ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}
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===Aegon's Conquest===
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House Blackwood aided King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] during [[Aegon's Conquest|the Conquest]] and rebelled against Harwyn's grandson, [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]] of [[Harrenhal]], [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]].{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}} The Blackwoods and Brackens had fought a private war a decade before the rebellion, however, and Harren had dealt with them harshly. Instead of the weakened Blackwoods or Brackens, Aegon instead granted the new title of [[Lord Paramount of the Trident]] to Lord [[Edmyn Tully]] of [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
  
Lady [[Melissa Blackwood]] was the sixth mistress of King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] and the mother of three [[Great Bastards]], [[Mya Rivers|Mya]], [[Gwenys Rivers|Gwenys]], and [[Brynden Rivers]], the last of whom became known as Lord [[Bloodraven]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Aegon IV}}
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===Dance of the Dragons===
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[[File:Alysanne Blackwood by Rae Lavergne.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Alysanne Blackwood]] by Rae Lavergne ©]]
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Lord Blackwood supported the claim of [[Laenor Velaryon]] in the [[Great Council of 101 AC]], but the council ultimately chose [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] as the heir of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} [[Samwell Blackwood]] fought a duel with [[Amos Bracken]] over the favor of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] in {{Date|112}}, but the princess eventually wed Ser Laenor.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}  
  
Ser [[Otho Bracken]], the Brute of Bracken, slew Lord [[Quentyn Blackwood]] in a [[tourney]] at [[King's Landing]] three years before the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]], reinvigorating the old feud.{{Ref|THK}} [[Bennifer Blackwood|Bennifer]], [[Robert Blackwood (209)|Robert]], [[Roland Blackwood|Roland]], and [[Roger Blackwood]] participated at Ashford. Ser [[Steffon Fossoway]] considered convincing Otho or the Blackwoods fighting for [[Dunk]] at the [[trial of seven]], but decided it would be impossible to make them fight on the same side.{{Ref|THK}} When Lord Bracken lay dying, Septon [[Sefton Staunton|Sefton]] explained that Otho would inherit and the Blackwoods would not suffer him, meaning war. The then-[[Hand of the King]], Lord Bloodraven, was half-Blackwood, so he was unlikely to stop it.{{Ref|TSS}} When Lord [[Brynden Rivers|Bloodraven]] marched on [[Whitewalls]] to quash the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]], among the river lords who came in support was Lord Blackwood. Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]] boasted that in the past members of important families married [[House Osgrey|Osgreys]], citing Blackwoods as one of the examples.{{ref|tss}} The queen consort of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] was [[Betha Blackwood|"Black Betha" Blackwood]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Aegon V}}
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Lord Samwell supported the [[blacks]] of Rhaenyra during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. In {{Date|129}}, Samwell was slain by Amos in single combat during the [[Battle of the Burning Mill]], but Amos was then struck down by a [[weirwood]] arrow allegedly fired by Samwell's young sister, [[Alysanne Blackwood|Alysanne]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Samwell's heir, his eleven year old son [[Benjicot Blackwood]], Black Aly, and their kinsman [[Red Robb Rivers]], the Bowman of Raventree, participated in the [[Battle by the Lakeshore]], the [[Butcher's Ball]], and the [[First Battle of Tumbleton]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Lord Benjicot had one of his best archers, [[Billy Burley]], mercy kill the dragon [[Tessarion]] after the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
  
