Courtyard
A courtyard is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards within castles can be called baileys or wards.
Contents
Culture
Several castles in Westeros have courtyards, such as the Eyrie,[1] Highgarden,[2] Castle Black,[3] Whitewalls,[4] the Water Gardens (paved by pale pink marble),[5] Shadow city,[6] Hayford (small),[7] Barrow Hall (grassy),[8] and both castles of the Twins.[9] The Red Keep also has a small sunken courtyard,[10] while its Kitchen Keep is located in a courtyard across from the castle's main kitchen.[11] Winterfell has a dozen small courtyards with open pools.[12]
Additionally, courtyards are also common in Pentoshi manses, such as Drogo's manse,[13] and Illyrio's manse.[14] Within the Black Walls of Volantis is a large labyrinth of courtyards, palaces, towers, temples, cloisters, and cellars,[15] while the largest inn in Volantis, the Merchant's House, has a maze in the common room which is built around a central courtyard.[16]
History
During Aegon's Conquest, Visenya Targaryen flew on Vhagar to the courtyard of the Eyrie, where she was met by Ronnel Arryn, the young King of Mountain and Vale. Shortly after, Ronnel's regent and mother, Lady Sharra Arryn, surrendered the Eyrie to Visenya.[1]
After Prince Viserys Targaryen was tortured to death by Tyanna of the Tower in 44 AC, King Maegor I abandoned his nephew's mutilated body in the courtyard of the Red Keep for a fortnight in an unsuccessful attempt to force his mother Alyssa Velaryon to return.[17]
Balerion returned to King's Landing in 56 AC, descending into the courtyard of the Red Keep with Princess Aerea Targaryen barely clinging to him.[18]
As Dragonstone fell to Aegon II Targaryen and his men, the King flew Sunfyre over Dragonmont's smoking peak, planning to land triumphantly in the courtyard of the castle, but was surprised by Lady Baela Targaryen and Moondancer, who rose up to meet them.[19][20]
During the wedding tourney at Whitewalls, Lord Alyn Cockshaw brings Duncan the Tall to a deserted courtyard and attempts to kill him. Duncan manages to kill Cockshaw instead, but is wounded in the process.[4]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
Jon Snow watches the six new recruits brought by Conwy being trained by Ser Endrew Tarth in the courtyard of Castle Black.[21]
A Storm of Swords
After the opening ceremony of King Joffrey's wedding, Jalabhar Xho is among the nobles enjoying the unseasonable heat in the courtyard of the Red Keep, where Lady Sansa Stark asks him about wedding customs in the Summer Isles.[22]
A Feast for Crows
On one occasion, Ser Arys Oakheart of the Kingsguard passes by a candlemaker's shop to a home by a moonlight courtyard for a tryst with Princess Arianne Martell, who seduces him into joining her plot to crown Myrcella Baratheon as queen.[6]
A Dance with Dragons
When Tyrion Lannister visits the largest inn in Volantis, the Merchant's House, he spots its owner, the widow of the waterfront, seated at a customary table back by the courtyard where she is steeped in shadow.[16]
Prior to her walk of atonement, Cersei Lannister is escorted by the Warrior's Sons from her jail at the Great Sept of Baelor to the courtyard, where Cersei finds herself standing close to the spot where Eddard Stark was executed.[23]
Quotes
—Elmo
Castle Black lay below him, etched in moonlight. You could see how stark and empty it was from up here; windowless keeps, crumbling walls, courtyards choked with broken stone.[3]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Highgarden.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 21, Tyrion III.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Mystery Knight.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 59, Catelyn IX.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 61, Sansa V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 58, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 6, Catelyn II.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 1, Tyrion I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Volantis.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 27, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 59, Sansa IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 65, Cersei II.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.