Difference between revisions of "Doran Martell"

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:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Doran Martell|Images of Doran Martell]]''
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Doran Martell|Images of Doran Martell]]''
  
In his early fifties, Doran is a cautious, pensive, subtle man who does not wear his emotions on his sleeve.{{Ref|AFFC|40}}{{Ref|ASOS|53}} He is prone to think long on the matters before him, weighing every word and every action.{{Ref|ASOS|53}}{{Ref|AFFC|13}} He has a bad case of [[w:gout|gout]] which has recently left him unable to walk, instead having to rely on his wheeled chair, or a palanquin, to move around. He appears to be much older than he is in truth. His body is soft and shapeless, and the gout has swollen and reddened the joints of his knees, toes and hands. He covers his legs and feet with a blanket, blocking the sight of his gout.{{Ref|AFFC|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|38}} Due to his gout, he only travels in a palanquin,{{Ref|ASOS|38}}{{Ref|AFFC|2}} and is rarely seen in public, as he does not want to appear weak in the eyes of his enemies.{{ref|AFFC|2}}
+
In his early fifties, Doran is a cautious, pensive, subtle man who does not wear his emotions on his sleeve.{{Ref|AFFC|40}}{{Ref|ASOS|53}} He is prone to think long on the matters before him, weighing every word and every action.{{Ref|ASOS|53}}{{Ref|AFFC|13}} He has a bad case of [[w:gout|gout]] which has recently left him unable to walk, instead having to rely on his wheeled chair, or a palanquin, to move around. He appears to be much older than he is in truth. His body is soft and shapeless, and the gout has swollen and reddened the joints of his knees, toes and hands. He covers his legs and feet with a blanket, blocking the sight of his gout.{{Ref|AFFC|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|38}} Due to his gout, he only travels in a palanquin,{{Ref|AFFC|2}}{{Ref|ASOS|38}} and is rarely seen in public, as he does not want to appear weak in the eyes of his enemies.{{ref|AFFC|2}}
  
While his bannermen might consider him to weak,{{Ref|AFFC|2}}{{Ref|AFFC|13}}{{Ref|ADWD|38}} Doran has been focused for years on getting revenge for the murder of his sister, [[Elia Martell|Elia]], and her two young children during the [[Sack of King's Landing]] in {{Date|283}}.{{Ref|AFFC|40}}{{Ref|ADWD|38}}
+
While his bannermen might consider him to weak,{{Ref|AFFC|13}}{{Ref|AFFC|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|38}} Doran has been focused for years on getting revenge for the murder of his sister, [[Elia Martell|Elia]], and her two young children during the [[Sack of King's Landing]] in {{Date|283}}.{{Ref|AFFC|40}}{{Ref|ADWD|38}}
  
Because of the early deaths of his siblings [[Olyvar Martell|Olyvar]] and [[Mors Martell (brother of Doran)|Mors]], the multiple miscarriages his mother suffered, and the difference in age with his surviving siblings, [[Elia Martell|Elia]] and [[Oberyn Martell|Oberyn]], Doran was raised alone.{{Ref|AFFC|2}}{{ref|AWOIAF| Doran Martell}} He still has a deep affection for his sister, and had a good relationship with his younger brother as well.
+
Because of the early deaths of his siblings [[Olyvar Martell|Olyvar]] and [[Mors Martell (brother of Doran)|Mors]], the multiple miscarriages his mother suffered, and the difference in age with his surviving siblings, [[Elia Martell|Elia]] and [[Oberyn Martell|Oberyn]], Doran was raised alone.{{ref|AWOIAF| Doran Martell}}{{Ref|AFFC|2}} He still has a deep affection for his sister, and had a good relationship with his younger brother as well.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==

Revision as of 19:14, 31 March 2016

MartellCoA.png
Doran Martell
MartellCoA.png
Mathia Arkoniel DoranM.jpg
by Mathia Arkoniel ©

Titles
Allegiance House Nymeros Martell
Culture Dornish
Born 247 AC or 248 AC[1]
Sunspear[2]
Spouse Mellario of Norvos
Books

Played by Alexander Siddig
TV series Season 5

Prince Doran Nymeros Martell, also known simply as Doran Martell, is the head of House Martell, the Prince of Dorne, and the Lord of Sunspear. Married to Mellario of Norvos, he has three children: Arianne, Quentyn, and Trystane. In the television adaptation Game of Thrones, he is played by Alexander Siddig.

