The Trident is a massive river in the Riverlands. It is one of the largest water bodies in Westeros and serves as a crucial route for transporting goods and services. The river grew in popularity after the fight between Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Robert Baratheon. By the end of Robert’s Rebellion, House Targaryen lost the Iron Throne, and King’s Landing fell to the Lannisters. Though the trident has numerous smaller tributaries, the three main ones are the primary source of transporting goods throughout the Riverlands, and they confluence west of the Crossroads and Lord Harroway’s Town.
The Trident Geography
Tributaries
Green Fork
The Green Fork of the Trident starts in the swamps of the Neck, one of the southernmost regions of the North, and flows through the lands of House Frey near the kingsroad. The tributary has no predefined crossing between the Ruby Ford and the Twins.
Blue Fork
The Blue Fork of the Trident starts south of the Twins in marshes and rills near Sevenstreams and flows southeast between the Green and Red Fork. Some towns and castles lie on the stream, the most notable being Seaguard, Ramsayford, Oldstones, and Fairmarket.
Red Fork
The Red Fork begins at the foothills of the westerlands and flows northeast towards Riverrun. It continues flowing eastwards through the Riverlands.
The Trident
All the branches of the Trident are more extensive than the Little Rhoyne in Essos. The Green and Blue Fork first meet and later join the Red Fork west of the Crossroads. The enlarged river continues flowing east till it enters the Bay of Crabs. Some notable places at the mouth of the river include the Saltpans and Quiet Isles. There are also other river branches like the Darry and Big Willow.
History
Pre-Targaryen Era
Before the coming of the Andals to the continent of Westeros, Tristifer IV Mudd ruled as the King of the Rivers and the Hills from the Trident of the Neck. The Tegues, the last Kings of the Rivers and the Hills, got defeated during the Andal invasion by the Storm King Arlan III Durrandon. However, Harwyn Hoare, the King of the Iron Islands, defeated Arrec Durrandon by conquering the river with ironborn longships.
House Targaryen
When Lord Aegon Targaryen landed in Westeros, he began a conquest of the continent. Lord Edmys Tully of Riverrrun supported him and gathered the river lords in rebellion against Harren Hoare, the King of the Isle and Rivers. After the burning of Harrenhal, Lord Edmyn got named the Lord Paramount of the Trident. Later, King Torrhen Stark led a host of northern soldiers against the Targaryens. However, he surrendered on the south bank of the Trident.
In 31 AC, Prince Maegor Targaryen hunted down the Giant of the Trident, a robber knight. When Maegor became King, the Faith Militant rebelled against the Iron Throne and caused havoc in the Trident.
In 112 AC, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen visited the Trident to get the support of the river lords. Most of them fought for her during the Dance of the Dragons; this led to Prince Aemond Targaryen using Vhagar to terrorize the region. He destroyed many places, including Old Ferry, Old Willow, White Willow, Stonyhead, Hogg Hall, and Bowshot Bridge. However, the Lords of the region hastened his brother’s fall. After the Civil War, Alyanne Blackwood suggested that Lord Cregan Stark use some northern men to help rebuild the devastated region.
Robert’s Rebellion
At the end of Robert’s Rebellion, Rhaegar Targaryen led an army against Robert Baratheon in what would become the Battle of the Trident. Rhaegar and Robert faced off in combat, and after the Prince got killed, the Targaryen faction fell.
Relevance in A Song of Ice and Fire
A Game of Thrones
When Lord Eddard Stark agrees to become the Hand of the King, he leaves Winterfell following King Robert I Baratheon to King’s Landing. The entourage stops at the Crossroads Inn, and Sansa Stark follows Prince Joffrey Baratheon on a range along the northern bank of the Trident. They stumble upon Arya Stark and her friend Mycah, a butcher’s boy, practicing swordplay and looking for rubies. Joffrey provokes a fight and gets wounded by Nymeria, and Arya tosses his word Lion’s Tooth into the river.
When Lord Eddard Stark gets arrested, his son Robb Stark leads an army to King’s Landing. He shares his forces into two and tasks Lord roose bolton with attacking House Lannister at the Green Fork. When Lord Eddard gets killed, Robb becomes the King in the North.
A Clash of Kings
As the War of the Five Kings intensifies, the battles spread north of the great river of the Riverlands. Lord Roose Bolton occupies Ruby Ford. Lord Petyr Baelish gets the title Lord Paramount of the Trident for making the Tyrells and Lannisters allies.
A Storm of Swords
Robb Stark adds the title of King of the Trident to his name and makes Ser Brynden Tully Warden of the Southern Marches when he leaves Riverrun. Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen gets a dream about her brother and the Battle of the Trident. She destroys icy enemies with dragonflame in the vision.
Heavy rain makes the Trident flood slowing Robb and Roose down as they march to the Twins. Upon reaching the land of House Frey, Robb and his mother, Catelyn, join the feast for Edmure’s wedding. However, things turn bloody when Lord Walder Frey and Roose Bolton kill Robb Stark’s men. Arya Stark, who arrived at the Twins with Sandor Clegane, witnesses the carnage of the Red Wedding. She later abandons Sandor at the banks of the river and travels to Braavos.
A Feast for Crows
Rumors spread about Sandor Clegane crossing the Trident with one hundred outlays; this makes Cersei issue an order for his head. Brienne of Tarth begins her mission to find Sansa and Arya, and when she reaches the Quiet Isle, she learns that Sandor died along the Trident.
Relevance in Adaption
In HBO’s tv show Game of Thrones, The Trident was one of the most crucial rivers in the politics of Westeros. It was a region where many battles got fought in the War of the Five Kings, and its history was the key to understanding the complex nature of the Iron Throne.
The Trident: A River of Sorrow
Though the Trident was crucial in transporting goods and services in the Riverlands, most of its reputation came from unimaginable death and destruction. It was a hotbed for battles and crime. Since the era of humans in Westeros, the river knew only conflict and sadness.
FAQs
What significant event happened at the Trident?
The Trident was where the decisive fight that overthrew the Targaryens from power occurred. While at the Tower of Joy with Lyanna Stark, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen received an order from his father to return. He then led an army of Targaryen loyalists to face Robert Baratheon at the great river of the Riverlands. After an intense battle, Rhaegar got killed by Robert, and the Targaryen army fell.
Why is Robert Baratheon called the Demon of the Trident?
Robert Baratheon was called the Demon of the Trident because of his fierceness. He was an almost unstoppable fighter who had a dominating presence.
Where is the Trident?
The Trident is a river in the Riverlands, with three primary branches, the Green, Red, and Blue Fork. It got used for transporting goods and services and has been a hotbed for many conflicts.
Was the Battle of the Trident important?
The Battle of the Trident was the decisive fight in Robert’s Rebellion. It was where the Targaryens’ fate got sealed. If Robert had lost, he and Eddard would have gotten killed or exiled.
