Castellan

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A castellan is the governor or captain of a castellany and its castle.[1] A castellan is appointed, usually by a ruling lord or lady, to oversee the defense of the castle when the lord himself is away or unable to attend to the tasks himself.

About

Castellans are usually male, although women can be appointed to the position as well.[2] Preference might be given to warriors, who have knowledge and skill in warfare.[3]

Should the lord who appointed the castellan die, the castellan will remain in office until the new lord or lady dismisses him.[4] Additionally, a castellan might retain his position after the lord's death due to said lord's will, despite the new ruler having taken position.[5][N 1]

Castellans can be appointed when the lord goes to war. Lords who appoint a castellan when they march to fight at the start of the War of the Five Kings include Lord Gawen Westerling,[6] Ser Helman Tallhart,[7] Lord Jon Umber[8][9] and Lord Rickard Karstark.[2] Other lords might prefer to leave the castle under the command of their wives, who are subsequently able to name a castellan if need be.[10] Other lords might choose to appoint a castellan during times of peace when they spent longer periods of time away from their seat, like Prince Doran Martell,[11] Lord Renly Baratheon,[12] and Lord Stannis Baratheon.[13] In addition, castellans can serve while a lord remains at his seat, giving the lord counsel.[14]

A castellan has no right to make marriage pacts.[15]

History

Some of the Tyrells who served House Gardener as High Steward of Highgarden were appointed castellan in times of war.[16]

When King Morden II Durrandon named his baseborn half brother Ronard Storm as his castellan, Ronard came to rule the stormlands in all but name. He wed Morden's sister, and claimed the kingship within five years of his appointment. His rule lasted nigh unto thirty years.[17]

Following their initial conquest during the First Dornish War, the Targaryens left Lord Jon Rosby as the castellan of Sunspear. He was killed by Meria Martell, the ancient Princess of Dorne, who threw him out of a window atop the Spear Tower.[18]

When Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen left Dragonstone for King's Landing during the Dance of the Dragons, Ser Alfred Broome, the most senior of Rhaenyra's knights at Dragonstone, expected to be named as castellan. After Rhaenyra passed him over in favor of Ser Robert Quince, Ser Alfred participated in the coup against Robert when King Aegon II Targaryen's supporters sought support on the island.[19]

King Robert I Baratheon's bastard son Edric Storm is raised at Storm's End, the seat of Robert's younger brother Renly, who subsequently has the boy fostered by his castellans.[20][21][22]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Ser Rodrik Cassel is appointed castellan of Winterfell by Lady Catelyn Stark after she decides to join her son, Robb Stark, at Moat Cailin.[3]

A Clash of Kings

When Lord Petyr Baelish suggests spreading the rumor that Lady Selyse Florent had an affair from which the daughter of Stannis Baratheon, Shireen, Tyrion Lannister offers Dragonstone's castellan, Ser Axell Florent, as the rumored father.[23]

When Cersei Lannister attempts to smuggle her son Tommen Baratheon from King's Landing to keep him from harm during the upcoming Battle of the Blackwater, she sends him disguised to Rosby. Tyrion Lannister orders his men to intercept Tommen's escort and take the boy, continuing as planned to Rosby, where he judges Lord Gyles Rosby will order his castellan to open the gates.[24]

A Storm of Swords

When Bowen Marsh, castellan of Castle Black,[25] leaves to battle the free folk, he leaves the old Ser Wynton Stout as Castle Black's new castellan.[26]

A Feast for Crows

After Cersei Lannister refuses to name her uncle, Ser Kevan Lannister, as King Tommen I Baratheon's regent and Hand, he requests to be named castellan of Casterly Rock.[27] In her anger, Cersei names her cousin, Damion Lannister, as her castellan for Casterly Rock to spite him.[28]

