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{{Sellsword Company
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{{Infobox sellsword company
| name = The Golden Company
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| name = Golden Company
| image = [[File:Golden Company EMA.jpg|350px]]
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| image = Golden Company.svg
 
| image_caption =  
 
| image_caption =  
| banner = The gold-dipped skulls of all past commanders
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| banner = Solid gold banners, with no designs or devices.<ref name=Ar2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Arianne II (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne II]]</ref>
| motto = "Our word is good as gold"<br>"Beneath the gold, the bitter steel"
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| motto = "Our word is good as gold"{{Ref|AFFC|13}}
| current_commander = [[Harry Strickland]]
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| war_cry = "Beneath the gold, the bitter steel"{{Ref|AFFC|21}}
| size = 10,000 men
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| leader_title = captain-general
| founded =  
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| leader = Ser [[Harry Strickland]]
| founder = [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]]
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| former_leader =
| disbanded =  
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| size = 10,000 men
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| founded = {{Date|212}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}
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| founder = Ser [[Aegor Rivers]]
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| disbanded =  
 
}}
 
}}
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The '''Golden Company''' is a company of [[sellsword]]s founded by Ser [[Aegor Rivers]], a [[Aegon IV Targaryen#Great Bastards|Great Bastard]] known as "Bittersteel". The current captain-general is [[Harry Strickland]].{{Ref|ADWD|24}}
  
The '''Golden Company''' is a company of [[sellsword]]s founded by the [[Aegon IV#Great Bastards|Great Bastard]], [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]]. They are considered the largest, most famous, and most expensive sellsword or mercenary company in the [[Free Cities]]. Despite the notorious unreliability of sellswords, the Golden Company is reputed to have never broken a contract. Their motto is ''"Our word is good as gold."'' {{Ref|aFfC|13}}
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The Golden Company is considered the finest{{Ref|ADWD|5}} and most powerful company of the [[Free Cities]], with some considering them the most honorable.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}} Despite the notorious unreliability of sellswords, the Golden Company is reputed to have never broken a contract.{{Ref|AFFC|13}} Their motto is "Our word is good as gold",{{Ref|AFFC|13}} while their war cry, "Beneath the gold, the bitter steel", pays homage to their founder.{{Ref|AFFC|21}}
  
[[File:Golden Company pike.png|100px|right|thumb|The banner of the Golden Company]]
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==Culture==
==History==
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{{See also|:Category:Images of the Golden Company|l1=Images of the Golden Company}}
The Golden Company was founded by [[Aegor Rivers]], called "Bittersteel", a legitimized bastard of King [[Aegon IV]], after he fled [[Westeros]] with the younger sons of [[Daemon Blackfyre]] at the end of the [[Blackfyre Rebellion]]. When Aegor saw all the exiled lords and knights signing on with other sellsword companies, such as the [[Ragged Standard]] or the [[Maiden's Men]], and saw the support of [[House Blackfyre]] ebbing away, he created his own sellsword company. Since then they have fought mainly in the [[Disputed Lands]].
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[[File:Urukki Saki Beneath the Gold the Bitter Steel.jpg|300px|thumb|The Golden Company - by [http://urukkisaki.com/ Urukki Saki] ©]]
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The men of the Golden Company prefer to call themselves a free brotherhood of exiles, rather than [[sellswords]].<ref name=Ar2/> Unlike most hosts of [[household knight]]s and feudal levies, the Golden Company are highly disciplined soldiers able to quickly establish orderly camps.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|51}}
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The high officers display a rude splendor. Like many in their trade they keep their worldly wealth upon their person, including jewelled swords, inlaid armor, heavy torcs, and fine silks. Many wear a lord's ransom in golden arm rings, with each ring signifying one year's service with the Golden Company.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}
  
The Golden Company is said to be made up of exiles and the sons of exiles. The Golden Company were once headed by [[Maelys Blackfyre|Maelys the Monstrous]], the last of the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]].{{Ref|aDwD|5}}<ref>[[A Game of Thrones (game)|A Game of Thrones RPG and Resource Book]], Guardians of Order</ref> During the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]] Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] cut a bloody path though the Golden Company's ranks to slay [[Maelys Blackfyre|Maelys the Monstrous]] in single combat.
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The captain-general's tent, made of cloth-of-gold, is surrounded by a ring of pikes topped with the [[golden skulls|gilded skulls]] of previous captains-general.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}
  
Their war cry, ''"Beneath the gold, the bitter steel"'' pays homage to their founder.
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While the core of the Golden Company is still made up of descendants of men who fought for the Blackfyres, over the past century a steady trickle of outlaws or men from the losing side of other wars has joined their ranks. It has also been joined by other sellswords simply seeking better opportunities whose ancestors were never from Westeros, so that soldiers from a dozen different lands can now be found in the Golden Company. This trend has only increased since the fifth and last Blackfyre Rebellion, over 40 years ago. In the present day, even several of the high-ranking officers do not descend from Blackfyre supporters (including the paymaster, spymaster, and commander of the company's archers), though all of the known captains-general are descended from Blackfyre loyalists.
  
