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[[File:Sarah Morris The Westerlands.png|The westerlands. © FFG|thumb|350px|right]]
[[File:The Westerlands.png|350px|thumb|The westerlands with the major strongholds]]
[[File:The Westerlands.png|350px|thumb|The westerlands with the major strongholds]]


The '''westerlands'''{{ref|AFFC|Prologue}} is a region in the west of the continent of [[Westeros]].Before the [[War of Conquest|Targaryen conquest]], it was known as the [[Kingdom of the Rock]]. People from the westerlands are known as westermen.{{ref|ACOK|26}}{{ref|TPATQ}} The customary surname of noble [[bastardy|bastards]] born in the westerlands is Hill.
The '''westerlands'''{{Ref|AFFC|Prologue}}{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} or '''westlands''',{{ref|AGOT|43}} historically the '''Kingdom of the Rock''',{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} are a region in the west of the continent of [[Westeros]]. Before [[Aegon's Conquest]], it was ruled by the [[King of the Rock|Kings of the Rock]]. People from the westerlands are known as [[westermen]].{{ref|ACOK|26}} The customary surname of [[bastardy|bastards]] of noble origin born in the westerlands is Hill.{{ref|ADWD|14}}


The westerlands is ruled from [[Casterly Rock]] by [[House Lannister]]. Notable bannermen have included [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Brax|Brax]], [[House Broom|Broom]], [[House Clegane|Clegane]], [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]], [[House Farman|Farman]], [[House Lefford|Lefford]], [[House Lydden|Lydden]], [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]], [[House Payne|Payne]], [[House Prester|Prester]], [[House Reyne|Reyne]], [[House Serrett|Serrett]], [[House Swyft|Swyft]], [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]], and [[House Westerling|Westerling]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{ref|TWOIAF| House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
The westerlands are ruled from [[Casterly Rock]] by [[House Lannister]]. Notable bannermen have included [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Brax|Brax]], [[House Broom|Broom]], [[House Clegane|Clegane]], [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]], [[House Farman|Farman]], [[House Lefford|Lefford]], [[House Lydden|Lydden]], [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]], [[House Payne|Payne]], [[House Prester|Prester]], [[House Reyne|Reyne]], [[House Serrett|Serrett]], [[House Swyft|Swyft]], [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]], and [[House Westerling|Westerling]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}


==Geography==
==Geography==
The westerlands lies along the coast of the [[Sunset Sea]], with [[Ironman's Bay]] and the [[Iron Islands]] to the north.<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Map of the South|Map of the South]]</ref> Settlements on the western coast include [[Banefort]], [[the Crag]], [[Faircastle]] on [[Fair Isle]], [[Kayce]], [[Feastfires]], [[Casterly Rock]] with [[Lannisport]], and [[Crakehall]]. Hills and mountain ranges are spread throughout the westerlands, with inland castles near the Rock including [[Ashemark]] and [[Sarsfield]].{{ref|TLOIAF}}
[[File:Sarah Morris The WesterlandsII.png|thumb|The westerlands by Sarah Morris © Fantasy Flight Games]]


The headwaters of the [[Tumblestone]] and the [[Red Fork]] flow east into the [[riverlands]]. The main pass through the eastern mountains is guarded by the [[Golden Tooth]], a castle which controls access to the [[river road]] leading to [[Riverrun]]. Further south is the [[Goldroad]], which runs east to [[King's Landing]]. [[Deep Den]] watches the Goldroad, with [[Hornvale]] to the north and [[Silverhill]] to the south.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
The westerlands are known for their rugged hills, rolling plains, fertile fields, and broadleaf forests. The land contains lakes and rivers, and the hills conceal systems of caves and caverns.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}}


The southern westerlands, which borders the [[Reach]], contains more flatland than the rest of the country and includes [[Cornfield]] and the forest by Crakehall. The [[Ocean Road]] leads south from the Rock past Crakehall to [[Old Oak]] and [[Highgarden]] in the Reach.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
The region lies along the coast of the [[Sunset Sea]], with [[Ironman's Bay]] and the [[Iron Islands]] to the north.<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Map of the South|Map of the South]]</ref> A salient of the northeastern westerlands extends near the ruins of [[Oldstones]] and the [[Blue Fork]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} Castles on the northwestern coast include [[Banefort]] and the [[Crag]]. [[Faircastle]] is located on [[Fair Isle]], while [[Feastfires]] and the market town of [[Kayce]] are found on a peninsula jutting into the sea.{{ref|TLOIAF|Westeros}}


Because of the numerous hills and mountains, the westerlands' eastward border with the riverlands is easily defensible. However, the westerlands is potentially vulnerable to attack from the Sunset Sea or the south as the coast is quite flat and can be more easily invaded.
Also along the coast is [[Casterly Rock]], the seat of [[House Lannister]], a fortress carved out of a massive hill of solid rock.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: Casterly Rock}} Near the Rock is [[Lannisport]], a port and one of the largest cities of [[Westeros]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} Three days ride from the Rock is the village of [[Oxcross]].{{ref|ACOK|32}} Inland castles near the Rock including [[Ashemark]] and [[Sarsfield]],{{ref|TLOIAF|Westeros}} as well as the ruins of [[Castamere]] and [[Tarbeck Hall]].


==Notable locations==
The headwaters of the [[Tumblestone]] and the [[Red Fork]] begin in the westerlands and flow east into the [[riverlands]]. The main pass through the eastern hills is guarded by the [[Golden Tooth]], a castle which controls access to the [[river road]] leading to [[Riverrun]]. Further south is the [[Goldroad]], which runs east to [[King's Landing]]. [[Deep Den]] watches this road, with [[Hornvale]] to the north and [[Silverhill]] to the south.{{ref|TLOIAF|Westeros}}
* [[Lannisport]], a port city which is one of the major ports of the Seven Kingdoms and is the largest city in the westerlands, ruled by [[House Lannister]].
 
* [[Casterly Rock]], the seat of [[House Lannister]], a fortress carved out of a massive hill of solid rock.
The southern westerlands contain more flatland than the rest of the country and includes [[Cornfield]] and the forest by [[Crakehall|Crakehall Castle]]. The [[Ocean Road]] leads south from the Rock past Crakehall to [[Old Oak]] and [[Highgarden]] in the [[Reach]].{{ref|TLOIAF|Westeros}} Also located in the westerlands are [[Greenfield]] and [[Wyndhall]].
* The [[Golden Tooth]], the seat of [[House Lefford]], which guards the main pass from the westerlands into the riverlands.
* [[Kayce]], the seat of [[House Kenning of Kayce]], a market town on a peninsula west of Casterly Rock.
* [[Oxcross]], a village  north-east of Casterly Rock.


