The Shadow Tower^[1] is a castle on the Wall. It is located close to the western end of the Wall. At the time of the series, the Shadow Tower is one of only three castles on the Wall still manned by the Night's Watch, along with Castle Black and Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. There are nineteen castles along the Wall, but as their numbers fell over the centuries the Night's Watch had to abandon sixteen of them.

Known residents[]

• Ser Denys Mallister, an old knight and commander of the Shadow Tower.^[2]
• {Qhorin}, called "Qhorin Halfhand", leading Ranger of the Shadow Tower. Killed in a duel by Jon Snow to ease his infiltration of the Free Folk.^[3]
  • {Stonesnake}, {Borba}, {Harker}, rangers under his command. Killed by the Lord of Bones' warband.

History[]

Game of Thrones: Season 3[]

When Jon Snow infiltrates the wildlings, Orell asks him which of the nineteen castles along the Wall are still manned by the Night's Watch. Jon admits that only Castle Black, Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, and the Shadow Tower are still manned.^[4]

Game of Thrones: Season 5[]

Ser Denys Mallister, commander of the Shadow Tower, stands as candidate as the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch^[5] Ser Denys arrives at Castle Black from the Shadow Tower for the choosing, though he ultimately loses to Jon Snow.^[6]

Game of Thrones: Season 8[]

After learning of the breaching of the Wall, Jon Snow orders the remaining castles on the Wall be abandoned and for their garrisons to come to Winterfell.^[7]

In the books[]

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the Shadow Tower is under the command of Ser Denys Mallister, an experienced and conservative commander, and uncle to Lord Jason Mallister of Seagard. Qhorin was usually based at the Shadow Tower.

According to Jeor Mormont, at the start of the books there are about 200 soldiers in the Shadow Tower. Qhorin led 100 of them to the great ranging.

It is not the westernmost castle of the Night's Watch, which used to be Westwatch-by-the-Bridge. Westwatch is north of the Gorge and west of the Wall and is no longer garrisoned at the start of the books.

Patrols and scouts from the Shadow Tower have to keep a close eye on the surrounding terrain. Though extremely difficult, it is possible to by-pass the Wall by descending into the Gorge, or by tracing a dangerous route through the Frostfangs to the west and crossing the Bridge of Skulls. The Night's Watch has to keep an eye on these routes for signs of wildling activity.

Appearances[]

• – "The History of the Night's Watch - House Stark" (depicted on map)
• – "Kissed by Fire" (mentioned)
• – "The Wars To Come" (mentioned)
• – "Winterfell" (mentioned indirectly)

References[]

External links[]

• Shadow Tower on A Wiki of Ice and Fire