Smuggler
A smuggler is a naval tradesman who carries out illegal trade, often dealing stolen goods, or evading customs, tax officers, or naval blockades.[1][2] Some smugglers also engage in piracy[1] or slavery.[3]
Contents
Customs
Smugglers often employ black sails and muffled oars.[4] They must be familiar with the tides, and many navigate using stars.[5]
There is a smugglers' cove near the ruined castle of the Whispers in Crackclaw Point.[6]
The Three Sisters have long been a haven for smugglers, and the Belly of the Whale is a smugglers' den in Sisterton.[7][8]
History
The Night's Watch fleet at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea arrests and executes smugglers who sell weaponry to the free folk.[4][9]
When King Aerys II Targaryen sat the Iron Throne, smugglers would be killed if caught by Ser Tristimun and the sea watch.[2]
During Robert's Rebellion, almost a year into the siege of Storm's End, the notorious smuggler Davos evaded the Redwyne fleet's blockade of Shipbreaker Bay to smuggle onions and salted fish into the castle,[10] knowing the starving garrison would pay him the best price.[11] The food allowed Stannis Baratheon's men to hold on until Lord Eddard Stark arrived to break the siege.[10] As a reward for his service, Stannis knighted Davos, giving him choice lands on Cape Wrath and allowing him to choose Seaworth as the name of his new house. However, as payment for his past crimes, Davos lost the first joint from each finger of his left hand. Davos found the ruling just, and agreed to the terms if Stannis would swing the blade himself.[10]
Recent Events
A Dance with Dragons
While incarcerated in the Wolf's Den, Lord Davos Seaworth speaks about his past life as a smuggler with Therry. Lord Wyman Manderly enlists Davos to find Rickon Stark because of his smuggling skills.[12]
Known smugglers
- Davos Seaworth[10]
- Salladhor Saan[1]
- The captain of the Adventure[3]
- Roro Uhoris[4]
- Bellegere Otherys[13]
Quotes
A smuggler must be a fair judge of men.[14]
When I was smuggling, I learned that some men believe everything and some nothing.[14]
When he had been a smuggler, he'd always felt safer knowing whether the sail on the horizon marked a fast ship or a slow one, and whether her captain was a young man hungry for glory or an old one serving out his days.[15]
—thoughts of Davos Seaworth
A smuggler had best know men as well as tides, or he would not live to smuggle long.[4]
—thoughts of Davos Seaworth
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 10, Davos II.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 63, Davos VI.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 14, Brienne III.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
- ↑ The Mystery Knight.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona, July 28, 2012
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.