Andor (Wheel of Time)
Encyclopedia
Andor is a country set in Robert Jordan
's The Wheel of Time
series of fantasy
fiction novels.
Andor is one of the strongest countries in the Westlands of the main continent. It is located in the middle of the Westlands, and is one of the largest nations. After the death of the High King
Artur Hawkwing, Ishara, the first Queen of Andor, persuaded her husband Souran Maravaile (one of Hawkwing's generals) to lift his siege of Tar Valon and instead establish a country. Ishara believed in holding on to a relatively small section of Hawkwing's vast but crumbling empire
, instead of fighting for the whole. The capital of Andor is Caemlyn.
The oldest tradition of Andor is that only a queen
may sit on the Lion Throne of Andor, and wear the Rose Crown. However it wasn't intended that a queen would always rule—it just so happened that the sons of the first two Queens of Andor were killed and so their daughters became queens. After this it became tradition that a queen would rule. The eldest daughter is known as the Daughter-Heir, and is always sent to Tar Valon
to study. The eldest brother of the Daughter-Heir is sworn to protect her with his life, and is prepared from an early age to take upon himself the title of First Prince of the Sword and control of Andor's army
.
Andor is a powerful nation, with a substantial army consisting primarily of the Queen's Guards. Throughout history, Andor has been under almost constant pressure from neighboring countries. Andor and Cairhien
have been at war more times than any two countries except for Tear
and Illian
. Often-lawless Murandy, south of Andor, is the source of many border incursions which the Queen's Guards must fend off; conversely, the Andoran forces at the Murandian border have resulted in Andor having a strong hand in Murandian politics
. The Children of the Light have always had a reason to dislike Andor, as the Daughter-Heir always studies in the White Tower.
. The city of Caemlyn is actually made up of two cities, the New City and the Inner City. The New City, less than two thousand years old, was constructed exclusively by humans, surrounding but largely to the north of the Inner City. The Queen's Blessing is an inn in the New City where Rand met Loial, an Ogier. The owner of the inn, Basel Gill is a loyal Queen's man. The ancient Inner City, on the other hand, was constructed by Ogier much earlier on the hills. The entire city is encircled by a fifty-foot wall; the Inner City itself is also surrounded by a wall. Certainly the most impressive building in the Inner City is the Royal Palace, which serves as the seat of government for Andor.
In many ways Caemlyn is reminiscent of King Arthur
's Camelot
.
, a major character of The Wheel of Time series.
There is much speculation as to why Andor chooses not to annex Aringill. The question is all the more striking since the Andoran presence is pronounced, extending to the garrisoning of a considerable number of the Queen's Guard---apparently at the invitation of Aringill. This is where many of the Queen's Guards who were discharged by Gaebril went; Captain Charlz Guybon brought 4,762 of these back to aid daughter-heir Elayne in lifting the siege of Camelyn (Knife).
Aringill is a fairly new city, having been either unoccupied or no larger than a small town as recently as 800 NE (World, 118).
Though some have misrepresented this area as well inhabited, it is in fact largely taken up by the Forest of Shadows, and very sparsely populated. In the New Era, Andorans are very afraid of strange forests, and this one (which has a sinister reputation stretching back centuries) in particular.
(Rand's Lover and Warder
bond holder) lived here with her three aunts for a time.
After Rand al'Thor
proclaimed himself the Dragon Reborn, however, the isolation of the Two Rivers ended. The collapse of the nations of Tarabon and Arad Doman, due mostly to his presence, brought huge numbers of refugees across the Mountains of Mist and into the Two Rivers, disturbing the local culture and quickly "modernizing" the agricultural backwater. Even worse, Padan Fain
brought Whitecloaks and Trollocs to the region, attempting to draw al'Thor out. Instead, Perrin Aybara
returned, and, in light of his defense and leadership, was unanimously (and unwillingly) selected Lord of the Two Rivers, the region's first noble in hundreds of years. Because his wife, Faile ni'Bashere t'Aybara
, is second in line to the throne of Saldaea (currently held by her cousin, Queen Tenobia Kazadi), the Two Rivers may soon rise from obscurity to political importance. Due to the lack of reliable news from this relatively isolated location, many outside the Two Rivers think that there is a revolt in the Two Rivers, following the Trolloc invasion.
There are many, striking resemblances to The Shire
(also an area located between two rivers) in The Lord of the Rings
/The Hobbit
(notably, famous tobacco from an obscure place). Some suggest that this is Jordan's nod to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Many Aes Sedai have recently visited the Two Rivers, and have commented on how the "old blood runs strong" in the Two Rivers. This is demonstrated by the three ta'veren from Emond's Field, the large number of native girls and women who are natural born channelers and/or who can be taught to channel, and men who can be taught (40). Taren Ferry is considered a disappointment in this area, as there has been too much mixing of blood with the outside world.