Character and Appearance

See also: Images of Doran Martell

In his early fifties, Doran is a cautious, pensive, subtle man who does not wear his emotions on his sleeve.[3][4] He is prone to think long on the matters before him, weighing every word and every action.[4][5] He has a bad case of gout which has recently left him unable to walk, instead having to rely on his wheeled chair, or a palanquin, to move around. He appears to be much older than he is in truth. His body is soft and shapeless, and the gout has swollen and reddened the joints of his knees, toes and hands. He covers his legs and feet with a blanket, blocking the sight of his gout.[6][7] Due to his gout, he only travels in a palanquin,[6][8] and is rarely seen in public, as he does not want to appear weak in the eyes of his enemies.[6]

While his bannermen might consider him to weak,[5][6][7] Doran has been focused for years on getting revenge for the murder of his sister, Elia, and her two young children during the Sack of King's Landing in 283 AC.[3][7]

Because of the early deaths of his siblings Olyvar and Mors, the multiple miscarriages his mother suffered, and the difference in age with his surviving siblings, Elia and Oberyn, Doran was raised alone.[2][6] He still has a deep affection for his sister, and had a good relationship with his younger brother as well.

History

Early Life

Doran was the first born child of his parents, and thus heir to his mother, the Princess of Dorne. For years, he was an only child, as his mother had several miscarriages.[2] While he would have four siblings, Mors and Olyvar, both died in the cradle. Doran spend several years of his childhood at the Water Gardens, and by the age of nine, he was a squire to Lord Gargalen at Salt Shore. While at Salt Shore, his mother gave birth to his sister, Elia. As she was born one month premature, Doran was convinced that his sister too would die, as their brothers had done before, but she lived. A year later, Oberyn was born.[6]

As a young man, Doran took a tour through the Free Cities. He visited Volantis, and next went to Norvos, where he met his future wife, Lady Mellario of Norvos.[3] They fell in love and Mellario returned to Dorne with Doran, where they were betrothed. In 273 AC, when his mother, her consort, and Doran's two younger siblings traveled through the south of Seven Kingdoms on a quest to find suitable matches for Elia and Oberyn, Doran stayed behind as castellan of Sunspear with Mellario.[9] Although Mellario was high born enough to become his wife, most marriages between nobles in Westeros are political marriages and a love match is very uncommon.[10] In 276 AC, Doran and Mellario have their first child, Arianne.[11] Around 279 AC, Doran inherits the rule of Dorne.[12]

An unknown amount of time after the visit to Casterly Rock, Doran's brother Oberyn fought in a duel with Lord Edgar Yronwood. Due to Oberyn's high birth and young age, they agreed to duel until first blood. Both men were injured, but when Oberyn's cuts healed, and Lord Edgar's festered, causing his death, it was whispered Oberyn had poisoned Lord Edgar.[8] Doran acted swiftly, sending Oberyn in temporary exile.[13]

Prince of Dorne

Doran's sister Elia Martell was betrothed to Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in early 279 AC, and wed him a year later.[14] She had two young children by Rhaegar, Rhaenys and Aegon.[15] When Rhaegar disappeared with Lyanna Stark in 282 AC, not long after Aegon's birth, it started a chain of events leading to Robert's Rebellion,[16] in which the North, and several houses from the stormlands and Vale (later joined by several houses from the riverlands) fought against the Iron Throne and House Targaryen.[17] Doran was furious about the way Elia had been treated by Rhaegar, and as a consequence was slow to lend any aid to the Targaryens.[2] After Rhaegar returned from the south to King's Landing, Doran agreed to send ten thousand Dornishmen to fight in the loyalist army, under the command of his uncle, Prince Lewyn Martell of the Kingsguard,[18] understanding that Elia, as the wife to the crown prince, will one day become Queen, and that her son Aegon will one day be King.[2]

