Maester Steven, may I please ask what steps you think the Durrandans should have taken to strengthen their rule over the Trident after the Deluge? (I thought about cross-frontier fostering and perhaps making the Heir Apparent “Lord Paramount of the Trident” – though it did strike me that fostering with one River House was an excellent way of making enemies amongst the others).

Well, definitely making sure that they were acclaimed King of the Rivers/Trident is a good start.
Second, have the oldest son who was married to a Blackwood be Prince of the Trident with a seat in the Riverlands and make sure they have an heir born in the Riverlands.
Third, wouldn’t be a terrible idea to raise a seat at the mouth of the Rush and have that be the second son’s seat so that the Durrandons have a secure base of operations that’s closer than Storm’s End.
Fourth, it’s important to demonstrate that the Durrandons are investing as well as taking out of the kingdom. Roads, canals, bridges, road and riverrine patrols to keep the peace, royal courts, issue some town and city charters.
Fifth, fostering is good, as are cross-kingdoms marriages. Hostage-taking might also be necessary.

Published by stevenattewell