Daenerys recalls that her brother [[Viserys Targaryen]] once feasted the captains of the Golden Company in the hopes they might take up his cause. They ate his food and heard his pleas and laughed at him. {{Ref|ADWD|16|page 210}}
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==History==
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===Foundation===
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[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|Ser [[Aegor Rivers]] leading the Golden Company, by Marc Simonetti ©]]
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The Golden Company was founded by Ser [[Aegor Rivers]], called "Bittersteel", a legitimized [[bastard]] of King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]. Aegor had fled [[Westeros]] with the younger sons of [[Daemon I Blackfyre]] at the end of the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]]. When Bittersteel saw the support of [[House Blackfyre]] ebb away as exiled [[lord]]s and [[knight]]s signed on with sellsword companies, such as the [[Ragged Standard]] or the [[Maiden's Men]], he decided to create his own sellsword company in {{date|212}} in order to bind the exiles together.{{Ref|ADWD|5}}{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}
  
==Culture==
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The Golden Company's reputation was quickly established when [[Qohor]] refused to honor the contract it had made. The sellswords [[Sack of Qohor|sacked]] Qohor as an answer to the [[Free City]]'s refusal.{{Ref|aWoIaF|Aegor Rivers}} The Golden Company has mainly fought in the [[Disputed Lands]] for [[Lys]], [[Myr]], or [[Tyrosh]].{{Ref|ADWD|5}}
As the heirs of Bittersteel discipline is like mother's milk to the men of the Golden Company. They are able to march quickly after a haphazard and disorganized landing with the chaos that would have inevitably delayed a hastily assembled host of household knights and local levies.
 
  
The high officers display a rude splendor. Like many in their trade they keep their worldly wealth upon their person: jeweled swords, inlaid armor, heavy torcs, and fine silks are very much in evidence. During their meeting with [[Jon Connington|Griff]] in [[Volon Therys]], Griff notes that every man wears a lord’s ransom in golden arm rings. Each ring signifies one year’s service with the Golden Company. {{Ref|aDwD|24}}
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===Blackfyre Rebellions===
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Ser [[Aegor Rivers]] did not provide [[Daemon II Blackfyre]] with the support of the Golden Company for the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]] in {{date|212}}.{{ref|TMK}} He aided [[Haegon I Blackfyre]] in the [[Third Blackfyre Rebellion]] in {{date|219}}, but Bittersteel was captured and Haegon was slain during the campaign. Although Aegor was allowed to join the [[Night's Watch]], his ship was taken while sailing to [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] and Bittersteel rejoined the Golden Company.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} The Golden Company invaded [[Massey's Hook]] in {{date|236}} during the [[Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion]], but they were defeated by King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Bittersteel died while leading the Golden Company in a skirmish between Myr and Tyrosh in the Disputed Lands in {{date|241}}.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
  
==The Golden Skulls==
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[[Maelys I Blackfyre|Maelys Blackfyre]] won command of the Golden Company by twisting the head of his cousin, [[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|Daemon Blackfyre]], until it was torn from his shoulders.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} One of the [[Band of Nine]] in {{date|258}},{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Maelys I led the Golden Company during the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]]. Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] cut a bloody path though the Golden Company's ranks to slay Maelys the Monstrous in single combat on the [[Stepstones]].{{ref|ASOS|67}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}} [[Tygett Lannister]] slew a knight of the Golden Company during the war.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
The captain-general’s tent is made of cloth-of-gold and surrounded by a ring of pikes topped with gilded skulls. On his deathbed Ser [[Aegor Rivers]] famously commanded that when he was dead, the flesh was to be boiled from his skull and then to  be dipped in gold and placed on a standard the company would carry  before them when they crossed the [[narrow sea]] to retake Westeros. Each of his successors has followed this example, upon their deaths  their golden skulls adorn the standard poles of the Golden Company.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}  
 
  
When Griff arrives at the company’s encampment near [[Volon Therys]] he contemplates those skulls.  One skull is larger than the rest – [[Maelys the Monstrous]] and his nameless brother. The other skulls have a sameness to them, though several are cracked and splintered by the blows that slew them, and one has filed pointed teeth.
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===Recent History===
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When [[Daenerys Targaryen]] was a little girl, her brother [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] once feasted the captains of the Golden Company in the hopes they might take up his cause to reclaim the [[Iron Throne]] from King [[Robert I Baratheon]]. They ate his food and heard his pleas and laughed at him.{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Lord [[Jon Connington]], exiled from Westeros during [[Robert's Rebellion]], served five years with the Golden Company,{{Ref|ADWD|24}} but he is said to have drank himself to death.{{Ref|AFFC|27}}
  
