Difference between revisions of "Silk"

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*In one of his voyages to the east, [[Corlys Velaryon]] loaded up his ships at [[Qarth]] with silks and spices, so that on his return to Westeros he became one of the richest men in the Seven Kingdoms.{{ref|twoiaf|Jaehaerys I}}
 
*In one of his voyages to the east, [[Corlys Velaryon]] loaded up his ships at [[Qarth]] with silks and spices, so that on his return to Westeros he became one of the richest men in the Seven Kingdoms.{{ref|twoiaf|Jaehaerys I}}
*[[Quentyn Martell]] remarks while in [[Volantis]] that few merchant ships from Westeros come that far east, and those who do fill up their holds with silks and spices originating from the [[Jade Sea]], then return home.{{ref|ADWD|The Merchant's Man}}
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*[[Quentyn Martell]] remarks while in [[Volantis]] that few merchant ships from Westeros come that far east, and those who do fill up their holds with silks and spices originating from the [[Jade Sea]], then return home.{{ref|ADWD|6}}
 
*While silk apparently travels west by sea from Qarth to Volantis and beyond, there is also an overland route west:  the [[Silk Road]], originating in the mountain passes of the [[Bone Mountains]].  The trade flowing west through these passes consists of caravans from [[Yi Ti]].{{ref|twoiaf|The Bones and Beyond}}
 
*While silk apparently travels west by sea from Qarth to Volantis and beyond, there is also an overland route west:  the [[Silk Road]], originating in the mountain passes of the [[Bone Mountains]].  The trade flowing west through these passes consists of caravans from [[Yi Ti]].{{ref|twoiaf|The Bones and Beyond}}
 
*Farther west, apparently an exceptional case, [[Naath]] island used to export shimmering silk fabrics, reaching markets in King's Landing and the Free Cities.  After the [[Doom of Valyria]], however, increased slaver-raids have nearly destroyed Naath's silk industry.{{ref|twoiaf|Naath}}
 
*Farther west, apparently an exceptional case, [[Naath]] island used to export shimmering silk fabrics, reaching markets in King's Landing and the Free Cities.  After the [[Doom of Valyria]], however, increased slaver-raids have nearly destroyed Naath's silk industry.{{ref|twoiaf|Naath}}
  
It therefore appears that silk is predominantly produced only in the lands around the Jade Sea, specifically in [[Yi Ti]] (and possibly a few surrounding lands such as [[Leng]]).  Silk can be obtained in Qarth, but apparently it does not originate there - just as silk obtained in Volantis originates farther east from Qarth itself.  Qarth wealth does not stem from its own surroundings, the harsh desert of the [[Red Waste]], but from control of the sea lanes into the Jade Sea.  The fact that the overland Silk Road across the Bone Mountains bypasses Qarth also seems to support this.  Naath appears to have been quite an exceptional case - possibly the only silk-producing land west of the Bones.
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It therefore appears that silk is predominantly produced only in the lands around the Jade Sea, specifically in [[Yi Ti]] (and possibly a few surrounding lands such as [[Leng]]).  Silk can be obtained in Qarth, but apparently it does not originate there - just as silk obtained in Volantis originates farther east from Qarth itself.  Qarth's wealth does not stem from its own surroundings, the harsh desert of the [[Red Waste]], but from control of the sea lanes into the Jade Sea.  The fact that the overland Silk Road across the Bone Mountains bypasses Qarth also seems to support this.  Naath appears to have been quite an exceptional case - possibly the only silk-producing land west of the Bones.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 00:39, 5 October 2018

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Silk is an expensive luxury fabric, made from the cocoons of certain caterpillars. Typically, only nobles and wealthy merchants can afford silks.

Silk is used to make clothing, but can also be used in luxury furnishings and furniture, etc.

In Westeros, wealthy lords from Sunspear to Winterfell can obtain silk through long-distance trade. In Essos, magisters and lords from the Free Cities to Slaver's Bay can be seen wearing it, and even the Dothraki accept a few silk items as tribute.

Exactly which regions produce silk, however, have not been specified - but there are several clues:

  • In one of his voyages to the east, Corlys Velaryon loaded up his ships at Qarth with silks and spices, so that on his return to Westeros he became one of the richest men in the Seven Kingdoms.[1]
  • Quentyn Martell remarks while in Volantis that few merchant ships from Westeros come that far east, and those who do fill up their holds with silks and spices originating from the Jade Sea, then return home.[2]
  • While silk apparently travels west by sea from Qarth to Volantis and beyond, there is also an overland route west: the Silk Road, originating in the mountain passes of the Bone Mountains. The trade flowing west through these passes consists of caravans from Yi Ti.[3]
  • Farther west, apparently an exceptional case, Naath island used to export shimmering silk fabrics, reaching markets in King's Landing and the Free Cities. After the Doom of Valyria, however, increased slaver-raids have nearly destroyed Naath's silk industry.[4]

It therefore appears that silk is predominantly produced only in the lands around the Jade Sea, specifically in Yi Ti (and possibly a few surrounding lands such as Leng). Silk can be obtained in Qarth, but apparently it does not originate there - just as silk obtained in Volantis originates farther east from Qarth itself. Qarth's wealth does not stem from its own surroundings, the harsh desert of the Red Waste, but from control of the sea lanes into the Jade Sea. The fact that the overland Silk Road across the Bone Mountains bypasses Qarth also seems to support this. Naath appears to have been quite an exceptional case - possibly the only silk-producing land west of the Bones.

References

  1. The World of Ice & Fire, Jaehaerys I.
  2. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
  3. The World of Ice & Fire, The Bones and Beyond.
  4. The World of Ice & Fire, Naath.