Library
A library is a collection of books.
Culture
[edit]The great library of the Citadel is known to be a great repository of knowledge.[1] The fifth story of the Book Tower, one of the towers of Ten Towers on Harlaw, contains the reading room for Lord Rodrik Harlaw, who does not allow food or drink in his library.[2]
The vaults of Castle Black are used for subterranean storage, including for books.[3][4] Maester Aemon's tower also has its own library.[5] The Nightfort has a emptied library.[6]
Several other castles have a library, such as the Winterfell,[7] Red Keep,[8] Dragonstone,[1] and Horn Hill.[5]
History
[edit]When he was younger, Jaehaerys I Targaryen had been fascinated by the ponderous tomes and Old Valyrian scrolls found in Dragonstone's library.[1] In 57 AC, Jaehaerys chose Septon Barth, who had worked in the Red Keep's library, to serve as his Hand of the King, giving the realm forty years of peace and plenty.[8][9]
Queen Alysanne Targaryen spent three days in the Citadel's library during her visit to Oldtown in 54 AC.[1]
Recent Events
[edit]A Game of Thrones
[edit]Tyrion Lannister explores the Library Tower during his visit to Winterfell, where he reads a book about the changing of the seasons, as well as a complete version of a Valyrian scroll called Engines of War. Meanwhile, Septon Chayle falls asleep reading about Grand Maester Aethelmure.[7] Lord Eddard Stark allows Tyrion to borrow a few rare volumes for his journey north to the Wall.[10] An assassin sets the Library Tower on fire as a distraction for his attempt to kill Bran Stark.[11]
Maester Aemon Targaryen gives Samwell Tarly, a steward of the Night's Watch, a position assisting him in the library at Maester Aemon's tower, displacing Chett, who is reassigned to the kennels.[12]
A Clash of Kings
[edit]Bran Stark and Chayle sort through scrolls rescued from the library fire in Winterfell.[13]
Samwell Tarly finds several ancient books and scrolls at the vaults of Castle Black, including a book about the language of the children of the forest; copies of Annals of the Black Centaur, the Jade Compendium, and Dragonkin; and an account of a journey taken by a ranger named Redwyn from before Aegon's Conquest.[3][4] The collection also includes scrolls from Valyria, accounts of seasons written by maesters, a dozen maps of the lands beyond the Wall, and inventories of the Watch from six centuries ago.[3] There are four chests full of loose pages separated from books.[4] Sam described the vault as a treasure trove.[3]
A Feast for Crows
[edit]Jon Snow, the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, has Sam research the Others in the vaults, but Sam finds limited information about them.[4]
The aged Archmaester Walgrave has lost his wits, and is often found weeping in the Library, unable to remember the way back to his chambers.[14]
A Dance with Dragons
[edit]Tyrion considers visiting a library within the Black Walls of Volantis to seek copies of the books he has in mind.[15]
Jon researches books in the vaults and determines that they will need to be reorganized once Sam returns from Oldtown.[16]
Quotes
[edit]For three days she lost herself in the Citadel's great library, emerging only to attend lectures on the Valyrian dragon wars, leechcraft, and the gods of the Summer Isles.[1]
—writings of Gyldayn
Across the bailey, long tongues of flame shot from the windows of the library. She watched the smoke rise into the sky and thought sadly of all the books the Starks had gathered over the centuries.[11]
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark
I could hide in the vaults amongst the books. I could live down there with the mouse and sneak up at night to steal food. Crazed thoughts, he knew, as futile as they were desperate. The vaults were the first place they would look for him.[4]
—thoughts of Samwell Tarly
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 41, Jon V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 9, Tyrion I.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 13, Tyrion II.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 14, Catelyn III.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 48, Jon VI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 4, Bran I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 21, Jon V.