Blackwater Bay

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The crownlands and the location of Blackwater Bay
The crownlands and the location of Blackwater Bay
Blackwater Bay
The crownlands and the location of Blackwater Bay

Blackwater Bay is a large body of water along the crownlands in eastern Westeros. King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, sits where the Blackwater Rush pours into the bay.[1] "Waters" is a common bastard name around Blackwater Bay.[2]

Geography

Blackwater Bay, by Ryan Barger © Fantasy Flight Games

Blackwater Bay is an inlet of the narrow sea, separated from it by the Gullet, held between the arms of Crackclaw Point to the north and Massey's Hook to the south, with the island of Dragonstone guarding the entrance to the bay. Massey's Hook shields against the rougher narrow sea, so Blackwater Bay has calmer waters.[3] Ships of the royal fleet patrol the bay and ensure it is kept free from piracy.

Aside from King's Landing and Dragonstone, the largest port on the bay is Duskendale, which serves as a secondary port for King's Landing when the main port is overwhelmed with traffic. Rook's Rest is located on the northern shore of the bay and Sharp Point is to the east at the tip of Massey's Hook. The kingswood extends along the southern shore of Blackwater Bay, with the Wendwater flowing into the bay.[4]

The largest island is Driftmark, on which is located Hull. House Velaryon, the Masters of Driftmark, are a historical naval power who style themselves the Lords of the Tides.[5]

A unique geological feature called the spears of the merling king sits within the bay. Within the spears, the currents are strong and treacherous.[6] Waterfowl are abundant in marshes along Blackwater Bay,[7] and the body of water also contains codfish.[8][9] The bay's waters are brackish at best and salty at worst.[10]

History

Duskendale by Michael Komarck ©

The shores of Blackwater Bay were historically disputed by river kings,[11] Storm Kings,[12] Kings of the Isles and the Rivers,[5] and kings from House Darklyn of Duskendale and House Massey of Stonedance.[5]

Prior to Aegon's Conquest, House Targaryen of Dragonstone and House Velaryon of Driftmark prospered from their control of the Gullet, which divided the bay from the narrow sea.[13]

King's Landing, the new capital of the Seven Kingdoms, quickly developed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush along Blackwater Bay.[14]

A mock sea battle was held in Blackwater Bay during the Golden Wedding, and Princess Alysanne Targaryen sailed on the bay with visiting noblewomen.[15]

Princess Daella Targaryen became seasick while sailing to Driftmark to meet Corlys Velaryon.[16] Princess Gael Targaryen drowned herself in the bay after giving birth to a stillborn son.[16]

During the Dance of the Dragons, the blacks blockaded Blackwater Bay by closing the Gullet with the Velaryon fleet of Corlys, now Lord of the Tides. The greens tried in vain to break the blacks' naval superiority in the Battle of the Gullet, but sacked Spicetown so severely it was never rebuilt.[17]

Rather than wed Lord Thaddeus Rowan, Lady Baela Targaryen fled King's Landing and had a fisherman bring her to Driftmark, where she wed Lord Alyn Velaryon.[18] Prior to the Maiden's Day Cattle Show, Lucinda Penrose was attacked by outlaws while hawking along the bay.[19]

Ser Davos Seaworth is well familiar with the waters around King's Landing from his years of smuggling.[6]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Catelyn Stark and Ser Rodrik Cassel sail on Storm Dancer to King's Landing.[20]

A Clash of Kings

The Battle of the Blackwater, by Davis Engel © Fantasy Flight Games

Seaswift transports Princess Myrcella Baratheon from King's Landing to Braavos.[21]

The Battle of the Blackwater occurs at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush where it meets the bay. This battle pits the forces loyal to Stannis Baratheon against those loyal to King Joffrey I Baratheon. Tyrion Lannister, the acting Hand of the King, devises a system with a chain boom pulled across where the river widens into the bay. This chain is raised once the majority of Stannis's royal fleet is up river, and wildfire is deployed to ignite many of the ships. The current pulls these burning ships towards the mouth of the river and against the chain, which results in the destruction of much of the fleet. Salladhor Saan's galleys remain outside of the chain in the bay.[3]

A Storm of Swords

Salladhor's ships rescue as many of Stannis's men as they can from the shores of the bay and retreat with the king to Dragonstone.[22] Salladhor is named the Lord of Blackwater Bay by Alester Florent, the Hand of Stannis.[23]

After the death of King Joffrey at his royal wedding, Sansa Stark and Lord Petyr Baelish escape King's Landing by sailing aboard the Merling King into the fog of Blackwater Bay.[24]

A Feast for Crows

With the aftermath of the Battle of the Blackwater hampering trade at King's Landing, the port of Duskendale is busier than ever.[25]

The Redwyne fleet transports two thousand westermen across Blackwater Bay for the siege of Dragonstone.[26][27]

Queen Margaery Tyrell sometimes eats shells along the bay while traveling the Rosby road.[28]

A Dance with Dragons

Varys has a ship smuggle Tyrion Lannister from King's Landing to Pentos.[29]

Salladhor, titular lord of the bay, abandons the cause of Stannis to return to the Stepstones.[30]

Quotes

The shore fell away, the fog grew thicker, the sound of the bells began to fade. Finally even the lights were gone, lost somewhere behind them. They were out in Blackwater Bay, and the world shrank to dark water, blowing mist, and their silent companion stooped over the oars.[24]

—thoughts of Sansa Stark

References

  1. A Dance with Dragons, Map of the South
  2. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 8, Jaime I.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.
  4. The Lands of Ice and Fire.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  6. 6.0 6.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 5, Davos I.
  7. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 16, Sansa II.
  8. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  9. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.
  10. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands.
  12. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands.
  13. The World of Ice & Fire, The Conquest.
  14. Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  15. Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  17. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  18. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  19. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  20. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  21. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
  22. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 4, Tyrion I.
  23. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 10, Davos II.
  24. 24.0 24.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 61, Sansa V.
  25. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 4, Brienne I.
  26. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  27. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
  28. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
  29. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 1, Tyrion I.
  30. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.