Who is Grand Maester Orwyle in House of the Dragon?

Who was Grand Maester Orwyle?

Credits: HBO

Grand Maester Orwyle served during one of the most chaotic periods in Westeros, the Dance of the Dragons. Initially an archmaester at the Citadel, he was elevated to Grand Maester following the death of Mellos. Known for his pragmatic decisions, Orwyle often advocated for diplomacy over violence. His tenure saw him navigate through the bloody conflict between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II, choosing to align with the Greens for the sake of stability.

Orwyle’s diplomatic approach defined much of his legacy. He worked tirelessly to broker peace, believing that the cost of war outweighed the benefits. However, his loyalty to Aegon II made him a controversial figure, particularly among Rhaenyra’s supporters. His efforts to bring calm during a time of dragons and fire remain a subject of debate among historians in Westeros.

In the show

Credits: HBO

Background and Early Service

Orwyle began his service as a maester at the Red Keep, assisting Grand Maester Mellos in treating King Viserys I. His innovative methods, such as preparing herbal poultices, often clashed with Mellos’s reliance on traditional remedies like leeching. Despite Mellos’s dismissal of his techniques, Orwyle demonstrated his commitment to providing effective care, even secretly administering sleeping medication to the ailing king.

Ten years later, Orwyle replaced Mellos as Grand Maester and became a member of the Small Council. In this role, he participated in discussions about key issues, such as conflicts between the Brackens and Blackwoods and the War for the Stepstones. Orwyle’s ascension to Grand Maester marked the beginning of his prominent involvement in the court’s political and military strategies.

Role in the Green Council

After King Viserys’s death, Orwyle became a central figure in the Green Council, which sought to crown Aegon II over Rhaenyra. During an important council meeting, he supported the proposal to assassinate Rhaenyra and her family, pragmatically arguing that leaving a rival claimant alive would only invite further bloodshed. His stance showcased his willingness to prioritize political stability over moral considerations.

Orwyle also participated in a negotiation mission to Dragonstone, aiming to convince Rhaenyra to surrender peacefully. This effort, however, was unsuccessful, reflecting the deep divisions within the realm.

Actions During the Dance of the Dragons

Orwyle’s contributions extended to military strategy and diplomacy during the civil war. In a Small Council meeting, he proposed offering the position of Master of Ships to Lord Dalton Greyjoy to secure the ironborn as allies.

Following the murder of Jaehaerys, Orwyle quickly grasped Otto Hightower’s plan to vilify Rhaenyra by labeling her a kinslayer and child-killer. He also advocated for a combined military approach in the Riverlands, suggesting the armies of Houses Lannister and Hightower trap rebellious Rivermen. Although Tyland Lannister mocked Orwyle’s lack of military experience, his input demonstrated his strategic thinking.

Service to Aegon II

After the Battle at Rook’s Rest, Orwyle and his acolytes tended to the grievously injured King Aegon II. Orwyle oversaw the removal of the armor fused to Aegon’s flesh and managed his treatment, though he admitted uncertainty about the king’s survival. During subsequent council debates over regency, Orwyle supported Queen Alicent’s candidacy, citing her experience during Viserys’s illness. Orwyle also handled sensitive tasks, such as preparing moon tea for Alicent and maintaining communication with key allies like Oldtown and Highgarden.

Later Actions and Challenges

As the war intensified, Orwyle remained a steadfast advisor to the Greens. When letters to House Greyjoy went unanswered, he continued to seek diplomatic solutions, including summoning Otto Hightower. Despite these efforts, unrest spread, including revolts led by House Beesbury in the Reach.

Orwyle’s interactions with King Aegon II during his recovery also reflected his compassionate yet pragmatic approach. He provided honest assessments of Aegon’s condition.

Personality and Methods

Orwyle’s character is defined by his preference for innovative healing techniques and his pragmatic approach to governance. Unlike Mellos, who adhered to traditional methods, Orwyle explored alternative treatments, such as herbal poultices and moon tea.

As an advisor, Orwyle displayed a diplomatic and strategic mindset, often prioritizing the crown’s stability over personal or moral concerns. His actions during the Dance of the Dragons revealed his ability to navigate complex political landscapes, making him a key figure in the Greens’ efforts to consolidate power.

In the books

Credits: Douglas Wheatley

Appearance and Character

Grand Maester Orwyle, born of noble lineage, was a significant figure during the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons. By the time of King Aegon III Targaryen’s regency, Orwyle was an elderly man with a beard. His writings on the Dance were later used by Grand Maester Munkun for The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling.

According to Archmaester Gyldayn, Orwyle’s accounts were written while he was imprisoned, awaiting execution. These writings, shaped by his desire to present himself in a favorable light, were considered overly sympathetic by later scholars. Despite this bias, Orwyle’s story offers valuable insights into the complex events of the Dance of the Dragons and the political machinations surrounding it.

Rise to Grand Maester

In 127 AC, Orwyle was selected by the Conclave of Oldtown to succeed Mellos as Grand Maester. His tenure began during King Viserys I Targaryen’s reign. Under Orwyle’s care, King Viserys regained some vigor, a testament to his skill in healing. However, his political responsibilities soon overshadowed his medical expertise as the realm descended into chaos following Viserys’s death.

When King Viserys died in 129 AC, Orwyle attended a Small Council meeting in Queen Alicent Hightower’s chambers. The council debated the succession crisis, and some accounts suggest Orwyle protested Ser Otto Hightower’s plan to crown Aegon II. Others attribute this protest to Lord Lyman Beesbury. Regardless, Orwyle became deeply involved in the events that followed, aligning himself with Aegon II’s faction.