Rhaegar dies at the Battle of the Trident,[19] as does Lewyn,[20] and King Aerys II Targaryen, believing that Lewyn had betrayed Rhaegar on the Trident, refuses to send Elia and her children to Dragonstone alongside his own wife, Queen Rhaella Targaryen, and their son Viserys.[18] During the Sack of King's Landing, Elia and her children are brutally killed by Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch, men from the Lannister host.[19][21] The new King, Robert I Baratheon, is accepting of their deaths.[4] As a consequence, Doran's brother Oberyn attempts to raise a rebellion for Viserys during the year after the rebellion, but the new Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn, travels to Sunspear to return Prince Lewyn's bones, speaks with Doran, and ends all talks of rebellion.[4]

However, Doran wants revenge for the deaths of Elia and her children as well, and for this purpose, worked closely together with his brother Oberyn for years, planning on destroying all and Lord Tywin Lannister holds dear, before killing him as well.[7] To this end, Oberyn travelled to Braavos, where Ser Willem Darry has fled with Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen. A secret pact is made, with Oberyn signing for Dorne, and with the Sealord of Braavos as a witness, betrothing Doran's daughter Arianne to the exiled King Viserys.[3][22]

Doran also sends his son Quentyn, born in 281 AC,[23] to serve Lord Ormond Yronwood as a page, and later squire.[24] Quentyn's fostering was done to make peace with the Yronwoods, as enmity between the two houses had arisen after the death of Lord Edgar Yronwood, who had died of the wounds he had taken in a duel against Prince Oberyn, Doran's younger brother.[8] However, this causes a strain on his marriage to Mellario. Although they had married out of love, the marriage had not been very happy. Mellario could not get used to the Dornish customs, which were so different from the Norvoshi customs.[10][25] As such, Mellario did not approve of Quentyn's fostering, since she believed her son to be much too young at the time, and since Norvoshi normally don't foster out their children.[24] When Doran, after sending Quentyn to Yronwood, wanted to send Arianne to Tyrosh to serve as the cupbearer to the Archon of Tyrosh, enabling her to meet her betrothed in secret, Mellario threatened to harm herself if Doran would steal another one of her children. Not wanting to hurt his wife, Doran thus kept Arianne in Dorne.[3] They had a third child, Trystane, who was born in 287 AC.[26] However, Doran and Mellario's marriage had still been detoriating, and she never forgave Doran for sending Quentyn away. Eventually, she went back to Norvos.[24]

While he had planned to let Arianne in on her betrothal to the last Targaryen heir when she was sixteen, he decided to keep the secret from her due to her spirited and willful nature.[3] Unbeknownst to Doran, Arianne had read a letter Doran had been writing to Quentyn, in which he mentioned that Quentyn would inherit the rule to Dorne after Doran.[5][3] Thus, she had come to believe that Doran's coolness towards her was due to the fact that he wanted to disinherit her, and name Quentyn his heir instead. When Doran suggests numerous aged suitors to her (including Lord Walder Frey, Ben Beesbury, and Gyles Rosby), whilst declining more age-matched suitors (like Edmure Tully), it only strengthens her believes.[24][3] In truth, Doran had feared that it would be suspicious if he was not seen trying to arrange a betrothal for Arianne, and had only made the suggestions he had because he knew she would reject every single one.[3]

