The Skjöldrian Guide to the Andal Invasion Period

[Dirty Chai]

Greetings,

While pondering the possible differences between the First Men and the invading Andals in the contexts of culture and society, I decided it might be best to lay down some fundamental concepts in a guide based on observations of analogous situations in real history and deductions based on clear facts from the lore.

From understanding/deconstructing the reasons why Andals had a dominant mounted elite known as the knight, to discussing the possible pre-Andal First Men culture, I hope this guide (and thread) will help this RPG's community create a consistent and believable world.

First Men (left) v.s. Andals (right)

Part I

Pre-Andal Westeros

From what GRRM has given us, we can fairly deduce that the culture of the First Men is akin to many early European bronze age/early iron age cultures, such as the Celts and the Scandinavians. They speak a language known as the Old Tongue, simple and harsh, and write with runes. They had bronzeworking, and clearly brought horsemanship and perhaps animal husbandry to Westeros (as well as agriculture). The First Men warred with the Children of the Forest, likely a fairie-like people with a culture similar to that of the Native Americans, and after signing the Pact, formed up kingdoms over time. My guess is that maybe a little under 1000 years before the Andal Invasion, we begin to see the origins of some of the major regional kingdoms of Westeros (the Rock, the Trident, the Reach, etc) The First Men are the first 'civilization' that we know of in Westeros, unless you count hunters & gatherers in the woods as civilization (Children of the Forest). They farmed the land ( = more people, more time), built up settlements and holdfasts, and developed occupational specialization. Society First and foremost, I doubt the existence of "True" Feudalism in Westeros before the Andal Invasion. While the tradition of being led by a hereditary ruler, be they a chief or a king, is clear and evident in the First Men, pre-Andal civilization in Westeros seems more tied to Tribes, Clans, and direct loyalty to the monarch (instead of a feudal tier). More importantly, serfdom doesn't seem to be in place; Among the clans and tribes of Celtic and Germanic history, the common man was a "Free Man" entitled to active participation in his people's future, not a voiceless farmer who is tied to one place his entire life. This is a likely case for the First Men. If I had to pick a culture in history to compare this aspect of the First Men to, it would be the Gauls. Warfare Fairly simple, as only one concept really matters too much in my mind: The First Men use of cavalry. I'm certain they used it the way the Gauls used it - not a shock force, but for fleeing and for skirmishing, to harass and avoid.

Part II

Andalos

Across the Narrow Sea and nestled between what we now call Pentos and Norvos are a set of hills called 'Andalos.' Here another civilization appeared - I say 'appeared' because they remind me of the mysterious appearance of the Cimmerians and Hyksos peoples - known as the Andal people. They learned ironworking from the Rhoynar, developed an actual system of writing, and sometime later invented the stirrup. The former two are fact and the latter is a deduced certainty; In real history, the rise of cavalry dominance (knights!) came, primarily, because of the stirrup. You could stand in the saddle and focus less on guiding your steed and more on what weapon you were wielding (shooting a bow or couching a lance!). The reasoning behind why the Andals invented the stirrup (at least for Westeros) would be with the fact that Andals brought knighthood, a social class of mounted warriors, to Westeros. They conquered and completely came to dominate Westeros, sans the North. (That latter point will support some other arguments as well) Some more possibilities: The Andals may have had superior construction techniques in the context of common structures, with more conventional and inventive shapes and forms. More importantly, they may have had superior agriculture, supporting a large and growing population. Reasons for Migration You can look at the lore all you want, but the fact of the matter is that no large, entire group of people will just get up and leave for a reason such as "the Seven mandating conquest." Look at the Germanic tribes during the Migration Period and at the Great Heathen Army of the Viking period. The Andals likely crossed the Narrow Sea in a similar way and for similar reasons. Possible Reasons: - Agrarian Crisis and/or Natural Disasters; Population is too big, so people need to find new homes. - War; Perhaps the Dothraki (or their predecessors) are attacking? Or maybe the Rhoynar or the Valyrians are causing issues? - Holy Mandate? Ha, unlikely.

