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[[File:Champion of harrenhal by dejan delic.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Prince Rhaegar, champion of the joust. © Dejan Delic]]
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[[File:PPRhaegarHarrenhalTourney.jpg|thumb|right|550px|The tourney at Harrenhal as depicted by Paolo Puggioni in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]
The '''tourney at Harrenhal'''{{ref|AGOT|58}} was held in {{date|281}}, the [[year of the false spring]],{{ref|ASOS|31}} by [[Lord Whent]] at [[Harrenhal]] in the [[Riverlands]] in honour of his daughter and to show off the wealth of [[House Whent]]. Spread over ten days, it was the greatest [[tourney]] of its time.  
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The '''tourney at Harrenhal''',{{ref|AGOT|58}} also known as '''Lord Whent's great tournament''',{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} was held in {{date|281}}, the [[year of the false spring]],{{ref|ASOS|31}} at [[Harrenhal]] in the [[riverlands]]. It was hosted by Lord [[Walter Whent]] to celebrate the [[name day]] of his maiden daughter.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Spread over ten days,<ref name=tourneyrules>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Tourney_Rules Tourney Rules (April 29, 1999)]</ref> it was the greatest [[tourney]] of its time.  
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 +
===Background===
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The tourney was announced in {{date|280}} by Lord [[Walter Whent]] shortly after he was visited by his brother, Ser [[Oswell Whent]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. The rewards offered by Walter were three times greater than those offered by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] in the [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth|tourney in honor of Prince Viserys's birth]] at [[Lannisport]] in {{date|276}}.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}<ref group="N">[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/120966-errors-in-the-woiaf/&do=findComment&comment=7290167 Erroneously stated] to have been the "Lannisport tourney of {{Date|272}}, hosted by Tywin in celebration of Aerys II's tenth year upon the Iron Throne" in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.</ref> The lavish prizes offered by Lord Whent brought hundreds of challengers to the tourney.{{ref|ASOS|42}} Walter also wanted to present his massive castle and his fine sons.{{ref|ASOS|31}}
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 +
While most believed [[House Whent]] was displaying their wealth and splendor, some believed the Whents lacked the funding for the prizes and were instead supported by a "shadow host"; Maester [[Yandel]] suggests [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], the [[Prince of Dragonstone]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] attended the tournament only because Lord [[Varys]] warned him that Rhaegar, his son and the crown prince, arranged the tournament as a pretext to meet with several high lords to discuss removing his father as king in an informal [[Great Council]].{{Ref|aDwD|67}} Many in attendance were shocked by the king's physical decline.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] was not at Harrenhal because of a quarrel with King Aerys, although many [[westerlands|westermen]] attended.{{ref|ASOS|24}}
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 +
===Festivities===
 +
[[File:Lyanna and rhaegar by mustamirri-d91ww1m.jpg|thumb|[[Rhaegar Targaryen]] singing to [[Lyanna Stark]] by Mustamirri ©]]
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During the tourney's opening ceremonies, fifteen-year-old Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] was admitted into the order of the Kingsguard. King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] is said to have believed the cheering of the crowd was for himself instead of Jaime,{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} and a young [[Pia]] was impressed with the handsome knight.{{ref|AFFC|44}} Although Jaime wanted to compete in the tourney the next day, Aerys commanded him to return to [[King's Landing]] that night to guard Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]].{{ref|ASOS|44}}
  
