Have you seen Marvel’s Civil War II? What do you think of it? I think the writers have simply made Carol’s side look like the bad guys?

Nope. I’m avoiding Civil War as much as possible, because I really didn’t like the last one and, pace to Mr. Bendis, I don’t think they’ve come up with a situation where both sides aren’t acting like idiots.

does it make sense that Ghoyan Drohe, a city connected to Norvos and Pentos by valyrian roads, and at the fork between the upper and little rhoyne, has never been rebuilt and inhabited?

Probably a combination of depopulation and the proximity of Chroyane.

How did the average men-at-arms dress? Chainmail? Hardened leather?

Man-at-arms historically was a term to describe a professional fully-armored heavy cavalryman, someone who had been trained in the arms and armor of a knight, even if they weren’t a knight themselves.

So hardened leather was a step below them – it would have been chainmail in the early Middle Ages, changing to a mix of chain and plate by the late 14th century, and then full plate from the 15th century on.

In a recent episode of Game of Thrones, King Tommen bans the use of trial by combat. He does so to ensure that the upcoming trials of Cersei and Margaery remain under the control of the Faith. Beyond that specific motive, however, what do you think would likely be the fall out of that choice? I imagine the nobles of Westeros being very unhappy about losing one of their ancient rights to a royal decree.

It’s also somewhat suspect on religious grounds – trial by combat is part of the Faith of the Seven, because the gods are supposed to favor the righteous man.

When norms like guest right or the sanctity of envoys are put in jeopardy, as the Lannisters have done, what does it take for those things to be respected again? And as an aside, where do you fall on the Blackfish’s conduct at the Second Siege of Riverrun, in choosing to fight to the last man?

To me, it would take the violation of those customs having consequences. If I’m right about Red Wedding 2.0, I think the destruction of Houses Lannister and Frey will be seen by the masses as the wroth of the gods visited upon the impious.

In terms of the morality of fighting to the last man, it’s hard to say. Ultimately, I think it comes down to the cause you’re fighting for and what your alternatives are.

In the TV series, how did Ramsay planned the murder of his father without Roose becoming at least aware of it?

He didn’t plan anything, he just stabbed him in the gut on a whim.

RFTIT Tumblr Roundup, Nameday Edition

So it’s a bit early for a Tumblr roundup, but hey, it’s my name day, and I make the rules anyway, so let’s go ahead and take a look at what we’ve got: Ramsay’s infantry tactics. How do you actually command from the front? Historical accuracy of Druon’s Rois Maudits. Would/Should Aegon have given the Golden Tooth to the Riverlands? Part II Migrations from North to South in winter. Extended…

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Following up on the King’s Peace series: Why would a king not require that conflicts—including trials—between great houses be settled by the king or his designee? That would prevent houses from legally striking at each other with arrests and farce trials. If Catelyn were required to remand Tyrion to Robert, some of the conflict might have been avoided, or would have happened with less justification. Such a system would also help the king to show favoritism and win allies.

A king who made it their mission to expand judicial kingship would indeed have done that, and if you look back through the history of all of the more successful monarchies, you’ll see that a large part of their expansion of power came from expanding judicial authority, eliminating the nobility’s judicial privileges, and preventing private wars and vendettas through the extension of the concept of the royal peace.

But unfortunately the Targaryens largely neglected this authority in favor of its monopoly on dragons.

Could Catlyn legally take Tyrion and not expect consequences? Abducting the Queen’s brother, placing him on trial without recourse (denying him counsel or the champion of his choice), and civil war is the minimum fallout

Your language is a little loaded there: arrested vs. abducted, there aren’t attorneys in Westeros, Catelyn wasn’t the one denying him a champion of his choice.

But civil war as the minimum fallout? No.

Yes, Catelyn should have expected political repercussions – the queen had every right to complain to the king about her brother’s treatment and the king had the right to order Ned to give Tyrion up – but she was operating fully within the law and the Lannisters should have responded in kind, especially with their superior political position.

But Tywin making war on a third party is wildly disproportionate to the offense, at a time when the Lannisters had many alternatives.

This is the guy who asked you about Gregor Cleagane. I just wanted to say : Holy shit, I didn’t remember that at all. So on the one hand, you really know your atuff. On the other, there really isn’t a hell hot enough for the Mountain is there?

Well, that particular detail stuck in my mind because it’s very Bluebeard.

And no, there really isn’t.