The Two Rivers is home to many of the major characters of the Wheel of Time series, all from Emond's Field:
). The monument itself was financed and built by the common people of his empire, despite the fact he did not want such a thing.
With the removal of the taint on saidin by Rand al'Thor and Nynaeve al'Meara, the Black Tower may gain a more permanent existence.
once saw it. Known only to a few people is its great secret: it provides a way to go to the land of the Aelfinn and Eelfinn without the need to use a special ter'angreal.
. Morgase of House Trakand was the previous Queen of Andor, and for most of her reign was widely regarded as a strong and just ruler. Unfortunately, during her last year as Queen, she was manipulated by the Forsaken Rahvin
(posing as one Lord Gaebril) into a series of harsh and unjust acts, which alienated her leading supporters among the nobility and many of the common people, while Rahvin conspired with her enemies to supplant her. Morgase eventually fled Caemlyn in secret, intending to raise support to restore her, but such was the ill-feeling against her that she and only a handful of followers were obliged to leave Andor entirely. Meanwhile, Rahvin ruled Andor unopposed until he was confronted by Rand al'Thor
and killed, and Andor descended into interregnum
. For a time, Rand's forces were in de facto control of Caemlyn, and the nobles ruled the countryside. With Morgase missing, and presumed dead by all the key players on Andor's political scene (the Dragon Reborn
,the Daughter-Heir Elayne
, and the leaders of Andor's noble houses), Elayne's accession to the throne should have been straightforward. But Elayne's extended absence on Aes Sedai
business, coupled with the ill-feeling that Rahvin had raised against House Trakand, meant that by the time she could make it to Caemlyn for her coronation, the majority of the Great Houses were against her, with some supporting her cousin, the Lady Dyelin, and various alliances of nobles putting forward their own candidates. (Dyelin herself loyally supports Elayne.) After a brief struggle, in which the principal Houses opposed to Elayne laid an unsuccessful siege to Caemlyn, Elayne was able to garner enough support to be crowned Queen.
Traditionally the accession of a new queen must be approved by a majority of the 19 Great Houses. In Knife of Dreams
, Elayne (the Daughter-heir) finally gets the votes of a majority of the Great Houses.
Since Andor relies on a strong monarchy, it has occasionally fallen into political disorder in what are known as "Successions". These civil wars arose when it was unclear who should be the next Queen, and the various noble houses fought for their preferred candidates. Based on the tradition that support of 10 of the 19 Great Houses is sufficient, it appears that at least some Houses remain aloof during Successions (which appear to be between two candidates most of the time). A Succession with three candidates was described; it was said to involve seven years of open war before a Queen was chosen, and all three original claimants were dead by that time.
Minor Houses
Branstrom, Bryne, Gilbearn, Janevor, Layden, Martan, Pensenor, Sharplyn, Traehand, etc.
. Much of this is generated in the Mountains of Mist, far to the west
of central Andor. Gold
, silver
, iron
, and copper
are extracted from the rich mines
in these mountains. Most of this metal is refined in the smelters near the mines.
The strength which must be expended to retain the valuable mines in the Mountains of Mist means that other outlying regions of Andor have been virtually forgotten. A good example of this is the Two Rivers, where few even realize they are part of a larger kingdom.
Women usually wear belted dresses with high, squared necklines and fitted sleeves; many have embroidery. Commoners usually wear wool (with higher necklines and aprons); nobility wear silk, embroidered with metallic thread, and belts.
—especially of the Middle Ages
. The author has confirmed that Andorans speak with a (modern) English accent. Many of the symbols of Andor mirror those of England: Tudor rose
; Three Lions of England; Lion(s) of the United Kingdom
; and rampart lion(s) on a red field
—especially after King Richard
"The Lionheart."
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
's The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...
series of fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
fiction novels.
Andor is one of the strongest countries in the Westlands of the main continent. It is located in the middle of the Westlands, and is one of the largest nations. After the death of the High King
High king
A high king is a king who holds a position of seniority over a group of other kings, without the title of Emperor; compare King of Kings.Rulers who have been termed "high king" include:...
Artur Hawkwing, Ishara, the first Queen of Andor, persuaded her husband Souran Maravaile (one of Hawkwing's generals) to lift his siege of Tar Valon and instead establish a country. Ishara believed in holding on to a relatively small section of Hawkwing's vast but crumbling empire
Empire
The term empire derives from the Latin imperium . Politically, an empire is a geographically extensive group of states and peoples united and ruled either by a monarch or an oligarchy....
, instead of fighting for the whole. The capital of Andor is Caemlyn.
