Blackwater Rush

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The crownlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
The crownlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
Blackwater Rush
The crownlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
The riverlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
The riverlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
Blackwater Rush
The riverlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
The westerlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
The westerlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush
Blackwater Rush
The westerlands and the location of the Blackwater Rush

The Blackwater Rush, also known as the Rush[1] but commonly called the Blackwater, is a river in the southern riverlands and the crownlands with some headwaters in the westerlands.[2] It is one of the major rivers of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.

A deep, swift river,[3] the Blackwater's currents are wicked and treacherous.[4] Where the Blackwater Rush meets Blackwater Bay, the current is strong and swift.[5]

Geography

With headwaters near Stoney Sept,[6] the Blackwater flows southeast and is joined by two tributaries, one east of Stoney Sept and one from the Gods Eye.[7][8] King's Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne, is situated at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush at Blackwater Bay. The Goldroad crosses and follows some of the river. Tumbler's Falls is also located on the Blackwater Rush.[9]

In the video game Game of Thrones, Riverspring in the westerlands is located near the source of the Blackwater, and Castlewood in the riverlands is found on the banks of the river.[10]

History

In the days of the Hundred Kingdoms, the mouth of the Blackwater was claimed by the Darklyns of Duskendale, the Masseys of Stonedance, and the river kings of Houses Mudd, Fisher, Bracken, Blackwood, and Hook.[11] The river's mouth was successfully claimed by King Benedict II Justman.[12]

Prior to Aegon's Conquest, the southern shore of the river was claimed by Argilac Durrandon, the Storm King, and the northern shore by Harren Hoare, the King of the Isles and the Rivers.[11] Aegon the Conqueror founded first the Aegonfort and later King's Landing at the mouth of the Blackwater.[11] A cog on the Blackwater was used as a temporary sept while a permanent one was under construction at Visenya's Hill.[13]

King Maegor I Targaryen achieved a great victory over the Warrior's Sons at the Great Fork of the Blackwater during the Faith Militant uprising.[14]

Princess Gael Targaryen drowned herself in the river in 99 AC.[15]

During the Dance of the Dragons, Moslander of Yore, Ser Garrick Hall of Middleton, Ser Merrell the Bold, Ser Roger Corne, and Lord Owain Bourney were men of the Blackwater who participated in the First Battle of Tumbleton.[16]

Prior to the First Blackfyre Rebellion, King Daeron II Targaryen granted land near the Blackwater to his half-brother, Daemon Blackfyre.[17]

During the terrible summer drought of 211 AC the Blackwater Rush and the Mander were running low,[18] while the river froze at the end of 281 AC, the year of the false spring.[19]

Displeased with King's Landing in 265 AC, King Aerys II Targaryen once considered building a new city of marble on the southern shore of the river.[19]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

After being stopped at the Red Fork in the Battle of the Fords, Lord Tywin Lannister joins Lord Mathis Rowan and Lord Randyll Tarly near the headwaters of the Blackwater. At Tumbler's Falls they meet Lord Mace Tyrell, who has brought barges and a large host with him. From there they sail down the Blackwater and land a half day's ride outside of King's Landing.[9]

During the Battle of the Blackwater, many of the ships of Joffrey Baratheon and his uncle Stannis Baratheon are set ablaze by wildfire after a great chain divides the river from Blackwater Bay.[5] The Lannisters and Tyrells then attack Stannis's army in the rear and force him to retreat.[9]

A Storm of Swords

Before the port of King's Landing can be reopened, the Blackwater must be dredged of sunken ships. Three out of every four quays are damaged.[20]

References

  1. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 1, Arya I.
  2. The World of Ice & Fire, Westerlands map.
  3. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.
  6. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire.
  7. The Lands of Ice and Fire.
  8. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 14, Arya IV.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
  10. Game of Thrones
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  12. The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands.
  13. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  14. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  15. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  16. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  17. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
  18. The Sworn Sword.
  19. 19.0 19.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  20. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.