The Free City of Myr is one of the states that make up the nine free cities of Essos. It is on the western end of the continent and shares borders with its famed rivals, Lys and Tyrosh. After the Doom of Valyria, Volantis defeated Myr and Lys, making it a part of its jurisdiction. However, the tides of the war changed when Volantis tried capturing Tyrosh; this led to a rebellion that gave Myr autonomy over its governance. Myr is known for exporting many goods of high quality, including Myrish lace, miniatures and paintings, blankets, spices, drinks like fire wine and green nectar, carpets, and gorgeous tapestries.
Details About the Free City of Myr
- Name: Myr.
- Location: Essos.
- Leaders: Conclave of Magisters.
- Religion: Mixed.
Geography
Myr is in a fertile region of Essos called the heel, where the Sea of Myrth meets an ancient Valyrian Dragonroad. To its west is the Free City of Tyrosh, and to its southwest is Lys. Along the streets of Myr are many temples and shrines dedicated to the multitude of gods worshipped by the people of the city. The most prominent of the gods served is R’hllor, the Lord of Light, worshipped at a Red Temple. Myrish ships trade with the Westerosi and frequently sail across the Narrow Sea.
People and Government
Myrmen are allegedly descendants of the Rhoynar by some maesters because of their olive-colored skin and dark hair. The people of the Free City of Myr indulge in many practices, including slavery.
Like its neighbors, freemen are outnumbered three to one by slaves, and the bondmen get branded or collared. Also, the prominent language used within the city is the Common tongue and Bastard Valyrian, with the Valyrian sounding passionate because of the Myrish accent.
Noblemen, called magisters, govern Myr. The governors hire the Unsullied to help defend the city. However, when Dothraki Khalasars pass, they treat them lavishly to prevent getting sacked. The Free City of Myr has conflicted with its neighbors over the Disputed Lands. They hire sellswords to fight their battle as they do not want to risk the lives of their soldiers.
Myrish soldiers use crossbows and stilettos in combat, and it is not uncommon to spot bravos amongst the military ranks. Myrish pirates cause havoc in the Stepstones, an area disputed by the three states.
Economy
The Free City of Myr is an intellectual society with people passionate about learning. Its main exports include carpet and Myrish Lace. The city also boasts some of the best glass and finest lens crafters responsible for Myrish eyes, a lens adopted by even the Night’s Watch at Castle Black. Though the bulk of artisans of Myr are slaves, they create incredible goods like mirrors, screens, tapestries, and lace, which are said to be worth their weight in gold. The city is famous for Myrish Fire, a herb for treating cuts, and lenses used in places like Winterfell.
History
Origin
The origins of Myr are shrouded in mystery as some evidence points to some people who lived in the region during the Long Night and Dawn Ages. Merchant adventurers from the Valyrian Freehold who conquered a walled Andal settlement founded modern Myr.
Post Valyrian Freehold
After the Doom of Valyria, Myr became a part of Volantis by force. For two hundred years, it and Lys were under Volantis’s governance. However, when the great city tried taking Tyrosh, a new conflict sparked as Pentos, the Storm King Argillac Durrandon, and Lord Aegon Targaryen entered for Tyrosh; this made Myr and Lys rebel, giving them back their freedom.
Dornish Wars
During the First Dornish War, the Wyl of Wyl sold Alys Oakheart to a Myrish slaver. Later, Myrish and Volantene builders supervised the construction of the dragonpit during King Maegor I Targaryen’s reign.
In the Fourth Dornish War, Myrish sellsails joined the Prince of Dorne, Morion Martell, to fight the Iron Throne. However, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen defeated them in the Sea of Dorne. The remaining rival factions tried to claim the Stepstones during the Myrish Bloodbath but got pushed out by the Archon of Tyrosh. Eventually, they raided the Stormlands, and when they killed Prince Aemon Targaryen in eastern Tarth, Lord Cameron Tarth, Lord Boremund Baratheon, and Prince Baelor Targaryen annihilated them. During his voyages, Lord Corlys Velaryon visited Myr.
Daughters’ War
After the Century of Blood, the Free Cities of Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh came together to form the Triarchy. They increased the toll in the Stepstone and fought Lord Corlys Velaryon and Prince Daemon Targaryen for dominance. When the Dance of the Dragons started, the High Council of the Triarchy sided with the Greens against Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen; this led to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon’s death during the Battle of the Gullet in Driftmark.
As most of the casualties from the war were from Myrish and Tyroshi ships, the widows from the cities began accusing the Lyseni of not using their men. When Shakaro, the admiral for the Triarchy’s war, got killed, the Daughter’s War began.