Part III

Invasion

The Andals, similar to the Saxons, likely first crossed the Narrow Sea as mercenaries, settlers, and traders. The Mountain Kings (the Vale) and the other eastern kingdoms likely used them as mercenaries against their rivals, finding them excellent and willing warriors (wielding iron and some fighting from horseback!). This creates a demand for them, and so more come (perhaps Andals return home and tell their buddies about this nice land in the west?) seeking land and work. Eventually, for whatever reason, the Andal population (now a bit large for the liking of the First Men) on the east coast breaks into conflict with the Kings of the First Men, and so begins the Invasion. They decide to take over, and more Andals come. Perhaps the Winged Knight was a commander akin to Hengest? Whatever the case, the invaders start coming in mass waves, arriving off the shores of Westeros in fleets of eager settlers and hungry warriors. They quickly overrun the coastal lands, especially the Vale, perhaps the Crownlands (not Crackclaw though..), and maybe the Stormlands. The Kings of the First Men finally realize the dire threat now being heaped upon them, but continue to fight one another just the same.

The Melting Pot

The Andals brought their culture to Westeros; That is, the First Men now learn of ironworking and of stirrups; of superior writing and of superior agriculture. While they probably haven't learned the secrets and finer details of these so far (considering the two peoples hate each other), the First Men are adapting to the change being laid out before them. Feudalism is now developing, the Andals carrying out their conquests by granting land to their warrior-knights, and the First Men Kings learning to delegate land and power to their trusted followers (allowing for defense and administration at more local levels, which is more efficient in this scenario).

This might be updated every so often.

If you think I have missed something, please comment.

[Dirty Chai]

Reserved:

As time goes on, I hope to add more specific additions having to do with particular regions of interest, such as the possibilities of Dorne.

[Xion]

Hm, interesting. I personally was thinking the First Men were more like the Welsh or the Britons. But very well done.

[Dirty Chai]

I meant that the government and society of the First Men long before the Andal Invasion, in my mind, was best compared to Gaul.

Around this time, a comparison to the Romano-British period is very apt.

[Honors Bastion]

I meant that the government and society of the First Men long before the Andal Invasion, in my mind, was best compared to Gaul.

Around this time, a comparison to the Romano-British period is very apt.

Gaul sounds about right although I think the Roman-British period sounds even better as it would give a better explanation for why major settlements like Oldtown, the Rock, Storm's End, etc have already been created.

[Ace_General]

I would actually be interested maybe in playing the first men confederation fighting a guerrilla war

maybe have my people set up like the goths, or the early slavs, you know, slash and burn agriculture, semi nomadic and heavy integration of light calvary and light and medium infantry and a clan based system. Would such a thing be workable in the context of this setting?

[Dirty Chai]

I would actually be interested maybe in playing the first men confederation fighting a guerrilla war

maybe have my people set up like the goths, or the early slavs, you know, slash and burn agriculture, semi nomadic and heavy integration of light calvary and light and medium infantry and a clan based system. Would such a thing be workable in the context of this setting?

Er.. I think,
No.

LM has done some extensive and excellent work on the Iron Isles, you might want to put some of that in the OP, for the reference of those playing non Ironman factions.

I will add something, yeah.

Gaul sounds about right although I think the Roman-British period sounds even better as it would give a better explanation for why major settlements like Oldtown, the Rock, Storm's End, etc have already been created.

Gaul is just what I used, primarily because I know that Britain never had the same population levels.
You don't see the forming of large settlements like Bibracte and Gergovia, but otherwise, Britons aren't so off either.
Any Celtic group is spot-on; I just found Gaul the best because of its high fertility and famous use of cavalry against the Romans.

During the Andal Invasion, comparing the First Men to Post-Roman/advanced British and the Andals to Saxons & Franks seems pretty appropriate.

[Axis Sunsoar]

LM has done some extensive and excellent work on the Iron Isles, you might want to put some of that in the OP, for the reference of those playing non Ironman factions.