==People and Economy==
==People and Economy==
[[File:Andrew Hall Western Fiefdoms.png|thumb|350px|Western Fiefdoms - Illustrated by Andrew Hall. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
[[File:Golden Tooth.jpg|thumb|Mines at the [[Golden Tooth]] by Franz Miklis © Fantasy Flight Games]]
The westerlands are not the largest, most populous, or most fertile part of the realm, but they are the richest. Full of hills and crags, the land is dotted with mines from which pour gold and silver in astonishing quantities. There are gold mines at [[Casterly Rock]], the [[Golden Tooth]], [[Castamere]], [[Nunn's Deep]], and the [[Pendric Hills]]. According to semi-canon sources, there are settlements which become ghost towns once nearby mines stop producing ore.<ref>''[[A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide]]''</ref> Besides farming, there is also some fishery in [[Lannisport]] and on [[Fair Isle]].
{{main|Westermen}}
Full of hills and crags, the westerlands are dotted with mines from which pour [[gold]] and [[silver]] in astonishing quantities.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} There are gold mines at [[Casterly Rock]],{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}} the [[Golden Tooth]],{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}} [[Castamere]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} [[Nunn's Deep]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and the [[Pendric Hills]].{{ref|ACOK|39}} The west also has silver mines at Castamere.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} The mines of the west have made [[House Lannister]] the wealthiest of the [[Great Houses]] of [[Westeros]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
 
Besides farming, there is also some fishery in [[Lannisport]]{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} and on [[Fair Isle]].{{fact}}
 
==Military strength==
A semi-canon source from 2005 estimates the [[military strength]] of the westerlands to be fifty thousand men strong, though this count includes even green boys, and depletes most castles of any protection.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], King [[Loren I Lannister]] marched a host of twenty-two thousand from the westerlands to battle.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The westerlands contributed ten thousand men-at-arms and one thousand [[knight]]s during the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
 
According to a semi-canon source, in {{Date|261}} [[House Reyne]] was able to field eight thousand men, while Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to field at least sixty-five hundred men together.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref>


According to a semi-canon source from 2005,<ref>[[A Game of Thrones (game)|A Game of Thrones RPG and Resource Book]], Guardians of Order</ref> the westermen could raise up to fifty thousand troops. The Lannister fleet at Lannisport consists of twenty or thirty cogs, carracks, galleys, and dromonds, while lesser lords have two or three ships for patrolling. In total, the westerman float fifty or sixty larger ships, while longships are used for coastal defense.
In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}}
 
The [[Lannister fleet]] at [[Lannisport]] consists of twenty or thirty cogs, carracks, galleys, and dromonds, while lesser lords have two or three ships for patrolling. <ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet], September 26, 1999</ref> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Casterly Rock's vessels were rebuilt<ref name=SSMLF/> after the [[burning of the Lannister fleet]] in {{Date|289}}.{{Ref|ACOK|24}}


==History==
==History==
===Before the Andals===
===Before the Andals===
Little is known of the time before the coming of the [[First Men]]. Like the rest of Westeros, the [[children of the forest]] and [[giants]] lived in the westerlands and fought with the First Men when they came. After the [[Pact]] at the [[Isle of Faces]], the children only kept the forests.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands}}
[[File:Andrew Hall Western Fiefdoms.png|thumb|Western Fiefdoms by Andrew Hall © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Little is known of the time before the coming of the [[First Men]]. Like the rest of Westeros, the [[children of the forest]] and [[giants]] lived in the westerlands and fought with the First Men when they came. After the [[Pact]] at the [[Isle of Faces]], the children only kept the forests.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} The hills of the west were once inhabited by [[lion]]s, but they are believed to all have been slain.{{ref|ADWD|34}}


First Men lords, some of whom were petty kings, included the [[House Banefort|Baneforts]], [[House Broom|Brooms]], [[House Crakehall|Crakehalls]], [[House Farman|Farmans]], [[House Foote|Footes]], [[House Greenfield|Greenfields]], [[House Hawthorne|Hawthornes]], [[House Moreland|Morelands]], [[House Plumm|Plumms]], [[House Reyne|Reynes]], [[House Westerling|Westerlings]], and [[House Yew|Yews]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands}}
First Men lords, some of whom were petty kings, included the [[House Banefort|Baneforts]], [[House Broom|Brooms]], [[House Crakehall|Crakehalls]], [[House Farman|Farmans]], [[House Foote|Footes]], [[House Greenfield|Greenfields]], [[House Hawthorne|Hawthornes]], [[House Moreland|Morelands]], [[House Plumm|Plumms]], [[House Reyne|Reynes]], [[House Westerling|Westerlings]], and [[House Yew|Yews]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} The coastal First Men were often raided by the [[ironborn]] from the [[Iron Islands]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands}}  


During the [[Age of Heroes]], the legendary hero and [[w:trickster|trickster]] [[Lann the Clever]] acquired [[Casterly Rock]] in some manner from [[House Casterly]]. According to legend he is the ancestor of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]], who became the [[Kings of the Rock]] with Casterly Rock as their seat.
During the [[Age of Heroes]], the legendary hero and trickster [[Lann the Clever]] acquired [[Casterly Rock]] in some manner from [[House Casterly]]. According to legend he is the ancestor of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]], who became the [[Kings of the Rock]] with Casterly Rock as their seat.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} Westermen believe that Lann made off with some of the inheritance of [[Garth Greenhand]] by posing as one of his sons.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Garth Greenhand}}


===Kingdom of the Rock===
===Kingdom of the Rock===
The Lannister Kings of the Rock gradually conquered or acquired neighboring territory, including the lands of the Reynes and the Baneforts. They initially resisted the [[Andal invasion]], but later Lannister kings allowed the [[Andals]] to marry into the westermen nobility. New houses formed by the intermarriages included Houses [[House Brax|Brax]], [[Drox|Drox]], [[House Jast|Jast]], [[House Kyndall|Kyndall]], [[House Lefford|Lefford]], [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]], [[House Parren|Parren]], [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]], and [[House Serrett|Serrett]]. In contrast to most kings of First Men origin, the support of the Andals allowed the Kings of the Rock to expand their power. When King [[Gerold III Lannister]] died without male issue, a council crowned his daughter's husband, Ser Joffrey Lydden, who became the first Andal King of the Rock, [[Joffrey Lannister]].
The Lannister Kings of the Rock gradually conquered or acquired neighboring territory, including the lands of the Reynes and the Baneforts. They initially resisted the [[coming of the Andals]], but later Lannister kings allowed the [[Andals]] to marry into the westermen nobility. New houses formed by the intermarriages included Houses [[House Brax|Brax]], [[House Drox|Drox]], [[House Jast|Jast]], [[House Kyndall|Kyndall]], [[House Lefford|Lefford]], [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]], [[House Parren|Parren]], [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]], and [[House Serrett|Serrett]]. In contrast to most kings of First Men origin, the support of the Andals allowed the Kings of the Rock to expand their power. When King [[Gerold III Lannister]] died without male issue, a council crowned his daughter's husband, Ser Joffrey Lydden, who became the first Andal King of the Rock, [[Joffrey Lannister]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}}


