House Mormont

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House Mormont of Bear Island
House Mormont.svg
Here We Stand
Coat of arms A black bear in a green wood
(wood vert, a bear sable)
Seat Mormont Keep
Head Lady Maege Mormont
Region North
Title Lord of Bear Island
Heir Alysane Mormont
Overlords
Ancestral weapon Longclaw (formerly; now gifted to Jon Snow)

House Mormont of Bear Island is a noble house of the north,[1] one of the principal families sworn to House Stark.[2] Their seat is at Bear Island, located in the Bay of Ice northwest of Winterfell. Their blazon is a black bear over a green wood[3][4] and their motto is "Here We Stand".[5]

House Mormont is one of the few houses to have an ancestral weapon of Valyrian steel: a bastard sword called Longclaw. However, due to Bear Island's lack of valuable resources, the Mormonts are a rather poor house. Their hall is made of huge logs, surrounded by an earthen palisade.[6] On the gate is a carving of a woman in a bearskin with a child in one arm suckling at her breast and a battleaxe in the other.[7]

History

Origin

The Mormonts are an old house with a proud and honorable reputation.[1] According to northern histories, Rodrik Stark, a King in the North, gave Bear Island to the Mormonts after winning the isle in a wrestling match from a driftwood king of the ironborn.[8] Skeptical scholars think it more likely the rival kings wrestled "with words".[9]

The Mormonts' lands are cold and poor.[1] Like the other women of Bear Island, the women of House Mormont learned how to defend themselves from ironmen and wildlings.[10]

House Mormont has possessed Longclaw, a Valyrian steel sword, for five centuries.[11]

House Targaryen

Lord Torrhen Stark sent a few longships from Bear Island to aid King Aegon I Targaryen in his campaign against the Iron Islands.[12]

Lord Alaric Stark was wed to a Mormont. According to Alaric, his wife made a cloak from the skins of two wolves she killed when she was twelve years old.[13]

Members of House Mormont were present at the Tourney at Harrenhal of 281 AC.[14][15]

Jeor and Jorah

Jeor Mormont by Britt Martin © Green Ronin Publishing

Lord Jeor Mormont arranged a marriage for his son, Jorah, to a girl from House Glover when Jorah was still relatively young. While the marriage lasted ten years, the couple had no children. Jorah's wife eventually died after not being able to recover from her third childbirth. By the time she died, Lord Jeor had joined the Night's Watch,[6] where he rose quickly through the ranks[16] and was elected Lord Commander in 288 AC.[16] It is likely that Jeor had joined the Night's Watch prior to Robert's Rebellion (282 AC-283 AC).[N 1] When Lord Eddard Stark called his banners, Jorah joined the rebels and fought in the Battle of the Trident in 283 AC.[17]

Jorah also fought in Greyjoy's Rebellion in 289 AC, earning fame in the siege of Pyke and knighthood from King Robert I Baratheon. He met and fell in love with Lynesse Hightower at the tourney at Lannisport, held to celebrate Rovert's victory over the Iron Islands. After winning the jousting, Jorah crowned Lynesse his queen of love and beauty, and asked her father, Lord Leyton Hightower, for her hand in marriage, which was granted. However, life on Bear Island differed significantly from life at Oldtown, and Jorah spend all of his money to keep Lynesse happy. Finally, in 293 AC, after trying to sell poachers to a Tyroshi slaver to increase his income,[1][6] Jorah fled from the north to the Free Cities with his wife upon learning that Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell was coming to Bear Island to pass on the king's judgement.[6] Jorah and Lynesse lived in exile in Lys, with Jorah becoming a sellsword after they ran out of money in half a year. However, while he was away fighting on the Rhoyne, Lynesse became the concubine of a merchant prince, Tregar Ormollen. Jorah was exiled from Lys when he returned to the Free City, continuing on to Volantis.[6][18]

Maege Mormont, Jorah's aunt and Jeor's sister, inherited Bear Island after Jorah fled the Seven Kingdoms. Her heir is her eldest daughter, Dacey.[19] Longclaw, left behind by Jorah, was returned to Jeor by Lady Maege.[11]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Jeor Mormont with Longclaw by Antonio José Manzanedo © Fantasy Flight Games

Lady Maege Mormont answers Robb Stark's call to arms and she, her heir Dacey, and their bannermen follow him south against the Lannisters.[3] Maege acts as part of Robb's war councils and Dacey rides with his battle companions and guards, being the only woman of the group.[19] Both Mormont women are present when Robb is named King in the North at Riverrun.[20]

Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, meets Tyrion Lannister and Jon Snow when they arrive at the Wall.[21] Later he chooses Jon as his steward and acts as a mentor to the youth.[22] Jeor gives Longclaw to Jon in gratitude for the youth having saved the Lord Commander's life from wights.[23]

The exiled Ser Jorah Mormont attends Magister Illyrio Mopatis's party in Pentos[24] and enters the service of the also exiled Viserys Targaryen.[25] The knight gives Viserys's sister, Daenerys Targaryen, histories and songbooks from Westeros as gifts for her wedding to Khal Drogo.[25] However, Jorah spies on the Targaryens for Lord Varys and King Robert I Baratheon.[1] After the deaths of Viserys and Robert, Jorah saves Daenerys from a wineseller's poison in Vaes Dothrak.[26] When Drogo's khalasar disbands after the death of the khal, Jorah remains by Daenerys's side and is named as the first of her Queensguard. Daenerys survives Drogo's funeral pyre and hatches three dragons from the flame.[27]

