Moneylenders are people who lend money to individuals or organizations outside of traditional banking systems, typically charging high or excessive rates of interest.
History
After the Doom of Valyria, the Volantenes considered themselves the heirs to the Valyrian Freehold and rightful rulers of the world, but those of the Old Blood, later known as the tigers, favored war, whilst the moneylenders and merchants, later known as the elephants, favored achieving dominion by trade.[1][2]
Rego Draz, master of coin for King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, borrowed from the Iron Bank of Braavos.[3] In 56 AC, an envoy of the Iron Bank visited the Red Keep to collect the annual payment of the loan. Later, Septon Barth, the Hand of the King, came to Braavos, where the Sealord agreed to forgive the principal of Rego's loan.[4]
Lord Jorah Mormont attempted to reproduce the luxurious lifestyle of his young wife, Lynesse Hightower, so he borrowed heavily from moneylenders while in Braavos, but the poor lord was unable to sustain it and became indebted.[5]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Eddard Stark, Hand of the King to Robert I Baratheon, learns that the Iron Throne borrowed money from moneylenders out of Braavos.[6]
A Clash of Kings
A moneylender from Braavos arrives at the court of King's Landing, asking to see King Joffrey I Baratheon about payments on some loans, but Tyrion Lannister, the acting Hand of the King, orders Bronn to send him to Lord Petyr Baelish, the master of coin.[7]
A Feast for Crows
Queen Regent Cersei Lannister and the small council decide to seize the Iron Throne's payments on the loans to the Iron Bank, to instead finance the building of Cersei's dromonds.[8]
In response to the Iron Throne's decision, the Iron Bank begins calling in outstanding debts from all over the Seven Kingdoms and refusing all new loans, causing economic chaos throughout Westeros.[9]
A Dance with Dragons
Sons of the Harpy break into the house of Rylona Rhee, killing a moneylender, a cobbler, and Rylona.[10]
Ser Harys Swyft, the master of coin under Lord Regent Kevan Lannister, writes to the bankers of Myr and to the magister moneylenders of Pentos in hopes of gaining the crown a new loan so they can placate the Iron Bank of Braavos.[11]
Quotes
Bronn: There's a moneylender from Braavos, holding fancy papers and the like, requests to see the king about payment on some loan.
Tyrion: As if Joff could count past twenty. Send the man to Littlefinger, he'll find a way to put him off.[7]—Bronn and Tyrion Lannister
References
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.