Difference between revisions of "Jorah Mormont"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
m
(Quotes about Ser Jorah)
Line 138: Line 138:
  
  
{{Quote|So the slaver has become a spy. {{Ref|aGoT|12}}}} - [[Ned Stark]], when King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] tells him the source of the information on [[Daenerys]] and her brother.  
+
{{Quote|So the slaver has become a spy...I would rather he become a corpse.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}} - [[Ned Stark]], when King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] tells him the source of the information on [[Daenerys]] and her brother.  
  
  

Revision as of 22:07, 27 August 2013

House Mormont.png
Jorah MormontHouse Targaryen crest.PNG
Second Sons small.png
Jorah Mormont.jpg

Alias Jorah the Andal
Titles
  • Ser
  • Lord of Bear Island (stripped)
Allegiances
Culture Bear Island
Born In Around 255 AC [1]
Spouses
Books

Played by Iain Glen
TV series Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

Ser Jorah Mormont is an exiled knight, the former head of House Mormont and lord of Bear Island. He fled Westeros to escape execution for trading in slaves and took up work as a mercenary in the Free Cities, eventually entering the service of the last Targaryens. He becomes one of the most trusted companions of Daenerys Targaryen.

Appearance

Jorah is a large middle-aged man, swarthy and very hairy. He is balding, but still strong and fit.[2][3] Daenerys considers him not particularly handsome.[4] (See also this collection of images).

Later, when Jorah is first enslaved, he is branded with a demon’s mask on his right cheek to mark him for a dangerous and disobedient slave. The mark will never leave him. Tyrion reflects that Ser Jorah had never been what one might call a comely man, but the brand transformed his face into something frightening.[5]

History

When Jorah matured, his father Jeor Mormont joined the Night's Watch in order to give his son the lordship of House Mormont.

Jorah fought in the Greyjoy Rebellion, during which he distinguished himself by showing exemplary courage on the battlefield, being one of the first men through the breach during the siege of Pyke. He received a knighthood in recognition of his bravery.

What gods Jorah worships has never been mentioned, but he may worship the Seven, in order to become a knight he had to stand vigil in a sept, and be anointed with the seven oils to consecrate his vows.

In contrast to his successful military career, Jorah has been unlucky in love. His first marriage was plagued by infertility. Jorah's wife, a member of House Glover, was unable to carry a child to term throughout their ten years of marriage, and she died after her third miscarriage.

During the Tourney at Lannisport celebrating the victory over the Greyjoy rebels, he met the woman who would be his second wife: Lynesse Hightower. He was immediately smitten with her beauty, asking and receiving her permission to wear her favor in the tournament. Jorah fought remarkably well, winning an improbable victory over all challengers to name Lynesse his Queen of Love and Beauty. That very night he asked Lynesse's father Lord Leyton for her hand in marriage, and Leyton agreed.

Although both had married for love, the marriage did not remain happy for long. Having spent her life up to that point as part of a wealthy family in the mild, prosperous and densely populated Reach, Lynesse was unprepared for life on the harsh and isolated Bear Island and quickly grew miserable. Jorah attempted to reproduce the lifestyle his wife was accustomed to by lavishing her with expensive gifts, but only succeeded in driving himself into financial ruin.

Desperate to pay off his debts, he resorted to breaking one of the Seven Kingdoms' oldest taboos: participating in the slave trade. When House Mormont's overlord Eddard Stark learned that Ser Jorah had sold poachers to a Tyroshi slaver, he condemned Jorah to the traditional penalty: death. However, when Lord Eddard arrived on Bear Island to execute him, Jorah had already fled.[6]

Rather than join his father in taking the black, Jorah took Lynesse along to Lys, where he attempted to make his living as a sellsword. With the relationship already strained by their exile and Jorah still unable to afford the lifestyle his wife desired, Lynesse took a lover while Jorah was fighting the Braavosi on the Rhoyne. When he returned to Lys, his wife's lover told him that he would be enslaved for his debts, if he wouldn't give her up and leave the city. Heartbroken and exiled from his homeland, Jorah went to Volantis, where he spent the better part of a year.[7] He remained in the Free Cities and continued to work as an unaffiliated mercenary, selling his sword to the highest bidder.[8]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont (TV series)
Ser Jorah fights Qotho.