[[Barristan Selmy]] recalls that the tourney was announced by [[Lord Whent]] shortly after he was visited by his brother, Ser [[Oswell Whent]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. The lavish prizes offered by Lord Whent brought hundreds of challengers to the tourney.{{ref|ASOS|42}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] attended the tournament only because [[Varys]] warned him that his son, Crown Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], arranged the tournament as a pretext to meet with several high lords to discuss removing his father as king.{{Ref|aDwD|67}}
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Held that first night within the Hall of a Hundred Hearths{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} was a great feast for lords from throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{ref|ASOS|24}} Besides [[House Stark|Starks]] and [[Howland Reed]], other [[north]]men in attendance were [[House Dustin|Dustins]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwoods]], [[House Manderly|Manderlys]], and [[House Mormont|Mormonts]].{{ref|ASOS|24}} Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] drank [[wine]] with Ser [[Richard Lonmouth]], and a [[wandering crow]] sought recruits for the [[Night's Watch]].{{ref|ASOS|24}} [[Benjen Stark]] teased his sister, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]], for crying at the singing of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], so Lyanna poured wine over her younger brother's head.{{ref|ASOS|24}} Lady [[Ashara Dayne]] danced with a knight of the Kingsguard, Prince [[Oberyn Martell]], and Lord [[Jon Connington]]. [[Brandon Stark]] convinced Ashara to dance with his shy brother, [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]].{{ref|ASOS|24}} According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Ashara was dishonored by a man at Harrenhal.{{ref|ADWD|67}}
  
During this occasion, 15-year-old Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] was admitted into the order of the [[Kingsguard]]. Although Jaime wanted to then compete in the tourney, King Aerys commanded him to return to [[King's Landing]] to guard Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]].{{ref|ASOS|44}}  
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===Tourney===
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The tourney took place over ten days,<ref name=tourneyrules/> of which the competition lasted seven days,{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} with five days allotted to the joust.{{ref|ASOS|24}} There was a seven-sided melee in the ancient style,<ref name=tourneyrules/>{{ref|ASOS|24}} in which Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] unhorsed many.{{ref|AGOT|58}} Besides the melee and the joust, the tourney included an archery contest, an axe-throwing contest, a horse race, and a tourney of singers.{{ref|ASOS|24}} There was also a [[mummer]] show.{{ref|ASOS|42}}
  
There was a seven-sided melee in the ancient style,<ref>Tourney Rules, (April 29, 1999) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P240/ So Spake Martin]</ref>{{ref|ASOS|24}} which Lord [[Robert Baratheon]] took part in.{{ref|AGOT|58}} Besides the melee and the joust, the tourney included an archery contest, an axe-throwing contest, a horse race and a tourney of singers.{{ref|ASOS|24}} There was also a mummer show.{{ref|ASOS|42}}
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Lord [[Walter Whent]]'s fair daughter was the [[queen of love and beauty]] when the tourney began. Her honor was defended by her brothers and her uncle, Ser [[Oswell Whent]] of the [[Kingsguard]], but they were all defeated in the tourney.{{ref|ASOS|24}}
  
A [[mystery knight]], the "[[Knight of the Laughing Tree]]", appeared in the lists to fight for the honour of [[Howland Reed]] of [[Greywater Watch]].{{ref|ASOS|24}}
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A [[mystery knight]], the "[[Knight of the Laughing Tree]]", appeared in the lists to fight for the honor of [[Howland Reed|a crannogman]].{{ref|ASOS|24}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] sent men, including Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], to learn the identity of the mystery knight, who appeared and disappeared mid tourney, but they were unsuccessful.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
  
Rhaegar was champion of the joust, and in the end chose [[Lyanna Stark]] as [[queen of love and beauty]], placing a crown of [[blue winter rose]]s in her lap. This was scandalous in that, not only was Rhaegar already married to [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]], who was present at the tourney, but Lyanna herself was betrothed to Lord [[Robert Baratheon]].{{ref|AGOT|58}}{{ref|asos|24}} Rhaegar's indiscretion culminated in his abduction of Lyanna a year later, which touched off the [[War of the Usurper]] and brought an end to [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] rule.
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Prince Rhaegar was champion of the joust, defeating four knights of the Kingsguard,{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} and in the end he chose [[Lyanna Stark]] as the new queen of love and beauty, placing a crown of [[blue winter rose]]s in her lap. This was scandalous in that, not only was Rhaegar already married to [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]], who was present at the tourney, but Lyanna herself was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.{{ref|AGOT|58}}{{ref|asos|24}}  
  
