Reading and writing

Reading and writing is used in various forms across the known world to record and communicate information.

Culture

Maester's ink by Tim Durning © Fantasy Flight Games

In modern Westeros, writing uses letters to form individual words. The First Men used runes, which they carved into stone, bronze, gold, and wood. The Valyrians used ancient glyphs. Some objects engraved with their glyphs still survive, and the glyphs are still used by red priests in Volantis and slavers from Yunkai. Some learned Westerosi are also familiar with the glyphs, like Tyrion Lannister, who can identify the meaning of about two in every ten glyphs. These glyphs correspond to individual words, including Doom and Darkness, and they can also be used to write an individual's name. Modern Ghiscari writing also uses glyphs.

Various writing implements are used. The most common means of writing is the quill and ink. Quills can be made from goose feathers. They sometimes need to be sharpened before use. Pens are another writing implement, but less common than quills. Writing can be done on parchment, paper, vellum, and sheepskin. A wax tablet and stylus may be used to mark the count of cargo. Chalk is sometimes used for the purpose of marking a count, drawing pictures to communicate information, or drawing symbols. Words may also be carved into wood with sharp objects like knives. Individuals with poor eyesight may use a lens to help them read. These lenses are produced in Myr.

The wildlings who live beyond the Wall are unlettered, although modern wildlings possess objects carved with the runes of the First Men, including the ancient Joramun's horn and Tormund's gold armbands. The Unsullied are unlettered, as are most brothers of the Night's Watch. Jeor Mormont estimates that about twenty of his men can read. Although literacy is much more common among Westerosi nobility than lower classes, even some lords are unlettered. Maesters will read and write letters on behalf of lords who cannot read, and even on behalf of those who can. Although many septons can read and write, those who preside over humbler populations may not be able to, and instead rely on memorizing holy texts and prayers. Some illiterates view writing with disdain, while others hold a superstitious reverence for it, as though it is magic.

For those who are unlettered, the literate may write on their behalf. Acolytes of the Citadel of maesters practice their craft at Scribe's Hearth, where Oldtowners may come to have their letters read and wills written by scribes. Literacy is often referred to as knowing or learning one's letters.

History

Dawn Age and Age of Heroes

In the Dawn Age, men were not lettered. The now-old Andal, Valyrian, Ghiscari, and Asshai'i cultures were all lettered and wrote accounts of past eras. However, because they lived long after the Dawn Age, it is difficult to discern what truths their tales contain. Around ten thousand years ago in Essos, human civilization was born in the Dawn Age. The first true towns arose along the banks of the river Sarne and her tributaries. However, these kingdoms of the grasslands came and went largely before humans became literate.

The First Men of the Age of Heroes left only runes carved on rocks. While written tales of the Age of Heroes are largely the work of septons and maesters writing thousands of years later, their runes can still be found on stone monuments and barrow fields in ruins and ancient castles. From these written remnants, some legends can be corroborated. However, even the meanings of these surviving runes are debated by maesters at the Citadel. Nn much of the Seven Kingdoms, runes of the First Men were chiseled into cave walls, standing stones, and the ruins of fallen strongholds. However, he First Men of the stormlands typically carved their tales into the trunks of trees that have long since rotted away.

The children of the forest, who inhabited Westeros during the Dawn Age and the Age of Heroes, had no books, ink, parchment, or written language. Instead, they relied on the trees, especially the weirwoods, which kept all their songs, spells, histories, prayers, and even children themselves when they died.

Individual cultures

Rodrik Harlaw, nicknamed "the Reader" for his love of reading, with his sister Alannys by gotheyjoy

The Mazemakers, an ancient people who lived on the islands of Lorath, left no written record.

Yi Ti was one of the first places where men achieved civilization and literacy. The wise men of Yi Ti were reading and writing for many thousands of years. They kept ancient records that are cherished and venerated but also jealously guarded by their scholars. Some scattered texts have escaped Yi Ti and reached the Citadel.