At the wedding of Daenerys Targaryen to Khal Drogo in Pentos, Viserys Targaryen takes Ser Jorah into his service. Hoping to earn a royal pardon, Jorah secretly reports all the Targaryens' movements to Varys. He holds Viserys in contempt, saying that Rhaegar was the last true dragon, while Viserys is "less than the shadow of a snake." However, he increasingly comes to admire Daenerys for her courage and integrity. He stands by and watches when Viserys is killed by Khal Drogo, but acts to prevent an assassination attempt against Daenerys by a wineseller and reports to Daenerys and Drogo that Robert Baratheon has set a price on her head.

He stays loyal when Khal Drogo is near death, urging Dany to flee with him to the east in order to save herself and her unborn child, and he slays Drogo's bloodrider Qotho in single combat when he rebels against Daenerys' orders. When Dany refuses to flee, he fears that she plans to commit suicide upon Drogo's pyre, and begs her to promise him that she will not. Jorah is the only one of Daenerys' followers to willingly swear fealty to her even before the birth of her dragons, and she names him the first of her Queensguard, promising to give him a sword of Valyrian steel upon their return to Westeros. He is the first to come and find her after the fires of Drogo's pyre died down, and falls to his knees in shock upon seeing her nursing the dragons.

A Clash of Kings

In Vaes Tolorro, for the first time, Jorah tells Daenerys of his ill-fated marriage to Lynesse Hightower. He mentions that Daenerys resembled his dead wife, and Dany realizes for the first time that Jorah loves her romantically. She doesn't speak of her realization nevertheless, she increasingly begins to worry that Jorah sees her primarily as either the child she once was or as a potential romantic partner, rather than truly respecting her as a queen.

Falling more and more in love with Daenerys, Jorah eventually stops sending reports,[9] sending the final one from Qarth. There he attempts to dissuade Dany from placing too much trust in the Qartheen, particularly Xaro Xhoan Daxos and the warlocks of the House of the Undying. When Dany declares her intention to enter the House of the Undying against his advice, Jorah begs her to allow him to accompany her, as do her bloodriders, but Daenerys refuses them and enteres alone.

Afterward, Dany discusses the visions she has in the House of the Undying with Jorah. He accompanies her to the city docks, seeking a ship that will take them to Westeros. In the market near the docks a Sorrowful Man makes an attempt on Dany's life, but it is thwarted by two strangers. The pair introduce themselves as Arstan Whitebeard and Strong Belwas, and claim that they have been sent by Illyrio Mopatis with three ships to escort Daenerys and all her companions back to Pentos. Whitebeard, a Westerosi, mentions having seen Jorah fight at Pyke and Lannisport; Jorah finds him vaguely familiar, but is unable to recognize him as Ser Barristan Selmy. Jorah distrusts the duo, particularly Whitebeard; nevertheless, Daenerys accepts them into her service.

A Storm of Swords

Jorah finally makes his move, kissing Daenerys when they are alone. He confesses his love and repeatedly suggests they marry, but she always refuses. Although Dany still treasures Jorah's friendship and advice, his advances begin to make her uncomfortable.

Jorah suggests they sail for Slaver's Bay to buy Unsullied. He commands her army to victory against Yunkai.

When "Arstan Whitebeard" is revealed to be Barristan Selmy, he reveals Jorah's former status as an informer to Daenerys. Ser Jorah pleads that he stopped sending reports long ago when he fell in love with her, and Daenerys decides to send them both on a dangerous mission into the sewers of Meereen as punishment and a chance at redemption. The mission succeeds, and upon their return to court, Ser Barristan begs Daenerys' forgiveness and she gladly gives it. Jorah, however, insists that she owes him forgiveness on account of his love and history of faithful service. Although Dany wishes to forgive him, she knows that as long as he maintains this attitude she cannot do so without undermining her own authority. She banishes Jorah from her service, swearing to kill him if she ever sees him again. Crushed by her rejection, Jorah leaves.