==The Joust==
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===The Joust===
[[File:rhaeg_lyanna-winterfelll.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Rhaegar crowning Lyanna by M.Luisa Giliberti©]]
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[[File:rhaeg_lyanna-winterfelll.jpg|thumb|right|350px|[[Rhaegar Targaryen]] crowning [[Lyanna Stark]] by M.Luisa Giliberti©]]
 
There were five days of jousting.{{ref|ASOS|24}}
 
There were five days of jousting.{{ref|ASOS|24}}
  
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}'''Champion''': Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].  
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{{COA|House Targaryen|small}} '''Champion''': Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].  
 +
 
 +
{{COA|Unknown|small}}{{COA|House Whent|small}} Unknown jousters defeated the four sons of Lord [[Walter Whent]] of Harrenhal <br>
 +
[[File:Laughing Tree COA.png|32px]]{{COA|House Haigh|small}} The [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] defeated a member of [[House Haigh]]<br>
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[[File:Laughing Tree COA.png|32px]]{{COA|House Blount|small}} The [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] defeated a member of [[House Blount]]<br>
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[[File:Laughing Tree COA.png|32px]]{{COA|House Frey|small}} The [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] defeated a member of [[House Frey]]<br>
 +
{{COA|House Targaryen|small}}{{COA|House Royce|small}} Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated Lord [[Yohn Royce]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
 +
{{COA|House Targaryen|small}}{{COA|House Stark|small}} Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated [[Brandon Stark]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
 +
{{COA|House Targaryen|small}}{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated Ser [[Arthur Dayne]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
 +
{{COA|House Targaryen|small}}{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]{{ref|AGOT|58}} (final tilt)
  
{{COA|Unknown|small}}{{COA|Whent|small}}Unknown jousters defeated the four sons of [[Lord Whent]] of Harrenhal <br>
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===Known Attendees===
{{COA|Laughing Tree|small}}{{COA|Haigh|small}}The [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] defeated a member of [[House Haigh]]<br>
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{{Columns|3|
{{COA|Laughing Tree|small}}{{COA|blount|small}}The [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] defeated a member of [[House Blount]]<br>
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{{COA|House Arryn|small}} Lord [[Jon Arryn]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
{{COA|Laughing Tree|small}}{{COA|Frey|small}}The [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] defeated a member of [[House Frey]]<br>
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{{COA|House Baratheon|small}} Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}{{COA|Royce|small}}Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated Lord [[Yohn Royce]]<br>
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{{COA|House Connington|small}} Lord [[Jon Connington]]{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}{{COA|Stark|small}}Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated [[Brandon Stark]]<br>
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{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Ser [[Jonothor Darry]]{{ref|ASOS|44}}<br>
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}{{COA|Dayne|small}}Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated Ser [[Arthur Dayne]]<br>
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{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Ser [[Arthur Dayne]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}{{COA|Selmy|small}}Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] defeated Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]<br>
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{{COA|House Dayne|small}} Lady [[Ashara Dayne]]{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>
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{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Lord Commander [[Gerold Hightower]]{{ref|ASOS|44}}<br>
 +
{{COA|House Hunter|small}} Lord [[Eon Hunter]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
 +
{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]{{ref|ASOS|31}} (left early)<br>
 +
{{COA|House Lonmouth|small}} Ser [[Richard Lonmouth]]{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>
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{{COA|House Martell|small}} Princess [[Elia Martell]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
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{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Prince [[Lewyn Martell]]{{ref|ASOS|44}}<br>
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{{COA|House Martell|small}} Prince [[Oberyn Martell]]{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>
 +
{{COA|House Reed|small}} Lord [[Howland Reed]]{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>
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{{COA|House Royce|small}} Lord [[Yohn Royce]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
 +
{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
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{{COA|House Stark|small}} [[Benjen Stark]]{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>
 +
{{COA|House Stark|small}} [[Brandon Stark]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
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{{COA|House Stark|small}} [[Eddard Stark]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
 +
{{COA|House Stark|small}} [[Lyanna Stark]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
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{{COA|House Targaryen|small}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]{{ref|ASOS|44}}<br>
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{{COA|House Targaryen|small}} Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]{{ref|AGOT|58}}<br>
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{{COA|House Tyrell|small}} Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>
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{{COA|Kingsguard|small}} Ser [[Oswell Whent]]{{ref|ASOS|44}}<br>
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{{COA|House Whent|small}} Lord [[Walter Whent]]{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
 +
}}
  