With Andal support the Lannisters extended their rule to the [[Golden Tooth]] and [[Fair Isle]] and engaged in border wars with the [[Kings of the Trident]] and [[Kings of the Reach]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands}} Some of the eastern hills of what is now the westerlands were historically ruled by [[Kings of the Rivers and the Hills]], such as the [[House Mudd|Mudds]] and the [[House Teague|Teagues]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Riverlands}}
With Andal support the Lannisters extended their rule to the [[Golden Tooth]] and [[Fair Isle]] and engaged in border wars with the [[Kings of the Trident]] and [[Kings of the Reach]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}} The growing strength of House Lannister allowed them to expel the [[ironborn]] from the western coasts, and King [[Gerold Lannister (king)|Gerold the Great]] raided the Iron Isles and brought hostages back to the Rock.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns}}


Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]] mentioned that a famous relative of his defeated an attack by the Kingdom of the Rock by killing a Lannister king, [[Lancel V Lannister|Lancel V]]. The westermen also fought with the [[ironborn]] of the [[Iron Islands]].{{ref|TSS}}
Some of the eastern hills of what is now the westerlands were historically ruled by [[Kings of the Rivers and the Hills]], such as the [[House Mudd|Mudds]] and the [[House Teague|Teagues]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}} Lord [[Torrence Teague]] used his spoils after raiding the west in his successful campaign to become river king.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}}
 
Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]] mentioned that a famous relative of his defeated an attack by the Kingdom of the Rock by killing a Lannister king, [[Lancel V Lannister|Lancel V]].{{ref|TSS}}
 
Westermen fended off an attack by [[Halleck Hoare]], [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Black Blood}}


===Targaryen Era===
===Targaryen Era===
:{{See also|War of Conquest}}
[[File:Searoad.jpg|thumb|The [[Searoad]] by Eric Lofgren © Fantasy Flight Games]]
During the invasion of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], [[Loren I Lannister]], King of the Rock, mustered his armies to fight the invaders. Allied with [[Mern IX Gardener]], King of the Reach, they assembled an enormous host, remembered as the Host of the Two Kings. However, they were no match for Targaryen [[dragon]]s. King Loren escaped the so-called [[Field of Fire]] and submitted to Aegon. His primacy in the westerlands was confirmed by the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]]. Since this time the westerlands have been part of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] controlled by the [[Iron Throne]].
[[Loren I Lannister]], King of the Rock, mustered his armies to fight [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], [[Lord of Dragonstone]], during [[Aegon's Conquest]]. Allied with [[Mern IX Gardener]], King of the Reach, they assembled the enormous Host of the Two Kings. However, they were no match for Targaryen [[dragon]]s. King Loren escaped the so-called [[Field of Fire]] and submitted to Aegon. His primacy in the westerlands as [[Warden of the West]] was confirmed by the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]]. Since this time the westerlands have been part of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] controlled by the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}


During the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]], some westerland houses kept a foot in both camps. It is mentioned that some nobles supported [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]], but no westerland supporters of [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron II]] are mentioned. It is unknown if this means the westerlands only supported Daemon Blackfyre.  
During the [[Faith Militant uprising]], Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] and Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena ]] were besieged by the [[Poor Fellows]] at [[Crakehall]]. Lord [[Lyman Lannister]] later gave sanctuary and lent Aegon limited support when he challenged his uncle, King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]. Several houses from the westerlands fought for Aegon at the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]], including houses [[House Farman|Farman]], [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]], [[House Parren|Parren]] and [[House Westerling|Westerling]]. When Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]] announced his claim to the throne in 48 AC, Lord Lyman was one of the great lords who supported him. {{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}


During [[the Great Spring Sickness]] the coast of the westerlands suffered under the attacks of raiders of [[Dagon Greyjoy]].
During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the westerlands under Lord [[Jason Lannister]] declared for [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. Jason led his armies into the [[riverlands]], where they fought several battles against the [[blacks]] until the host was obliterated during the [[Battle by the Lakeshore]]. Meanwhile, the undefended westerlands were attacked by Lord [[Dalton Greyjoy]], the Red Kraken, who declared for Queen [[Rhaenyra]]. Dalton subsequently sacked [[Lannisport]] and took [[Kayce]] and [[Fair Isle]].  {{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}


===Tytos Lannister===
After the conclusion of the Dance, the regency council of [[Aegon III]] ordered Dalton to cease the raiding of the westerlands, but the order was ignored.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Red Kraken}} The regents sent a fleet under the command of Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]] to deal with this rebellion, but Dalton was slain by one of his [[Tess|salt wives]] before a battle could be joined. {{ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist}} The ironborn were subsequently driven out from the westerlands, and Lady [[Johanna Lannister]] led a [[Struggle for power in the Iron Islands|campaign]] into the [[Iron Islands]] in retaliation. {{ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
During the rule of Lord [[Tytos Lannister]], the power of [[House Lannister]] was nominal. Tytos was held in low esteem and was largely ignored by his vassals. [[House Tarbeck]] and [[House Reyne]] eventually revolted against his rule. Tytos's son, [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], led the campaign against the [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion]]. Houses Tarbeck and Reyne were extinguished; their respective seats at [[Tarbeck Hall]] and [[Castamere]] were razed. Since this time no house dares oppose House Lannister in the westerlands. Because of this unity, the westerlands are a force to be reckoned with. Tywin's own prestige was so great and his capabilities so well demonstrated that he became [[Hand of the King]] for King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], although he later resigned from the position.
 
During the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]], many battles were fought in the west.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} [[House Tarbeck]] kept a foot in both camps, trying to support [[Daeron II Targaryen]] and his rival, [[Daemon I Blackfyre]].{{ref|TSS}} Ser [[Quentyn Ball]] killed Lord [[House Lefford|Lefford]] and forced Lord [[Damon Lannister (lord)|Damon Lannister]] into retreat.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
 
During the [[Great Spring Sickness]] the coast of the westerlands suffered under the attacks [[Dagon Greyjoy]],{{ref|TSS}}{{ref|TMK}} the Last Reaver.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}
 
===Reyne-Tarbeck revolt===
[[File:Brittmartin TywinL.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Tywin Lannister]] by Brittmartin ©]]
 
During the rule of Lord [[Tytos Lannister]], the power of [[House Lannister]] was nominal. Tytos was held in low esteem and was largely ignored by his vassals. Lord [[Roger Reyne]] took command of the Lannister army after Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]] was killed in the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
 
Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] eventually rebelled against the rule of Tytos, but his son, Ser [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], led the campaign against the [[Reyne-Tarbeck revolt]]. The two families were extinguished and their respective seats of [[Castamere]] and [[Tarbeck Hall]] were destroyed. Since this time no House has dared oppose House Lannister in the westerlands. The prestigious Tywin served for a time as [[Hand of the King]] for King [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}


===Robert's Rebellion===
===Robert's Rebellion===
:{{main|Robert's Rebellion}}
[[Lyanna Stark]], who was betrothed to Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], was apparently abducted by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]. After the executions of her father, Lord [[Rickard Stark]], and brother, [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]], by King Aerys II, [[Robert's Rebellion]] broke out against [[House Targaryen]], with Houses [[House Arryn|Arryn]], [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]], [[House Stark|Stark]], and [[House Tully|Tully]] opposing [[House Targaryen]].
After the apparent abduction of [[Lyanna Stark]], who was betrothed to Lord [[Robert Baratheon]], by Crown Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and the execution of her [[Rickard Stark|father]] and [[Brandon Stark|brother]] by King Aerys II, a rebellion of [[House Stark]], [[House Arryn]], [[House Baratheon]], and [[House Tully]] against [[House Targaryen]] began.