One of them is [[Myles Toyne]]’s skull.  Griff goes to look at the skull of his old friend. He sees that death has robbed Myles of his ears, his nose and all his warmth.  Only his smile remains, transformed into a glittering grin.  Griff thinks to himself that all the skulls are grinning, even Bittersteel’s on the tall pike in the center.  
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The Golden Company is said to now be made up of exiles and the sons of exiles.{{Ref|ADWD|5}} Some have been born into the company, but still consider themselves Westerosi.<ref name=Ar2/>
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
Most recently, the Golden Company broke its contract with the city of [[Myr]], despite the looming war with neighboring [[Lys]] and [[Tyrosh]]. According to sailors in [[King's Landing]], they are making for [[Volantis]].{{Ref|aFfC|17}} No one can say why they have broken their contract.  
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[[File:Golden Company EMA.jpg|thumb|The Golden Company, by Even Mehl Amundsen © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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The Golden Company breaks its contract with the [[Free City]] of [[Myr]], despite looming war with neighboring [[Lys]] and [[Tyrosh]]. According to sailors in [[King's Landing]], they are making for [[Volantis]].{{Ref|AFFC|17}}
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In [[Dorne]], Princess [[Arianne Martell]] tells Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] that the Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr. She uses this information in her attempt to convince him to help with her scheme to crown Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon]] as [[Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]].{{Ref|AFFC|13}}
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During Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]]'s small council meeting, [[Aurane Waters]] reveals that the Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr. He has heard many men say that [[Stannis Baratheon]] has hired them and is bringing them across the [[narrow sea]]. Cersei then tells the council that [[Qyburn]] heard from a Myrish galley that the Golden Company are making their way to [[Volantis]], so if they mean to cross to [[Westeros]] they are marching the wrong way.{{Ref|AFFC|17}}
  
Before the Golden Company broke their contract, the [[Yunkai|Yunkish]] attempted to contract the Golden Company for their campaign on [[Slaver's Bay]]. An envoy offered twice what Myr was paying them, plus a [[slave]] for every man in the company, ten for every officer, and a hundred choice maidens for the commander [[Harry Strickland]]. Harry told the envoy he would think on his proposal; he thought a blunt refusal might have been unwise as his men would think he had taken leave of his wits.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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[[File:Marc_Fishman_Golden_Company.jpg‎|thumb|Golden Company encampment, by Marc Fishman ©]]
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Before the Golden Company broke their contract, the [[Yunkai|Yunkish]] attempted to contract the Golden Company for their campaign on [[Slaver's Bay]]. An envoy offered twice what Myr was paying them, plus a [[slave]] for every man in the company, ten for every officer, and a hundred choice maidens for the commander, [[Harry Strickland]]. Harry told the envoy he would think on his proposal; he thought a blunt refusal might have been unwise as his men would think he had taken leave of his wits.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}
  
In Westeros [[Arianne Martell]] tells Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] that the Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr. She uses this information in her attempt to convince him to help with her scheme to make [[Myrcella]] Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. {{Ref|aFfC|13}}  
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While traveling on [[Valyrian roads]] to [[Ghoyan Drohe]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] learns from [[Illyrio Mopatis]] that the Golden Company is marching to Volantis to join with [[Daenerys Targaryen]], Queen of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ADWD|5}} The exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]], now calling himself "Griff", recalls secret plans with the previous captain-general, Ser [[Myles Toyne]]. They plotted with Illyrio to eventually have "Young Griff", whom they claim is Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], marry Daenerys and claim the [[Iron Throne]]. Jon is unsure if Myles's successor, Homeless Harry, is aware of the plan.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}  
  
During [[Cersei Lannister]]’s small council meeting [[Aurane Waters]] reveals that the Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr. He has heard many men say that [[Stannis Baratheon]] has hired them and is bringing them across the sea. [[Orton Merryweather]] scoffs at this and asks, what would he pay them with, Snow? Cersei then tells the council that [[Qyburn]] heard from a Myrish galley that the Golden Company are making their way to [[Volantis]], so if they mean to cross to Westeros they are marching the wrong way. {{Ref|aFfC|17}}
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The Golden Company encamps south of [[Volon Therys]] after Triarch [[Malaquo Maegyr]] closes the delta road to Volantis.{{Ref|ADWD|24}} The men of the company are frustrated by Illyrio's constantly changing plans when they learn that the unaware Daenerys has stayed in Meereen. They decide to swear allegiance to Aegon VI Targaryen and join him in an invasion of [[Westeros]].{{Ref|ADWD|24}}  
  