A Feast of Crows

Heartbroken and exiled, Ser Jorah travels west toward Volantis.

A Dance with Dragons

Jorah Mormont as a slave by Mark Fishman

While in a dingy brothel in Selhorys, the banished Ser Jorah hires a beautiful whore with silver hair. He spots the dwarf Tyrion Lannister in the same brothel and takes him prisoner.[10] Ser Jorah plans to bring Tyrion to Daenerys to regain her favor and forgiveness.

Once in Volantis with his captive, at the Merchant's House, he arranges passage to Meereen with the help of the widow of the waterfront. The widow questions Jorah's motives, asking why would he seek Daenerys Targaryen, whom half the world wants dead? Ser Jorah replies,

To serve her. Defend her. Die for her, if need be.”[7]

Shortly thereafter, a female dwarf performer named Penny, blaming Tyrion for her brother Oppo’s death, tries to kill him.[7] Tyrion takes pity on Penny and she ends up joining Jorah and Tyrion as they travel aboard the Selaesori Qhoran to Meereen and Daenerys. Ser Jorah makes it clear to Tyrion that Penny will be Tyrion's responsibility.

During the voyage Tyrion quickly gets the measure of Ser Jorah, realising that he is hopelessly in love with Daenerys Targaryen and desperate to get back into her good graces. Jorah and Tyrion share a dank, dark, foul smelling cabin. Tyrion thinks to himself,

Twice exiled, and small wonder. I’d exile him too if I could. The man is cold, brooding, sullen, deaf to humor. And those are his good points. [11]

After a storm Tyrion finds a drunken Jorah Mormont in a pool of vomit in their cabin. Ser Jorah spends most of his waking hours pacing the forecastle or leaning on the rail, gazing out to sea. Tyrion thinks he is,

Looking for his silver queen. Looking for Daenerys, willing the ship to sail faster. Well, I might do the same if Tysha waited in Meereen. [11]

The Selaesori Qhoran becomes becalmed in the Gulf of Grief. Tyrion and Penny joust to entertain the bad tempered crew. Jorah helps Tyrion out of his wooden amour and they start to argue about how Tyrion intends to keep his head when he meets Dany. He makes Jorah discomforted by asking him,

And how will she welcome you, this just queen? A warm embrace, a girlish titer, a headman’s axe? Did you truly expect me to believe you were about the queen’s business in that whorehouse. Defending her from half a world away? Or could it be that you were running, that your dragon queen sent you from her side? But why would she . . . oh, wait, you were spying on her.” [12]

Tyrion soon goes on to compare Ser Jorah to Florian the Fool and Jorah gives him a blow that cracks his head around and knocks him sideways. When Penny asks Tyrion what he said he answers,

“A few truths Ser Bezoar did not care to hear.” [12]

He tells her,

”Ser Jorah dreams of rescuing his dragon queen and basking in her gratitude, but I know a thing or two about the gratitude of kings, and I’d sooner have a palace in Valyria.”[12]

Sometime thereafter the Selaesori Qhoran becomes badly damaged by a severe storm. According to Ser Jorah he slept through the storm, Tyrion has his doubts about that, but he keeps them to himself. Thinking, One day he might want to bite someone on the leg, and for that you needed teeth.

After days of drifting the passages and crew are captured by Yunkai slavers aboard a slave ship. Upon being captured and enslaved by the Yunkai, Jorah made the mistake of resisting the slavers, meeting them with longsword in hand and slaying three before being overwhelmed. For that they chained him to an oar, starved him and beat him to within an inch of his life. They also burned a demon’s mask on his right cheek to mark him as a dangerous and disobedient slave. [13]

The trio ends up on the auction block outside of Meereen. Brown Ben Plumm attempts to buy Ser Jorah so he can present his head as a "wedding gift" to Daenerys but is outbid, as is Zahrina, a Yunkai slaver who purchases slaves to die in the fighting pits. Ben also tries to buy Tyrion and Penny but is again outbid.

