Blackhaven

Blackhaven is a castle in the Dornish Marches, the seat of House Dondarrion. It is best known as the site where a young Barristan Selmy, then a squire, first jousted in a tourney as a mystery knight, an event that earned him the name "Barristan the Bold."

Identity and Location

Blackhaven is a castle in the Dornish Marches, the seat of House Dondarrion. It is a stronghold of the stormlands, situated near the border with Dorne. The castle is known for its formidable defenses and its strategic importance in the region.

The Tourney of Blackhaven

The most famous event associated with Blackhaven is a tourney held there when Barristan Selmy was a boy of ten. Selmy, then a squire, borrowed a warhorse and armor from Lord Dondarrion's armory and entered the lists as a mystery knight. His arms were so thin that he could barely keep his lance from furrowing the ground. Lord Dondarrion would have been within his rights to pull him off the horse and spank him, but Prince Duncan Targaryen, the Prince of Dragonflies, took pity on the boy and accorded him the respect of taking up his challenge. One course was all that was required. Afterward, Prince Duncan helped him to his feet and removed his helm, proclaiming to the crowd, "A boy," and then, "A bold boy." This event earned Selmy the name "Barristan the Bold."

Narrative Significance

The tourney at Blackhaven is a formative memory for Barristan Selmy, one he recalls decades later while serving as the Lord Commander of Daenerys Targaryen's Queensguard in Meereen. The memory serves as a touchstone for his own youthful folly and pride, and it contrasts with the grim realities of his later life. The event is a key part of his personal legend and a defining moment in his early career.