A Clash of Kings

Jorah Mormont by Jacques Bredy © Fantasy Flight Games

Lady Maege and Dacey accompany Robb into the westerlands. After the Battle of Oxcross, Maege captures thousands of livestock and drives them back to the riverlands.[28]

Jeor leads the Night's Watch in the great ranging beyond the Wall.[29]

Jorah advises Daenerys to go to Asshai, but the girl instead brings her small khalasar to Qarth.[6][30]

A Storm of Swords

In preparation for King Robb's plan to recover Moat Cailin from the ironborn, Maege is sent by Robb on a Mallister longship to the Neck to contact the crannogmen.[7] Dacey and Robb are killed during the Red Wedding.[31]

After having survived the fight at the Fist, Jeor is slain by Ollo Lophand during the mutiny at Craster's Keep.[32] Maester Aemon sends a raven to Bear Island in a plea for help to defend Castle Black from wildlings.[33] Jon Snow, Jeor's one-time steward, is chosen as the new Lord Commander after the battle beneath the Wall.[34]

Jorah is exiled from Meereen by Queen Daenerys when she discovers from Ser Barristan Selmy that he had been spying on her for Varys.[35]

A Feast for Crows

Alysane is the new heir of House Mormont after the death of her elder sister, Dacey, at the Red Wedding.[36]

A Dance with Dragons

Alysane Mormont by wolverrain ©

When Stannis Baratheon demands the fealty of the northern lords, young Lyanna Mormont sends Bear Island's denial.[37] Lyra and Jorelle Mormont are with their mother, Lady Maege,[10] whose location is unknown.

Alysane Mormont and men-at-arms of House Mormont launch an attack on the ironmen longships off the strand of Deepwood Motte, managing to take them unawares by hiding fighters inside a gaggle of fishing sloops. She burns and captures all ships, securing several ironborn captains, knights, warriors, and other nobility for ransom.[38]

After Stannis retakes Deepwood and restores it to House Glover, Alysane joins his army.[10] She becomes one of the guards of Asha Greyjoy during Stannis's march on Winterfell, which is held by House Bolton.[39]

Jorah takes Tyrion captive in Selhorys[40] and travels with him to Slaver's Bay, where he hopes to present Tyrion to Daenerys in Meereen.[41]

House Mormont at the end of the third century

The known Mormonts during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Lord
Mormont
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lord
Mormont
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeor
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
Maege
 
Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Glover
 
Jorah
 
Lynesse
Hightower
 
Dacey
 
Alysane
 
Unknown
 
Lyra
 
Jorelle
 
Lyanna
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daughter
[Note 1]
 
Son
[Note 1]
 
Notes:
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 It is currently unknown whether Alysane's children are trueborn, or bastard-born.


Historical Members

  • The wife of Lord Alaric Stark[13]
  • Lord Mormont, Jeor and Maege Mormont's grandfather. He wielded Longclaw.[11]
    • Lord Mormont, his son. Jeor and Maege Mormont's father. He wielded Longclaw,[11] and believed no man could tell a lie in front of a heart tree.[29]
      • His lady wife, Jeor and Maege Mormont's mother.[42]

Quotes

She was a Mormont of Bear Isle, and no lady by your lights, but she took an axe to a pack of wolves when she was twelve, killed two of them, and sewed a cloak from their skins. She gave me two strong sons as well, and a daughter as sweet to look upon as any of your southron ladies.[13]

—Alaric Stark to Alysanne Targaryen

Alysane: Mormont women are skinchangers. We turn into bears and find mates in the woods. Everyone knows.
Asha: Mormont women are all fighters too.
Alysane: What we are is what you made us. On Bear Island every child learns to fear krakens rising from the sea.[10]

—Alysane Mormont and Asha Greyjoy

Notes

  1. ↑ Jeor states that he has been in the Night's Watch longer than Alliser Thorne, who joined the Watch at the conclusion of Robert's Rebellion (A Game of Thrones, Tyrion III), implying that Jeor had joined prior to the war's start. While Jeor states that he had been Lord Commander at the time Alliser joined, more recent sources, both canon (A Storm of Swords, Jon I & Jon VIII) and semi-canon (George R.R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire) contradict this statement, making at least the fact that he was Lord Commander at the time invalid. It is still likely, however, that Jeor had already joined the Night's Watch at the time.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  2. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  4. ↑ The Citadel. Heraldry: the North
  5. ↑ The Citadel. House Mottoes
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  8. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  9. ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Mountain Clans.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 60, Jon VIII.
  12. ↑ Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragons - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  14. ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
  15. ↑ "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.6- Who were the different people in Meera's story?" (2007
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Jeor Mormont.
  17. ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 57, Daenerys V.
  18. ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 27, Tyrion VII.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 63, Catelyn X.
  20. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  21. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 21, Tyrion III.
  22. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 48, Jon VI.
  23. ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 60, Sansa VI.
  24. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  26. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 54, Daenerys VI.
  27. ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
  28. ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 13, Jon II.
  30. ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 40, Daenerys III.
  31. ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  32. ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
  33. ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.
  34. ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 79, Jon XII.
  35. ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.
  36. ↑ A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  37. ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  38. ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 35, Jon VII.
  39. ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
  40. ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  41. ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 66, Tyrion XII.
  42. ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
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