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'''''Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History''''' is an important ''corpus'' about [[dragon]]s, [[wyrm]]s, and [[wyvern]]s, by Septon [[Barth]], the [[Hand of the King]] of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. He was considered more of a sorcerer than a septon by his enemies. Because of this copies of  this book were burnt during the reign of [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]] and it is hard to find.{{ref|ADWD|14}} It claims that dragons are neither female nor male.{{ref|AFFC|35}}
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:'''''{{PAGENAME}}'''''}}
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'''''Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History''''', also known as '''''Unnatural History''''', is a book written by Septon [[Barth]] about [[dragon]]s, [[wyrm]]s, and [[wyvern]]s.
  
In the book Septon Barth also dispels the myth that a dragon can be slain by attacking down its gullet:
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==History==
{{Quote|Death comes out of a dragon's mouth, but death does not go in that way.{{ref|ADWD|14}}}}
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In the wake of the death of Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]], and the horrors he witnessed while assisting Grand Maester [[Benifer]] in treating the diseased princess, Barth began the researches and investigations that would lead him to write the ''Unnatural History''.{{Ref|fab|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
  
In ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'', [[Yandel|Maester Yandel]] calls the book disreputable and claims a fragment of it has caused controversy in the [[Citadel]]. In it Barth claims to have consulted texts at [[Castle Black]] and has learned that the [[children of the forest]] spoke with [[raven|ravens]] and were able to have them repeat their messages. The art was then taught by the children of the forest to the [[First Men]]. The modern practice of sending ravens with written messages is a degraded version of this{{Ref|TWOIAF|p. 7}}. Yandel does note however that several maesters who have tried for the link of [[Valyrian steel|Valyrian Steel]] have supported Barth's claims.
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The [[Citadel]] condemned the book as "provocative but unsound".{{Ref|fab|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} On account of Barth's alleged practice of the higher arts and his studies, King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] ordered the book expunged and destroyed during his reign, although some fragments have survived.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}{{Ref|fab|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}{{Ref|adwd|14}}{{Ref|twoiaf|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}
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==Contents==
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===Dragons===
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In his book, Septon Barth considers various legends examining the origins of [[dragon]]s and how they came to be controlled by the [[Valyrians]].{{ref|twoiaf|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} His theories include the speculation that the [[bloodmage]]s of Valyria used [[wyvern]] stock to create dragons. This claim is considered highly dubious by most [[maester]]s.{{ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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Septon Barth also claims that dragons are neither female nor male, but shift sexes, "as changeable as flame".{{ref|AFFC|35}} Barth further dispels the myth that a dragon can be slain by attacking down its gullet.{{Ref|adwd|57}}
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===Ravens===
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A fragment of ''Unnatural History'' that has proved controversial among maesters concerns the speech of ravens. Claiming to have consulted with texts preserved at [[Castle Black]], Barth stated his theory that the [[children of the forest]] could speak with [[raven]]s and make them repeat their words. According to Barth's speculations, the children taught this art to the [[First Men]], which was later passed down to the maesters in a degraded form, as the maesters do not know how to speak to the birds. Most in the [[Citadel]] believe that ravens are incapable of true speech; a few maesters who specialize in the [[higher mysteries]] have argued that Barth was correct, but have not been able to prove it.{{ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Dawn Age}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
While writing [[Tyrion Lannister's dragonlore|his dragonlore]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] recalls that ten years ago he managed to get his hands on a fragment of ''Unnatural History'' by Septon Barth that had eluded the Blessed Baelor.{{Ref|aDwD|14}} He doubts any of Barth's work had found its way across the [[narrow sea]].  
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While writing [[Tyrion Lannister's dragonlore|his dragonlore]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] recalls that ten years previously he had  acquired a fragment of ''Unnatural History'' that had eluded Baelor's book burnings. He doubts any of Barth's work had found its way across the [[narrow sea]].{{Ref|aDwD|14}}
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While enslaved outside of [[Meereen]], Tyrion watches the [[Yunkai|Yunkish]] defensive preparations in the eventuality that [[Drogon]] should return. They are angling their scorpions and mangonels upward at the sky.  Tyrion knows that they are wasting their time, and his thoughts turn to Barth's words about the futility of attempting to slay a dragon via its gullet.{{ref|ADWD|57}}
  
