Keyholders

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Keyholders are officials of the Iron Bank of Braavos. They are descendants of the twenty three founders of the Iron Bank: sixteen men and seven women, each of whom possessed keys to the bank's great subterranean vaults. Their descendants now exceed one thousand, and proudly display entirely ceremonial keys on formal occasions. Certain founding families of Braavos have declined over the centuries, and a few have lost their wealth entirely, yet even the poorest still cling to their keys and the honors that go with them.[1]

The Iron Bank is not ruled only by the keyholders alone. Some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Braavos are younger, yet their heads also own shares in the bank, sit on its secret councils, and have a voice in selecting the men who lead the Bank.[1]

Keyholders wear drab coats of brown and grey.[2]

Known keyholders

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Cat of the Canals (Arya Stark) sells her seafood at the Moon Pool to many clientele, including keyholders.[2]

The Winds of Winter

Prior to the Gate's performance of The Bloody Hand, Mercy and Daena look out into the house. Daena counts five keyholders in the audience, one of whom is Bessaro.[3]

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Braavos.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
  3. The Winds of Winter, Chapter , Mercy.