Bear Island
Bear Island is a remote island in the North that is home to House Mormont. It lies within the Bay of Ice.
The hall of the Mormonts is built of huge logs and surrounded by an earthen palisade. On the gate there is a carving of a woman in a bearskin with a babe suckling at her breast in one arm and a battleaxe in the other.[1] Aside from a few crofters, the inhabitants of Bear Island live along the coasts and fish the seas.[2]
History
Bear Island was ruled by House Woodfoot prior to is conquest by the ironborn.[3] House Hoare, which ruled the Iron Islands at the time, added a green tree in the second quarter of their sigil as a reference to their possession of Bear Island.[4] The island returned to the North during the reign of Rodrik Stark, supposedly as a result of a wrestling match. Rodrik then gave the island to House Mormont.[5]
In days past, ironmen and wildlings from the Frozen Shore would raid Bear Island whilst the men were fishing out at sea, leaving the defense of the island to its women. This created a warrior culture among the women.[1]
Recent Events
A Storm of Swords
Maester Aemon sends a raven to Bear Island in a plea for help to defend Castle Black from wildlings.[6]
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
- ↑ The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses on the Iron Islands
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.