===Other Attendees===
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===Aftermath===
Lord Commander [[Gerold Hightower]], Ser [[Oswell Whent]], Lord [[Robert Baratheon]], Ser [[Richard Lonmouth]], Lord [[Eon Hunter]], Lord [[Jon Arryn]], Lord [[Mace Tyrell]], [[Brandon Stark]], [[Eddard Stark]], [[Benjen Stark]], [[Lyanna Stark]], [[Elia Martell]], Lord [[Jon Connington]], [[Ashara Dayne]], [[Oberyn Martell]]
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When winter returned at the coming of the new year, {{date|282}},{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} mere days before the planned wedding of [[Brandon Stark]] to [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]] at [[Riverrun]],{{ref|AGOT|4}}{{ref|ACOK|55}} Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and six confidants abducted Brandon's sister, [[Lyanna Stark]], less than ten leagues from [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} This led to [[Robert's Rebellion]], also called the War of the Usurper, and the end of [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] rule over the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|AGOT|66}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
In the [[Red Keep]]'s black cells [[Eddard Stark]] vividly remembers the tourney at [[Harrenhal]] which took place when he was eighteen.  He remembers the sights, the smells, and all who attended.  He recalls when [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] won the joust and the moment when all the smiles died, as Rhaegar rode past his own wife, [[Elia Martell]], to bestow the queen of beauty’s laurel on [[Lyanna Stark]].{{Ref|aGoT|58|p 631}}
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Imprisoned in the [[Red Keep]]'s [[black cells]], [[Eddard Stark]] vividly remembers the tourney at [[Harrenhal]], which took place when he was eighteen.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Arriving at Harrenhal ''sans'' sword-hand and as a captive of the [[Brave Companions]], [[Jaime Lannister]] observes that many men have recently encamped outside of the castle, beside the lakeshore, where [[Lord Whent]] had staged his greatest tourney in the year of the false spring. A bitter smile touches Jaime's lips as they cross that torn ground – someone has dug a privy trench in the very same spot were he had once knelt before King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] to say his vows.{{Ref|asos|31|p 346}}
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With his sword hand having been removed by the [[Brave Companions]], Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] is brought as a captive to Harrenhal. He observes that many men have recently encamped outside of the castle, beside the lakeshore, where Lord [[Walter Whent]] had staged his greatest tourney in the [[year of the false spring]]. Jaime notices someone dug a privy trench where he had once knelt before King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] to say his [[Kingsguard]] vows.{{Ref|asos|31}}
  
Encamped outside of [[Yunkai]], [[Arstan Whitebeard]] tells Rhaegar's sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen]], about the tourney staged by Lord Whent at Harrenhal beside the [[Gods Eye]].{{Ref|asos|42|p 485}} [[Meera]] tells [[Bran]] the story of the [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]].{{ref|Asos|24}}
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Encamped outside of [[Yunkai]], [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] tells Rhaegar's sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen]], about the tourney staged by Lord Whent at Harrenhal beside the [[Gods Eye]].{{Ref|asos|42}} [[Meera Reed]] tells [[Bran Stark]] the story of the [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]].{{ref|Asos|24}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Line 45: Line 84:
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|The greatest lords and mightiest champions of the Seven Kingdoms rode in that tourney, and the [[Rhaegar|Prince of Dragonstone]] bested them all.{{Ref|asos|42|p 485}}}} - [[Arstan Whitebeard]] to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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{{Quote|[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] had been jesting with [[Jon Arryn]] and old Lord [[Eon Hunter|Hunter]] as the prince circled the field after unhorsing Ser [[Barristan Selmy|Barristan]] in the final tilt to claim the champion's crown. Ned remembered the moment when all the smiles died, when Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] urged his horse past his own wife, the Dornish princess [[Elia Martell]], to lay the [[queen of love and beauty|queen of beauty's]] laurel in [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna's]] lap. He could see it still: a crown of [[winter rose]]s, blue as frost.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}}} - thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]
  