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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The company sails with Jon and Aegon from Volon Therys for Westeros, but the Volantene fleet transporting them is scattered by a storm after leaving [[Lys]]. During the [[landing of the Golden Company]] in the [[stormlands]] and the [[Stepstones]], the sellswords quickly take the castles of [[Taking of Griffin's Roost|Griffin's Roost]], [[taking of Rain House|Rain House]], [[taking of Crow's Nest|Crow's Nest]], and [[Taking of Greenstone|Greenstone]]. Their next plan is to take [[Storm's End]],{{Ref|ADWD|61}} which is held by Ser [[Gilbert Farring]] for [[Stannis Baratheon]].{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}}
While traveling on [[Valyrian roads]] with [[Illyrio Mopatis]], on the way to meet Griff and company, [[Tyrion Lannister]] questions Illyrio as to how he managed to get the Golden Company to break their contract with Myr.  Illyrio wriggles his fat fingers and says:
 
{{Quote|Some contracts are writ in ink, and some in blood. I say no more.{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}}
 
Tyrion then points out to Illyrio that the Golden Company have spent so much of their history fighting ''against'' the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]].  He asks how Illyrio managed to convince the Golden Company to take up [[Daenerys Targeryen]]’s cause, Illyrio brushes away the objection as if it were a fly, replying:
 
{{Quote|Black or red, a dragon is still a dragon.{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}}
 
It is revealed that the Golden Company initially abandoned the contract because they expected to meet and join Queen Daenerys Targaryen when she sailed from [[Meereen]] to Volantis.  Once at Volon Therys the men of the company finally become fed up with Illyrio’s constantly changing plans when they learn that Dany has stayed in Meereen.  In a meeting about their next move [[Tristan Rivers]] stated,  
 
{{Quote|Which plan? ... The fat man’s plan? The one that changes every time the [[moon]] turns? First [[Viserys Targaryen]] was to join us with fifty thousand [[Dothraki]] screamers at his back.  Then the Beggar King was dead, and it was to be his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen| a pliable young child queen]] who was on her way to [[Pentos]] with three new-hatched dragons.  Instead the girl turns up on [[Slaver's Bay]] and leaves a string of burning cities in her wake, and the fat man decides we should meet her by Volantis. Now that plan is in ruins as well.  I have had enough of Illyrio’s plans.  [[Robert Baratheon]] won the [[Iron Throne]] without the benefit of dragons.  We can do the same.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}
 
  
They decide to swear allegiance to [[Aegon Targaryen]] and join him in an invasion of [[Westeros]]. {{Ref|aDwD|24}}  Soon thereafter the company sails for Westeros with Aegon and [[landing of the Golden Company|successfully landed in Westeros]], claiming several victories already and taking several castles. Their next plan is to take [[Storm's End]]. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}
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===''The Winds of Winter''===
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{{Warning/twow}}
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[[Chain]] and [[Young John Mudd]] hold [[Mistwood]] for the Golden Company. They keep Lady [[Mary Mertyns]] under house arrest and host Princess [[Arianne Martell]]'s party for a night. Chain tells Arianne many stories about the company and its members, including that of [[Little Pussy]] and his lucky cat, as well as the time someone made off with Harry Strickland's favorite [[elephant]]. At [[Griffin's Roost]], [[Haldon Halfmaester]] informs Arianne that the Golden Company has taken [[Storm's End]] and that the [[Hand of the King|Hand]] awaits her there. He tells her that Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]'s army is descending on the castle from [[King's Landing]] and that she will want to be safe inside the walls before the battle.<ref name=Ar2/>
  
 
==Composition==
 
==Composition==
[[File:Marc_Fishman_Golden_Company.jpg‎|The Golden Company encamped - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
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[[File:Golden Company pike.png|thumb|A pike with gilded skulls, by Scafloc]]
The Golden Company consist of 10,000 men, several thousands [[horse]]s and a number of [[elephants]].  
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The Golden Company consist of ten thousand men. These include five hundred [[knights]], each with three [[horse]]s, and a similar number of squires, each having one horse.{{Ref|ADWD|24}} The company has two dozen [[elephants]],{{Ref|ADWD|24}} the pride of [[Harry Strickland]].{{Ref|ADWD|61}}
  
A partial breakdown:
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[[Black Balaq]] commands a thousand bows, with a third using crossbows and another third wielding double-curved horn-and-sinew bows common to [[Essos]]. The archers with [[Westeros]]i blood use big yew longbows, while fifty [[Summer Isles|Summer Islanders]] use great bows of famed [[goldenheart]].{{Ref|ADWD|61}}
*500 knights, each having three horses.
 
*500 squires, each having one horse.
 