They end up being purchased by Yezzan zo Qaggaz. Tyrion manages to get the slave overseer Nurse to convince Yezzan zo Qaggaz to purchase Ser Jorah by lying and telling Nurse that Jorah is part of their show – The Bear and the Maiden Fair. Jorah is the bear, Penny is the maiden, and Tyrion is the brave knight who rescues her.

On their way to their new master’s tent Tyrion observes that all the fight went out of Ser Jorah when he heard the news that his queen had wed. Jorah is completely devastated. Tyrion thinks,

“One whispered word had done what fists and clubs could not; it had broken him. I should have let the crone have him. He’s going to be about as useful as nipples on a breastplate.” [13]

During their bondage Nurse has Jorah confined in an iron cage. Tyrion notes that the knight had not adapted well to bondage. [14] Nurse is displeased and has him beaten every evening as the sun sinks on Slaver's Bay. The knight absorbs the beating silently. Tyrion concludes that,

“The man is a shell.” [14]

Again he wonders if it would have been a kinder fate for Jorah to have been bought by Zahrina.

As Yezzan zo Qaggaz lies dying of the pale mare, Tyrion seizes the chance to escape under the guise of going to a well for water. He and Penny take Ser Jorah with them to help carry more buckets. After getting the water they start back. Tyrion heads back in the wrong direction and they stop to rest. He then turns to Ser Jorah and asks him “Tell me, is there any fight left in you?” Jorah raises two black eyes and answers,

“Enough to crack your neck, Imp.”[14]

When Jorah realizes they are heading to the camp of the Second Sons which is under the command of Brown Ben Plumm he smiles a queer smile, and tells Tyrion that he doesn’t known Brown Ben Plumm. Tyrion answers that he does known him; he has played five games of cyvasse with him.

During the meeting with Ben Kasporio points out that they need fighters. Tyrion tells him he brought one, and points to Ser Jorah. It isn’t until Jorah speaks that the sellswords recognize him. When Kasporio mentions that the queen sent him away Jorah replies,

“I came back. Call me a fool.” [14]

Tyrion thinks,

“A fool in love.” [14]

But he keeps that thought to himself.

Tyrion arranges for himself and Jorah to join the sellsword company. Penny becomes attached to the Second Sons through Tyrion. Along with Tyrion, Jorah signs the Second Sons leather-bound book.

When Tyrion sees Jorah clad in the company steel he reflects,

“He looks every inch a sellsword and not at all like the half-broken thing we took from Yezzan’s cage.” [5]

Mormont states to Tyrion Lannister that they need to bring the Second Sons back over to the side Meereen as the Yunkai have lost the war, they just didn't know it yet. Tyrion agrees. He tells Ser Jorah that the Seconds Sons need to turn their cloaks again and to leave it to him. [5]

Quotes by Ser Jorah

Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought honorably. And Rhaegar died.” —Jorah Mormont[15]


The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends. It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace. They never are. [16]


I lived for her smiles. [6]

- on Lynesse

Quotes about Ser Jorah

His crime had dishonoured the north. [6]

- Ned Stark


So the slaver has become a spy...I would rather he become a corpse.[6]

- Ned Stark, when King Robert tells him the source of the information on Daenerys and her brother.


Ser Jorah would not dare deceive me. Rely on it, my lord. [17]

- Varys, to Ned, on Jorah's news of Daenerys's pregnancy


Ser Jorah was a slaver himself, Your Grace.” [15]

- Arstan Whitebeard, to Daenerys Targaryen, in Astapor


He lied to me, informed on me, but he loved me too, and he always gave good counsel. [18]

- Daenerys

Family

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.


References and Notes

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire. The list of authors can be seen in the page history of Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire. As with A Wiki of Ice and Fire, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.