For the better part of the [[War of the Usurper]] the westerlands remained neutral. After the [[Battle of the Trident]] and the death of Rhaeger, however, Tywin chose the side of the rebels. The westermen army [[Sack of King's Landing|sacked King's Landing]], and killed the Targaryen heirs to prove their support. After being crowned king, Robert Baratheon married [[Cersei Lannister]] to bind the Lannisters to his cause.
For the better part of the war the westerlands remained neutral. After the [[Battle of the Trident]] and the death of Rhaeger, however, Tywin chose the side of the rebels instead of his one-time friend, Aerys. Tywin ordered the [[Sack of King's Landing]] and the killing of the Targaryen heirs to prove House Lannister's support. After being crowned king, Robert I married [[Cersei Lannister]] to bind the Lannisters to his cause.{{ref|AGOT|12}}{{ref|ASOS|53}}
 
===Baratheon Era===
The [[burning of the Lannister fleet]] at [[Lannisport]] began [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]].{{ref|ACOK|24}} After the [[ironborn]] failed in the [[storming of Seagard]], King [[Robert I Baratheon]] invaded the [[Iron Islands]] along with his [[Warden of the West]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], and his [[Warden of the North]], Lord [[Eddard Stark]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}


==Recent Events==
==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the abduction of [[Tyrion Lannister]] by [[Catelyn Tully]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] sends Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] to raid the [[riverlands]] and then retreat back to the westerlands.{{ref|AGOT|43}} After the death of King [[Robert Baratheon]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] and Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] lead armies into the riverlands, the start of what becomes the [[War of the Five Kings]].{{ref|AGOT|55}} Jaime crushes the rivermen in the [[Battle of the Golden Tooth]], but he is eventually captured at the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]] and his army is dispersed in the [[Battle of the Camps]]. Tywin sends hundreds of cavalry, including Gregor and Ser [[Amory Lorch]], to set the riverlands ablaze.{{ref|AGOT|69}} In response to the actions of the westermen and King [[Joffrey Baratheon]], the rivermen proclaim [[Robb Stark]] to be [[King of the Trident|king]] at [[Riverrun]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}
[[File:Thomas Denmark tywin jaime.jpg|thumb|[[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] ride out, by Thomas Denmark © Fantasy Flight Games]]
After the abduction of [[Tyrion Lannister]] by [[Catelyn Stark]] at the [[crossroads]],{{ref|AGOT|28}} Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] sends Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] to raid the [[riverlands]] and then retreat back to the westerlands.{{ref|AGOT|43}} After the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Tywin and Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] lead armies of twenty thousand{{ref|AGOT|56}} and fourteen or fifteen thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|63}} respectively, into the riverlands.{{ref|AGOT|55}}
 
Jaime crushes the rivermen in a [[battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth]] and a [[battle under the walls of Riverrun]], but Ser [[Marq Piper]] and Lord [[Karyl Vance]] raid lands west of the [[Red Fork]].{{ref|AGOT|56}} Jaime is eventually captured at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]]{{ref|AGOT|63}} and his army is dispersed in the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Tywin sends hundreds of cavalry, including Gregor and Ser [[Amory Lorch]], to set the riverlands ablaze.{{ref|AGOT|69}} In response to the actions of the westermen and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], the rivermen proclaim [[Robb Stark]] to be [[King of the Trident|king]] at [[Riverrun]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}


===''A Clash of Kings''===
===''A Clash of Kings''===
In retaliation{{ref|ACOK|39}} and to draw Tywin from [[Harrenhal]],{{ref|ACOK|7}} Robb leads forces from the [[north]] and [[House Frey]] in an invasion of the westerlands.{{ref|ACOK|14}} After bypassing the [[Golden Tooth]], Robb wins a crushing victory over [[Stafford Lannister]] in the [[Battle of Oxcross]]. They then pillage the eastern and northern areas of the westerlands, capturing [[taking of Ashemark|Ashemark]], the [[storming of the Crag|Crag]], and the gold mines at [[Castamere]], [[Nunn's Deep]] and the [[Pendric Hills]].{{ref|ACOK|35}}{{ref|ACOK|39}} Other areas of the westerlands remain relatively unscathed. Robb marries [[Jeyne Westerling]] at the Crag.
With Tywin secure at [[Harrenhal]], Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] begins raising a new host of some thousands in the westerlands.{{ref|ACOK|7}} Having sent [[Theon Greyjoy]] to negotiate with Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] and [[Catelyn Stark]] to negotiate with [[Renly Baratheon]], Robb leads a host of [[northmen]]{{ref|ACOK|39}} and [[rivermen]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}{{Ref|ASOS|29}} in an invasion of the west.{{ref|ACOK|14}} Robb hopes that Balon's [[Iron Fleet]] will join him in attacking the westerlands,{{ref|ACOK|11}} while Renly deals with Tywin.{{ref|ACOK|7}} Theon desires to claim the west for himself.{{ref|ACOK|11}}


Tywin is stopped at the [[Red Fork]] during the [[Battle of the Fords]], after which he and the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] defeat [[Stannis Baratheon]] in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].
After bypassing the [[Golden Tooth]], Robb wins a crushing victory over Stafford's inexperienced host in the [[Battle of Oxcross]]. They then pillage the eastern and northern areas of the westerlands, [[Raiding along the westerlands coast|raiding the coast]] and capturing [[taking of Ashemark|Ashemark]], the [[storming of the Crag|Crag]], and the [[Seizure of westerlands gold mines|gold mines]] at [[Castamere]], [[Nunn's Deep]], and the [[Pendric Hills]].{{ref|ACOK|35}}{{ref|ACOK|39}}{{ref|ACOK|55}} Balon's [[ironborn]] refuse to attack the west, however, instead attacking the largely-defenseless [[north]].{{ref|ACOK|37}}
 
Tywin is stopped at the [[Red Fork]] during the [[Battle of the Fords]],{{ref|ACOK|45}} after which he and the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] defeat [[Stannis Baratheon]] in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].{{ref|ACOK|62}}


===''A Storm of Swords''===
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Robb abandons the captured castles in the westerlands and returns to Riverrun.{{ref|ASOS|19}} Robb claims to Ser [[Edmure Tully]] that he and Ser [[Brynden Tully]] had planned to ambush Tywin on the [[Goldroad]] or trap him in the west, but was prevented from doing so by Edmure defeating Tywin in the Battle of the Fords.{{ref|ASOS|14}}
[[File:T Jedruszek Edict of the Rock.jpg|500px|thumb|Lannister soldiers in [[King's Landing]] by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Since Robb marries [[Jeyne Westerling]], the Freys at the Crag leave Robb's service.{{ref|ASOS|14}} After the Blackwater, Robb abandons the captured castles in the westerlands and returns to Riverrun.{{ref|ASOS|19}} Robb claims to Ser [[Edmure Tully]] that he and Ser [[Brynden Tully]] had planned to ambush Tywin on the [[Goldroad]] or trap him in the west, but were prevented from doing so by Edmure's defeat of Tywin in the Battle of the Fords.{{ref|ASOS|14}}
 
