Ashford
| Ashford | |
|---|---|
| Castle, town | |
 Ashford Castle by Gary Gianni | |
| Location | Reach, Westeros |
| Government | House Ashford, Feudal lord |
| Religion | Faith of the Seven |
Ashford,[1][2] also called Ashford Castle,[2][3] is the seat of House Ashford in the Reach. The castle and its town sit on the northern shore of a fording of the Cockleswent, north of the Dornish Marches.[4]
Contents
Layout
Ashford is an appealing market town whose whitewashed houses have thatched roofs.[2]
Ashford Castle is a small castle built in the shape of a triangle, with round towers thirty feet tall at each point. Between the towers run thick crenelated walls. The orange banners of House Ashford fly from its battlements.[2] Wool tapestries of fruits and flowers hang in its Great Hall. A tower cell has a view of town, field, and forest.[2]
Nearby Ashford Meadow is used as a commons for the townspeople.[2] During the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen, an inn was found a day's ride to the south past a burned mill.[2]
History
King Aegon I Targaryen visited Ashford on multiple occasions during his royal progresses.[1]
Septon Alfyn was at Ashford when he learned he had been selected as High Septon.[5]
In 209 AC the tourney at Ashford Meadow was held at the nearby grassy field south of the Cockleswent.[2] Lord Ashford turned his chambers over to Baelor Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, during the tourney. After being killed in a trial of seven, Baelor Breakspear was cremated in the yard of Ashford Castle.[2]
The Battle of Ashford in 282 AC was the only defeat of Robert Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, during Robert's Rebellion. Commanding the vanguard, Randyll Tarly, Lord of Horn Hill, slew Lord Cafferen at Ashford Castle[3] and forced Robert to retreat before Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, arrived with the main force. Despite Randyll's leadership, his liege Mace took credit for the indecisive victory.[6][7]
Quotes
Dunk had seen many a market town during his journeys with the old man. This was prettier than most; the whitewashed houses with their thatched roofs had an inviting aspect to them.[2]
—thoughts of Duncan the Tall
Ashford Castle was a stone structure built in the shape of a triangle, with round towers rising thirty feet tall at each point and thick crenellated walls running between. Orange banners flew from its battlements, displaying the white sun-and-chevron sigil of its lord. Men-at-arms in orange-and-white livery stood outside the gates with halberds, watching people come and go, seemingly more intent on joking with a pretty milkmaid than in keeping anyone out.[2]
—thoughts of Duncan the Tall
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
- ↑ The Lands of Ice and Fire, Westeros.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.