Ashara Dayne’s name may not be familiar to Game of Thrones viewers. His character is never explained in detail, neither in the book nor in the television show. But it is said that Ashara was the true love of Lord Eddard Stark/Ned Stark. Ashara was even rumored to be Jon Snow’s mother. Who is Ashara who is said to have a beautiful physical character, so she could love Ned Stark?
In the first book of the series “A Song of Ice and Fire”, entitled “Game of Thrones” (“Fight for the Throne” in the Indonesian translation) tells a conversation between Ned and Catelyn Stark, when the Maester Luwin gives a piece of paper (a letter) from Lysa Arryn to Catelyn in her room. The content of this letter is about the death of Jon Arryn, which was initially believed to be the work of The Lannisters.
They talked about plans for the arrival of the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Robert Baratheon, in Winterfell. Robert essentially asked Ned to become his Hand of the King and invited Ned to come to King’s Landing. Then there was an argument between Ned and Catelyn about their five children, and Ned’s one illegitimate child, Jon Snow. Ned decides to take Sansa and Arya to King’s Landing and leaves the boys at Winterfell. Catelyn who believes that Jon Snow is bastard that Ned brought home 17 years ago, asking Jon not to stay in Winterfell. The reason? Of course because Cat hates Jon.
Catelyn mentioned Ashara Dayne’s name here. Cat feels traumatized about the events that Ned’s return (from the battle) brings bastardeven though he thought this was normal (when a knight had an illegitimate child). Cat believes that Jon is Ned’s son by Ashara. Furthermore, over time, Jon’s physical character resembles Ned more and more than the other Stark children (apart from Arya).
Ned feels uncomfortable because Cat brings up Ashara’s name. According to him, Cat should never bring up this issue, including the origin of Jon Snow. Jon is flesh and blood. Point. Then Maester Luwin suggested that Jon Snow be sent to Castle Black after Benjen Stark. Ned then agreed to this proposal, especially because Jon wanted it too.
History of the Dayne House
Before we discuss more about Ashara, let’s take a look at the clan where Ashara was born and raised, House Dayne. Dayne is one a noble house in Westeros. A noble house is a term for prominent and honorable clans. House Dayne is one of the ancient clans in the Seven Kingdoms. This is according to their history, which have existed since 10,000 years before the period These Age or These Daysthe time when the First Men came from Essos and lived in Westeros.
House Dayne is said to live in the region of Dorne, precisely in the western part of the Red Mountains, on an island through which the Torentine River flows towards the Summer Sea. House Dayne occupies a magnificent castle called Starfall. Besides its grandeur and beauty, House Dayne’s Starfall is also known for having a tall tower called the Palestone Sword. Palestone Sword is guarded by several a guard and not far from there are several other towers, one of which is the Tower of the Awn. However, Palestone Sword remains the most famous, including one of the reasons why Ashara Dayne ended her life by jumping from the top of a tower directly facing the open sea.
The coat of arms of House Dayne is a white sword and shooting star crossed on a light purple background (lilac). This color can also be reminiscent of the physical character of the citizens of House Dayne, although not all are described the same. Ashara and Gerold Dayne (one of knight famous in Dayne) is said to have violet colored eyes with dark blue and black hair, while Edric Dayne (Lord of House Dayne, son of Ashara’s older brother) has dark blue eyes with blond hair.
According to another story, Edric had a wet nurse named Wylla because his biological mother could not provide him with milk. In the TV series and books, Wylla is mentioned by Ned as Jon Snow’s mother. In fact, Robert once discussed Wylla with Ned on her way to King’s Landing. Allyria Dayne, one of Lord Dayne’s sisters and Ashara’s full sister, was once betrothed to Beric Dondarrion. Beric invited Edric to come to Blackhavento and educate him to become one squire and a skilled horseman.
The Story of the Tower of Joy and the War involving House Dayne
During the Targaryen dynasty, the First “Dornish War” took place, when Ser Joffrey Dayne led the Dornish army to the borders of Oldtown. Ser Joffrey ordered his troops to level the enemy’s villages and fields. In this era, the Tourney also took place in Harenhal where Ashara met Ned for the first time. Ashara was at that time one of the ladies of Elia Martell, the wife of Rhaegar Targaryen (we recently learned that the marriage of Elia and Rhaegar was annulled in Dorne).
At the Tourney in Harrenhal, Ashara danced with several members of the king’s guard, namely Jon Connington (Hand of the King, King Aerys II Targeryen) and Eddard Stark, as well as Ser Baristan Selmy. It is said that Ned and Baristan Selmy fell in love with Ashara. In fact, Baristan plans to crown her the Queen of Love and Beauty if she wins the tournament.
During Robert’s Rebellion or War of the Usurper, House Dayne was under a pledge of allegiance to Clan Targaryen. Ned Stark, accompanied by Howland Reed, arrived at the Tower of Joy to rescue his younger sister, Lyanna Stark, who was suspected of being kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen. In this incident, House Dayne lost several figures, one of which was Ser Arthur Dayne, who (below) was killed by Ned Stark himself. Ned managed to save Lyanna who had just given birth to a baby that Ned finally took home to Winterfell and recognized as his illegitimate child, Jon Snow.
Before returning to Winterfell, Ned took the initiative to come to Starfall to inform him of the death of Ser Arthur Dayne and to return his sword, “Dawn”. Upon hearing the news of her sister’s death, Ashara decided to commit suicide by jumping off the Palestone Sword into the Summer Sea.
His body was never found. According to Ashara’s older sister, Allyria Dayne, her sister also fell in love with young Ned, who was then married to Catelyn and had a child named Robb Stark. According to Baristan Selmy, it wasn’t just Arthur’s death that made Ashara depressed, so she committed suicide. Ashara experienced sexual harassment while at Harrenhal which resulted in her becoming pregnant, but miscarried.
Feelings of depression due to shame over Arthur’s abuse, injury, and death are believed to be the cause of her decision to commit suicide. Barristan thinks that if only Ashara knew about his feelings for Ashara, maybe Ashara would ask for Barristan’s protection rather than Ned, who was married to Catylen, thus preventing Ashara from committing suicide.
*written by Desi Mandasari (@desimanda)