Racallio Ryndoon proclaimed himself King of the Narrow Sea as the three cities fought for dominance of the region. Other states like Braavos, Pentos, and Lorath joined the effort, and when Racallio was almost defeated, Myr and Lys allied and began attacking Tyrosh. With no end to the conflict, the warring parties eventually settled by sharing the Disputed Lands.
Recent Events
Lord Bracken tried aiding the Blackfyres during the First Blackfyre Rebellion with Myrish crossbowmen but failed to deliver help because of storms.
In 241 AC, Ser Aegor Rivers, the leader of the Golden Company, got killed in a skirmish between Myr and Tyrosh over the Disputed Lands. After the Defiance of Duskendale, the smallfolk blamed Lord Denys Darklyn’s Myrish wife for encouraging her husband’s plan. Thoros of Myr, a red priest of R’hllor, traveled to King’s Landing in the middle of the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen to convert him. However, the priest swerved from his mission and joined the Brotherhood Without Banners.
Relevance in A Song of Ice and Fire
A Game of Thrones
After getting married to Khal Drogo, Daenerys Targaryen smells garlic and roast pepper in the Western Market of Vaes Dothrak; this makes her reminisce about when she and her brother Viserys traveled through Tyrosh and Myr.
A Clash of Kings
Lord Varys tells Tyrion Lannister about how he became an eunuch at Myr when the acting Hand of the King gives his nephew, King Joffrey Baratheon, a Myrish crossbow. Stannis Baratheon hires Myrish sellswords and uses them during the Battle of the Blackwater. At the height of the Battle, Sandor Clegane tries to convince Sansa Stark to flee with him, but she refuses. However, they get defeated by the Tyrells and Lannisters.
A Storm of Swords
With the War of the Five Kings raging in Westeros, Lys and Tyrosh try making Myr their ally as tensions rise. After the Brotherhood Without Banners, led by Lord Beric Dondarrion, hangs a Myrish crossbowman. Thoros of Myr, the Red Priest of the faction, tells Arya Stark he was supposed to convert King Robert Baratheon but failed.
A Feast for Crows
Queen Regent Cersei Lannister befriends the wife of Lord Orton Merryweather, Taena of Myr. As tensions rise between the former states of the Triarchy, Myr tries hiring the Golden Company but fails. Lord Rodrik Harlaw sends a message to get Myrish lenses for reading. Meanwhile, Euron Greyjoy tells his brother he killed a Myrish wizard who could not hatch a dragon egg for him.
A Dance with Dragons
On the Wall, Jon Snow, the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, considers having apprentices from Myr to teach glass blowing to his men. He gets warned by Melisandre to beware of danger but fails to take the warning seriously and eventually gets stabbed by his men in a mutiny. Meanwhile, Victarion captures Dove, a Myrish cog on its way to Yunkai.
Relevance in Adaptation
The Free City of Myr is a slave city known for exceptional cargo like lace, silk, and pale green nectar wine. It is home to Lord Varys and Thoros. When Tyrion Lannister becomes the acting Hand of the King, Varys tells him about how he got castrated by a sorcerer his master sold him to. Later, as the War of the Five Kings tears Westeros apart, Arya meets Thoros of Myr, a Red Priest of R’hllor.
The Free City of Myr: A Land of Lace and Blood
Though it is known for its incredible products, Myr, like its neighbors, has a society that thrives off the backs of humans cultivated as livestock. Though the city claimed to be a center for learning, it could not shake off its dependence on forced labor because it realized that exploitation was the perfect form of profit. Even after being placed under Volantis’s control, the city chose its dark roots over a society where every person was free.
FAQs
Where is Myr in Essos?
Myr is one of the three cities that ruled together as the Triarchy. It is southeast of Volantis and northwest of Pentos. When Daenerys and her brother Viserys wandered in Essos, they stayed at Myr, where Dany enjoyed the scent of spices.
Is Myr one of the free cities of Essos?
Yes, Myr is among the nine free cities of Essos. However, unlike Braavos, it indulged in the slave trade. Though a free city, it was captured by Volantis during the Century of Blood.
How advanced is Myr as a state?
Myr is one of the most technologically advanced cities in Essos. The city’s craftsmen make technical products like myrish paintings, lenses, mirrors, and lace. Even though it indulges in slavery, the city encourages learning and academics.
What happened to Myr during the Daughter’s War?
Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh got into a heated conflict when the Triarchy disbanded. The war lasted for years and caused bloodshed on all sides. However, all three cities agreed to peace and split the Disputed Lands. However, pirates still have nests in the Stepstones, a region of the disputed Lands.
