The Black Ears are one of the Vale mountain clans of the Mountains of the Moon.
Customs
The Black Ears take their name from their custom of taking the ears of men they defeat in battle as trophies,[1] but leave them alive as a sign of shame.[2] They loop their trophies on grisly necklaces.[2][3]
The Black Ears have close ties with the Moon Brothers and are currently led by Chella, daughter of Cheyk.[4] They refuse to share meat and food with the Stone Crows.[5]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
The Black Ears are among the Vale mountain clans who follow Tyrion Lannister out of the Mountains of the Moon and accept the offer to fight for House Lannister.[4] They fight in the western vanguard during the battle on the Green Fork.[5]
A Clash of Kings
The Black Ears accompany Tyrion to King's Landing, where he is to serve as Hand of the King. He puts them in the Broken Anvil to guard Shae. Three of them drink wine at the inn's common room with Chella, Shae, and Varys. Tyrion also has Bronn secure them a place in the barracks beneath the Tower of the Hand with the rest of the clans.[2]
Tyrion is escorted by mounted Black Ears during his first visit to Chataya's brothel, and he gives permission for them to patronize the businesses on the Street of Silk.[3]
After Tyrion stops King Joffrey I Baratheon from abusing and humiliating Sansa Stark in front of the court, he offers her the Black Ears as guards but is refused.[6]
In preparation for Stannis Baratheon's arrival to the gates of King's Landing, Tyrion sends the Black Ears and the Moon Brothers into the kingswood to harass and harry Stannis's army on its march to the capital.[7]
A Storm of Swords
After the Battle of the Blackwater, Chella and a dozen Black Ears attempt to return to King's Landing, but they are chased off and mocked by the Kingslanders. Tyrion considers the city folk to be ingrates.[8]
Quotes
Vylarr: Will you be safe, my lord?
Tyrion: Well, as to that, Captain, when I left the inn this morning it was full of Black Ears. One is never quite safe when Chella daughter of Cheyk is about.[2]—Vylarr and Tyrion Lannister
References and Notes
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 56, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 62, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 4, Tyrion I.