Bold Marilda

Bold Marilda was the galley that led Alyn Velaryon’s fleet on his second great voyage, an expedition planned to rebuild the Velaryons’ fortunes after heavy financial losses. Named for Alyn’s mother, the ship gave the voyage a personal name while serving as its leading vessel.

Naming and Purpose

The Velaryons had entrusted much of their gold to Lotho Rogare and lost more than half their wealth as a result. To restore the family’s fortunes, Alyn assembled a large fleet of merchantmen, protected by a dozen war galleys. He named the galley at its head Bold Marilda, after his mother.

The Planned Voyage

Bold Marilda led the fleet when it set sail at mid-year. Alyn intended to reach Old Volantis by way of Pentos, Tyrosh, and Lys, then visit Dorne on the homeward journey. The vessel’s place at the front of a trading expedition escorted by warships joined the voyage’s commercial purpose to the need to guard its cargo.

Family and Narrative Context

Before the departure, Alyn and Lady Baela reportedly quarreled over his repeated talk of Princess Aliandra of Dorne; they reconciled, as they had before. Baela remained on Driftmark, pregnant with the couple’s second child, while Alyn sailed aboard the galley named for his mother. The account identifies Bold Marilda as the fleet’s leading ship and names its intended route, but does not describe the galley’s design or report the voyage’s eventual outcome.