Andalos

Andalos

Western Essos and the location of Andalos

Andalos, also called the Hills of Andalos,^[1] is an area of northwestern Essos which was the homeland of the Andals.^[2] Due to migration and invasion, however, little is left of the original Andal culture.^[3]

Geography

Andalos is located south of Braavos and the Braavosian Coastland, east of the narrow sea, and west of the Hills of Norvos.^[4] Western Andalos near the narrow sea appears to be plains, while further east it becomes hilly and includes the Velvet Hills.^[4] The heart of the ancient kingdom of Hugor of the Hill lay in the hills of Andalos. South of the hills were the southern marches of the kingdom, now called the Flatlands.^[2] A Valyrian road in the Flatlands runs east from Pentos to Ghoyan Drohe and then northeast to Norvos.^[5]

The headwaters of the Upper Rhoyne and the Little Rhoyne lie in Andalos.^[6]

History

The hills of Andalos were the homeland of the Andals prior to their invasion of the Fingers in Westeros. Possibly originating from the Axe,^[7] the Andals took Andalos from a race of hairy men believed by some to have been cousins to the Ibbenese.^[8]

The Faith of the Seven originates in Andalos.^[9] It is said that the Seven made themselves manifest in the hills, and thus the Andals felt blessed by the gods. The Father is believed to have pulled seven stars from the heavens to make the crown of King Hugor of the Hill, the first king of the Andals.^[2] The tradition of the trial of seven originated in Andalos.^[10] Unlike the First Men in Westeros, the Andals of Andalos did not practice the first night.^[11]

The Rhoynar are believed to have taught ironworking to the Andals,^[2] and the historian Doro Golathis of Norvos wrote about Rhoynish outposts in Andalos.^[1] Living in Andalos for thousands of years, the Andals spread their influence possibly as far as Lorath^[12] and Myr.^[13]

The Andals eventually migrated to Westeros and conquered most of the kingdoms of the First Men. According to Andal tradition, they traveled to Westeros because the Seven had promised them kingdoms in a foreign land. Maesters, however, believe the Andals in Essos were instead threatened by the expanding Valyrian Freehold.^[1] The True History states the Andals invaded Westeros four thousand years ago, but some maesters claim it was only two thousand years ago.^[14]

After repelling Andal attacks on the eastern coast of the north, King Theon Stark raided a coastal section of Andalos in retaliation.^[15]

Most of Andalos eventually became controlled by Pentos, a Valyrian colony and now one of the Free Cities.^[16]

After learning of reports that Balerion had been seen by shepherds in the hills of Andalos, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen sent a dozen men led by Ser Willam the Wasp to investigate. Willam's party were ambushed and slain in the Velvet Hills, however, by brigands who had been spreading tales of a dragon to ward others away from their sheepstealing.^[11]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Sour Andalish wine is sold in the markets of Vaes Dothrak.^[17]

A Dance with Dragons

Tyrion Lannister and Illyrio Mopatis travel through the Flatlands of southern Andalos after leaving Pentos.^[2]

Quotes

This is Andalos, my friend. The land your Andals came from. They took it from the hairy men who were here before them, cousins to the hairy men of Ib. The heart of Hugor's ancient realm lies north of us, but we are passing through its southern marches. In Pentos, these are called the Flatlands. Farther east stand the Velvet Hills, whence we are bound.^[2]

—Illyrio Mopatis to Tyrion Lannister

References