Lords Blackwood and Bracken came to Riverrun when [[Lysa Tully]] was young to put their feud before Lord [[Hoster Tully]]'s judgment.{{ref|ASOS|80}}  
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During the [[Battle of the Kingsroad]] in {{date|131}}, Benjicot led the army with his liege, [[Kermit Tully]], [[Lord of Riverrun]], and Kermit's brother, Ser [[Oscar Tully]].{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}} Benjicot's rivermen broke the flank of Lord [[Borros Baratheon]]'s [[greens]] in the battle, allowing Alysanne's archers to bring down the green [[knight]]s and giving him the title of "Bloody Ben".{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
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After the civil war ended, Black Aly married Lord [[Cregan Stark]] in exchange for him confirming King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]'s pardon of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kingss: Aegon III}}
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[[File:Melissa Blackwood and Brynden Rivers by Chillyravenart.png|thumb|350px|[[Melissa Blackwood]] and young [[Brynden Rivers]], by [https://chillyravenart.tumblr.com Chillyravenart] ]]
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===Great Bastards===
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Lady [[Melissa Blackwood]] was the sixth mistress of King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] and the mother of three [[Great Bastards]], [[Mya Rivers|Mya]], [[Gwenys Rivers|Gwenys]], and [[Brynden Rivers]], the last of whom became known as Lord Bloodraven.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Melissa was well liked at court, so the Blackwoods did not greatly suffer when Aegon dismissed her.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
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 +
Ser [[Otho Bracken]], the Brute of Bracken, slew Lord [[Quentyn Blackwood]] in a [[tourney]] at [[King's Landing]] three years before the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]], reinvigorating the old feud.{{Ref|THK}} [[Bennifer Blackwood|Bennifer]], [[Robert Blackwood (209)|Robert]], [[Roland Blackwood|Roland]], and [[Roger Blackwood]] participated at Ashford. Ser [[Steffon Fossoway]] considered convincing Otho or the Blackwoods to fight for Ser [[Duncan the Tall]] in a [[trial of seven]], but decided it would be impossible to make them fight on the same side.{{Ref|THK}}
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When [[Lord Bracken (father of Otho)|Lord Bracken]] lay dying, Septon [[Sefton Staunton|Sefton]] explained that Otho would inherit and the Blackwoods would not suffer him, meaning war. The then-[[Hand of the King]], Brynden Rivers, was half-Blackwood, so he was unlikely to stop it.{{Ref|TSS}} When Bloodraven marched on the [[wedding tourney at Whitewalls]] to quash the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]], among the river lords who came in support was Lord Blackwood.{{Ref|TMK}}
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===Later History===
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Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]] boasted that in the past members of important families married [[House Osgrey|Osgreys]], citing Blackwoods as one of the examples.{{Ref|TSS}} The queen consort of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] was [[Betha Blackwood]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and [[Alyssa Blackwood]] was the fourth wife of [[Walder Frey]], [[Lord of the Crossing]].
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Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], the [[Hand of the King]], decided to grant a mill to the Blackwoods to resolve a border dispute, but King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] instead decided to give it to the Brackens.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
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Lords Blackwood and Bracken came to Riverrun when [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa Tully]] was young to put their feud before Lord [[Hoster Tully]]'s judgment.{{Ref|ASOS|80}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] [[Battle of Riverrun|defeats]] the river lords and captures Ser [[Edmure Tully]], Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]] leads the survivors back to [[Riverrun]]. The duty of defending the castle during the siege falls to him.. With Tytos absent, [[Raventree Hall]] surrenders to the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]].{{ref|AGOT|56}} Lord Tytos is named among the nobles [[Joffrey]] insists must swear their loyalty or be declared traitors.{{ref|AGOT|57}} When [[Robb Stark]] [[Battle of the Camps|attacks the Lannister camps]] outside Riverrun, Tytos leads the sortie that attacks their rear and frees Edmure. Lord Blackwood and his feathered cloak are seen by [[Catelyn Tully]] in the [[godswood]] of Riverrun, praying with her son to the [[old gods]] after their victory. At the war council at Riverrun, Tytos urges to continue fighting the Lannisters and march against Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] at [[Harrenhal]]. He joins the other river lords in declaring Robb to be [[King in the North|King in the North]].{{Ref|aGoT|71}}
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[[File:Tytos Blackwood Wibben.png|thumb|350px|[[Tytos Blackwood]] by Wibben © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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When war breaks out after the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] defeats the river lords and captures Ser [[Edmure Tully]] in a [[battle under the walls of Riverrun]]. Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]] leads the survivors inside [[Riverrun]], however, and defends the castle during Jaime's siege. With Tytos absent, Lord Blackwood's seat of [[Raventree Hall]] surrenders to the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]].{{Ref|AGOT|56}} Tytos is named among the nobles whom the new king, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], insists must swear their loyalty or be declared traitors.{{Ref|AGOT|57}}