Ser [[Daven Lannister]] reforms the remnants of his father Stafford's host at [[Lannisport]],{{ref|ASOS|19}} and they join Ser [[Forley Prester]] at the [[Golden Tooth]].{{ref|ASOS|60}}


Lord Tywin is murdered by his son, [[Tyrion Lannister]], in the [[Tower of the Hand]].{{ref|ASOS|77}}
Lord Tywin is murdered by his son, [[Tyrion Lannister]], in the [[Tower of the Hand]].{{ref|ASOS|77}}


===''A Feast for Crows''===
===''A Feast for Crows''===
Queen [[Cersei Lannister]], the Lady of [[Casterly Rock]], succeeds Tywin as the liege lord of the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}} The lords of the west lead a procession of hundreds of soldiers which accompanies Tywin's corpse on its return to the Rock.{{ref|AFFC|16}}
[[File:Xia TaptaraCL.jpg|thumb|[[Cersei Lannister]], by Xia Taptara © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Queen [[Cersei Lannister]], the [[Lord of Casterly Rock|Lady of Casterly Rock]], succeeds Tywin as the liege lord of the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}} The lords of the west lead a procession of hundreds of soldiers which accompanies Tywin's corpse on its return to the Rock from [[King's Landing]]. Two thousand westermen participate in the [[siege of Dragonstone]].{{ref|AFFC|16}}
 
When King [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]] and Lord Captain [[Victarion Greyjoy]] set out to attack mainland Westeros after Balon's death, the westerlands escapes their wrath, as the Iron Fleet sails past and attacks the [[taking of the Shields|Shield Islands]] and the [[Reach]] instead.{{ref|AFFC|29}}


When King [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]] and Lord Captain [[Victarion Greyjoy]] set out to attack mainland Westeros, the westerlands escapes their wrath, as the [[Iron Fleet]] sails past and attacks the [[taking of the Shields|Shield Islands]] and the [[Reach]] instead.{{ref|AFFC|29}}
Jaime joins Daven, the new [[Warden of the West]], and other westermen at the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{ref|AFFC|33}} Forley commands the escort of Edmure and Jeyne as they travel from Riverrun to the west.{{ref|AFFC|44}}


Jaime joins Ser [[Daven Lannister]], the new [[Warden of the West]], and other westermen at the [[Siege of Riverrun]].{{ref|AFFC|33}}
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
After killing Tywin, Tyrion flees to [[Essos]].{{ref|ADWD|1}} Because his speech would identify him as a highborn westerman, Tyrion poses as a Lannisport bastard, Hugor Hill.{{ref|ADWD|14}}


==Houses==
==Houses==
{{Columns|3|
{{Columns|2|{{plainlist|
[[File:Algood.png|30px]] '''[[House Algood]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Algood|m}} [[House Algood]]
[[File:Banefort.png|30px]] '''[[House Banefort]]''' of [[Banefort]].<br>
*{{coa|Banefort|m}} [[House Banefort]] of [[Banefort]]
[[File:Bettley.png|30px]] '''[[House Bettley]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Bettley|m}} [[House Bettley]]
[[File:House Brax.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Brax]]''' of [[Hornvale]].<br>
*{{coa|Brax|m}} [[House Brax]] of [[Hornvale]]
[[File:House Broom.png|30px]] '''[[House Broom]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Broom|m}} [[House Broom]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Casterly]]''' of [[Casterly Rock]].<br>
*{{coa|Casterly|m}} [[House Casterly]] of [[Casterly Rock]]
[[File:House Clegane.png|30px]] '''[[House Clegane]]''' of [[Clegane's Keep]].<br>
*{{coa|Clegane|m}} [[House Clegane]] of [[Clegane's Keep]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Clifton]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Clifton|m}} [[House Clifton]]
[[File:House Crakehall.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Crakehall]]''' of [[Crakehall]].<br>
*{{coa|Crakehall|m}} [[House Crakehall]] of [[Crakehall]]
[[File:House Doggett.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Doggett]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Doggett|m}} [[House Doggett]]
[[File:Drox.png|30px]] '''[[House Drox]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Drox|m}} [[House Drox]]
[[File:House Estren.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Estren]]''' of [[Wyndhall]].<br>
*{{coa|Estren|m}} [[House Estren]] of [[Wyndhall]]
[[File:Falwell.png|30px]] '''[[House Falwell]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Falwell|m}} [[House Falwell]]
[[File:Farman.png|30px]] '''[[House Farman]]''' of [[Faircastle]].<br>
*{{coa|Farman|m}} [[House Farman]] of [[Faircastle]]
[[File:Ferren.png|30px]] '''[[House Ferren]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Ferren|m}} [[House Ferren]]
[[File:House Foote.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Foote]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Foote|m}} [[House Foote]]
[[File:House Garner.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Garner]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Garner|m}} [[House Garner]]
[[File:House Greenfield.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Greenfield]]''' of [[Greenfield]].<br>
*{{coa|Greenfield|m}} [[House Greenfield]] of [[Greenfield]]
[[File:Hamell.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Hamell]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Hamell|m}} [[House Hamell]]
[[File:Hawthorne.jpg|30px]] '''[[House Hawthorne]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Hawthorne|m}} [[House Hawthorne]]
[[File:Hetherspoon.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Hetherspoon]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Hetherspoon|m}} [[House Hetherspoon]]
[[File:House Jast.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Jast]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Jast|m}} [[House Jast]]
[[File:House Kenning.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Kenning of Kayce|House Kenning]]''' of [[Kayce]].<br>
*{{coa|Kenning of Kayce|m}} [[House Kenning of Kayce|House Kenning]] of [[Kayce]]
[[File:House Lannister.png|30px]] '''[[House Lannister]]''' of [[Casterly Rock]].<br>
*{{coa|Lannister|m}} [[House Lannister]] of [[Casterly Rock]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Lannister of Lannisport|House Lannister]]''' of [[Lannisport]].<br>
*{{coa|Lannister of Lannisport|m}} [[House Lannister of Lannisport|House Lannister]] of [[Lannisport]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Lannett]]'''. <br>
*{{coa|Lannett|m}} [[House Lannett]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Lanny]]'''. <br>
*{{coa|Lanny|m}} [[House Lanny]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Lantell]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Lantell|m}} [[House Lantell]]
[[File:House Lefford.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Lefford]]''' of the [[Golden Tooth]].<br>
*{{coa|Lefford|m}} [[House Lefford]] of the [[Golden Tooth]]
[[File:House Lorch.png|30px]] '''[[House Lorch]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Lorch|m}} [[House Lorch]]
[[File:House Lydden.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Lydden]]''' of [[Deep Den]].<br>
*{{coa|Lydden|m}} [[House Lydden]] of [[Deep Den]]
[[File:Marbrand.png|30px]] '''[[House Marbrand]]''' of [[Ashemark]].<br>
*{{coa|Marbrand|m}} [[House Marbrand]] of [[Ashemark]]
[[File:House Moreland.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Moreland]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Moreland|m}} [[House Moreland]]
[[File:House Myatt.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Myatt]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Myatt|m}} [[House Myatt]]
[[File:House Parren.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Parren]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Parren|m}} [[House Parren]]
[[File:House Payne.png|30px]] '''[[House Payne]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Payne|m}} [[House Payne]]
[[File:House Peckledon.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Peckledon]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Peckledon|m}} [[House Peckledon]]
[[File:House Plumm.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Plumm]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Plumm|m}} [[House Plumm]]
[[File:House Prester.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Prester]]''' of [[Feastfires]].<br>
*{{coa|Prester|m}} [[House Prester]] of [[Feastfires]]
[[File:House Reyne.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Reyne]]''' of [[Castamere]].<br>
*{{coa|Reyne|m}} [[House Reyne]] of [[Castamere]]
[[File:House Ruttiger.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Ruttiger]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Ruttiger|m}} [[House Ruttiger]]
[[File:House Sarsfield.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Sarsfield]]''' of [[Sarsfield]].<br>
*{{coa|Sarsfield|m}} [[House Sarsfield]] of [[Sarsfield]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Sarwyck]]''' of [[Riverspring]].<br>
*{{coa|Serrett|m}} [[House Serrett]] of [[Silverhill]]
[[File:House Serrett.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Serrett]]''' of [[Silverhill]].<br>
*{{coa|Spicer|m}} [[House Spicer]] of [[Castamere]]
[[File:House Spicer.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Spicer]]''' of [[Castamere]].<br>
*{{coa|Stackspear|m}} [[House Stackspear]]
[[File:House Stackspear.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Stackspear]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Stilwood|m}} [[House Stilwood]]
[[File:House Swyft.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Swyft]]''' of [[Cornfield]].<br>
*{{coa|Swyft|m}} [[House Swyft]] of [[Cornfield]]
[[File:House Tarbeck.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Tarbeck]]''' of [[Tarbeck Hall]].<br>
*{{coa|Tarbeck|m}} [[House Tarbeck]] of [[Tarbeck Hall]]
[[File:Turnberry.png|30px]] '''[[House Turnberry]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Turnberry|m}} [[House Turnberry]]
[[File:House Vikary.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Vikary]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Vikary|m}} [[House Vikary]]
[[File:House Westerling.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Westerling]]''' of [[the Crag]].<br>
*{{coa|Westerling|m}} [[House Westerling]] of the [[Crag]]
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Westford]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Yarwyck|m}} [[House Yarwyck]]
[[File:Yarwyck.png|30px]] '''[[House Yarwyck]]'''.<br>
*{{coa|Yew|m}} [[House Yew]]
[[File:Yew.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Yew]]'''.<br>
*'''From adaptions:'''
}}
*{{coa|Sarwyck|m}} [[House Sarwyck]] of [[Riverspring]]
*{{coa|Westford|m}} [[House Westford]]
}}}}
 
