Sealord of Braavos
| Sealord of Braavos | |
|---|---|
| Office | Elected ruler |
| Region | Braavos |
| Current Holder | Ferrego Antaryon |
The Sealord of Braavos is the ruler of the Free City of Braavos. His champion and protector is the First Sword, and the ruler resides at the Sealord's Palace.
Contents
Position
The office is not hereditary; one of Braavos's citizens is chosen to be Sealord by the city's magisters and keyholders through a convoluted and arcane process.[1] The choosing process is intense, described as "knives coming out".[2] Once chosen, the Sealord serves for life, but some will try to cut that life short to effect a change in policy.[3]
Statues commemorating past Sealords and their achievements line the canals of the city.[4][5]
History
Since the founding of Braavos, the Sealords have opposed slavery in all its forms and have fought many wars against slavers and their allies.[1]
In 49 AC the Sealord sent a son to attend the Golden Wedding of Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon and Lord Rogar Baratheon.[6] Using the name "Alys Westhill", Elissa Farman sailed to Braavos and sold three dragon eggs to the Sealord in 54 AC. Elissa used the funds to commission Sun Chaser, which she used to explore the Sunset Sea two years later.[7] Septon Barth, the Hand of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, came to Braavos to discuss the matter of the stolen dragon eggs. Barth threatened Braavos with dragonfire should the eggs hatch; in return, the Sealord threatened to send the Faceless Men to assassinate the Targaryens. In the end, the Sealord denied having the eggs, but he agreed to forgive the Iron Throne's debts to the Iron Bank of Braavos.[8]
Laena Velaryon was betrothed to the son of a Sealord, but the Sealord died before any marriage, and the son turned out to be a fool, wasting his family's money and power before ending up on Driftmark. Prince Daemon Targaryen, who wished to marry Laena, provoked the Braavosi into a challenge of single combat, and the fool died.[9][10]
During the Daughters' War, the Sealord allied with Racallio Ryndoon and the Archon of Tyrosh to divide the Stepstones jointly. The Sealord's prized dromond, Grand Defiance, was sunk by Alyn Velaryon during Lord Alyn's attack. Lord Manfryd Mooton negotiated with the Sealord in Braavos and prevented a war. Manfryd also returned a captured elephant which had been meant for the Sealord's menagerie. The fool Mushroom greatly amused the Sealord, but Mushroom declined an offer to remain in Braavos.[11]
King Daeron I Targaryen planned to marry one of his sisters to the Sealord for an alliance to remove the narrow sea pirates that were hindering trade with newly-conquered Dorne, but the marriage never occurred.[12]
Bellegere Otherys, the Black Pearl of Braavos, was the daughter of union between a princess from the Summer Isles and a Sealord's son.[13]
After Robert's Rebellion, Oberyn Martell, Prince of Dorne, travelled to Braavos where Viserys Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen were being kept by Ser Willem Darry. Oberyn and Willem signed a secret pact, in which Viserys was promised the hand of Doran's daughter, Arianne Martell, in return for Dorne's help in House Targaryen reclaiming the Iron Throne. The pact was witnessed by the Sealord.[14]
Syrio Forel once served as First Sword to a Sealord.[15]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Syrio Forel tells Arya Stark about the various animals in the Sealord's menagerie.[16]
A Feast for Crows
The Sealord in power, Ferrego Antaryon, owns a pleasure barge covered with laughing faces.[17]
A Dance with Dragons
Ferrego is sick, and there is a rumor that Tormo Fregar will be chosen as the new Sealord.[2]
Quotes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Braavos.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 45, The Blind Girl.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Braavos.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 64, The Ugly Little Girl.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, Chapter , Mercy.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 50, Arya IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.