In 298 AC, Doran moved from Sunspear to the Water Gardens, when his gout was not yet so bad. Two years later, though, Doran is no longer able to walk, and so is usually confined to a wheelchair. Not wanting his enemies to know how feeble he has grown, he remains at the Water Gardens, where he is far away from curious eyes.[6] At the Water Gardens, the summer home of the Martells, he watches the children at their play, sitting quietly on the terras amongst the orange trees. He only sees his trusted courtiers and advisors,[6] summoning his brother Oberyn twice every fortnight, and his daughter Arianne twice a year.[5]

Recent Events

Prince Doran - by Jacqui Davis ©

A Game of Thrones

After Joffrey Baratheon has been crowned King, Doran Martell and his sons are summoned to court to swear fealthy to the new king.[27] Varys tells Eddard Stark that the Martells still harbor hate for the Lannisters for what befell Elia and her children.[28]

A Clash of Kings

Renly Baratheon assumes that House Martell will support him during the War of the Five Kings,[29] but Tyrion Lannister gains Doran's allegiance by sending him Myrcella Baratheon to foster and betrothing her to Doran’s youngest son, Trystane Martell, as well as offering justice for his murdered sister Elia and her children, and giving him a seat on the king's small council.[30][31] Doran also agrees to send his armies to the high passes, once Myrcella has reached Braavos during her journey to Sunspear. While Doran will not send out his armies to give battle unless Dorne is at danger, Tyrion Lannister hopes this act will give the marcher lords something to worry about.[32]

A Storm of Swords

Not being fit enough to journey to King's Landing, Doran sends his brother Oberyn to claim both the small council seat and the justice he had been promised.[8]

A Feast for Crows

When Oberyn dies in King's Landing,[9] Doran refuses all suggestion of going to war for vengeance.[6] He returns to Sunspear from the Water Gardens, to show his people that he still holds power, and has Oberyn's warlike, bastard daughters, the "Sand Snakes", imprisoned to maintain the peace.[6] He also meets Princess Myrcella Baratheon and her guard, Ser Arys Oakheart, for the first time.[5] After his daughter Arianne's foiled attempt to crown Myrcella, Doran reveals to her that he had been working secretly ever since Elia's death to rob Lord Tywin Lannister of all he held dear, and that he planned to ally House Martell with Daenerys Targaryen, having send Quentyn to Essos to escort her to Westeros.[5][24][3]

A Dance with Dragons

Doran has his bannermen delay Ser Balon Swann of the Kingsguard, send by Dowager Queen Cersei Lannister, due to Myrcella's injures after Arianne's failed plot.[3][7] He eventually arrives at Sunspear, where a feast is held in his honour. Doran's daughter Arianne, now fully aware of his plans, sits beside him. Doran has also released Oberyn's three eldest daughters, Obara, Tyene and Nymeria from captivity, and in front of the three eldest Sand Snakes, Ellaria Sand, Areo Hotah and half the nobility of Dorne, Doran is presented with the skull of the Gregor Clegane.[7]

Ser Balon states that Cersei Lannister wishes him to bring Myrcella back to King's Landing to visit her brother. Doran is invited to fill the vacant Dornish seat on the small council, while Prince Trystane is invited to see the city and befriend the young King. When Doran suggests that traveling by ship may be easier, this unnerves Ser Balon, who states that a voyage by sea would be too dangerous. Doran agrees he is probably right.[7]

In a private chamber, Doran Martell reveals to Tyene, Obara, Nymeria, Areo Hotah and his daughter that Cersei's invitation is an ambush. According to a friend at the court of King’s Landing, the party would be ambushed by brigands shouting "halfman" in the Kingswood, and Trystane would be killed in the attack. Afterwards, Ser Balon would falsely claim that he saw Tyrion Lannister. The revelation of this plan shocks the elder three daughters of Oberyn.[7]

Doran says he had been dubious of the plot himself until Ser Balon confirmed his suspicions, by trying to persuade him to avoid a voyage by ship (which would have disrupted all of Cersei's arrangements). The Obara, Nymeria and Tyene are enraged, but Doran will not allow them to harm Ser Balon or his companions as he is under the protection of the guest right.[7]