*1,000 archers, a third of these archers are listed as crossbowmen while another third are said to be using double-curved horn-and-sinew bows of the east. The final part of the archers consist of men with Westerosi blood who use big yew long bows, and fifty summer islanders using great bows of goldenheart. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}
 
  
 
==Notable Members==
 
==Notable Members==
  
===Captain-generals===
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===Captains-general===
* Ser [[Aegor Rivers]], called Bittersteel, founder and first captain-general.
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* {[[Aegor Rivers]]}, called Bittersteel, founder and first captain-general{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Maelys Blackfyre]], last of the Blackfyre pretenders.
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* {[[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|Daemon Blackfyre]]}, killed by his cousin Maelys Blackfyre for command of company{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
* Ser [[Myles Toyne]], called Blackheart.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}
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* {[[Maelys I Blackfyre]]}, last of the Blackfyre pretenders{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
* Ser [[Harry Strickland]], called Homeless Harry is the current company commander.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}
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* {[[Myles Toyne]]}, called Blackheart{{Ref|ADWD|24}}
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* [[Harry Strickland]], called Homeless Harry, the current company commander{{Ref|ADWD|24}}
  
 
===Members===
 
===Members===
 
{{Columns|2|
 
{{Columns|2|
* [[Balaq|Black Balaq]], commander of the company archers.
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* [[Black Balaq]], commander of the company archers{{Ref|ADWD|24}}
* Ser [[Brendel Byrne]], serjeant.
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* [[Brendel Byrne]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Chains]], serjeant.
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* [[Chain]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Dick Cole]], serjeant.
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* [[Dick Cole]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Will Cole]], serjeant.
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* [[Will Cole]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* Ser [[Jon Connington]], served five years in the company.
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* [[Jon Connington]], served five years in the company{{Ref|ADWD|61}} <small>({{Date|283|288}})</small>
* [[Rolly Duckfield]], served in the company as smith and squire.
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* [[Rolly Duckfield]], served in the company as an apprentice [[smith]], then [[Harry Strickland]]'s squire{{Ref|ADWD|8}}
* [[Gorys Edoryen]], company paymaster.
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* [[Gorys Edoryen]], company paymaster{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* Ser [[Franklyn Flowers]], the Bastard of [[Cider Hall]].
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* [[Franklyn Flowers]], the Bastard of [[Cider Hall]], a knight{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Caspor Hill]], serjeant.
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* [[Caspor Hill]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Malo Jayn]], serjeant.
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* [[Malo Jayn]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Jon Lothston]], serjeant.
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* [[Little Pussy]]<ref name=Ar2/>
* [[Lysono Maar]], company spymaster.
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* [[Jon Lothston]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* Ser [[Marq Mandrake]], exile.
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* [[Lysono Maar]], company spymaster{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Lorimas Mudd]], serjeant.
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* [[Marq Mandrake]], exiled knight{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* Young [[John Mudd]], serjeant.
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* [[Lorimas Mudd]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* Ser [[Laswell Peake]], exile lord.
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* {[[Old John Mudd]]}
* [[Pykewood Peake]], brother of Ser Laswell Peake.
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* [[Young John Mudd]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Torman Peake]], brother of Ser Laswell Peake.
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* [[Laswell Peake]], exiled lord{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Lymond Pease]], serjeant.
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* [[Pykewood Peake]], brother of Laswell{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* Ser [[Tristan Rivers]], bastard, outlaw and exile.
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* [[Torman Peake]], brother of Laswell{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Denys Strong]], serjeant.
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* [[Lymond Pease]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Duncan Strong]], serjeant.
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* [[Tristan Rivers]], bastard, [[outlaw]], and exiled knight{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Humfrey Stone]], serjeant.
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* [[Humfrey Stone]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Watkyn]], Harry Strickland's squire and cupbearer.
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* [[Denys Strong]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
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* [[Duncan Strong]], serjeant{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
 +
* [[Two Swords]]<ref name=Ar2/>
 +
* [[Watkyn]], Harry Strickland's squire and cupbearer{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
 
}}
 
}}
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==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
 +
{{Quote|A brotherhood of exiles and the sons of exiles, united by the dream of [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]]. It's home they want, as much as gold.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}|[[Arianne Martell]] to [[Arys Oakheart]]}}
  
