The Great Houses of Game of Thrones
By rowankaiser
House Martell
House Words: “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”
House Sigil: A spear through a burning sun
Location: Sunspear, in Dorne, a desert land in the far south of Westeros
Status at the start of Season 5: The Dornish prince Oberyn Martell has just died in single combat. Dorne has previously been unseen on Game of Thrones, but many Martells, including their Prince, Doran, have been cast and scenes shot–it’s about to become much more important.
Role in the War of the Five Kings: The Martells take an isolationist policy after the Rebellion, which continues in the War of the Five Kings. To maintain their continued loyalty, Tyrion Lannister arranges a marriage between Princess Myrcella to Trystane Martell.
Prince Oberyn Martell journeys to King’s Landing for the marriage between Margaery Tyrell and King Joffrey. Once there, he becomes Tyrion Lannister’s champion for single combat with Gregor Clegane, the Mountain that Rides, who killed his sister. In attempting to find out if Clegane acted alone or if he was under Lannister orders, Oberyn slips up and is killed.
Role in Robert’s Rebellion: Prince Doran’s sister, Elia Martell, is married to Rhaegar Targaryen, bringing the Dornish in on the side of the Mad King. Dornish troops are part of the King’s army defeated at the Trident, and Elia Martell and her children are brutally murdered by Lannister troops during the sack of King’s Landing.
History: The Martells are Rhoynar, a group of refugees from Essos who landed in Westeros after the Andal invasion. They were the last of the Seven Kingdoms to be absorbed by the Targaryens, finally joining via marriage well over a hundred years after the initial conquest.
Profile: Due to their remote location and independent history, Dorne has a much different culture from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, similar to the Starks in the far North. This includes straight cognatic succession, meaning women inherit equally to men, as opposed to the male preference exercised across the rest of Westeros.
House Lord: Prince Doran Martell
Heir: Trystane Martell (in the novels, Trystane has an older sister and brother, Arianne and Quentyn, both of whom would be ahead of him in succession. The show appears to have eliminated both.)
Family Members: Doran Martell, Oberyn Martell (deceased), Ellaria Sand, Trystane Martell, Nymeria Sand, Obara Sand, Tyene Sand
Retainers: Areo Hotah
Notable Vassals: House Dayne, House Yronwood