A Game of Thrones

## Basic Info

Author: George R R Martin (American, born in New Jersey)

Original Language: English

Published: 1996

Pages: ~700

## Characters (102)

* Gared
* Will
* Royce
* Bran/Brandon Stark
	+ 7 at the start of the book
* Jon Stark
	+ A bastard son
	+ 14 at the start of the book
* Robb Stark
	+ About 14 at the start of the book
* Eddard "Ned" Stark
	+ 35 and head of the House Stark and the beginning of the novel
* Jory Cassel - Captain of the House Stark household guard
* Theon Greyjoy
* Catelyn Stark - Wife of Eddard Stark
	+ Originally born to House Tully
* Arya Stark
* Sansa Stark
* Rickon Stark
* Mance Rayder - King-Beyond-the-Wall
* Robert Baratheon - King of the Seven Kingdoms
* Cersei Lannister - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms
* Daenerys "Dany" Targaryen (Den-air-reez tar-gare-rian)
* Viserys Targaryen - Older brother of Daenerys (Vis-Eris)
* Khal Drogo - Dothraki chieften
* Illyrio - Wealthy magister in Pentos who sold Dany to Khal Drogo
* Ser Jamie Lannister
	+ Nicknamed the lion and the kingslayer for his muder of Aerys Targaryen
* Sandor Clegane - Bodyguard of Jeffory Baratheon
	+ Known as the hound
* Jeffory Baratheon - Crown prince and son of Cercei and Jamie Lannister
* Tyrion Lannister
	+ Nicknamed the Imp
* Rickard Stark - Father of Eddard Stark
* Aerys Targyaryen - Mad king of the Seven Kingdoms
	+ Father of Dany and Viserys
	+ Killed Brandon Stark
	+ Disposed of by Robert Baratheon
	+ Father of Rhaegar Targaryen
* Rhaegar Targaryen - Oldest son of Aerys and killed by Robert Baratheon
* Myrcella Lannister - Daughter of Cercei and Jamie Lannister, though inititally Robert Baratheon believed she was his
* Tommen Lannister - Ton of Cercei and Jamie Lannister
* Tywin Lannister - Father of Cercei, Jamie, and Tyrion
* Benjen Stark - FIrst Ranger of the Night's Watch and brother of Eddard Stark
* Ghost - White direwolf of Jon, was the runt of the litter
* Brandon Stark (brother to Ned Stark)
* Maester Luwin
* Nymeria - Direwolf of Arya Stark
* Lyanna Stark - Mother of Jon Snow who she conceived by rape with Rhaegar Targaryen. Sister of Ned Stark
* Lady - Direwolf of Sansa
* Rodrik Caseel - Master-of-arms at Winterfell
* Ser Barriston Selmy - Captain of the Kingsguard and possibly the greatest living knight
* Grey Wind - Direwolf of Robb Stark
* Shaggydog - Direwolf of Rickon Stark
* Septa Mordane
* Jorah Mormont - Exiled knight from Westeros who is sworn to be Daenery's protector
* Lord Varys - Eunoch of King Robert and King Aerys
* Yoren - Night's Watch recruiter
* King Aegon - Ancient Targyarian king who conquored the kingdoms of Westeros
* Lysa Tully/Arryn - Sister of Catelyn Tully/Stark
* Ilyn Payne - Royal executioner
* Renyl Baratheon - Youngest brother of Robert
* Stannis Baratheon - 2nd oldest of the Baratheon men
* Jon Arryn - Warden of the East prior to Jamie Lannister and acted as a 2nd father to Eddard and Robert
* Summer - Bran's direwolf
* Peytr "Littlefinger" Baelish - Master of Coin under Robert Baratheon
* Alliser Thorne - Master-of-arms of the Night's Watch
* Joer Morment - Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
* Syrio Forel - Arya's swordsmanship instructor
* Old Nan
* Brandon the Builder
* Grand Maester Pycelle
* Pyp(ar)
* Grenn
* Halder
* Rast
* Dareon
* Sam
* Janos Slynt - Commander of KIng's Landing city watch
* Gendry Baratheon - Bastard son of Robert
* Hoster Tully - Father of Catelyn
* Gregor Clegane - The Mountain that Rides
* Jeyne Poole - Friend of Sansa Stark
* Ser Loras Tyrell - Knight of Flowers
* Thoros of Myr - Red priest and swordsman
	+ Fights with a flaming sword
* Hugh of the Vale - Freshly made knight
	+ Killed by Gregor Clegane in a jousting match and a suspect in Jon Arryn's poisoning
* Bronn - Sellsword who accompanied Catelyn Stark to the Vale
* Marellion - Singer and musician who acompanied Catelyn Stark to the Vale
* Brynden Tully - Uncle of Catelyn Stark and Lord of the Gate
	+ Nicknamed the "Blackfish"
* Robert Arryn - Son of Jon and Lysa Arryn
* Ser Vardis - Champion for Lysa Arryn who fought Bronn
* Shagga - Leader of the Stone Crows
* Maester Aemon - Maester of Castle Black
* Roose Bolton - Head of House Bolton
* Osha - Freefolk woman who was captured by the Starks
* Greatjon Umbar - Lord who served as an important leader in Rodd Stark's army
* Kevan Lannister - Brother of Tywin Lannister
* Edmure Tully - Head of House Tully following his father's death
* Ser Mandon Moore - Member of the Kingsguard
* Ser Aerys Oakheart - Member of the Kingsguard
* Ser Boros Blount - Member of the Kingsguard
* Ser Meryn Trant - Especially cruel member of the Kingsguard
* Ser Preston Greenfield - Member of the Kingsguard
* ser Arthur Dayne "Sword of the Morning" - Member of Aerys Targaryan's Kingsguard
* Elia Martell - Wife of Rhaegar Targaryan
* Rhaenys Targaryen - Wife ans sister of Aegon Targaryen
* Walder Frey - Lord of the Crossing and head of House Frey
* Rhaego - Stillborn son of Khal Drogo and Daenerys
* Maegaery Tyrell
* Rickard Karstarck
* Jhogo
* Aggo
* Rakharo
* Shae
* Mirri - Lhazareen maegi and healer