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When [[Robb Stark]] attacks the Lannister camps outside Riverrun, Tytos leads a sortie from Riverrun and frees Edmure. Lord Blackwood and his feathered cloak are seen by [[Catelyn Stark]] in the [[godswood]] of Riverrun, praying with her son to the [[old gods]] after their victory in the [[Battle of the Camps]]. At the war council in Riverrun, Tytos urges to continue fighting the Lannisters and march against Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] at [[Harrenhal]]. He joins the other river lords in declaring Robb to be [[King in the North]].{{Ref|AGOT|71}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
During the [[War of the Five Kings]], Tytos sweeps the Lannister forces from the lands of House Blackwood, but the invaders leave [[Blackwood Vale]] a scorched desert.{{ref|ACOK|7}} Maester [[Luwin]] suggests that the widowed [[Donella Hornwood]] marry a Blackwood.{{ref|ACOK|16}} Tytos's second-eldest son, [[Lucas Blackwood]], is one of the highborn companions of Catelyn in the delegation to King [[Renly Baratheon]]'s camp.{{ref|ACOK|22}}
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[[File:Tytos Blackwood by Amuelia (uncropped).png|thumb|350px|[[Tytos Blackwood]] by Amuelia ©]]
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During the [[War of the Five Kings]], Tytos sweeps the Lannister forces from the lands of House Blackwood, but the invaders leave [[Blackwood Vale]] a scorched desert.{{Ref|ACOK|7}}
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Maester [[Luwin]] suggests that the widowed [[Donella Hornwood]] marry a Blackwood.{{Ref|ACOK|16}}
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Tytos's second-eldest son, [[Lucas Blackwood]], is one of the highborn companions of Catelyn in the delegation to King [[Renly Baratheon]]'s camp.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}
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Blackwoods participate in the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Ser [[Garth Greenfield]] is held captive at Raventree Hall.{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}} Lord Tytos is among the seven nobles who launch Lord Hoster Tully's funeral boat.{{ref|ASOS|35}} [[Lucas Blackwood]], Tytos's second eldest son, is slain by Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] at the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ASOS|51}} After the Brackens surrender to the [[Iron Throne]] and are welcomed back to the king's peace, they attacked the Blackwoods, who refuse to yield along with [[Brynden Tully]] and [[Jason Mallister]]. [[Jonos Bracken]] besieges Raventree.{{ref|ASOS|74}}
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Ser [[Garth Greenfield]] is held captive at Raventree Hall.{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} Lord Tytos is among the seven nobles who launch Lord [[Hoster Tully]]'s funeral boat at Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|35}}
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Lucas is slain by Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] at the [[Red Wedding]].{{Ref|ASOS|51}} After the Brackens surrender to the [[Iron Throne]] and are welcomed back to the king's peace, they attack the Blackwoods, who refuse to yield along with Ser [[Brynden Tully]] at Riverrun and Lord [[Jason Mallister]] at [[Seagard]]. Lord [[Jonos Bracken]] besieges Raventree.{{Ref|ASOS|74}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
Dead soldiers bearing the colors of House Blackwood have washed up on the [[Quiet Isle]]. According to the [[Elder Brother]], they are buried next to their Bracken enemies.{{ref|AFFC|31}}  
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Dead soldiers bearing the colors of House Blackwood have washed up on the [[Quiet Isle]]. According to the [[Elder Brother (Quiet Isle)|Elder Brother]], they are buried next to their Bracken enemies.{{Ref|AFFC|31}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
With the [[Siege of Riverrun|surrender of Riverrun]], Raventree remains the last Stark loyalist stronghold. [[Jaime Lannister]] successfully negotiates the [[Siege of Raventree|surrender of Raventree]] with [[Tytos Blackwood]] and takes [[Hoster Blackwood]] as a hostage. Jonos Bracken desires to gain the east bank of the [[Widow's Wash]], from [[Crossbow Ridge]] to [[Rutting Meadow]], [[Grindcorn Mill]], [[Lord's Mill]], [[Muddy Hall]], the [[Ravishment]], [[Battle Valley]], [[Oldforge]], [[Buckle]], [[Blackbuckle]], [[Cairns]], [[Claypool]], [[Mudgrave]], [[Waspwood]], [[Lorgen's Wood]], [[Greenhill]], the [[Teats]], and [[Honeytree]]. However, Tytos only agrees to transfer [[Woodhedge]], Crossbow Ridge, Buckle, Lord's Mill, and Honeytree.{{ref|ADWD|48}}
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With the [[Siege of Riverrun|surrender of Riverrun]], Raventree remains the last Stark loyalist stronghold. Jaime Lannister successfully negotiates the [[Siege of Raventree|surrender of Raventree]] with Tytos and takes [[Hoster Blackwood]] as a hostage. Jonos Bracken desires to gain the east bank of the [[Widow's Wash]], from [[Crossbow Ridge]] to [[Rutting Meadow]], [[Grindcorn Mill]], [[Lord's Mill]], [[Muddy Hall]], the [[Ravishment]], [[Battle Valley]], [[Oldforge]], [[Buckle]], [[Blackbuckle]], [[Cairns]], [[Claypool]], [[Mudgrave]], [[Waspwood]], [[Lorgen's Wood]], [[Greenhill]], [[Teats|Missy's Teats]], and [[Honeytree]]. However, Tytos only agrees to transfer [[Woodhedge]], Crossbow Ridge, Buckle, Lord's Mill, and Honeytree.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
 +
 
