The Age of Heroes is an era in Westeros’ history that began after the sealing of the Pact between the First Men and the Children of the Forest. It started about ten thousand years ago and lasted for four thousand years. Many noble families claim the Age of Heroes to be where they started. It is also the age when one of the most critical structures in the Seven Kingdoms got constructed, the Wall.
the Age of Heroes marked the creation of crucial laws which still stand, like the Laws of Hospitality and the obligation of a judge to be an executioner. However, though there are so many histories about the spectacular Age of Heroes, none have any solid evidence, as most got passed down through songs and stories from parents to children.
Legends
The Age of Heroes got its name from the vast amount of spectacular men and women during the period. Some of these people include:
- Bran the Builder: Brandon the Builder is one of the most influential people to have lived during the Age of Heroes. According to tales from the Reach, he was the descendant of Brandon the Bloody Blade, the son of Garth Greenhand, the mythical High King of the First Men. After the Long Night and the destruction of the Others, Brandon employed the help of the Children of the Forest and the Giants to create a massive barrier keeping the Others from the realm of men; this barrier became the Wall. Besides constructing the Wall, Brandon was the founder of House Stark. He built Winterfell and became the First King of Winter. He also created Storm’s End and Hightower.
- Lann the Clever: Lann the Clever was the legendary trickster who formed House Lannister by swindling Casterly Rock from the Casterlys. According to legend, he was the bastard son of either Florys the Fox or Rowan Gold-Tree. Lann allegedly collected Casterly Rock by posing as one of Garth Greenhand’s sons and convincing the Casterlys that their castle got haunted. Other tales claim he filled Casterly Rock with mice, rats, and vermin and used it to chase out the Casterlys.
- Durran Godsgrief: Durran Godsgrief is the legendary founder of House Durrandon. He is the mythic first Storm King, and according to many, he constructed Storm’s End. There are many accounts of Durran building Storm’s End. Some people say he had help from the Children of the Forest, and others claim Bran the Builder helped him.
- The Grey King: The Grey King was a man in the Golden Age of Heroes who married a mermaid and ruled the Iron Islands for a thousand years. He got called the Grey King because his hair, eyes, and beard were grey. According to legend, the Grey King slayed Nagga, the Sea Dragon and ancestor of House Greyjoy.
- Garth Greenhand: Garth Greenhand was the legendary High King of the First Men. His first son, Garth the Gardener, created House Gardener, the first Kings of the Reach.
- Symeon Star-Eyes: According to legend, Symeon was a fighter who lost his eyes and replaced them with star sapphires. Though knights would not arrive in Westeros for many more years, he got called a knight.
History
The Age of Heroes had a different system from the current Westeros. As the andals had not reached Westeros, many systems did not exist.
Religion
During the Age of Heroes, the primary religion in Westeros was the Old Gods of the Forest. As the andals had not yet arrived, the Faith of the Seven did not exist on the continent. Other aspects of the Faith of the Seven, like knighthood, had not been formed yet.
Military
During the Age of Heroes, there were no steel weapons, only bronze. Military technology was also not advanced, and tactical fighting got limited by the technology.
Relevance in A Song of Ice and Fire
A Game of Thrones
After Lord Eddard Stark agrees to become the hand of the King, he leaves for King’s Landing with King Robert Baratheon. His bastard son, Jon Snow, travels to the Wall, where he trains to become one of the Night’s Watch. Jon meets Samwell Tarly, and they become friends. After saving Lord Commander Mormont, Jon gets the famous sword Longclaw.
Relevance in Adaptation
In HBO’s Game of Thrones, the Age of Heroes was crucial to the events in the Seven Kingdoms. It defined Westeros’ history and showed the true origin of the White Walkers. It was an era that held the horrifying secrets of Westeros.
Age of Heroes: An Era of Fiction
Though many stories defined how exceptional the Age of Heroes was, most were pure speculation. As the era lacked any crucial writing or language system, there was no record of what happened, leaving all the events unprovable.
FAQs
Is the Age of Heroes older than the Dawn Age?
What key events occurred in the Age of Heroes?
The Long Night came in the Age of Heroes. It featured the world’s descent into terrible darkness that saw the rise of creatures called the Others. A man known as the last hero and Azor Ahai arose at the darkest hour of the night and led some brave men against the creatures.
Why is Westeros’ history incomplete?
Eras like the Dawn Age and the Age of Heroes have so many mysteries because there was no historical record of anything that happened then. All people could go by were stories and songs passed down for generations.
Who is the most prominent person from the Age of Heroes?
Bran the Builder is the most important person from the Age of Heroes. Not only did he construct Winterfell and Storm’s End. He also built the Wall and saw the development of the Night’s Watch.