A Dance with Dragons

Jon Snow is surprised that the letter of Stannis Baratheon to Bear Island is answered by the young Lyanna Mormont, as he believes Lady Maege Mormont would have left at least one of her older daughters behind as castellan when she left home to answer Robb Stark's call to arms.[2]

Known castellans

Castle Castellan On behalf of Notes
Brightwater Keep House Florent.svg Ser Colin Florent[9] House Florent.svg Lord Alester Florent  
The Crag House Spicer.svg Ser Rolph Spicer House Westerling.svg Lord Gawen Westerling Rolph is named castellan of the Crag when his brother-in-law, Lord Gawen, marches to the riverlands as part of the Lannister army. He holds his position until the Crag is taken by northern forces.[6]
Casterly Rock House Lannister.svg Ser Damion Lannister House Lannister.svg Lady Cersei Lannister Damion became castellan of Casterly Rock in 300 AC,[27] after Queen Regent Cersei refused to name her uncle, Ser Kevan Lannister, to the position.[28]
Castle Black Night's Watch.svg Lord Steward Bowen Marsh Night's Watch.svg Lord Commander Jeor Mormont Bowen is named castellan of Castle Black when Lord Commander Jeor Mormont leaves on the Great Ranging in early 299 AC.[29][25]
Night's Watch.svg Ser Wynton Stout Night's Watch.svg Lord Steward Bowen Marsh Wynton is named castellan by Castle Black's previous castellan, Bowen Marsh, when Marsh marches west to battle raiders of the free folk.[26]
Coldmoat House Inchfield.svg Ser Lucas Inchfield House Webber.svg Lord Wyman Webber[5]  
House Webber.svg Lady Rohanne Webber[5]  
Dreadfort Ramsay Snow[9] House Bolton.svg Lord Roose Bolton Ramsay became castellan of the Dreadfort sometime after his father, Lord Roose Bolton, marched south with Robb Stark's host.[9]
Dragonstone None.svg Ser Robert Quince Rhaenyra Targaryen.svg Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen Robert was named castellan of Dragonstone during the Dance of the Dragons, when she leaves her seat to claim the Iron Throne[19]
House Florent.svg Ser Axell Florent House Baratheon of Dragonstone.svg Lord Stannis Baratheon Axel served on Dragonstone as castellan for a decade, while Lord Stannis lived at King's Landing to serve on the small council.[13]
Ser Rolland Storm Rolland was named castellan of Dragonstone when Stannis sails north, to the Wall.[30] He refuses to fight Ser Loras Tyrell in single combat during the siege of Dragonstone.[31] Dragonstone falls to the force sent by the Iron Throne not long after.[31]
Dun Fort None.svg Ser Rufus Leek House Rykker.svg Lord Renfred Rykker When Lord Renfred rides to Maidenpool with Randyll Tarly's host, Rufus is named castellan of the Dun Fort to look after Lady Rykker and her young children.[32]
Gates of the Moon House Royce of the Gates of the Moon.svg Ser Nestor Royce[8] House Arryn.svg House Arryn[N 2]
Grandview House Wagstaff.svg Ser Humfrey Wagstaff House Grandison.svg Lord Grandison[N 3] Humfrey was castellan of Grandview when Brienne of Tarth was sixteen years old.[32][N 4]
Griffin's Roost House Connington.svg Ser Ronald Connington House Connington.svg Lord Jon Connington When Jon leaves for King's Landing to attend to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Ronald is named castellan of Jon's seat. Following Jon's exile during Robert's Rebellion, Ronald inherits the lordship of Griffin's Roost. Although he is allowed to keep the castle, after the war the new king, Robert I Baratheon, takes away his lordship and reduces him to the Knight of Griffin's Roost.[33]
Hayford Unknown[34] House Hayford.svg Lady Ermesande Hayford  
Harrenhal House Strong.svg Ser Simon Strong House Strong.svg Lord Larys Strong Simon serves as castellan during the Dance of the Dragons, and yields the castle to Prince Daemon Targaryen.[19]
House Lorch.png Ser Amory Lorch House Lannister.svg Lord Tywin Lannister When Lord Tywin Lannister marched west to fight the northern army of Robb Stark during the War of the Five Kings, Amory was named castellan of Harrenhal, the seat Tywin and his army had been occupying.[35][36]
Polliver House Clegane.svg Ser Gregor Clegane Polliver was named castellan of Harrenhal by Ser Gregor when Gregor was called to King's Landing for Tyrion Lannister's trial by combat.[34]
House Hasty.svg Ser Bonifer Hasty House Lannister.svg Queen Regent Cersei Lannister Queen Regent Cersei Lannister ordered Ser Jaime Lannister to appoint Ser Bonifer as castellan of Harrenhal after taking the castle from Gregor Clegane's men.[34] Jaime suspected that the appointment originated form Lord Orton Merryweather.[34]