 +
Hoster accompanies Jaime to [[Pennytree]],{{ref|ADWD|48}} where the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] goes missing.{{ref|ADWD|54}}
  
 
==House Blackwood at the end of the third century==
 
==House Blackwood at the end of the third century==
 
The known Blackwoods during the timespan of the events described on ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
 
The known Blackwoods during the timespan of the events described on ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
 
+
*Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]], Lord of [[Raventree Hall]].  
* Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]], Lord of Raventree Hall.  
+
**[[Brynden Blackwood]], his eldest son and heir.
** [[Brynden Blackwood]], his eldest son and heir.
+
**{[[Lucas Blackwood]]}, his second son. Slain at the [[Red Wedding]].
** {[[Lucas Blackwood]]}, his second son. Slain at the [[Red Wedding]].
+
**[[Hoster Blackwood]], his third son. Also called "Hos".{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
** [[Hoster Blackwood]], his third son.
+
**[[Edmund Blackwood]], his fourth son. Also called "Ben".{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
** [[Edmund Blackwood]], his fourth son.
+
**[[Alyn Blackwood]], his fifth son.
** [[Alyn Blackwood]], his fifth son.
+
**[[Bethany Blackwood]], his daughter.
** [[Bethany Blackwood]], his daughter.
+
**{[[Robert Blackwood]]}, his sixth son.
** {[[Robert Blackwood]]}, his sixth son.
+
*Unknown brother.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
 +
*Unknown brother.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
 +
*Unknown sister.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
 +
*Two widowed aunts, and various nieces, nephews, and cousins.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}
  
 
With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch of the house there is also:
 
With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch of the house there is also:
 
+
*{[[Alyssa Blackwood]]}, the fourth wife of old Lord [[Walder Frey]], and mother to five [[House Frey|Freys]], [[Lothar Frey|Lothar]], [[Jammos Frey|Jammos]], [[Whalen Frey|Whalen]], [[Morya Frey|Morya]] and [[Tyta Frey|Tyta]].
* {[[Alyssa Blackwood]]}, the fourth wife of old [[Walder Frey]], and mother to five Freys, [[Lothar Frey|Lothar]], [[Jammos Frey|Jammos]], [[Whalen Frey|Whalen]], [[Morya Frey|Morya]] and [[Tyta Frey|Tyta]].
 
 
 
===Discrepancy===
 
Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]] tells Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], "Ben [rather than Edmund] is twelve and thirsty for adventure. He could squire for you if it please my lord", referring to one of his sons.{{ref|ADWD|48}}
 
  
 
{{Blackwood tree}}
 
{{Blackwood tree}}
  
 
==Historical Members==
 
==Historical Members==
* [[Benedict I Justman|Benedict Rivers]], a bastard who became King Benedict I Justman.  
+
===Before the Conquest===
* Lord [[Roderick Blackwood]], slain in the [[Battle of Six Kings]].
+
* [[Benedict I Justman|Benedict Rivers]], a [[bastard]] who became King Benedict I Justman.  
** [[Shiera Blackwood]], Roderick's daughter who was married into [[House Durrandon]].
+
* Lord [[Roderick Blackwood]], slain in the [[Battle of Six Kings]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
* Lady [[Agnes Blackwood]], slain by King [[Harwyn Hoare]].
+
** [[Shiera Blackwood]], Roderick's daughter who was married into [[House Durrandon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
* In {{date|112}}, the son of Lord Blackwood dueled the son of Lord Bracken for the hand of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].{{ref|trp}}
+
** Other daughter(s).{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
* [[Robb Rivers]], called "Red Robb Rivers" and "the Bowman of Raventree", a bastard of House Blackwood.{{ref|tpatq}}
+
** A son who succeeded him as Lord of Raventree Hall.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
* [[Alysanne Blackwood]], known as "Black Aly", who married Lord [[Cregan Stark]] after the Dance of the Dragons.{{ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}
+
** Brothers.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
** Lord [[Benjicot Blackwood]], nephew to Alysanne Blackwood, known as "Bloody Ben" and Lord of Raventree, who fought in the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{ref|tpatq}}
+
* Lady [[Agnes Blackwood]], slain by King [[Harwyn Hoare]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
* [[Melissa Blackwood]],{{ref|ADWD|48}} King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]'s sixth mistress.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The nine mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
+
** At least 4 sons.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
** [[Mya Rivers]], her eldest bastard child by Aegon IV.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The nine mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
+
 
