A morningstar is a spiked ball swung on a chain.[1][2][3][4] The ball-and-chain flail is sometimes called a "chain morning star."
History
Garth the Morningstar was a King of the Reach and head of House Gardener, who died in battle against the ironborn.[5]
Artys I Arryn, the founder of House Arryn in Westeros, was esteemed as the finest warrior of his day, skilled with sword, lance, and morningstar.[6]
In 84 AC, the 19-year-old Braxton Beesbury faced the 49-year-old King Jaehaerys I Targaryen in a trial by combat; the King was armed with the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre, while Ser Braxton chose a morningstar, hoping the king was unaccustomed to defending himself against that weapon, but Jaehaerys took every blow on his shield, and when the exhausted Braxton was unable to raise his arm, Jaehaerys killed him.[7]
Ser Criston Cole was an exceptionally skilled warrior, particularly with his morningstar, which he used to knock-out Dark Sister from the hands of Prince Daemon Targaryen in the tourney for King Viserys I's accession at Maidenpool in 104 AC. A decade later, in 114 AC, Criston's morningstar also cracked the helm of Laenor Velaryon's favorite, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, who died from his wounds six days later.[8]
During the Battle of the Kingsroad, Kermit Tully, the Lord of Riverrun, killed Borros Baratheon, the Lord of Storm's End, with his morningstar after Borros refused to surrender.[9]
Black Trombo claimed that he slew Prince Daeron Targaryen during the Second Battle of Tumbleton by smashing Daeron's face in with a swing of his spiked morningstar.[10]
During Duncan the Tall's trial of seven, Aerion Brightflame struck him from the saddle with a morningstar, but Duncan refused to yield, and used his skills as a brawler from Flea Bottom to beat the prince down.[4]
At an age when most girls would receive dolls, Dacey Mormont was given a morningstar.[11]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
During their journey to the Eyrie, Ser Willis Wode wields a spiked morningstar.[1]
During the battle on the Green Fork, a northern knight unhorses Tyrion Lannister with his spiked morning star, but Tyrion refused to yield, and used the spike on his helmet to eviscerate the horse, which falls on the knight, disabling him.[2]
A Clash of Kings
During the melee at Bitterbridge, Brienne of Tarth wields a blunt morningstar to defeat Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Flowers, as well as many of her mocking suitors.[12]
Dontos Hollard, the new fool of King Joffrey I Baratheon, carries a melon as his morningstar.[13]
Balon Swann is good with a lance, but better with a morningstar.[14][15]
A Feast for Crows
When Brienne, Dick Crabb, and Podrick Payne arrive at the Whispers, Shagwell kills an unsuspecting Dick by breaking his knee with his triple morningstar (three spiked balls chained to a wooden haft), and then crushing his face; Brienne then avenges Dick by slaying Shagwell.[3]
Dorea Sand walks around the Water Gardens knocking oranges off the trees with her morningstar.[16]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 31, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 62, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Reach (The Gardener Kings).
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, House Arryn.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 63, Catelyn X.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 22, Catelyn II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 40, Princess In The Tower.