Green men
The green men[1][2] or Green Men[3] are a sacred order entrusted with the guardianship of the Isle of Faces in the riverlands. Some nursery tales claim they are horned and have dark, green skin.[4] According to Old Nan, the green men ride elks and sometimes have antlers.[5] Most maesters believe they are men who wear green clothes and horned headdresses, however.[6]
History
After many years of war between the First Men and the children of the forest, their respective wise men came to the conclusion that the bloodshed had gone on too long. They came together to make peace on the Isle of Faces in the Gods Eye, agreeing to the Pact which would give the First Men all the land except for the deep forests, which would remain under the dominion of the children of the forest. The First Men agreed they would cut down no more trees. So that the gods could bear witness to the historic agreement, all the trees on the island would have a face carved into it and the order of the green men would be created to guard them.[2]
The Andals were unable to destroy the green men during the coming of the Andals to Westeros, leading to conjecture that some children of the forest survived on the Isle of Faces with their aid.[7]
During the Dance of the Dragons, Ser Addam Velaryon was said to have flown his dragon, Seasmoke, to the Isle of Faces and taken counsel with the Green Men.[8]
Recent Events
A Storm of Swords
Meera and Jojen Reed tell Bran Stark the story of the Knight of the Laughing Tree, in which a crannogman visited the green men. Bran wonders if the green men could help him to walk again.[9]
Quotes
The nursery tales claiming that they are horned and have dark, green skin is a corruption of the likely truth, which is that the green men wore green garments and horned headdresses.[6]
—writings of Yandel
No one visits the Isle of Faces. That's where the green men live.[9]
—Bran Stark to Meera Reed
—thoughts of Bran Stark
References
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
- ↑ The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Coming of the First Men.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Coming of the First Men.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Arrival of the Andals.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.