** [[Gwenys Rivers]], her second bastard child by Aegon IV.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The nine mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
+
===After the Conquest===
** [[Brynden Rivers]], her youngest bastard child by Aegon IV. Later in life known as "Bloodraven".{{Ref|TWOIAF| The nine mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
+
[[File: Aegon V Targaryen and Betha Blackwood by Chillyravenart.png|thumb|350px|King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] and Queen [[Betha Blackwood]], by [https://chillyravenart.tumblr.com Chillyravenart] ]]
* Lord [[Quentyn Blackwood]], slain in a tourney during the reign of [[Daeron II Targaryen]].{{ref|thk}}
+
* [[Lord Blackwood (Aegon's Conquest)|Lord Blackwood]] ruling during the [[Conquest]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}<ref group="N">Named "Lucas Blackwood" in ''[[House of the Dragon]]''.</ref>
* Ser [[Bennifer Blackwood]], listed as a participant in the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]] in {{date|209}}.{{ref|thk| [[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
+
** Daughters.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
* [[Robert Blackwood (209)|Robert Blackwood]], listed as a participant at Ashford Meadow.{{ref|thk| [[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
+
* Blackwood who took a [[House Bracken|Bracken]] for wife during a double wedding ceremony organised by Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}}
* [[Roland Blackwood]], listed as a participant at Ashford Meadow.{{ref|thk| [[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
+
* Blackwood who took a [[House Bracken|Bracken]] for husband during a double wedding ceremony organised by Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}}
* [[Roger Blackwood]], listed as a participant at Ashford Meadow.{{ref|thk| [[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
+
* Lord Blackwood ruling  in {{Date|79}}, the father of Royce.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
* [[Melantha Blackwood]], wife to Lord [[Willam Stark]], mother of [[Edwyle Stark|Edwyle]] and [[Jocelyn Stark]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
+
** [[Royce Blackwood]], a member of House Blackwood during the reign of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and suitor of Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
* [[Betha Blackwood]], the queen consort of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]
+
* Lord Blackwood ruling in {{Date|101}}, who supported [[Laenor Velaryon]]'s claim to the [[Iron Throne]] at the [[Great Council]] at [[Harrenhal]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
 +
* Lord Blackwood ruling in {{Date|112}}, father of Samwell and Alysanne.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
 +
** Lord [[Samwell Blackwood]], his son and successor. The Lord of Raventree Hall at the beginning of the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}
 +
*** Lord [[Benjicot Blackwood]], Lord Samwell's son and heir, known as "Bloody Ben" and Lord of [[Raventree Hall]], who fought in the Dance of the Dragons.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
 +
** [[Alysanne Blackwood]], known as "Black Aly", his daughter. She married Lord [[Cregan Stark]] after the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
 +
* [[Robb Rivers]], called "Red Robb Rivers" and "the Bowman of Raventree", a bastard of House Blackwood.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
 +
* [[Melissa Blackwood]],{{Ref|ADWD|48}} King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]'s sixth mistress.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
 +
** [[Mya Rivers]], her eldest bastard child by Aegon IV.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
 +
** [[Gwenys Rivers]], her second bastard child by Aegon IV.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
 +
** [[Brynden Rivers]], her youngest bastard child by Aegon IV. Later in life known as "Bloodraven".{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
 +
* Lord [[Quentyn Blackwood]], slain in a tourney during the reign of [[Daeron II Targaryen]].{{Ref|THK}}
 +
* [[Bennifer Blackwood]], listed as a participant in the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]] in {{Date|209}}.{{Ref|THK|[[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
 +
* [[Robert Blackwood (209)|Robert Blackwood]], listed as a participant at [[Ashford Meadow]].{{Ref|THK|[[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
 +
* [[Roland Blackwood]], listed as a participant at Ashford Meadow.{{Ref|THK|[[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
 +
* [[Roger Blackwood]], listed as a participant at Ashford Meadow.{{Ref|THK|[[The Hedge Knight (comics)|Graphic Novel]]}}
 +
* Lord Blackwood ruling in {{Date|212}}, who was part of the army taken to [[Whitewalls]] by [[Brynden Rivers]].{{Ref|TMK}}
 +
* [[Melantha Blackwood]], wife to Lord [[Willam Stark]], mother of [[Edwyle Stark|Edwyle]] and [[Jocelyn Stark]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
 +
* Lord Blackwood ruling in {{Date|220}}, Betha's father.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
 +
** [[Betha Blackwood]], his daughter. The queen consort of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}
 +
*[[Lord Blackwood (Aerys II)|Lord Blackwood]], ruling during the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|ASOS|80}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{quote|We've had a hundred peaces with the [[House Bracken|Brackens]], many sealed with marriages. There's Blackwood blood in every Bracken, and Bracken blood in every Blackwood. [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|The Old King's]] Peace lasted half a century. But then some fresh quarrel broke out, and the old wounds opened and began to bleed again. That's how it always happens, [[Tytos Blackwood|my father]] says. So long as men remember the wrongs done to their forebears, no peace will ever last. So we go on century after century, with us hating the Brackens and them hating us. My father says there will never be an end to it.{{ref|ADWD|48}}}} - [[Hoster Blackwood]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]
+
{{Quote|When did Blackwood and [[House Bracken|Bracken]] agree about anything that was not certain, I ask you?{{ref|ACOK|39}}|[[Edmure Tully]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}
  
==References and Notes==
+
{{Quote|Every Blackwood is born a [[turncloak]].{{ref|ADWD|48}}|[[Jonos Bracken]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}
{{references|3|refs=
+
 