To stop this scheme from coming to fruition, Doran has Ser Balon brought to Myrcella, allowing him to find out about her injuries by Gerold Dayne.[7] Myrcella lies (under Arianne's direction), claiming that Ser Gerold also killed Ser Arys Oakheart, begging Ser Balon to bring Dayne to justice. Doran has Obara escort Ser Balon to High Hermitage, and he is currently hunting for Darkstar.[3][7][33] Doran sends Nymeria to King's Landing to claim the vacant seat on the small council, and Tyene to the great Sept of Baelor to befriend the New High Septon.[7]

While Doran waits for word from his son, Quentyn, he hears news that a fleet of ships are sailing from Lys to Westeros.[7]

The Winds of Winter

Doran has received a letter from Lord Jon Connington, stating that his sister Elia's son, Aegon Targaryen, has survived the Sack of King's Landing, and has returned to Westeros after all these years to reclaim the Iron Throne. Doran sends Arianne to the Stormlands to meet Aegon and Connington.[34]

Quotes by Doran

Words are like arrows, Arianne. Once loosed, you cannot call them back.[6]

- Doran to Arianne Martell


I have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister since the day they told me of Elia and her children.[3]

- Doran to Arianne Martell


I am not blind, nor deaf. I know you all believe me weak, frightened, feeble. Your father knew me better. Oberyn was ever the viper. Deadly, dangerous, unpredictable. No man dared tread on him. I was the grass. Pleasant, complaisant, sweet-smelling, swaying with every breeze. Who fears to walk upon the grass? But it is the grass that hides the viper from his enemies and shelters him until he strikes.[7]

- Doran to the Sand Snakes

Quotes about Doran

[Doran] is a cautious man, a reasoned man, subtle, deliberate, even indolent to a degree. He is a man who weighs the consequences of every word and every action.[4]

Tywin Lannister to Tyrion Lannister


Your father keeps his secrets well, Prince Quentyn. Too well, I fear.[35]

- Barristan Selmy to Quentyn Martell


Your father married for love, it's said. How much joy has he had of that?[36]

- Gerris Drinkwater to Quentyn Martell


Doran plays to win, whether at cyvasse or the game of thrones.[37]

- George R. R. Martin

Family tree

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Princess
of Dorne
 
Prince
Consort
 
 
 
 
 
Lewyn
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Doran
 
Mellario
of Norvos
 
Mors
 
Olyvar
 
Elia
 
Rhaegar
Targaryen
 
 
 
 
Various
women
 
Oberyn
 
Ellaria
Sand
 
 
Manfrey
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arianne
 
Quentyn
 
Trystane
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaenys
Targaryen
 
Aegon
Targaryen
 
Obara
Sand
 
 
Tyene
Sand
 
 
Elia
Sand
 
 
Dorea
Sand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nymeria
Sand
 
Sarella
Sand
 
Obella
Sand
 
Loreza
Sand
 


References and Notes

  1. See the Doran Martell calculation.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Doran Martell.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 40, Princess In The Tower.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
  10. 10.0 10.1 So Spake Martin: Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona (July 28, 2012)
  11. See the Arianne Martell calculation
  12. See the calculation on the timing of Doran's inheritance
  13. The Winds of Winter, Arianne I
  14. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  15. A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  17. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  20. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 23, Alayne I.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  22. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
  23. See the Quentyn Martell calculation
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 21, The Queenmaker.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Norvos.
  26. See the Trystane Martell calculation
  27. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  28. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  29. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 22, Catelyn II.
  30. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
  31. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
  32. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
  33. A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  34. Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)
  35. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 59, The Discarded Knight.
  36. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 68, The Dragontamer.
  37. So Spake Martin: "Asshai.com Forum Chat" (July 27, 2008)

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