House Swann
House Swann of Stonehelm | |
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Coat of arms | Party per pale argent and sable, two swans combatant countercharged |
Seat | Stonehelm |
Head | Gulian Swann |
Region | the Stormlands |
Title | Lord of Stonehelm |
Heir | Donnel Swann |
Overlord | House Baratheon |
House Swann of Stonehelm is one of the primary noble houses of the the Stormlands.[1] They are marcher lords ruling over the lands surrounding the Red Watch on Cape Wrath in the eastern Dornish Marches.[2][3] They blazon their arms with argent and sable a swan counter charged.[4]
Contents
History
House Swann is an old noble house, regarded as proud, powerful and cautious.[2] They have governed their lands for as long as any can remember. From Stonehelm they control a major river route inland to the Stormlands, gaining them much wealth and power. They are probably the second most powerful and influential family in the Stormlands, after the Baratheons.[5]
During the Dance of the Dragons, Ser Byron Swann was killed by Syrax or Vhagar.[3]
Lord Swann's fool was the one who named Matarys Targaryen "the even younger Prince". Lord Gawen Swann competed in the tourney at Ashford Meadow as an old man, losing to Prince Valarr Targaryen. Gawen ignored Dunk's direct request to join him in the trial of seven. Ser Eustace Osgrey boasted that in the past members of important families married Osgreys, citing the Swanns as one of the examples.
Ser Barristan Selmy squired for Ser Manfred Swann as a boy. Barristan later rescued Lady Jeyne Swann and her septa from the Kingswood Brotherhood.
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
The head of the house is Lord Gulian Swann. Having participated in the previous rebellion, he has no intention to committing more lives to future wars.[5] Ser Balon Swann, Gulian's second son, is one of the outstanding knights in the Hand's tourney, defeating Alyn of Winterfell but later being unhorsed by Ser Gregor Clegane. He is among the three finalists at the archery competition of the tourney, losing to a commoner from the Dornish Marches named Anguy. Balon is among the party that accompanies King Robert Baratheon to hunt, but he returns to King's Landing before Robert's hunting accident with the boar.
A Clash of Kings
Lord Gulian is one of the few storm lords that agrees to receive Davos Seaworth, and even breaks bread with him. He does not respond to Stannis Baratheon's demands, however. In the War of the Five Kings, Gulian pleads illness and takes no part, but his sons represent Stonehelm in several causes.
The heir to the house, Ser Donnel, is with Renly Baratheon and then with Stannis, and is wounded in the Battle of the Blackwater. He yields to Ser Elwood Harte and is ransomed afterward, before swearing fealty to King Joffrey Baratheon.
After the downfall of Lord Eddard Stark, Sansa Stark sees Ser Balon whispering some words to drunken Ser Dontos Hollard, possibly recommending him to refrain from hailing her. Balon defends the royal party in the riot of King's Landing. After the riot, Balon is named to the Kingsguard to replace Ser Preston Greenfield. In this capacity, Balon fights on Joffrey's side at the Blackwater.
A Storm of Swords
Ser Balon is the first to appear at Tyrion's trial after the death of King Joffrey. He states Tyrion is a brave man and that he cannot believe Tyrion could have poisoned Joffrey.[6]
A Dance with Dragons
Ser Balon Swann is sent by Queen Cersei Lannister to Dorne to deliver Gregor Clegane's head. Prince Doran Martell orders his bannermen to delay Balon's arrival with lavish feasts. When Balon arrives in Sunspear, the Martells disguise Arianne's abortive attempt to crown Princess Myrcella Baratheon. Balon, under orders from Cersei, invites the Martells to the capital to lure them into an ambush for which Cersei can frame Tyrion. Doran fails to take the bait, instead claiming Balon's sworn brother, Ser Arys Oakheart, was killed by Ser Gerold Dayne, known as Darkstar. Obara Sand joins Balon in the hunt for Darkstar.
Clifford Swann is listed as Lord of Stonehelm.[7] It is unknown if this is a mistake, if George R. R. Martin has changed Gulian's name, or if Clifford has succeeded Gulian.
House Swann at the end of the third century
The known Swanns during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:
- Lord Gulian Swann, Lord of Stonehelm. A mature man.
- Ser Donnel Swann, his eldest son and heir.
- Ser Balon Swann, his second son. A member of the Kingsguard.
With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch there are also:
- Clifford Swann, an unknown relation, mentioned as lord in the Appendix of A Dance with Dragons.
- {Cyrenna Swann}, the second wife to Lord Walder Frey.
- {Corenna Swann}, the first wife of Ser Stevron Frey. She died of a wasting illness.
- Ravella Swann, married to Lord Theomar Smallwood of Acorn's Hall.
- Jeyne Swann, who along with her septa was rescued by Barristan Selmy from the Kingswood Brotherhood.
Gulian | Unknown wife | Walder Frey | Cyrenna | Corenna | Stevron Frey | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Donnel | Balon | Jared Frey | Alys Frey | Luceon Frey | Ryman Frey | Theomar Smallwood | Ravella | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Son | Carellen Smallwood | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Historical Members
- Lady Johanna Swann, captured by slavers. She became a powerful courtesan of Lys known as the Black Swan during the reign of Viserys I.[8]
- Ser Byron Swann was killed by the dragon Syrax during the Dance of the Dragons.[3]
- Lord Gawen Swann was a competitor at the Ashford Tourney during the reign of Daeron II.[9]
- Ser Manfred Swann, Barristan Selmy squired for him.[10]
References and Notes
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 61, Tyrion XIV.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
- ↑ The Rogue Prince.
- ↑ The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
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