History of High Valyrian
Explore the rich history of High Valyrian, from its origins in the ancient Valyrian Freehold to its modern revival.
Origins of High Valyrian
High Valyrian was the language of the Valyrian Freehold, an ancient civilization that once dominated much of the continent of Essos. At its height, the Valyrian Freehold was the most advanced civilization in the known world, with unparalleled knowledge of magic, architecture, and dragon-taming.
The language was spoken by the nobility and educated classes throughout the Freehold, serving as the language of scholarship, diplomacy, and high culture. Its complex grammar and rich vocabulary reflected the sophisticated society that created it.
After the Doom of Valyria, a cataclysmic event that destroyed the Freehold approximately 400 years before the events of Game of Thrones, High Valyrian ceased to be a living language. However, it continued to be studied and used by scholars, similar to how Latin was used in medieval Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Valyrian Freehold
The Valyrian Freehold was founded approximately 5,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Originally a community of shepherds, the Valyrians discovered dragons in the volcanic mountains known as the Fourteen Flames. By taming these dragons and harnessing their power, they were able to build a vast empire.
At its height, the Freehold stretched across most of Essos, from the Free Cities in the west to Slaver's Bay in the east. The Valyrians built magnificent cities with advanced architecture, including roads and buildings constructed using a mysterious technique that fused stone together without seams.
The Doom of Valyria
Approximately 400 years before the events of Game of Thrones, a cataclysmic event known as the Doom of Valyria destroyed the Freehold in a single day. The exact nature of the Doom is unknown, but it involved massive volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and fires that shattered the Valyrian peninsula and killed most of its inhabitants, including their dragons.
Only House Targaryen, who had settled on Dragonstone years earlier due to a prophetic dream, survived the Doom with their dragons. This allowed them to later conquer and rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
Legacy and Dialects
After the Doom, High Valyrian remained as a language of scholarship and refinement, but it was no longer spoken as a native language. In the former Valyrian colonies, various dialects known as "Bastard Valyrian" developed, including the dialects spoken in the Free Cities and Slaver's Bay.
In Westeros, the Targaryens maintained High Valyrian as their ancestral language, though they primarily spoke the Common Tongue for governance. By the time of Game of Thrones, few characters are fluent in High Valyrian, with notable exceptions being Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister (to some extent), and Missandei.
~8000 BC
Shepherds discover dragons in the Fourteen Flames
~6000 BC
Valyrian Freehold begins expansion
~500 BC
House Targaryen settles on Dragonstone
~400 BC
The Doom of Valyria
1 AC
Aegon's Conquest of Westeros begins
House Targaryen
The only dragonlord family to survive the Doom
House Belaerys
Known for their exploration of Sothoryos
House Celtigar
Settled on Claw Isle after the Doom
House Velaryon
Seafarers who settled on Driftmark
Valyrian Steel
Legendary metal forged with dragonfire and magic
Dragonbinder
A horn said to control dragons
Dragonstone Castle
Built using lost Valyrian stoneworking techniques
Glass Candles
Obsidian candles used for seeing across vast distances
Learn More About High Valyrian
Interested in learning more about the history and structure of High Valyrian? Explore our comprehensive resources and start your journey to mastering this fascinating language.