{{Quote|"The Golden Company was reputedly the finest of the free companies, founded a century ago by [[Bittersteel]], a bastard son of [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon the Unworthy]]. When another of Aegon's [[Great Bastards]] tried to seize the [[Iron Throne]] from his [[Daeron II Targaryen|trueborn half-brother]], Bittersteel joined the [[Blackfyre Rebellion|revolt]]. [[Daemon Blackfyre]] had perished on the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field|Redgrass Field]] and his rebellion with him. Those follower of the Black Dragon who survived the battle yet refused to bend the knee fled across the narrow sea, among them Daemon's younger sons, Bittersteel and hundreds of landless lords and knights who soon found themselves forced to sell their swords to eat. Some joined the [[Ragged Standard]], some the [[Second Sons]] or [[Maiden's Men]]. Bittersteel saw the strength of [[House Blackfyre]] scattering to the four winds, so he formed the Golden Company to bind the exiles together. From that day to this, the men of the Golden Company had lived and died in the [[Disputed Lands]], fighting for [[Myr]] or [[Lys]] or [[Tyrosh]] in their pointless little wars, and dreaming of [[Westeros|the land their fathers had lost]]. They were exiles and sons of exiles, dispossessed and unforgiven...yet formidable fighters still." {{Ref|aDwD|5}}}}
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{{Quote|'''Tyrion''': How did you convince the Golden Company to take up the cause of our sweet queen when they have spent so much of their history fighting against the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]]?<br>
 +
'''Illyrio''': Black or red, a dragon is still a dragon. When [[Maelys I Blackfyre|Maelys the Monstrous]] died upon the [[Stepstones]], it was the end of the male line of [[House Blackfyre]]. And [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] will give the exiles what [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]] and the Blackfyres never could. She will take them home.{{Ref|ADWD|5}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Illyrio Mopatis]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|Ghosts and liars. Revenants from forgotten wars, lost causes, failed rebellions, a brotherhood of the failed and the fallen, the disgraced and the disinherited. This is my army. This is our best hope.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}|[[Jon Connington]]'s thoughts}}
  
{{Quote|''"How did you convince the Golden Company to take up the cause of [[Daenerys Targaryen|our sweet queen]] when they have spent so much of their history fighting '''against''' the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]]?"''{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}}- [[Tyrion Lannister]]
+
{{Quote|'''Lysono''': The [[Aegon I Targaryen|first Aegon]] took [[Westeros]] without eunuchs. Why shouldn't the [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|sixth Aegon]] do the same?<br>
 +
'''Harry''': The plan—<br>
 +
'''Tristan''': Which plan? ... [[Illyrio Mopatis|The fat man's]] plan? The one that changes every time the [[moon]] turns? First [[Viserys Targaryen]] was to join us with fifty thousand [[Dothraki]] screamers at his back. Then the Beggar King was dead, and it was to be his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen|a pliable young child queen]] who was on her way to [[Pentos]] with three new-hatched [[dragon]]s. Instead the girl turns up on [[Slaver's Bay]] and [[Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay|leaves a string of burning cities]] in her wake, and the fat man decides we should meet her by [[Volantis]]. Now that plan is in ruins as well. I have had enough of Illyrio's plans. [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] won the [[Iron Throne]] without the benefit of dragons. We can do the same.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}|[[Lysono Maar]], [[Harry Strickland]], and [[Tristan Rivers]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|These were the heirs of [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]], and discipline was mother's milk to them.{{Ref|ADWD|61}}|[[Jon Connington]]'s thoughts}}
  
{{Quote|[[Daenerys]] will give the exiles what [[Bittersteel]] and the [[House Blackfyre|Blackfyres]] never could. She will take them home.{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}} - [[Illyrio Mopatis]], to [[Tyrion]]
+
==References==
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{{References|2}}
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{{Sellsword companies}}
  
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[[Category:Golden Company| ]]
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[[Category:Sellsword companies]]
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[[Category:Westerosi sellsword companies]]
  
{{Quote|Ghosts and liars…Revenants from forgotten wars, lost causes, failed rebellions, a brotherhood of the failed and the fallen, the disgraced and the disinherited.  This is my army.  This is our best hope. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} }} -  [[Jon Connington]]
+
[[es:Compañía Dorada]]
 
 
==References and Notes==
 
{{references|2}}
 
 
 
[[Category:Sellsword companies]]
 
[[Category:Golden Company|Golden Company]]
 
 
[[fr:Compagnie Dorée]]
 
[[fr:Compagnie Dorée]]
[[es:Compañía Dorada]][[ru:Золотая рота]][[zh:黄金团]]
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[[ru:Золотые Мечи]]
 +
[[zh:黄金团]]

Latest revision as of 12:33, 3 March 2024

Golden Company
Golden Company.svg
Banner Solid gold banners, with no designs or devices.[1]
Motto "Our word is good as gold"[2]
War cry "Beneath the gold, the bitter steel"[3]
Captain-general Ser Harry Strickland
Size 10,000 men
Founded 212 AC[4]
Founder Ser Aegor Rivers

The Golden Company is a company of sellswords founded by Ser Aegor Rivers, a Great Bastard known as "Bittersteel". The current captain-general is Harry Strickland.[5]

The Golden Company is considered the finest[6] and most powerful company of the Free Cities, with some considering them the most honorable.[7] Despite the notorious unreliability of sellswords, the Golden Company is reputed to have never broken a contract.[2] Their motto is "Our word is good as gold",[2] while their war cry, "Beneath the gold, the bitter steel", pays homage to their founder.[3]