## Important Terms

* The Night's Watch
* The Wall
* Black Brothers - Term for members of the Night's Watch
* Ranging - An expidition of the Night's Watch beyond the Wall
* The Others/White Walkers
* Wildlings
* House Stark
* Winterfell - Capital castle of House Stark and the Kingdom of the North
* Valyrian Steel - Strongest steel
* Ice - Greatsword of Hosue Stark, made of Valyrian steel
* Direwolf
* Weirwood - Species of tree with white bark and red leaves, one such trees were within the Godswood of House Stark/Winterfell
* Godswood - Forest area within a castle's walls that sevred as a place of worship for the old gods of the forest
* "Winter is coming" - Motto for House Stark
* Khalasar - Dothraki clan
* Dothraki - Nomadic people who resided on Essos
* Essos- Continent East of Westeros
* Pentos - Freecity located on the continent of Essos
* Narrow Sea - Sea that divides Westeros and Essos
* Dragonstone - Castle of House Targaryen
* Battle of the Trident - Battle in which Robert Baratheon killed Rhaegar Targyaryen. Ned Stark was there too at Robert's side
* Hand of the King - Second most powerful position in the Seven Kingdoms
* Summerwine - Popular and very sweet variety of wine
* Riverrun - Captial of the Riverlands and castle of House Tully
* House Tully - House that rules over the Riverlands
* House Arryn - Rules over the Vale
* The Vale - Region in the eastern region of Westeros, ruled over by House Arryn
* Iron Islands - Ruled by House Greyjoy
* House Greyjoy - Rules over the Islands
* Kingsguard - Group of seven knights who guarded the king with their lives, forgoing marriage for families
* Septon - Male clergy of the Faith of the Seven
* Needle - Name for Arya Stark's sword
* Vaes Dothrak - Only city in the Dothraki sea
* Dosh Khaleen - Holy women who inhabit the city of Vaes Dothraki
* Common Tongue of the Seven Kingdoms
* Bastard Valaryian - Language spoken in the free cities
* Arakh - Dothraki sword, lime a scimitar
* Khaleesi - Wife of the khal
* Pontoshi - Individual from Pentos
* Castlery Rock - Castle of the House Lannister
* Dragonbone - Black and as strong as steel but much lighter. Used in bows by the Dothraki.
* Vhaghar, Meraxes, and Balerion - Three dragons of King Aegon
* Lizard-lion - Westerson equivilant of a crocodile
* Stormlands - Land ruled by House Baratheon
* Storm's End - Capital of the Stormland
* Lion's Tooth - Joffery Baratheon's sword
* Tyrosh - Free city located on the East coast of Westeros
* King's Landing - Located in the Crownlands and capital of Westeros
	+ Only 300 years old, founded by Aegon Targaryen
* Crownlands - Region of Westeros ruled directly by the king
* Dragonpit - Huge domed structure in King's Landing that once served as a stable for Aegon's dragons
* Family, duty, honor - Words of House Tully
* Castle Black - Castle of the Night's Watch
* Iron Dance - Term used for the combat form of Westero's knights
* Bravo's Dance/Water Dance - Term used for combat form suited for individuals of a smaller build and greater speed
* Dothraki Sea
* Ghost Grass
* Children of the Forest
* Andals
* First Men
* Shadowcat
* Red Keep - Castle of the King of Westeros