==Quotes==
{{quote|The westerlands are a place of rugged hills and rolling plains, of misty dales and craggy shorelines, a place of blue lakes and sparkling rivers and fertile fields, of broadleaf forests that teem with game of every sort, where half-hidden doors in the sides of wooded hills open onto labyrinthine caves that wend their way through darkness to reveal unimaginable wonders and vast treasures deep beneath the earth.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}
 
{{quote|The great wealth of the westerlands, of course, stems primarily from their [[gold]] and [[silver]] mines. The veins of ore run wide and deep, and there are mines, even now, that have been delved for a thousand years and more and are yet to be emptied.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}
 
{{quote|With the [[Casterly Rock|Rock]], he could hold [[Lannisport]] and the golden lands of the west.{{ref|ACOK|11}}|thoughts of [[Theon Greyjoy]]}}
 
{{quote|Thirty-five hundred they were, thirty-five hundred who had been blooded in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]], who had reddened their swords at the [[Battle of the Camps]], at [[Battle of Oxcross|Oxcross]], [[taking of Ashemark|Ashemark]], and the [[storming of the Crag|Crag]], and all through the gold-rich hills of the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] west.{{ref|ASOS|45}}|thoughts of [[Catelyn Stark]]}}


==References and Sources==
==References==
{{references|2}}
{{references|2}}


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[[pt:Terras Ocidentais]]
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[[ru:Западные Земли]]
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[[zh:&#35199;&#22659;]]

Latest revision as of 11:31, 24 June 2026

The westerlands with the major strongholds

The westerlands[1][2] or westlands,[3] historically the Kingdom of the Rock,[2] are a region in the west of the continent of Westeros. Before Aegon's Conquest, it was ruled by the Kings of the Rock. People from the westerlands are known as westermen.[4] The customary surname of bastards of noble origin born in the westerlands is Hill.[5]

The westerlands are ruled from Casterly Rock by House Lannister. Notable bannermen have included Banefort, Brax, Broom, Clegane, Crakehall, Farman, Lefford, Lydden, Marbrand, Payne, Prester, Reyne, Serrett, Swyft, Tarbeck, and Westerling.[6][7]

Geography

[edit]
The westerlands by Sarah Morris © Fantasy Flight Games

The westerlands are known for their rugged hills, rolling plains, fertile fields, and broadleaf forests. The land contains lakes and rivers, and the hills conceal systems of caves and caverns.[2]

The region lies along the coast of the Sunset Sea, with Ironman's Bay and the Iron Islands to the north.[8] A salient of the northeastern westerlands extends near the ruins of Oldstones and the Blue Fork.[2] Castles on the northwestern coast include Banefort and the Crag. Faircastle is located on Fair Isle, while Feastfires and the market town of Kayce are found on a peninsula jutting into the sea.[9]

Also along the coast is Casterly Rock, the seat of House Lannister, a fortress carved out of a massive hill of solid rock.[10] Near the Rock is Lannisport, a port and one of the largest cities of Westeros.[2] Three days ride from the Rock is the village of Oxcross.[11] Inland castles near the Rock including Ashemark and Sarsfield,[9] as well as the ruins of Castamere and Tarbeck Hall.

The headwaters of the Tumblestone and the Red Fork begin in the westerlands and flow east into the riverlands. The main pass through the eastern hills is guarded by the Golden Tooth, a castle which controls access to the river road leading to Riverrun. Further south is the Goldroad, which runs east to King's Landing. Deep Den watches this road, with Hornvale to the north and Silverhill to the south.[9]

The southern westerlands contain more flatland than the rest of the country and includes Cornfield and the forest by Crakehall Castle. The Ocean Road leads south from the Rock past Crakehall to Old Oak and Highgarden in the Reach.[9] Also located in the westerlands are Greenfield and Wyndhall.