The people of the Iron Islands did not learn how to write until thousands of years after the time of Balon Blackskin, who supposedly lived during the Age of Heroes. Even after ironmen first learned to write, literacy remained rare in the Iron Islands. Those who possess the ability to write are often mocked as weaklings or feared as sorcerers. Thus, much of the written history of their people comes from the victims of ironborn raids and was written in the Old Tongue or the runes of the First Men. However, their priests of the Drowned God have oral traditions, passing knowledge from elder to younger. Those taken as thralls who could read and write would serve their masters as stewards, tutors, and scribes. Harmund I Hoare, known as Harmund the Host, was the first King of the Iron Islands known to be literate, and he treasured books. His son Harmund II Hoare, called Harmund the Haggler, shared his father's love of reading. Even in the present day, a great many ironborn still consider reading unmanly and perverse.

The priestesses of Tall Trees Town on Walano in the Summer Isles carve songs and stories into the trunks of the enormous tower tree that shade the town. The carvings on the Talking Trees record the whole history of the Summer Islanders, as well as the commandments of their gods and the laws by which they live.

After the Conquest

When the Faith of the Seven condemned the marriage between Prince Aegon Targaryen and Princess Rhaena Targaryen, the High Septon sent a blistering declaration that was read by ten thousand septons throughout the Seven Kingdoms.

Septon Moon, a rival claimant to the office of High Septon, boasted that The Seven-Pointed Star was the only book he had ever read. However, many questioned this boast, as he never quoted from the holy book nor had anyone ever seen him read or write.

Because of her intelligence, many Alysanne Targaryen japed that she learned to read before she was weaned and the court fool made jests about her reading at her wet nurse's breast. It was said that she might have become a maester had she been born a man. After becoming Queen, Alysanne later said she might have liked to become a maester if she hadn't been queen to an assembly of archmaesters, and tried to convince them to admit women to the Citadel, as surely there were other girls who felt the same.

Androw Farman, second son of Lord Marq Farman, could hardly read or write.

Prince Vaegon Targaryen was bookish and loved reading over playing. By contrast, his younger sister Daella Targaryen struggled with learning to read and could do so only haltingly and without full comprehension. This led Vaegon to dislike Daella and consider her stupid.

In the twilight of Jaehaerys I Targaryen's life, the young Alicent Hightower would read to him. She was reading at his bedside from Barth's Unnatural History when the king died in 103 AC.

After the Dance of the Dragons, the boy king Aegon III Targaryen did not show interest in any hobby, including reading. Around this time period, the former Grand Maester Orwyle took refuge at a brothel on the Street of Silk called Mother's. He lived there unnoticed until he began to teach the younger girls at the brothel how to read, which drew the suspicions of the gold cloaks after one of the girls demonstrated her new skill to a serjeant.

Racallio Ryndoon asked Lord Alyn Velaryon for an alliance written on sheepskin and signed in blood. Lord Alyn gave him an alliance written in parchment and signed with maester's ink instead.

King Baelor I Targaryen convinced the Most Devout to name a simple stonemason as High Septon. The man could not read or write nor even remember the simplest of prayers.

Although Dunk never learned the "magic" of reading or writing, his master Ser Arlan of Pennytree was relentless in teaching him heraldry. Although his squire Egg tried to teach him to read, after a couple of years together reading still remained a mystery to him. However, by this time he could make out the letters that form the names "Daeron" and "Daemon." Since it is the duty of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to keep the entries about the deeds of the Kingsguard in the White Book up to date, he may have eventually learned how to read and write.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Tyrion Lannister explains to Jon Snow that he reads as much as he does because, due to his physical limitations from being a dwarf, his mind is his weapon and the mind needs books to keep its edge.

When he is imprisoned in a sky cell, Tyrion Lannister offers Mord gold in return for help and vows he will put his promise in writing. Mord, who is the type to revere writing as if it were magic, agrees.

Samwell Tarly can read and write and has read every book in his father's library. Jon Snow tries to convince Maester Aemon to take Sam as a steward because Chett can't read and Clydas has weak eyes.