Highgarden Unknown House Tyrell.svg Lord Lyonel Tyrell The castellan of Highgarden, alongside Lyonel's mother and the steward of Highgarden, were Lord Lyonel's regents during his minority.[37]
Karhold House Karstark.svg Arnolf Karstark House Karstark.svg Lord Rickard Karstark Arnolf was named castellan by his nephew, Lord Rickard, when Rickard marched south with Robb Stark's host[2] and Rickard's sons refuse to stay behind at home[38] at the start of the War of the Five Kings.
Last Hearth House Umber.svg Hother & Mors Umber House Umber.svg Lord Jon Umber Hother and Mors are named joint castellans by their nephew when Lord Jon marches south with his sons to fight in Robb Stark's host.[8][9]
Moat Cailin House Kenning of Harlaw.svg Ralf Kenning House Greyjoy.svg Victarion Greyjoy Ralf was given command when Victarion sailed back to the Iron Isles for the Kingsmoot,[39] and was told to hold the castle until Victarion returned as the new King of the Iron Islands with a force of a thousand men.[40] Ralf held Moat Cailin until his death in 300 AC, shortly before Bolton forces took the castle.[40]
Pyke None.svg Erik Ironmaker House Greyjoy.svg King Euron III Greyjoy[41] Erik was named castellan of Pyke while King Euron went “chasing dragons”.[42]
Riverrun[9] House Grell.svg Ser Desmond Grell House Tully.svg Lord Edmure Tully While Edmure was away from Riverrun to battle Tywin Lannister's force at the Red Fork of the Trident, Ser Desmond was left behind as castellan.[43]
House Tully.svg Ser Brynden Tully Brynden Tully remained behind at Riverrun when Lord Edmure traveled to the Twins for his wedding[44] and held Riverrun until Edmure returned the following year and yielded the castle to House Lannister.[45]
Rosby Unknown House Rosby.svg Lord Gyles Rosby[24]  
Stokeworth Unknown House Stokeworth.svg Lord Stokeworth During the Dance of the Dragons, the castellan of young Lord Stokeworth refused to grant Rhaenyra Targaryen hospitality for more than one night.[19]
Storm's End Ronard Storm House Baratheon.svg King Morden II Durrandon Named castellan by his half-brother King Morden II. Later usurped Morden's throne with assistance of the queen consort, and ruled as Storm King for nearly thirty years.
None.svg Ser Harbert House Baratheon.svg Lord Steffon Baratheon Castellan during the youth of Stannis Baratheon.[13] Known to have served as castellan in 278 AC, when Lord Steffon Baratheon and his wife, Lady Cassana Estermont, drowned in Shipbreaker Bay.[46]
House Penrose.svg Ser Cortnay Penrose House Baratheon.svg Lord Renly Baratheon Served as castellan for Lord Renly while the latter served on King Robert I Baratheon's small council.[12]
House Meadows.svg Lord Elwood Meadows None Elwood served as the second-in-command to Ser Cortnay Penrose, the castellan of the deceased Renly Baratheon. He was shortly named castellan following Cortnay's own death.[47]
House Farring.PNG Ser Gilbert Farring[8] House Baratheon of Dragonstone.svg Lord Stannis Baratheon  
Sunspear House Martell.svg Prince Doran Martell House Martell.svg Princess of Dorne When the Princess of Dorne journeyed past the southern and western coast of the Seven Kingdoms to meet with potential spouses for her younger children, she left her eldest son and heir, Doran, as her castellan.[48]
House Martell.svg Ser Manfrey Martell[49] House Martell.svg Prince Doran Martell Manfrey was named castellan of Sunspear when Prince Doran Martell left his seat for the Water Gardens in 298 AC.[11] He continues to hold the position by 300 AC.[50]
House Rosby.svg Lord Jon Rosby House Targaryen.svg House Targaryen Lord Rosby was named castellan of Sunspear following the initial Targaryen conquest during the First Dornish War. He was killed during the Defenestration of Sunspear shortly after the Targaryens left Dorne.[18]
Torrhen's Square House Tallhart.svg Leobald Tallhart House Tallhart.svg Ser Helman Tallhart Leobald was named castellan when his brother marched south as part of Robb Stark's host at the start of the War of the Five Kings.[7] He held the position until his death during the battle at Winterfell.[7][51]
Winterfell House Cassel.svg Rodrik Cassel House Stark.svg House Stark Ser Rodrik Cassel was appointed castellan of Winterfell by Lady Catelyn Stark following her decision to join her son, Robb Stark, at Moat Cailin.[3] He held the position until his death during the battle at Winterfell.[51]
Lorren House Greyjoy.svg Prince Theon Greyjoy Lorren was left in charge of Winterfell by Theon Greyjoy when the latter went to search for the missing Bran and Rickon Stark, Jojen and Meera Reed, Hodor, Osha, Summer and Shaggydog.[52]
Wolf's Den Ser Bartimus[41] House Manderly.svg Lord Wyman Manderly  