Culture

The Golden Company - by Urukki Saki ©

The men of the Golden Company prefer to call themselves a free brotherhood of exiles, rather than sellswords.[1] Unlike most hosts of household knights and feudal levies, the Golden Company are highly disciplined soldiers able to quickly establish orderly camps.[5][8]

The high officers display a rude splendor. Like many in their trade they keep their worldly wealth upon their person, including jewelled swords, inlaid armor, heavy torcs, and fine silks. Many wear a lord's ransom in golden arm rings, with each ring signifying one year's service with the Golden Company.[5]

The captain-general's tent, made of cloth-of-gold, is surrounded by a ring of pikes topped with the gilded skulls of previous captains-general.[5]

While the core of the Golden Company is still made up of descendants of men who fought for the Blackfyres, over the past century a steady trickle of outlaws or men from the losing side of other wars has joined their ranks. It has also been joined by other sellswords simply seeking better opportunities whose ancestors were never from Westeros, so that soldiers from a dozen different lands can now be found in the Golden Company. This trend has only increased since the fifth and last Blackfyre Rebellion, over 40 years ago. In the present day, even several of the high-ranking officers do not descend from Blackfyre supporters (including the paymaster, spymaster, and commander of the company's archers), though all of the known captains-general are descended from Blackfyre loyalists.

History

Foundation

Ser Aegor Rivers leading the Golden Company, by Marc Simonetti ©

The Golden Company was founded by Ser Aegor Rivers, called "Bittersteel", a legitimized bastard of King Aegon IV Targaryen. Aegor had fled Westeros with the younger sons of Daemon I Blackfyre at the end of the First Blackfyre Rebellion. When Bittersteel saw the support of House Blackfyre ebb away as exiled lords and knights signed on with sellsword companies, such as the Ragged Standard or the Maiden's Men, he decided to create his own sellsword company in 212 AC in order to bind the exiles together.[6][4]

The Golden Company's reputation was quickly established when Qohor refused to honor the contract it had made. The sellswords sacked Qohor as an answer to the Free City's refusal.[9] The Golden Company has mainly fought in the Disputed Lands for Lys, Myr, or Tyrosh.[6]

Blackfyre Rebellions

Ser Aegor Rivers did not provide Daemon II Blackfyre with the support of the Golden Company for the Second Blackfyre Rebellion in 212 AC.[10] He aided Haegon I Blackfyre in the Third Blackfyre Rebellion in 219 AC, but Bittersteel was captured and Haegon was slain during the campaign. Although Aegor was allowed to join the Night's Watch, his ship was taken while sailing to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and Bittersteel rejoined the Golden Company.[11] The Golden Company invaded Massey's Hook in 236 AC during the Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion, but they were defeated by King Aegon V Targaryen.[12] Bittersteel died while leading the Golden Company in a skirmish between Myr and Tyrosh in the Disputed Lands in 241 AC.[12]

Maelys Blackfyre won command of the Golden Company by twisting the head of his cousin, Daemon Blackfyre, until it was torn from his shoulders.[13] One of the Band of Nine in 258 AC,[12] Maelys I led the Golden Company during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Ser Barristan Selmy cut a bloody path though the Golden Company's ranks to slay Maelys the Monstrous in single combat on the Stepstones.[14][6] Tygett Lannister slew a knight of the Golden Company during the war.[15]

Recent History

When Daenerys Targaryen was a little girl, her brother Viserys once feasted the captains of the Golden Company in the hopes they might take up his cause to reclaim the Iron Throne from King Robert I Baratheon. They ate his food and heard his pleas and laughed at him.[16] Lord Jon Connington, exiled from Westeros during Robert's Rebellion, served five years with the Golden Company,[5] but he is said to have drank himself to death.[17]

The Golden Company is said to now be made up of exiles and the sons of exiles.[6] Some have been born into the company, but still consider themselves Westerosi.[1]

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

The Golden Company, by Even Mehl Amundsen © Fantasy Flight Games

The Golden Company breaks its contract with the Free City of Myr, despite looming war with neighboring Lys and Tyrosh. According to sailors in King's Landing, they are making for Volantis.[18]

In Dorne, Princess Arianne Martell tells Ser Arys Oakheart that the Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr. She uses this information in her attempt to convince him to help with her scheme to crown Princess Myrcella Baratheon as Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men.[2]

During Queen Regent Cersei Lannister's small council meeting, Aurane Waters reveals that the Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr. He has heard many men say that Stannis Baratheon has hired them and is bringing them across the narrow sea. Cersei then tells the council that Qyburn heard from a Myrish galley that the Golden Company are making their way to Volantis, so if they mean to cross to Westeros they are marching the wrong way.[18]