Sansa Stark can read and write better than any of her brothers. Rickon Stark, her youngest brother, cannot read yet.

Arya Stark cannot read the name of the ship the Wind Witch because the words on its hull are strange to her. She judges the text to be Myrish, Braavosi, or possibly High Valyrian.

A Clash of Kings

Although Davos Seaworth is skilled at reading maps and charts, he has never learned how to read. His three youngest sons, Devan, Steffon, and Stannis, have all learned their letters.

Stannis Baratheon has Davos and his son Dale bring letters alleging Joffrey Baratheon's bastardy to every settlement along the coast and instructs him to nail them to the doors of septs and inns for every man to read who can. Davos points out that will be few, and Maester Pylos suggests having the letters read out loud. Stannis accepts Davos's suggestion of using knights to do the reading.

In the riverlands, the brotherhood without banners takes supplies from villagers and gives them written promises of payment for everything they take. A villager whose chickens were taken is frustrated because she can't eat with a ragged piece of paper with a mark on it.

Marei is teaching her fellow prostitutes at Chataya's brothel how to read, including Alayaya.

When Arya Stark is forced into labor at Harrenhal, Weese has her deliver written messages, never imagining that she can read. Arya peeks at all the messages, but never finds anything good.

Theon Greyjoy learns that, unlikely as it seems, the lowborn "Reek" can read and write. Unbeknownst to Theon at the time, "Reek" is actually Ramsay Snow, the bastard son of Lord Roose Bolton.

Daenerys Targaryen instructs "Arstan Whitebeard" to have the names Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes painted on her ships in gold letters three feet high so that everyone who sees them knows that dragons have returned.

A Storm of Swords

"Arstan Whitebeard" tells Daenerys Targaryen the famous tale of how her older brother, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, was reading so early and so much that people would joke that their mother, Queen Rhaella, had swallowed books and a candle while he was in the womb.

At the Fist of the First Men, Samwell Tarly pre-writes a variety of different short messages to send out via raven in the event of an attack on the Fist. When an attack by Others does occur, he forgets to attach the messages before setting the ravens free.

When Stannis Baratheon names Davos Seaworth his new Hand of the King, Davos protests, pointing out that he cannot read or write. Stannis is unconcerned because Pylos can read for him and his last Hand, Alester Florent, wrote a treasonous letter without his consent.

After gaining passage across the Trident at Lord Harroway's Town, Sandor Clegane gives the ferryman the written promise of nine thousand golden dragons the Beric Dondarrion gave him as payment. The man is perplexed and upset because writing is no good to him, unlike gold.

Pylos offers to teach Davos to read after he expresses doubts at his worthiness as Hand, in part due to his illiteracy. He begins to take lessons with Pylos every day. He is far behind his son Devan or the children Edric Storm and Shireen Baratheon, and the effort sometimes gives him headaches or makes him feel a fool.

When Tyrion Lannister gifts his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon the book Lives of Four Kings, Kevan Lannister says it's a book every king should read. Joffrey claims his father had no time for books and that perhaps if Tyrion read less, his wife Sansa would already be with child.

According to Denys Mallister, Maester Harmune reads and writes the letters of Cotter Pyke, the commander at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, and has for years.

A Feast for Crows

Lord Rodrik Harlaw is nicknamed "Rodrik the Reader" because of his love of books and reading, which is unusual among the ironborn. He has a special room where he reads in the Book Tower, but is also known for reading just about any place and any time.

Although Septon Meribald cannot read or write, he knows a hundred different prayers and can recite lengthy passages from The Seven-Pointed Star from memory. This is all that is needed to serve as septon in villages.

Although a knight from a noble House, the King's Justice Ser Ilyn Payne cannot read or write. This makes him ill-suited for his duties of running the Red Keep's dungeons, and he leaves much of the tasks to his underlings who can read and write. These underlings include the last Chief Gaoler, a cloth merchant, and the chief undergaoler, Rennifer Longwaters.

A Dance with Dragons

Tyrion Lannister learned to read High Valyrian a maester's knee, but finds that the Valyrian dialects spoken in the Free Cities are somewhat different.

Illyrio Mopatis tells Tyrion about Varys's "little birds." Mostly orphan boys and young girls, Varys would teach them how to read. Initially, they stole letters and other documents, but transitioned to just reading the secrets and leaving the originals where they found them.

Tyrion Lannister observes the sellsword Griff reading a letter from Illyrio and notes that he hardly moves his lips as he does so. The fact that he could read at all is telling to Tyrion, as few sellswords could boast of that.

When "Reek" treats with the ironborn at Moat Cailin on Ramsay Bolton's behalf, he gives them Ramsay's written message and encourages them to read it for themselves. However, he is almost certain that none of the men, mostly sons of thralls and salt wives, can read.

Robett Glover has been teaching Wex Pyke, the mute ironborn squire, how to read. He is a quick learner and already knows how to write his own name. He has told Wyman Manderly and his allies what he knows of the Sack of Winterfell and the survival of Bran and Rickon Stark, but they won't know the full truth until he learns more letters.

Brynden Rivers tells Bran Stark about how the children of the forest taught the First Men how to send messages by ravens, who would speak the words in those days. Since humans have forgotten this, they now write messages on parchment and tie them around the feet of birds who have never shared their skin. Bran knows the story from Old Nan, but his brother Robb laughed when he asked if it was true.

Jojen Reed asks Bran if he likes to read. Bran says he likes some, but not all stories. Jojen tells Bran about how the children of the forest had no written language and instead relied on the weirwood trees to remember all their knowledge.

When Jon Snow's advisors object to his naming Satin as his personal steward on account of his past as an Oldtown whore, Jon points out that Satin can read and write after a fashion.

The Winds of Winter

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.

At the Gate in Braavos, Big Brusco. paints the title of the play The Bloody Hand in huge red letters beside the entrance. Beneath the words, he paints a bloody hand for those who cannot read.

Quotes

My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind… and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That's why I read so much, Jon Snow.

—Tyrion Lannister to Jon Snow

Some illiterates held writing in disdain; others seemed to have a superstitious reverence for the written word, as if it were some sort of magic.

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

Stannis: Each of you will carry a chest of letters, and you will deliver one to every port and holdfast and fishing village. Nail them to the doors of septs and inns for every man to read who can.
Davos: That will be few enough.
Pylos: Ser Davos speaks truly, Your Grace. It would be better to have the letters read aloud.

—Stannis Baratheon, Davos Seaworth and Pylos

Davos: How can I read history, when I cannot read?
Pylos: Any man can read, my lord. There is no magic needed, nor high birth. I am teaching the art to your son, at the king's command. Let me teach you as well.

—Davos Seaworth and Pylos

A King's Hand should be able to read and write. Maester Pylos has been teaching me.

—Davos Seaworth to Stannis Baratheon

Asha climbed quickly, to the fifth story and the room where her uncle read. Not that there are any rooms where he does not read. Lord Rodrik was seldom seen without a book in hand, be it in the privy, on the deck of his Sea Song, or whilst holding audience. Asha had oft seen him reading on his high seat beneath the silver scythes. He would listen to each case as it was laid before him, pronounce his judgment … and read a bit whilst his captain-of-guards went to bring in the next supplicant.

—thoughts of Asha Greyjoy

Jojen: Do you like to read books, Bran?
Bran: Some books. I like the fighting stories. My sister Sansa likes the kissing stories, but those are stupid.
Jojen: A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one. The singers of the forest had no books. No ink, no parchment, no written language. Instead, they had the trees, and the weirwoods above all. When they died, they went into the wood, into lead and limb and root, and the trees remembered. All their songs and spells, their histories and prayers, everything they knew about this world.

—Jojen Reed and Bran Stark

See Also

• Illiterate nobles