  
{{Quote|Yet when the jousting began, the day belonged to Rhaegar Targaryen. {{Ref|aGoT|58|p 631}}}} - Lord [[Eddard Stark]]
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{{quote|'''Bran''': It was [[Harrenhal]]!<br>
 +
'''Meera''': Was it? Beneath its walls he saw tents of many colors, bright banners cracking in the wind, and [[knight]]s in mail and plate on barded horses. He smelled roasting meats, and heard the sound of laughter and the blare of heralds' trumpets. A great tourney was about to commence, and champions from all over the land had come to contest it. [[Aerys II Targaryen|The king]] himself was there, with [[Rhaegar Targaryen|his son]] the dragon prince. The [[Kingsguard|White Swords]] had come, to welcome [[Jaime Lannister|a new brother]] to their ranks. The [[Robert I Baratheon|storm lord]] was on hand, and the [[Mace Tyrell|rose lord]] as well. The [[Tywin Lannister|great lion]] of [[Casterly Rock|the rock]] had quarreled with the king and stayed away, but many of his bannermen and knights attended all the same. [[Howland Reed|The crannogman]] had never seen such pageantry, and knew he might never see the like again. Part of him wanted nothing so much as to be part of it.{{ref|ASOS|24}}}} - [[Bran Stark]] and [[Meera Reed]]
  
==References and Notes==
 
{{references|3}}
 
  
[[Category:Tourneys|Harrenhal]]
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{{Quote|'''Daenerys''': But what tourneys did [[Rhaegar Targaryen|my brother]] win?<br>
 +
'''Arstan''': Your Grace. He won the greatest tourney of them all.{{Ref|asos|42}}}} - [[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Arstan Whitebeard]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{quote|'''Arstan''': The greatest [[lord]]s and mightiest champions of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] rode in that tourney, and the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] bested them all.<br>
 +
'''Daenerys''': But that was the tourney when he crowned [[Lyanna Stark]] as [[queen of love and beauty]]!{{Ref|asos|42}}}} - [[Arstan Whitebeard]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
 +
{{Notes}}
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 +
==References==
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{{references|2}}
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[[Category:Harrenhal]]
 
[[Category:Harrenhal]]
 
[[Category:House Whent]]
 
[[Category:House Whent]]
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[[Category:Tourneys|Harrenhal]]
  
 
[[es:Torneo de Harrenhal]]
 
[[es:Torneo de Harrenhal]]
 
[[fa:تورنومنت هارن هال]]
 
[[fa:تورنومنت هارن هال]]
[[fr:Grand_tournoi_d'Harrenhal]]
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[[fr:Grand tournoi d'Harrenhal]]
 
[[ru:Харренхольский Турнир]]
 
[[ru:Харренхольский Турнир]]
 
[[zh:&#36203;&#20262;&#22561;&#27604;&#27494;&#22823;&#20250;]]
 
[[zh:&#36203;&#20262;&#22561;&#27604;&#27494;&#22823;&#20250;]]

Revision as of 15:51, 7 September 2018

The tourney at Harrenhal as depicted by Paolo Puggioni in The World of Ice & Fire

The tourney at Harrenhal,[1] also known as Lord Whent's great tournament,[2] was held in 281 AC, the year of the false spring,[3] at Harrenhal in the riverlands. It was hosted by Lord Walter Whent to celebrate the name day of his maiden daughter.[4] Spread over ten days,[5] it was the greatest tourney of its time.