  <ref name=Citadel1>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/4/ Houses in the Riverlands]</ref>
+
{{Quote|We've had a hundred peaces with the [[House Bracken|Brackens]], many sealed with marriages. There's Blackwood blood in every Bracken, and Bracken blood in every Blackwood. [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|The Old King's]] Peace lasted half a century. But then [[Otho Bracken|some fresh]] [[Quentyn Blackwood|quarrel broke out]], and the old wounds opened and began to bleed again. That's how it always happens, [[Tytos Blackwood|my father]] says. So long as men remember the wrongs done to their forebears, no peace will ever last. So we go on century after century, with us hating the Brackens and them hating us. My father says there will never be an end to it.{{Ref|ADWD|48}}|[[Hoster Blackwood]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}
  <ref=SSM-Blackwood-feud>Blackwood-Bracken feud and Coinage, (August 13, 2003) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/ So Spake Martin]</ref>
+
 
}}
+
==Notes==
 +
{{Notes}}
 +
 
 +
===References===
 +
{{References}}
  
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Latest revision as of 01:31, 8 March 2024

House Blackwood of Raventree Hall
House Blackwood.svg
Coat of arms A flock of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead weirwood upon a black escutcheon
(Gules, on an escutcheon sable a dead weirwood tree proper, all within an orle of ravens sable)
Seat Raventree Hall
Head Lord Tytos Blackwood[1]
Regions
Titles
Heir Brynden Blackwood[1]
Overlords
Founded Age of Heroes[2]

House Blackwood of Raventree Hall is an old house from Raventree Hall in the riverlands, one of the main families sworn to House Tully of Riverrun. They once ruled the riverlands as kings during the Age of Heroes.[3] They blazon their arms with a flock of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead weirwood upon a black escutcheon.[4] Their words have not yet been revealed by George R. R. Martin.[5] House Blackwood rules over wider domains and can field a much larger army than their overlord of House Tully.[6]

Raventree is located in Blackwood Vale north of Riverrun and the Red Fork.[7]

Traits

Multiple Blackwoods have been described as tall and thin, including Lord Benjicot,[6] Lady Alysanne,[6] Lord Tytos,[2] and Hoster.[2] Melissa Blackwood is described as slender as well.[2] Only three Blackwoods have the coloring of their hair described in the books—Lady Alysanne, Lord Tytos and Queen Betha—and all three have black hair.[6][2][8]

Some Blackwoods are buried in the village Cairns, while others are buried beneath the dead weirwood of Raventree Hall.[2]

History

Age of Heroes

The godswood of Raventree Hall, with its enormous dead weirwood and hundreds of ravens - by Elena María Vacas

The Blackwoods are an ancient house descended of the First Men. Family traditions state they ruled most of the wolfswood in the north before being driven south by the Kings of Winter from House Stark, which Maester Barneby's runic translations support.[9]

Blackwood river kings claimed the mouth of the Blackwater Rush.[10]

The Blackwoods have an old and bitter feud against their neighbors in the riverlands, the Brackens of the Stone Hedge, coming from the Age of Heroes when both houses ruled as kings. According to the Blackwoods, the Brackens were petty lords and horse breeders who hired swords to usurp the Blackwood kings. The Brackens, in contrast, claim the Blackwoods were vassals who betrayed and usurped Bracken kings.[2] The Blackwoods believe these events occurred five hundred years before the arrival of the Andals, but the True History states it was one thousand years before the Andals.[2]

Andal Riverlands

The Blackwoods and Brackens allied together against the coming of the Andals to the riverlands, but they were defeated in the Battle of the Bitter River.[11] The feud was aided by House Bracken's conversion to the Faith of the Seven after the Andal invasion.[12] In contrast, the Blackwoods kept the religion of the old gods, being one of the few houses south of the Neck to do so. The Blackwoods accuse the Brackens of having poisoned the weirwood of Raventree Hall.[2] The Teats, Battle Valley, and the village of Blackbuckle are part of the disputed land. There have been numerous peaces between the Blackwoods and Brackens, many sealed by marriage, but the feud always restarts.[2]

Benedict Rivers was a bastard born from both houses who eventually became King Benedict I Justman, with House Justman ruling the riverlands for about three centuries. There were Blackwoods among the many petty kings who disputed the riverlands in the tumultuous century after King Bernarr II Justman's death.[11]

With the support of Arlan III Durrandon, a Storm King from Storm's End, Lord Roderick Blackwood rebelled against Humfrey I Teague, King of the Rivers and the Hills. Roderick was killed in the Battle of Six Kings, ending Arlan's attempt to restore the riverlands to the Blackwoods. After the river lords rejected the possibility of being ruled by Roderick's daughter, Shiera Blackwood, Arlan added the riverlands to the realm of the Storm Kings.[11]

When the Kings of the Iron Islands from House Hoare invaded the riverlands three centuries later, Lady Agnes Blackwood led the rivermen's resistance. She was betrayed by Lord Lothar Bracken, however, and then slain by King Harwyn Hoare. The ironborn then conquered the riverlands from the Storm King, Arrec Durrandon.[11]