Diplomatic Mission to Dragonstone

After Aegon II’s coronation, Orwyle proposed sending terms of peace to Rhaenyra Targaryen at Dragonstone. Supported by Queen Alicent and Queen Helaena, Orwyle presented a proposal to Rhaenyra, offering her and her sons positions of power and pardons in exchange for recognizing Aegon as king. Despite his efforts, Rhaenyra rejected the terms and stripped Orwyle of his Grand Maester’s chain, giving it to Maester Gerardys instead.

Rhaenyra’s rejection of the peace terms marked a turning point in the conflict, intensifying hostilities between the rival factions. Orwyle returned to King’s Landing, where he continued to serve Aegon II during the escalating war, despite his diminished standing following the failed negotiations.

Service During the Dance of the Dragons

Orwyle remained a key figure during the Dance of the Dragons. When Aegon II was gravely injured at Rook’s Rest, Orwyle advocated seeking military support from Storm’s End. However, his advice was ignored by Prince Aemond Targaryen, who pursued his own aggressive strategies. Orwyle’s counsel often clashed with the ambitions of the younger Targaryens, reflecting the factional tensions within the Greens.

As Rhaenyra’s forces advanced, Orwyle was tasked with sending ravens to call for reinforcements. However, he was arrested by gold cloaks and confined to the black cells when Rhaenyra seized King’s Landing. This marked the beginning of Orwyle’s fall from power and his eventual imprisonment during the war’s chaotic aftermath.

Imprisonment and Release

Following Rhaenyra’s flight from King’s Landing, Orwyle was freed from the dungeons by Ser Perkin the Flea. Perkin sought to install his squire, Trystane Truefyre, as king. Orwyle temporarily regained freedom, accompanying Queen Alicent and Lord Larys Strong in negotiations with Lord Borros Baratheon. Despite his efforts, Aegon II was restored to the throne, and Orwyle resumed his position as Grand Maester.

Orwyle’s reinstatement was short-lived. After the Dance, he was accused of complicity in Aegon II’s death during the Hour of the Wolf, a purge led by Lord Cregan Stark. Orwyle confessed under torture to supplying the poison used in the assassination, claiming ignorance of its purpose. Despite his protestations, he was sentenced to die.

Flight and Final Capture

Orwyle avoided immediate execution by pledging to join the Night’s Watch. However, he bribed a guard to escape, disguising himself as “Old Wyl.” He worked in a brothel on the Street of Silk, where he mixed herbal remedies and taught literacy to the workers. His identity was discovered when a patron reported his suspicious activities to the City Watch.

Orwyle was recaptured and sentenced to death as both a traitor and deserter of the Night’s Watch. Hand of the King Ser Tyland Lannister delayed his execution due to the vacancy of a King’s Justice. Orwyle was confined to a tower cell, where he wrote his confessions. His writings offered an account of the events leading to his downfall.

Execution and Legacy

During the Winter Fever in 133 AC, Orwyle was released to aid in treating the sick after many maesters succumbed to the illness. His expertise proved invaluable, though it did not save him from his eventual fate. After the fever subsided, Orwyle was imprisoned again, accused of betraying the crown during his earlier flight.

Orwyle was finally executed as a traitor and deserter. Due to his noble birth and long service, he was granted the honor of death by sword. His story, marked by shifting allegiances and survival efforts, remains a cautionary tale of ambition and political intrigue. His confessions, written in captivity, offer a rare glimpse into the complexities of the Dance of the Dragons.

Quotes

“If I may, Grand Maester, I took the liberty of preparing a fresh set of herbal poultices that might be more effective.”

Quick Answers

Who was Grand Maester Orwyle?

Grand Maester Orwyle was a key figure during the Dance of the Dragons, serving as an advisor to King Viserys I and later to Aegon II. He prioritized diplomacy and pragmatic strategies during a time of intense conflict in Westeros. His actions often reflected his loyalty to the Greens, as seen in both the books and the show.

What was Orwyle’s role in the Green Council?

In the show, Orwyle played a significant role in the Green Council following the death of King Viserys I. He supported crowning Aegon II over Rhaenyra and endorsed measures, including assassination, to secure the throne for Aegon. His pragmatic approach to political stability was also a defining aspect in the books.

How did Orwyle approach his duties as Grand Maester?

Orwyle displayed a preference for innovative healing techniques, such as herbal poultices, in both the books and the show. He often clashed with traditionalists like Mellos. His political counsel also leaned toward strategic solutions, balancing loyalty and practicality.

What was Orwyle’s involvement in the Dance of the Dragons?

Orwyle’s involvement in the Dance of the Dragons, as described in the books and partially portrayed in the show, included military strategy and diplomatic missions. He proposed alliances and peace terms, such as his unsuccessful negotiation with Rhaenyra at Dragonstone. His pragmatic stance often alienated him from rival factions.

What was Orwyle’s fate?

In the books, Orwyle was imprisoned, released, and later executed following accusations of treason and desertion. After confessing under torture, he was sentenced to death, ultimately perishing during the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons. This tragic end underscores the perils of political intrigue in Westeros.

How did Orwyle differ between the books and the show?

The show highlights Orwyle’s role in the Green Council and his service to Aegon II, focusing on his pragmatic and strategic contributions. In the books, his detailed writings on the Dance of the Dragons provide a broader account of his involvement, motivations, and ultimate downfall. Both mediums portray him as a complex figure navigating survival in a chaotic era.

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12/18/2024 08:42 pm GMT