* Tears of Lys - Quick acting and largely undetectable poison
* "A Lannister Always Pays His Debts" - Words of House Lannister
* Faceless Men
* Braavos - Free city in East Westeros
* The Eyrie - Castle of House Arryn
* Snow - Bastard name of those in the North
* Stone - Bastard name of those in the Vale
* Flower - Bastard name of those in Highgarden
* Gates of the Moon - Gates that guard the pass into the Vale
* Stone, Snow, Sky - Small castles that guard the pass leading to the Eyrie
* Mother of Mountains - Mountain sacred to the Dothraki
* Sun-and-Stars - Term used by Danaerys to refer to Khal Drogo
* "Fire and Blood" - Words of House Targaryen
* "As high as honor" - Words of House Arryn
* "Hear my roar" - Words of House Lannister
* Stone Crows
* Moon Door
* Wights - Other name for white walkers
* Moon Brothers
* Black Ears
* Burned Men
* White Harbor - Largest city and most important port in the North
	+ One of the 5 major cities of Westeros
* House Bolton - House located in the North known for flaying humans alive
* Moat Cailin - Ancient and degrading fort located on the Neck, very important strategically for the North
* The Twins - A set of two castles that guards a bridge spanning the Trident in the Riverlands and controlled by House Frey
* The Trident - Large river funning through the center of Westeros
* Shadow Tower - Night's Watch castle on the Wall
* East-Watch-by-the-Sea - Night's Watch castle on the Wall and on the coast
* Longclaw- Sword of House Mormon
	+ Formerly had a bear's head on the hilt but this was replaced with a wolf's head after it was damaged
* Lhazareen - Sheep-raising people located on the Dothraki Sea
* Maegi - Dothraki term for magic users, hated and feared by the Dothraki
* Battle on the Green Fork - Diversionary attack by the Army of the North against House Lannister forces
* Battle of the Camps - Resulted in Jamie Lannister's capture
* Battle of the Whispering Wood - Lifted the siege on Riverrun by Lannister forces
* Khas - Personal guard of the khalasar
* Nightlands - Mysterious region located on the south side of Esseros
* Sweetling - term similar to darling or sweetie used often within A Song of Ice and Fire
* Mole's Town - Small town located near the Wall
* Blackwater Bay - Bay on which King's Landing is located
* Great Sept of Baelor - Location of Eddard Stark's execution
* Dragonglass - Term for obsidian
* Greenseer - Individuals among the Children of the Forest who could commune with nature
* The Pact - Peace agreement made between the First Men and the Children of the Forest
* Dawn Age - Time when the Children of the Forest were the sole occupants of Westeros up to the signing of the Pact; first historical epoch
* Age of Heroes - Began with the creation of the Pact
* The Long Night - Period in which the White Walkers and a harsh winter ravaged Westeros for an entire generation
* Gate's of King's Landing
	+ Dragon
	+ Lion
	+ Old
	+ Mud
	+ King's
	+ Iron
	+ Gate of the Gods
* Blood-of-my-blood
* Great Shepherd - God of the Lhazareen
* Harrenhal - Largest castle in Westeros and located in the Riverlands; currently in a ruined state
* Seven Hells - Essentially the Westeros equivalent of damn it.