Aegon's Conquest

House Blackwood aided King Aegon I Targaryen during the Conquest and rebelled against Harwyn's grandson, Harren the Black of Harrenhal, King of the Isles and the Rivers.[13] The Blackwoods and Brackens had fought a private war a decade before the rebellion, however, and Harren had dealt with them harshly. Instead of the weakened Blackwoods or Brackens, Aegon instead granted the new title of Lord Paramount of the Trident to Lord Edmyn Tully of Riverrun.[11]

Dance of the Dragons

Alysanne Blackwood by Rae Lavergne ©

Lord Blackwood supported the claim of Laenor Velaryon in the Great Council of 101 AC, but the council ultimately chose Viserys Targaryen as the heir of Jaehaerys I Targaryen.[14] Samwell Blackwood fought a duel with Amos Bracken over the favor of Rhaenyra Targaryen in 112 AC, but the princess eventually wed Ser Laenor.[15]

Lord Samwell supported the blacks of Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons. In 129 AC, Samwell was slain by Amos in single combat during the Battle of the Burning Mill, but Amos was then struck down by a weirwood arrow allegedly fired by Samwell's young sister, Alysanne.[16] Samwell's heir, his eleven year old son Benjicot Blackwood, Black Aly, and their kinsman Red Robb Rivers, the Bowman of Raventree, participated in the Battle by the Lakeshore, the Butcher's Ball, and the First Battle of Tumbleton.[17] Lord Benjicot had one of his best archers, Billy Burley, mercy kill the dragon Tessarion after the Second Battle of Tumbleton.[18]

During the Battle of the Kingsroad in 131 AC, Benjicot led the army with his liege, Kermit Tully, Lord of Riverrun, and Kermit's brother, Ser Oscar Tully.[6] Benjicot's rivermen broke the flank of Lord Borros Baratheon's greens in the battle, allowing Alysanne's archers to bring down the green knights and giving him the title of "Bloody Ben".[19][20]

After the civil war ended, Black Aly married Lord Cregan Stark in exchange for him confirming King Aegon II Targaryen's pardon of Lord Corlys Velaryon.[21]

Great Bastards

Lady Melissa Blackwood was the sixth mistress of King Aegon IV Targaryen and the mother of three Great Bastards, Mya, Gwenys, and Brynden Rivers, the last of whom became known as Lord Bloodraven.[22] Melissa was well liked at court, so the Blackwoods did not greatly suffer when Aegon dismissed her.[22]

Ser Otho Bracken, the Brute of Bracken, slew Lord Quentyn Blackwood in a tourney at King's Landing three years before the tourney at Ashford Meadow, reinvigorating the old feud.[23] Bennifer, Robert, Roland, and Roger Blackwood participated at Ashford. Ser Steffon Fossoway considered convincing Otho or the Blackwoods to fight for Ser Duncan the Tall in a trial of seven, but decided it would be impossible to make them fight on the same side.[23]

When Lord Bracken lay dying, Septon Sefton explained that Otho would inherit and the Blackwoods would not suffer him, meaning war. The then-Hand of the King, Brynden Rivers, was half-Blackwood, so he was unlikely to stop it.[24] When Bloodraven marched on the wedding tourney at Whitewalls to quash the Second Blackfyre Rebellion, among the river lords who came in support was Lord Blackwood.[25]

Later History

Ser Eustace Osgrey boasted that in the past members of important families married Osgreys, citing Blackwoods as one of the examples.[24] The queen consort of King Aegon V Targaryen was Betha Blackwood,[8] and Alyssa Blackwood was the fourth wife of Walder Frey, Lord of the Crossing.

Lord Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King, decided to grant a mill to the Blackwoods to resolve a border dispute, but King Aerys II Targaryen instead decided to give it to the Brackens.[26]

Lords Blackwood and Bracken came to Riverrun when Lysa Tully was young to put their feud before Lord Hoster Tully's judgment.[27]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Tytos Blackwood by Wibben © Fantasy Flight Games

When war breaks out after the death of King Robert I Baratheon, Ser Jaime Lannister defeats the river lords and captures Ser Edmure Tully in a battle under the walls of Riverrun. Lord Tytos Blackwood leads the survivors inside Riverrun, however, and defends the castle during Jaime's siege. With Tytos absent, Lord Blackwood's seat of Raventree Hall surrenders to the Lannisters.[28] Tytos is named among the nobles whom the new king, Joffrey I Baratheon, insists must swear their loyalty or be declared traitors.[29]

When Robb Stark attacks the Lannister camps outside Riverrun, Tytos leads a sortie from Riverrun and frees Edmure. Lord Blackwood and his feathered cloak are seen by Catelyn Stark in the godswood of Riverrun, praying with her son to the old gods after their victory in the Battle of the Camps. At the war council in Riverrun, Tytos urges to continue fighting the Lannisters and march against Lord Tywin Lannister at Harrenhal. He joins the other river lords in declaring Robb to be King in the North.[30]