People and Economy

[edit]
Mines at the Golden Tooth by Franz Miklis © Fantasy Flight Games

Full of hills and crags, the westerlands are dotted with mines from which pour gold and silver in astonishing quantities.[2] There are gold mines at Casterly Rock,[6] the Golden Tooth,[6] Castamere,[12] Nunn's Deep,[12] and the Pendric Hills.[12] The west also has silver mines at Castamere.[7] The mines of the west have made House Lannister the wealthiest of the Great Houses of Westeros.[6]

Besides farming, there is also some fishery in Lannisport[2] and on Fair Isle.[citation needed]

Military strength

[edit]

A semi-canon source from 2005 estimates the military strength of the westerlands to be fifty thousand men strong, though this count includes even green boys, and depletes most castles of any protection.[13] During Aegon's Conquest, King Loren I Lannister marched a host of twenty-two thousand from the westerlands to battle.[14] The westerlands contributed ten thousand men-at-arms and one thousand knights during the War of the Ninepenny Kings.[7]

According to a semi-canon source, in 261 AC House Reyne was able to field eight thousand men, while Houses Westerling, Banefort, Plumm, and Stackspear together were able to field at least sixty-five hundred men together.[15]

In 283 AC, Lord Tywin Lannister commanded twelve thousand Lannister men during the Sack of King's Landing.[16]

The Lannister fleet at Lannisport consists of twenty or thirty cogs, carracks, galleys, and dromonds, while lesser lords have two or three ships for patrolling. [17] A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.[13] Casterly Rock's vessels were rebuilt[17] after the burning of the Lannister fleet in 289 AC.[18]

History

[edit]

Before the Andals

[edit]
Western Fiefdoms by Andrew Hall © Fantasy Flight Games

Little is known of the time before the coming of the First Men. Like the rest of Westeros, the children of the forest and giants lived in the westerlands and fought with the First Men when they came. After the Pact at the Isle of Faces, the children only kept the forests.[2] The hills of the west were once inhabited by lions, but they are believed to all have been slain.[19]

First Men lords, some of whom were petty kings, included the Baneforts, Brooms, Crakehalls, Farmans, Footes, Greenfields, Hawthornes, Morelands, Plumms, Reynes, Westerlings, and Yews.[2] The coastal First Men were often raided by the ironborn from the Iron Islands.[20]

During the Age of Heroes, the legendary hero and trickster Lann the Clever acquired Casterly Rock in some manner from House Casterly. According to legend he is the ancestor of the Lannisters, who became the Kings of the Rock with Casterly Rock as their seat.[2] Westermen believe that Lann made off with some of the inheritance of Garth Greenhand by posing as one of his sons.[21]

Kingdom of the Rock

[edit]

The Lannister Kings of the Rock gradually conquered or acquired neighboring territory, including the lands of the Reynes and the Baneforts. They initially resisted the coming of the Andals, but later Lannister kings allowed the Andals to marry into the westermen nobility. New houses formed by the intermarriages included Houses Brax, Drox, Jast, Kyndall, Lefford, Marbrand, Parren, Sarsfield, and Serrett. In contrast to most kings of First Men origin, the support of the Andals allowed the Kings of the Rock to expand their power. When King Gerold III Lannister died without male issue, a council crowned his daughter's husband, Ser Joffrey Lydden, who became the first Andal King of the Rock, Joffrey Lannister.[2]

With Andal support the Lannisters extended their rule to the Golden Tooth and Fair Isle and engaged in border wars with the Kings of the Trident and Kings of the Reach.[2] The growing strength of House Lannister allowed them to expel the ironborn from the western coasts, and King Gerold the Great raided the Iron Isles and brought hostages back to the Rock.[22]

Some of the eastern hills of what is now the westerlands were historically ruled by Kings of the Rivers and the Hills, such as the Mudds and the Teagues.[23] Lord Torrence Teague used his spoils after raiding the west in his successful campaign to become river king.[23]

Ser Eustace Osgrey mentioned that a famous relative of his defeated an attack by the Kingdom of the Rock by killing a Lannister king, Lancel V.[24]

Westermen fended off an attack by Halleck Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers.[25]

Targaryen Era

[edit]
The Searoad by Eric Lofgren © Fantasy Flight Games

Loren I Lannister, King of the Rock, mustered his armies to fight Aegon Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone, during Aegon's Conquest. Allied with Mern IX Gardener, King of the Reach, they assembled the enormous Host of the Two Kings. However, they were no match for Targaryen dragons. King Loren escaped the so-called Field of Fire and submitted to Aegon. His primacy in the westerlands as Warden of the West was confirmed by the Targaryens. Since this time the westerlands have been part of the Seven Kingdoms controlled by the Iron Throne.[14]

During the Faith Militant uprising, Prince Aegon Targaryen and Princess Rhaena were besieged by the Poor Fellows at Crakehall. Lord Lyman Lannister later gave sanctuary and lent Aegon limited support when he challenged his uncle, King Maegor I Targaryen. Several houses from the westerlands fought for Aegon at the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye, including houses Farman, Tarbeck, Parren and Westerling. When Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen announced his claim to the throne in 48 AC, Lord Lyman was one of the great lords who supported him. [26]

During the Dance of the Dragons, the westerlands under Lord Jason Lannister declared for Aegon II Targaryen. Jason led his armies into the riverlands, where they fought several battles against the blacks until the host was obliterated during the Battle by the Lakeshore. Meanwhile, the undefended westerlands were attacked by Lord Dalton Greyjoy, the Red Kraken, who declared for Queen Rhaenyra. Dalton subsequently sacked Lannisport and took Kayce and Fair Isle. [27]

After the conclusion of the Dance, the regency council of Aegon III ordered Dalton to cease the raiding of the westerlands, but the order was ignored.[28] The regents sent a fleet under the command of Lord Alyn Velaryon to deal with this rebellion, but Dalton was slain by one of his salt wives before a battle could be joined. [29] The ironborn were subsequently driven out from the westerlands, and Lady Johanna Lannister led a campaign into the Iron Islands in retaliation. [30]

During the First Blackfyre Rebellion, many battles were fought in the west.[31] House Tarbeck kept a foot in both camps, trying to support Daeron II Targaryen and his rival, Daemon I Blackfyre.[24] Ser Quentyn Ball killed Lord Lefford and forced Lord Damon Lannister into retreat.[7]

During the Great Spring Sickness the coast of the westerlands suffered under the attacks Dagon Greyjoy,[24][32] the Last Reaver.[33]

Reyne-Tarbeck revolt

[edit]
Tywin Lannister by Brittmartin ©

During the rule of Lord Tytos Lannister, the power of House Lannister was nominal. Tytos was held in low esteem and was largely ignored by his vassals. Lord Roger Reyne took command of the Lannister army after Ser Jason Lannister was killed in the War of the Ninepenny Kings.[7]

Houses Reyne and Tarbeck eventually rebelled against the rule of Tytos, but his son, Ser Tywin, led the campaign against the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt. The two families were extinguished and their respective seats of Castamere and Tarbeck Hall were destroyed. Since this time no House has dared oppose House Lannister in the westerlands. The prestigious Tywin served for a time as Hand of the King for King Aerys II Targaryen.[7]

Robert's Rebellion

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Lyanna Stark, who was betrothed to Lord Robert Baratheon, was apparently abducted by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. After the executions of her father, Lord Rickard Stark, and brother, Brandon, by King Aerys II, Robert's Rebellion broke out against House Targaryen, with Houses Arryn, Baratheon, Stark, and Tully opposing House Targaryen.

