Difference between revisions of "Maiden's Day Ball"

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(Background: Maidens under the age of 30)
(Ladies present at the Cattle Show: Myr)
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*The daughter of the [[Prince of Pentos]]
 
*The daughter of the [[Prince of Pentos]]
 
*The sister of the [[Archon]] of [[Tyrosh]]
 
*The sister of the [[Archon]] of [[Tyrosh]]
 +
*"Daughters of ancient houses" from [[Myr]]
 
*[[Myrmadora Haen]]
 
*[[Myrmadora Haen]]
 
*[[Ellyn Baratheon]]
 
*[[Ellyn Baratheon]]

Revision as of 06:14, 20 January 2019

The Maiden's Day Cattle Show was the name given by court fool Mushroom to a ball held on Maiden's Day in 133 AC to find a second wife for King Aegon III Targaryen after the death of Queen Jaehaera.[1]

Background

After the death of Queen Jaehaera, a betrothal was planned between the king and Myrielle Peake by her father, Lord Unwin Peake, who was the king's Hand and regent. Many lords disapproved of Peake trying to forward the match so soon after the suspicious death of the queen. Lord Cregan Stark suggested the north would look on the match with disfavor, Lord Kermit Tully called it presumptuous, and Grand Maester Munkun's support began to waver, acknowledging that the match would be seen as advancing Peake interests rather than being for the good of the realm. Lady Johanna Lannister, Lady Elenda Baratheon, Lady Samantha Hightower and Lady Sharis Footly wrote to the crown, proposing their own relatives as Aegon's bride (or themselves, in Lady Footly's case). Due to pressure from the lords and ladies of the realm, Peake instead announced a ball in King's Landing where the king himself would be able to choose his own bride.[1]

Lord Peake restricted the ball to maidens of nobility under the age of 30 to limit the attendance, but more than one thousand young women from throughout Westeros and even Essos came to King's Landing in hopes of marrying the king. Many women were injured or scandalized before the ball, and lords spoke of the "Maiden's Day curse". Many of these events were likely engineered by Lord Peake, who hoped to have his daughter be queen.[1]

Ladies present at the Cattle Show

Outcome

The maidens, their family members, and servants overflowed the Red Keep. The women were presented to the bored king one at a time over several days; the announcer lost his voice and had to be replaced. When only a few remained, those present were astounded when Lady Baela Targaryen and Lady Rhaena Targaryen suddenly arrived with their kinswoman Daenaera Velaryon, six years old. The whole galley was said to have rejoiced when she smiled, and the king called her very pretty. The last few maidens were brought forward hurriedly, and the king's desire to end the parade was so palpable that Henrietta Woodhull was sobbing as she curtsied. Afterwards, the king summoned his cupbearer, Gaemon Palehair, who announced that the king would marry Lady Daenaera.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.