History

Background

The tourney was announced in 280 AC by Lord Walter Whent shortly after he was visited by his brother, Ser Oswell Whent of the Kingsguard. The rewards offered by Walter were three times greater than those offered by Lord Tywin Lannister in the tourney in honor of Prince Viserys's birth at Lannisport in 276 AC.[2][N 1] The lavish prizes offered by Lord Whent brought hundreds of challengers to the tourney.[6] Walter also wanted to present his massive castle and his fine sons.[3]

While most believed House Whent was displaying their wealth and splendor, some believed the Whents lacked the funding for the prizes and were instead supported by a "shadow host"; Maester Yandel suggests Rhaegar Targaryen, the Prince of Dragonstone.[2] King Aerys II Targaryen attended the tournament only because Lord Varys warned him that Rhaegar, his son and the crown prince, arranged the tournament as a pretext to meet with several high lords to discuss removing his father as king in an informal Great Council.[7] Many in attendance were shocked by the king's physical decline.[2] Lord Tywin Lannister was not at Harrenhal because of a quarrel with King Aerys, although many westermen attended.[8]

Festivities

Rhaegar Targaryen singing to Lyanna Stark by Mustamirri ©

During the tourney's opening ceremonies, fifteen-year-old Ser Jaime Lannister was admitted into the order of the Kingsguard. King Aerys II Targaryen is said to have believed the cheering of the crowd was for himself instead of Jaime,[2] and a young Pia was impressed with the handsome knight.[9] Although Jaime wanted to compete in the tourney the next day, Aerys commanded him to return to King's Landing that night to guard Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys.[10]

Held that first night within the Hall of a Hundred Hearths[2] was a great feast for lords from throughout the Seven Kingdoms.[8] Besides Starks and Howland Reed, other northmen in attendance were Dustins, Hornwoods, Manderlys, and Mormonts.[8] Lord Robert Baratheon drank wine with Ser Richard Lonmouth, and a wandering crow sought recruits for the Night's Watch.[8] Benjen Stark teased his sister, Lyanna, for crying at the singing of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, so Lyanna poured wine over her younger brother's head.[8] Lady Ashara Dayne danced with a knight of the Kingsguard, Prince Oberyn Martell, and Lord Jon Connington. Brandon Stark convinced Ashara to dance with his shy brother, Eddard.[8] According to Ser Barristan Selmy, Ashara was dishonored by a man at Harrenhal.[7]

Tourney

The tourney took place over ten days,[5] of which the competition lasted seven days,[2] with five days allotted to the joust.[8] There was a seven-sided melee in the ancient style,[5][8] in which Lord Robert Baratheon unhorsed many.[1] Besides the melee and the joust, the tourney included an archery contest, an axe-throwing contest, a horse race, and a tourney of singers.[8] There was also a mummer show.[6]

Lord Walter Whent's fair daughter was the queen of love and beauty when the tourney began. Her honor was defended by her brothers and her uncle, Ser Oswell Whent of the Kingsguard, but they were all defeated in the tourney.[8]

A mystery knight, the "Knight of the Laughing Tree", appeared in the lists to fight for the honor of a crannogman.[8] King Aerys sent men, including Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, to learn the identity of the mystery knight, who appeared and disappeared mid tourney, but they were unsuccessful.[2]

Prince Rhaegar was champion of the joust, defeating four knights of the Kingsguard,[2] and in the end he chose Lyanna Stark as the new queen of love and beauty, placing a crown of blue winter roses in her lap. This was scandalous in that, not only was Rhaegar already married to Elia of Dorne, who was present at the tourney, but Lyanna herself was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.[1][8]

The Joust

Rhaegar Targaryen crowning Lyanna Stark by M.Luisa Giliberti©

There were five days of jousting.[8]