## Vocab

* Insolent - Having a lack of respect
* Acquiescence - A relectant acceptance of something without protest
* Torc - Rigid ring of metal
* Ambiably - Kindly, in a pleasant manner
* Manse - Presbytarian clergyman's house, or a manor essentially in A Song of Ice and Fire
* Chattel - Possession, object
* Perfunctory - to be carried out with little effort or motion
* Cacophony - Chorus of random and chaotic sounds
* Amicably - in a friendly and civil manner
* Nonplussed - to be suprised and unsure how to react
* Portcullis - Large gate used in castle defence
* Derision - Mockery and redicule
* Raucous - An especially loud and disruptive sound
* Insipid - lacking flavor; lacking interest
* Sardonic = Grim/cynical
* Craven - Cowardly; corwardly person
* Snigger - Snicker but British spelling
* Puissant - to be powerful of influential
* Inanely - in a silly or non-important way
* Hauberk - shirt of mail
* Avarice - exteme greed for welath and material wealth
* Languorous - to be characterized by tiredness of inactivity, a lack of pleasure
* Tremulous - to be shaking or quivering slightly; timid
* Jape - a joke or an instance mockery
* Petulent - childish, sulky, or bad-tempered
* Hart -Archaic term for a stag
* Congenial - to be pleasant due to being similar to one's own personality or traits
* Disconsolate - unhappy; without comfort
* Indolence - sloth; an inclination to laziness
* Consternation - a feeling of anxiety or dismay
* Guffaw - a very loud and sudden laugh
* Deign - Condescend to give
* Dregs - Leftover liquid at the bottom of a container; useless portions of something
* Obsequious - Obedient or attentive to an exessive degree
* Scruple - a feeling of doubt or uncertainty regarding the morality of an action
* Pestilential - regarding pestilence or disease
* Impertinence - lack of respect
* Resplenent- attractive due to richly colorful
* Poultice - a soft mass of damp material
* Deft - A way that is skillful and quick in movement
* Crannog - swamp or marsh fortification
* Sluice - to clean with a stream or flow of water
* Curtly - in a direct and rude mannerl
* Laggardly - in a sluggish, slow manner
* Cajole - to convince someone to do something through sustained flattery
* Haggard - to look exhausted and generally unwell

## Quotes

* "Never believe anything you hear at a woman's tit" - Ser Waymar Royce
* "Can a man still be brave when he is afraid?" - Bran Stark "That is the only time a man can be brave." - Eddard Stark
* "We hold to the belief that the man who passes the judgement should swing the sword" - Eddard Stark
* "Some old wounds truly never heal, and bleed again at the slightest word"
* "Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength, then it will never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you." - Tyrion Lannister
* "Different roads lead to the same castle." - Jon Snow
* "A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is deemed a dull affair." - Illyrio
* "The map was one thing and the land quite another,"
* "The Lannisters never declined, graciously or otherwise. The Lannisters took what was offered."
* "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone." - Tyrion Lannister
* "Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it." - Tyrion Lannister
* "Know the men who follow you and let them know you. Don't ask your men to die for a stranger." - Eddard Stark
* "I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples and bastards and broken things." - Tyrion Lannister
* "All men carry murder in their hearts, yet even so, the poisoner is beneath contempt."
* "If the gods frowned so on bastards, why did they fill men with such lusts?" - Eddard Stark
* "Poison is a woman's weapon" - Maester Pycella
* "A king should never sit easy" - Aegon Targaryan
* "He never trusted what a man told from his knees" - Eddard Stark
* "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground." - Cersei Lannister
* "Laughter is poison to fear" Catelyn Stark
* "It was not wine that killed the king. It was your mercy." - Varys
* "Valor makes up for a fair amount of folly." - Mormont
* "Love is the bane of honor, the death of duty." - Mormont
* "The things we love destroy us every time."
* "When dead men come during the night, do you think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne."