Andalos

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Andalos is located in Free Cities
Andalos
Western Essos and the location of Andalos

Andalos, also called the Hills of Andalos,[1] is an area of northwestern Essos which was the homeland of the Andals.[2] Due to migration and invasion little is left of the original Andal culture, however.[3]

Geography

Andalos is located south of Braavos and the Braavosian Coastland, west of the narrow sea, and east of the Hills of Norvos.[4] Western Andalos near the narrow sea appears to be plains, while further east it becomes hilly and includes the Velvet Hills.[4] The heart of the ancient kingdom of Hugor of the Hill lay in the hills of Andalos. South of the hills were the southern marches of the kingdom, now called the Flatlands.[2] A Valyrian road in the Flatlands runs east from Pentos to Ghoyan Drohe and then northeast to Norvos.[4]

The headwaters of the Upper Rhoyne and the Little Rhoyne lie in Andalos.[5]

History

The hills of Andalos were the homeland of the Andals prior to their invasion of the Fingers in Westeros. Possibly originating from the Axe,[6] the Andals took Andalos from a race of hairy men believed by some to have been cousins to the Ibbenese.[1]

The Faith of the Seven originates in Andalos. It is said that the Seven made themselves manifest in the hills, and thus the Andals felt blessed by the gods. The Father is believed to have pulled seven stars from the heavens to make the crown of King Hugor of the Hill, the first King of the Andals.[2]

The Rhoynar are believed to have taught ironworking to the Andals,[2] and the historian Doro Golathis of Norvos wrote about Rhoynish outposts in Andalos.[1] Living in Andalos for thousands of years, the Andals spread their influence possibly as far as Lorath[7] and Myr.[8]

The Andals eventually migrated to Westeros and conquered most of the kingdoms of the First Men. According to Andal tradition, they traveled to Westeros because the Seven had promised them kingdoms in a foreign land, but maesters believe the Andals were instead threatened by the Valyrian Freehold.[1] The True History states the Andals invaded Westeros four thousand years ago, but some maesters claim it was only two thousand years ago.[9] After repelling Andal attacks on the eastern coast of the north, King Theon Stark raided a coastal section of Andalos in retaliation.[10] Most of Andalos eventually became controlled by Pentos, a Valyrian colony and now one of the Free Cities.[11]

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Tyrion Lannister and Illyrio Mopatis travel through the Flatlands of southern Andalos after leaving Pentos.[2]

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Arrival of the Andals.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
  3. So Spake Martin: Yet More Questions, July 22, 2001
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Lands of Ice and Fire, The West.
  5. A Dance with Dragons, Map of the Free Cities
  6. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Axe.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Lorath.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
  9. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 48, Jaime I.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Kings of Winter.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Pentos.