House Targaryen Champion: Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

Arms unknownHouse Whent Unknown jousters defeated the four sons of Lord Walter Whent of Harrenhal
Laughing Tree COA.pngHouse Haigh The Knight of the Laughing Tree defeated a member of House Haigh
Laughing Tree COA.pngHouse Blount The Knight of the Laughing Tree defeated a member of House Blount
Laughing Tree COA.pngHouse Frey The Knight of the Laughing Tree defeated a member of House Frey
House TargaryenHouse Royce Prince Rhaegar Targaryen defeated Lord Yohn Royce[1]
House TargaryenHouse Stark Prince Rhaegar Targaryen defeated Brandon Stark[1]
House TargaryenKingsguard Prince Rhaegar Targaryen defeated Ser Arthur Dayne[1]
House TargaryenKingsguard Prince Rhaegar Targaryen defeated Ser Barristan Selmy[1] (final tilt)

Known Attendees

Aftermath

When winter returned at the coming of the new year, 282 AC,[2] mere days before the planned wedding of Brandon Stark to Catelyn Tully at Riverrun,[11][12] Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and six confidants abducted Brandon's sister, Lyanna Stark, less than ten leagues from Harrenhal.[2] This led to Robert's Rebellion, also called the War of the Usurper, and the end of Targaryen rule over the Seven Kingdoms.[13][14]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Imprisoned in the Red Keep's black cells, Eddard Stark vividly remembers the tourney at Harrenhal, which took place when he was eighteen.[1]

A Storm of Swords

With his sword hand having been removed by the Brave Companions, Ser Jaime Lannister is brought as a captive to Harrenhal. He observes that many men have recently encamped outside of the castle, beside the lakeshore, where Lord Walter Whent had staged his greatest tourney in the year of the false spring. Jaime notices someone dug a privy trench where he had once knelt before King Aerys II Targaryen to say his Kingsguard vows.[3]

Encamped outside of Yunkai, Arstan Whitebeard tells Rhaegar's sister, Daenerys Targaryen, about the tourney staged by Lord Whent at Harrenhal beside the Gods Eye.[6] Meera Reed tells Bran Stark the story of the Knight of the Laughing Tree.[8]

A Dance with Dragons

In Meereen, alone and melancholic on the terrace of the Great Pyramid, Ser Barristan Selmy remembers Old Lord Whent's tourney at Harrenhal and finds the memory of it still bitter.[7]

Quotes

Robert had been jesting with Jon Arryn and old Lord Hunter as the prince circled the field after unhorsing Ser Barristan in the final tilt to claim the champion's crown. Ned remembered the moment when all the smiles died, when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen urged his horse past his own wife, the Dornish princess Elia Martell, to lay the queen of beauty's laurel in Lyanna's lap. He could see it still: a crown of winter roses, blue as frost.[1]

- thoughts of Eddard Stark


Bran: It was Harrenhal!
Meera: Was it? Beneath its walls he saw tents of many colors, bright banners cracking in the wind, and knights in mail and plate on barded horses. He smelled roasting meats, and heard the sound of laughter and the blare of heralds' trumpets. A great tourney was about to commence, and champions from all over the land had come to contest it. The king himself was there, with his son the dragon prince. The White Swords had come, to welcome a new brother to their ranks. The storm lord was on hand, and the rose lord as well. The great lion of the rock had quarreled with the king and stayed away, but many of his bannermen and knights attended all the same. The crannogman had never seen such pageantry, and knew he might never see the like again. Part of him wanted nothing so much as to be part of it.[8]

- Bran Stark and Meera Reed


Daenerys: But what tourneys did my brother win?
Arstan: Your Grace. He won the greatest tourney of them all.[6]

- Daenerys Targaryen and Arstan Whitebeard


Arstan: The greatest lords and mightiest champions of the Seven Kingdoms rode in that tourney, and the Prince of Dragonstone bested them all.
Daenerys: But that was the tourney when he crowned Lyanna Stark as queen of love and beauty![6]

- Arstan Whitebeard and Daenerys Targaryen

Notes

  1. Erroneously stated to have been the "Lannisport tourney of 272 AC, hosted by Tywin in celebration of Aerys II's tenth year upon the Iron Throne" in The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.

References