Trident

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The riverlands and the location of the Trident
The riverlands and the location of the Trident
Trident
The riverlands and the location of the Trident

The Trident is a major river in the riverlands of the Seven Kingdoms. Made of numerous smaller tributaries, it is one of the largest rivers on the continent of Westeros. It is a confluence of three main forks: the Red, the Green and the Blue, which join west of Lord Harroway's Town and the crossroads and eventually flow into the Bay of Crabs.[1] Saltpans and the Quiet Isle are located at the mouth of the Trident.[2]

In peacetime, the forks of the Trident are the easiest way to move goods and men across the riverlands,[3] and they can be filled with poleboats.[4] The ruby ford and the Twins are two of the major crossings over the rivers. The rivers are effective barriers during wartime.[4]

The forks of the Trident are represented in the arms of Houses Shawney and Strong, and the river kings from House Teague used a trident in their sigil.

The Forks

Red Fork

The Red Fork of the Trident is wide and slow, a meandering river of loops and bends dotted with tiny wooded islets and frequently choked by sandbars and snags.[3] Upstream from Riverrun, the river makes a wide loop and the waters become shallower and muddier.[5] Along the Red Fork the west bank is higher than its eastern bank.[6] The lands of House Bracken lie south of the Red Fork, while those of House Blackwood are north of it. The Mummer's Ford is a crossing of the river. Riverrun[7] and Sallydance[8] sit along the Red Fork, and Red Deer Island is located in the river. South of the Inn of the Kneeling Man, the river is broad but shallow. Its banks are all mud and reeds.[9]

Green Fork

North of the inn at the crossroads, the kingsroad travels along the Green Fork of the Trident, through fertile valleys and green woodlands, past thriving towns and the castles of the river lords.[10] From the ruby ford on the Trident until the Twins, the seat of House Frey, there is no crossing the river.[11] At the Twins, the Green Fork runs deep and swift.[12]

Blue Fork

Seagard lies near the headwaters of the Blue Fork.[13] Two towns, Ramsford and Fairmarket, lie on the Blue Fork. In order to get around the Blue Fork when it swells its banks, one must travel through Sevenstreams and Hag's Mire. The Blue Fork's headwaters are smaller waterways such as rills and brooks beyond Sevenstreams.[14]

History

During the Andal invasion, the Andals used longships to sail up the Trident and its tributaries to attack the kingdoms of the First Men.[4]

The Storm King Arlan III Durrandon conquered the Trident from the Teagues, the last of the Kings of the Rivers and Hills.[4]

Harwyn Hoare, King of the Iron Islands, conquered the Trident from Arrec Durrandon by using ironborn longships to quickly move about the territory.[4] The lords of the Trident rebelled against Harren Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers, during the War of Conquest, however. After the burning of Harrenhal, Aegon the Conqueror named Edmyn Tully his Lord Paramount of the Trident.[15]

During Robert's Rebellion, Lord Robert Baratheon defeated Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in the Battle of the Trident; the site of Rhaegar's death became known as the ruby ford.[16]

Archmaester Laurent wrote Old Places of the Trident.[4]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Arya Stark tosses Prince Joffrey Baratheon's sword, Lion's Tooth, into the Trident after an altercation.[17]

The battle on the Green Fork takes place along the eastern bank of the Green Fork.[18] At Riverrun, Robb Stark is declared king by the lords of the riverlands and the north.[19]

A Clash of Kings

For his service in allying House Tyrell with House Lannister and House Baratheon of King's Landing, Lord Petyr Baelish receives the title Lord Paramount of the Trident, replacing Lord Hoster Tully as liege lord of the riverlands according to the Iron Throne.[20]

A Storm of Swords

Robb Stark includes King of the Trident amongst his titles.[21]

Heavy rain make the Trident and its forks overflow their banks.[14][22] Gregor Clegane defeats a group of northmen in the fighting at the fords of the Trident.[23][24]

Arya abandons the wounded Sandor Clegane along the banks of the Trident.[25]

A Feast for Crows

A great pack of wolves hunts near the Trident.[26]

References and Notes