A Dance with Dragons

Golden Company encampment, by Marc Fishman ©

Before the Golden Company broke their contract, the Yunkish attempted to contract the Golden Company for their campaign on Slaver's Bay. An envoy offered twice what Myr was paying them, plus a slave for every man in the company, ten for every officer, and a hundred choice maidens for the commander, Harry Strickland. Harry told the envoy he would think on his proposal; he thought a blunt refusal might have been unwise as his men would think he had taken leave of his wits.[5]

While traveling on Valyrian roads to Ghoyan Drohe, Tyrion Lannister learns from Illyrio Mopatis that the Golden Company is marching to Volantis to join with Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Meereen.[6] The exiled Lord Jon Connington, now calling himself "Griff", recalls secret plans with the previous captain-general, Ser Myles Toyne. They plotted with Illyrio to eventually have "Young Griff", whom they claim is Prince Aegon Targaryen, marry Daenerys and claim the Iron Throne. Jon is unsure if Myles's successor, Homeless Harry, is aware of the plan.[5]

The Golden Company encamps south of Volon Therys after Triarch Malaquo Maegyr closes the delta road to Volantis.[5] The men of the company are frustrated by Illyrio's constantly changing plans when they learn that the unaware Daenerys has stayed in Meereen. They decide to swear allegiance to Aegon VI Targaryen and join him in an invasion of Westeros.[5]

The company sails with Jon and Aegon from Volon Therys for Westeros, but the Volantene fleet transporting them is scattered by a storm after leaving Lys. During the landing of the Golden Company in the stormlands and the Stepstones, the sellswords quickly take the castles of Griffin's Roost, Rain House, Crow's Nest, and Greenstone. Their next plan is to take Storm's End,[19] which is held by Ser Gilbert Farring for Stannis Baratheon.[20]

The Winds of Winter

Content.png
Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Chain and Young John Mudd hold Mistwood for the Golden Company. They keep Lady Mary Mertyns under house arrest and host Princess Arianne Martell's party for a night. Chain tells Arianne many stories about the company and its members, including that of Little Pussy and his lucky cat, as well as the time someone made off with Harry Strickland's favorite elephant. At Griffin's Roost, Haldon Halfmaester informs Arianne that the Golden Company has taken Storm's End and that the Hand awaits her there. He tells her that Lord Mace Tyrell's army is descending on the castle from King's Landing and that she will want to be safe inside the walls before the battle.[1]

Composition

A pike with gilded skulls, by Scafloc

The Golden Company consist of ten thousand men. These include five hundred knights, each with three horses, and a similar number of squires, each having one horse.[5] The company has two dozen elephants,[5] the pride of Harry Strickland.[19]

Black Balaq commands a thousand bows, with a third using crossbows and another third wielding double-curved horn-and-sinew bows common to Essos. The archers with Westerosi blood use big yew longbows, while fifty Summer Islanders use great bows of famed goldenheart.[19]

Notable Members

Captains-general

Members

Quotes

A brotherhood of exiles and the sons of exiles, united by the dream of Bittersteel. It's home they want, as much as gold.[2]

Tyrion: How did you convince the Golden Company to take up the cause of our sweet queen when they have spent so much of their history fighting against the Targaryens?
Illyrio: Black or red, a dragon is still a dragon. When Maelys the Monstrous died upon the Stepstones, it was the end of the male line of House Blackfyre. And Daenerys will give the exiles what Bittersteel and the Blackfyres never could. She will take them home.[6]

Ghosts and liars. Revenants from forgotten wars, lost causes, failed rebellions, a brotherhood of the failed and the fallen, the disgraced and the disinherited. This is my army. This is our best hope.[5]

Jon Connington's thoughts

Lysono: The first Aegon took Westeros without eunuchs. Why shouldn't the sixth Aegon do the same?

Harry: The plan—

Tristan: Which plan? ... The fat man's plan? The one that changes every time the moon turns? First Viserys Targaryen was to join us with fifty thousand Dothraki screamers at his back. Then the Beggar King was dead, and it was to be his sister, a pliable young child queen who was on her way to Pentos with three new-hatched dragons. Instead the girl turns up on Slaver's Bay and leaves a string of burning cities in her wake, and the fat man decides we should meet her by Volantis. Now that plan is in ruins as well. I have had enough of Illyrio's plans. Robert Baratheon won the Iron Throne without the benefit of dragons. We can do the same.[5]

These were the heirs of Bittersteel, and discipline was mother's milk to them.[19]

Jon Connington's thoughts

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The Winds of Winter, Arianne II
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 21, The Queenmaker.
  4. 4.0 4.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
  8. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 51, Theon I.
  9. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Aegor Rivers.
  10. The Mystery Knight.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
  14. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
  15. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  16. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 16, Daenerys III.
  17. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  20. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  21. 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 21.12 21.13 21.14 21.15 21.16 21.17 21.18 21.19 21.20 21.21 21.22 21.23 A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
  22. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.