Notes

  1. Before his death, Lord Wyman Webber attempts to marry his four-time widowed daughter Rohanne to his castellan, Ser Lucas Inchfield. When she refuses, Wyman states in his will that she must wed within the two years following his death, and appoints Ser Lucas to scare off any unworthy suitors. Lucas remains castellan for Rohanne during this time, although she declares this is "not by my choice" (The Sworn Sword)
  2. Serves as castellan under Lord Robert Arryn during the regency of Lady Lysa Arryn. Possibly named as castellan by Lord Jon Arryn during the years before his death.
  3. Possibly Lord Hugh Grandison, the aged Lord of House Grandison.
  4. Born in 280 AC, Brienne turned sixteen in 296 AC.

References

  1. Definition of "castellan" on Wikipedia (retrieved on July 31, 2018)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 55, Catelyn VIII.
  4. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 The Sworn Sword.
  6. 6.0 6.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 9, Bran I.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  10. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 4, Bran I.
  11. 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  12. 12.0 12.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
  14. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I.
  15. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: House Tyrell.
  17. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Durrandon.
  18. 18.0 18.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons.
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 The Princess and the Queen.
  20. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  21. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  22. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
  23. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
  24. 24.0 24.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
  25. 25.0 25.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 41, Jon V.
  26. 26.0 26.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 48, Jon VI.
  27. 27.0 27.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
  28. 28.0 28.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  29. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.
  30. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.
  31. 31.0 31.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
  32. 32.0 32.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  33. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
  35. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 38, Arya VIII.
  36. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  37. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  38. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
  39. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 18, The Iron Captain.
  40. 40.0 40.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 20, Reek II.
  41. 41.0 41.1 A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
  42. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.
  43. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  44. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  45. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 44, Jaime VII.
  46. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  47. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.
  48. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
  49. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
  50. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher.
  51. 51.0 51.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  52. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 50, Theon IV.