While enslaved outside of [[Meereen]] Tyrion watches the [[Yunkai|Yunkish]] defensive preparations in the eventuality the [[Drogon|black dragon]] should return.  They are angling their scorpions and mangonels upward at the sky.  Tyrion knows that they are wasting their time, and his thoughts turn to Barth’s words about the futility of attempting to slay a dragon via its gullet.
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==Quotes==
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{{Quote|Death comes out of a [[dragon]]'s mouth, but death does not go in that way.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}|a fragment of [[Barth]]'s ''Unnatural History''}}
  
==References and Notes==
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==References==
 
{{references}}
 
{{references}}
  
[[Category:Books and Scrolls]]
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[[Category:Books and scrolls]]
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[[Category:Dragons]]
  
 
[[es:Dragones, anfípteros y guivernos. Historia antinatural]]
 
[[es:Dragones, anfípteros y guivernos. Historia antinatural]]
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[[fr:Dragons, veurs et vouivres : leur surnaturelle histoire]]
 
[[ru:Чудовищная история]]
 
[[ru:Чудовищная история]]

Latest revision as of 18:02, 1 August 2022

Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History, also known as Unnatural History, is a book written by Septon Barth about dragons, wyrms, and wyverns.

History

In the wake of the death of Princess Aerea Targaryen, and the horrors he witnessed while assisting Grand Maester Benifer in treating the diseased princess, Barth began the researches and investigations that would lead him to write the Unnatural History.[1]

The Citadel condemned the book as "provocative but unsound".[1] On account of Barth's alleged practice of the higher arts and his studies, King Baelor I Targaryen ordered the book expunged and destroyed during his reign, although some fragments have survived.[2][1][3][4]

Contents

Dragons

In his book, Septon Barth considers various legends examining the origins of dragons and how they came to be controlled by the Valyrians.[4] His theories include the speculation that the bloodmages of Valyria used wyvern stock to create dragons. This claim is considered highly dubious by most maesters.[5]

Septon Barth also claims that dragons are neither female nor male, but shift sexes, "as changeable as flame".[6] Barth further dispels the myth that a dragon can be slain by attacking down its gullet.[7]

Ravens

A fragment of Unnatural History that has proved controversial among maesters concerns the speech of ravens. Claiming to have consulted with texts preserved at Castle Black, Barth stated his theory that the children of the forest could speak with ravens and make them repeat their words. According to Barth's speculations, the children taught this art to the First Men, which was later passed down to the maesters in a degraded form, as the maesters do not know how to speak to the birds. Most in the Citadel believe that ravens are incapable of true speech; a few maesters who specialize in the higher mysteries have argued that Barth was correct, but have not been able to prove it.[8]

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

While writing his dragonlore, Tyrion Lannister recalls that ten years previously he had acquired a fragment of Unnatural History that had eluded Baelor's book burnings. He doubts any of Barth's work had found its way across the narrow sea.[3]

While enslaved outside of Meereen, Tyrion watches the Yunkish defensive preparations in the eventuality that Drogon should return. They are angling their scorpions and mangonels upward at the sky. Tyrion knows that they are wasting their time, and his thoughts turn to Barth's words about the futility of attempting to slay a dragon via its gullet.[7]

Quotes

Death comes out of a dragon's mouth, but death does not go in that way.[3]

—a fragment of Barth's Unnatural History

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  2. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
  4. 4.0 4.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria.
  5. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos.
  6. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 57, Tyrion XI.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Dawn Age.