For the better part of the war the westerlands remained neutral. After the Battle of the Trident and the death of Rhaeger, however, Tywin chose the side of the rebels instead of his one-time friend, Aerys. Tywin ordered the Sack of King's Landing and the killing of the Targaryen heirs to prove House Lannister's support. After being crowned king, Robert I married Cersei Lannister to bind the Lannisters to his cause.[34][35]

Baratheon Era

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The burning of the Lannister fleet at Lannisport began Greyjoy's Rebellion.[18] After the ironborn failed in the storming of Seagard, King Robert I Baratheon invaded the Iron Islands along with his Warden of the West, Lord Tywin Lannister, and his Warden of the North, Lord Eddard Stark.[36]

Recent Events

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A Game of Thrones

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Tywin and Jaime ride out, by Thomas Denmark © Fantasy Flight Games

After the abduction of Tyrion Lannister by Catelyn Stark at the crossroads,[37] Lord Tywin Lannister sends Ser Gregor Clegane to raid the riverlands and then retreat back to the westerlands.[3] After the death of King Robert I Baratheon, Tywin and Ser Jaime Lannister lead armies of twenty thousand[38] and fourteen or fifteen thousand strong,[39] respectively, into the riverlands.[40]

Jaime crushes the rivermen in a battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth and a battle under the walls of Riverrun, but Ser Marq Piper and Lord Karyl Vance raid lands west of the Red Fork.[38] Jaime is eventually captured at the battle in the Whispering Wood[39] and his army is dispersed in the Battle of the Camps.[41] Tywin sends hundreds of cavalry, including Gregor and Ser Amory Lorch, to set the riverlands ablaze.[41] In response to the actions of the westermen and King Joffrey I Baratheon, the rivermen proclaim Robb Stark to be king at Riverrun.[42]

A Clash of Kings

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With Tywin secure at Harrenhal, Ser Stafford Lannister begins raising a new host of some thousands in the westerlands.[43] Having sent Theon Greyjoy to negotiate with Lord Balon Greyjoy and Catelyn Stark to negotiate with Renly Baratheon, Robb leads a host of northmen[12] and rivermen[12][44] in an invasion of the west.[45] Robb hopes that Balon's Iron Fleet will join him in attacking the westerlands,[46] while Renly deals with Tywin.[43] Theon desires to claim the west for himself.[46]

After bypassing the Golden Tooth, Robb wins a crushing victory over Stafford's inexperienced host in the Battle of Oxcross. They then pillage the eastern and northern areas of the westerlands, raiding the coast and capturing Ashemark, the Crag, and the gold mines at Castamere, Nunn's Deep, and the Pendric Hills.[47][12][48] Balon's ironborn refuse to attack the west, however, instead attacking the largely-defenseless north.[49]

Tywin is stopped at the Red Fork during the Battle of the Fords,[50] after which he and the Tyrells defeat Stannis Baratheon in the Battle of the Blackwater.[51]

A Storm of Swords

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Lannister soldiers in King's Landing by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games

Since Robb marries Jeyne Westerling, the Freys at the Crag leave Robb's service.[52] After the Blackwater, Robb abandons the captured castles in the westerlands and returns to Riverrun.[53] Robb claims to Ser Edmure Tully that he and Ser Brynden Tully had planned to ambush Tywin on the Goldroad or trap him in the west, but were prevented from doing so by Edmure's defeat of Tywin in the Battle of the Fords.[52]

Ser Daven Lannister reforms the remnants of his father Stafford's host at Lannisport,[53] and they join Ser Forley Prester at the Golden Tooth.[54]

Lord Tywin is murdered by his son, Tyrion Lannister, in the Tower of the Hand.[55]

A Feast for Crows

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Cersei Lannister, by Xia Taptara © Fantasy Flight Games

Queen Cersei Lannister, the Lady of Casterly Rock, succeeds Tywin as the liege lord of the westerlands.[56] The lords of the west lead a procession of hundreds of soldiers which accompanies Tywin's corpse on its return to the Rock from King's Landing. Two thousand westermen participate in the siege of Dragonstone.[57]

When King Euron and Lord Captain Victarion Greyjoy set out to attack mainland Westeros after Balon's death, the westerlands escapes their wrath, as the Iron Fleet sails past and attacks the Shield Islands and the Reach instead.[58]

Jaime joins Daven, the new Warden of the West, and other westermen at the siege of Riverrun.[59] Forley commands the escort of Edmure and Jeyne as they travel from Riverrun to the west.[60]

A Dance with Dragons

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After killing Tywin, Tyrion flees to Essos.[61] Because his speech would identify him as a highborn westerman, Tyrion poses as a Lannisport bastard, Hugor Hill.[5]

Houses

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Quotes

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The westerlands are a place of rugged hills and rolling plains, of misty dales and craggy shorelines, a place of blue lakes and sparkling rivers and fertile fields, of broadleaf forests that teem with game of every sort, where half-hidden doors in the sides of wooded hills open onto labyrinthine caves that wend their way through darkness to reveal unimaginable wonders and vast treasures deep beneath the earth.[2]

—writings of Yandel

The great wealth of the westerlands, of course, stems primarily from their gold and silver mines. The veins of ore run wide and deep, and there are mines, even now, that have been delved for a thousand years and more and are yet to be emptied.[2]

—writings of Yandel

With the Rock, he could hold Lannisport and the golden lands of the west.[46]

—thoughts of Theon Greyjoy

Thirty-five hundred they were, thirty-five hundred who had been blooded in the Whispering Wood, who had reddened their swords at the Battle of the Camps, at Oxcross, Ashemark, and the Crag, and all through the gold-rich hills of the Lannister west.[62]

—thoughts of Catelyn Stark

References

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  1. A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 43, Eddard XI.
  4. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 26, Arya VI.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  8. A Dance with Dragons, Map of the South
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 The Lands of Ice and Fire, Westeros.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: Casterly Rock.
  11. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  13. 13.0 13.1 A Game of Thrones: d20-based Open Gaming RPG.
  14. 14.0 14.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  15. "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version
  16. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  17. 17.0 17.1 So Spake Martin: The Lannister Fleet, September 26, 1999
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
  19. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 34, Bran III.
  20. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands.
  21. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Garth Greenhand.
  22. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns.
  23. 23.0 23.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 The Sworn Sword.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Black Blood.
  26. Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  27. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  28. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Red Kraken.
  29. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
  30. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  31. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
  32. The Mystery Knight.
  33. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New.
  34. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  35. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
  36. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New.
  37. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 28, Catelyn V.
  38. 38.0 38.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 56, Tyrion VII.
  39. 39.0 39.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 63, Catelyn X.
  40. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 55, Catelyn VIII.
  41. 41.0 41.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
  42. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  43. 43.0 43.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 7, Catelyn I.
  44. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 29, Arya V.
  45. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 14, Arya IV.
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
  47. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
  48. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
  49. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 37, Theon III.
  50. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.
  51. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 62, Sansa VII.
  52. 52.0 52.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
  53. 53.0 53.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  54. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  55. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 77, Tyrion XI.
  56. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  57. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  58. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
  59. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
  60. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 44, Jaime VII.
  61. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 1, Tyrion I.
  62. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.