A Clash of Kings

Tytos Blackwood by Amuelia ©

During the War of the Five Kings, Tytos sweeps the Lannister forces from the lands of House Blackwood, but the invaders leave Blackwood Vale a scorched desert.[31]

Maester Luwin suggests that the widowed Donella Hornwood marry a Blackwood.[32]

Tytos's second-eldest son, Lucas Blackwood, is one of the highborn companions of Catelyn in the delegation to King Renly Baratheon's camp.[33]

Blackwoods participate in the Battle of the Fords.[34]

A Storm of Swords

Ser Garth Greenfield is held captive at Raventree Hall.[35] Lord Tytos is among the seven nobles who launch Lord Hoster Tully's funeral boat at Riverrun.[36]

Lucas is slain by Ser Hosteen Frey at the Red Wedding.[37] After the Brackens surrender to the Iron Throne and are welcomed back to the king's peace, they attack the Blackwoods, who refuse to yield along with Ser Brynden Tully at Riverrun and Lord Jason Mallister at Seagard. Lord Jonos Bracken besieges Raventree.[38]

A Feast for Crows

Dead soldiers bearing the colors of House Blackwood have washed up on the Quiet Isle. According to the Elder Brother, they are buried next to their Bracken enemies.[39]

A Dance with Dragons

With the surrender of Riverrun, Raventree remains the last Stark loyalist stronghold. Jaime Lannister successfully negotiates the surrender of Raventree with Tytos and takes Hoster Blackwood as a hostage. Jonos Bracken desires to gain the east bank of the Widow's Wash, from Crossbow Ridge to Rutting Meadow, Grindcorn Mill, Lord's Mill, Muddy Hall, the Ravishment, Battle Valley, Oldforge, Buckle, Blackbuckle, Cairns, Claypool, Mudgrave, Waspwood, Lorgen's Wood, Greenhill, Missy's Teats, and Honeytree. However, Tytos only agrees to transfer Woodhedge, Crossbow Ridge, Buckle, Lord's Mill, and Honeytree.[2]

Hoster accompanies Jaime to Pennytree,[2] where the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard goes missing.[40]

House Blackwood at the end of the third century

The known Blackwoods during the timespan of the events described on A Song of Ice and Fire are:

With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch of the house there is also:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lord
Blackwood
 
Unknown
Blackwood
 
Unknown
wife
 
Daughter
 
Unknown
husband
 
Daughter
 
Unknown
husband
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tytos
 
Unknown
wife
 
Son
 
Son
 
Daughter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brynden
 
Lucas
 
Hoster
 
Edmund
 
Alyn
 
Bethany
 
Robert
 


Historical Members

Before the Conquest

After the Conquest

Quotes

When did Blackwood and Bracken agree about anything that was not certain, I ask you?[34]

Every Blackwood is born a turncloak.[2]

We've had a hundred peaces with the Brackens, many sealed with marriages. There's Blackwood blood in every Bracken, and Bracken blood in every Blackwood. The Old King's Peace lasted half a century. But then some fresh quarrel broke out, and the old wounds opened and began to bleed again. That's how it always happens, my father says. So long as men remember the wrongs done to their forebears, no peace will ever last. So we go on century after century, with us hating the Brackens and them hating us. My father says there will never be an end to it.[2]

Notes

  1. Named "Lucas Blackwood" in House of the Dragon.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 48, Jaime I.
  3. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Riverlands.
  4. The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses in the Riverlands
  5. So Spake Martin: Canadian Signing Tour (Toronto), January 09, 2006
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  7. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, map of Westeros.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, The North.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  11. 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands.
  12. So Spake Martin: Blackwood-Bracken Feud and Coinage, August 13, 2003
  13. Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
  14. 14.0 14.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  15. Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  16. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  17. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  18. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  19. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
  20. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  21. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kingss: Aegon III.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 The Hedge Knight.
  24. 24.0 24.1 The Sworn Sword.
  25. 25.0 25.1 The Mystery Knight.
  26. 26.0 26.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  27. 27.0 27.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 80, Sansa VII.
  28. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 56, Tyrion VII.
  29. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  30. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  31. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 7, Catelyn I.
  32. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
  33. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 22, Catelyn II.
  34. 34.0 34.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  35. A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
  36. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 35, Catelyn IV.
  37. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  38. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 74, Arya XIII.
  39. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 31, Brienne VI.
  40. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
  41. 41.0 41.1 Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  42. 42.0 42.1 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 The Princess and the Queen.
  44. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
  45. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 The Hedge Knight, Graphic Novel.
  47. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Stark Lineage.
  48. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.