History
Andor is one of the oldest nations in the world. It was founded during the War of the Hundred Years. Many of Andor's traditions were established during these early years. Unlike many nobles of the time, Queen Ishara, Andor's first ruler, realized that no one ruler would be able to take control of Hawkwing's entire empire. Instead, she focused on controlling only what she could. As a result, Andor began only with the capital city of Caemlyn and the small surrounding villages. Cautious expansion marked the reigns of the early queens of Andor. Other Andorian Queens include Queen Talisien, Queen Alesinde, and Queen Lyndelle (Lord of Chaos 528-9)The oldest tradition of Andor is that only a queen
Queen regnant
A queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reigning king. An empress regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire....
may sit on the Lion Throne of Andor, and wear the Rose Crown. However it wasn't intended that a queen would always rule—it just so happened that the sons of the first two Queens of Andor were killed and so their daughters became queens. After this it became tradition that a queen would rule. The eldest daughter is known as the Daughter-Heir, and is always sent to Tar Valon
Tar Valon
Tar Valon is a fictional city in Robert Jordan's fantasy series the Wheel of Time.-The City:Tar Valon is an island city in the River Erinin, within sight of the Dragonmount. It is the home of the White Tower, which is the center of Aes Sedai power...
to study. The eldest brother of the Daughter-Heir is sworn to protect her with his life, and is prepared from an early age to take upon himself the title of First Prince of the Sword and control of Andor's army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
.
Andor is a powerful nation, with a substantial army consisting primarily of the Queen's Guards. Throughout history, Andor has been under almost constant pressure from neighboring countries. Andor and Cairhien
Cairhien
Cairhien is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels. Cairhien is located in the east central part of The Westlands, on the east it borders with the Spine of the World. The sign of Cairhien is a golden sun rising on a field of deep blue...
have been at war more times than any two countries except for Tear
Tear (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Tear is one of the richest nations in the land. This comes in part from controlling the greatest port on the Sea of Storms, at the mouth of the River Erinin. A great deal of Tear's wealth comes from the oil produced on the...
and Illian
Illian
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Illian is a powerful merchant nation north of the Sea of Storms, with a capital city of the same name. It is a center of commerce specializing in fishing, shipping, shipbuilding, and smuggling. Political deadlock often...
. Often-lawless Murandy, south of Andor, is the source of many border incursions which the Queen's Guards must fend off; conversely, the Andoran forces at the Murandian border have resulted in Andor having a strong hand in Murandian politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
. The Children of the Light have always had a reason to dislike Andor, as the Daughter-Heir always studies in the White Tower.
Geography
As is the case in many countries, the capital city of Caemlyn and the surrounding area is home to most of the nation's population. Other regions of the country are identified with cities or large towns, or prominent geographical features.Caemlyn
Caemlyn is the capital city of Andor, second in beauty only to Tar ValonTar Valon
Tar Valon is a fictional city in Robert Jordan's fantasy series the Wheel of Time.-The City:Tar Valon is an island city in the River Erinin, within sight of the Dragonmount. It is the home of the White Tower, which is the center of Aes Sedai power...
. The city of Caemlyn is actually made up of two cities, the New City and the Inner City. The New City, less than two thousand years old, was constructed exclusively by humans, surrounding but largely to the north of the Inner City. The Queen's Blessing is an inn in the New City where Rand met Loial, an Ogier. The owner of the inn, Basel Gill is a loyal Queen's man. The ancient Inner City, on the other hand, was constructed by Ogier much earlier on the hills. The entire city is encircled by a fifty-foot wall; the Inner City itself is also surrounded by a wall. Certainly the most impressive building in the Inner City is the Royal Palace, which serves as the seat of government for Andor.
In many ways Caemlyn is reminiscent of King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
's Camelot
Camelot
Camelot is a castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and eventually came to be described as the fantastic capital of Arthur's realm and a symbol of the Arthurian world...
.
Aridhol
Aridhol was one of the Ten Nations that emerged after the Breaking of the world. The small portion of Andor on the northern shore of the River Arinelle (from west of the River Arinelle's upper north-south branch to the east of the River Haevin) is often referred to by Andorans as Aridhol. Though admittedly small, the notoriety of the area seems to call for a separate identification. Whether the location of the ancient capital city, also called Aridhol and more recently known as Shadar Logoth, falls within this small region is difficult to distinguish from the maps. The fluidity of the Andorran border extending into this unclaimed wilderness region further complicates the question. Virtually no humans permanently live in this area in the New Era.Arinelle
A river located in Andor just Northeast of Baerlon. The Arinelle runs almost completely North and South with a slight angling to the East and West respectively. The Arinelle also seems to be located in the ancient capital city of Aridhol, in Andor, or it simply marks the general western borderline of Aridhol.Baerlon
Baerlon is the primary city of western Andor, though far smaller than huge Caemlyn in the east. Primarily a mining town, it serves as a resting point for merchants buying metals from the mines in the Mountains of Mist or tabac and wool from the Two Rivers to the more populous eastern half of Andor. Baerlon is also the home of Min FarshawMin Farshaw
Elmindreda "Min" Farshaw is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.- Description :She is slender, a little taller than Moiraine , and has short dark hair that becomes curly when grown long. She has large, dark eyes...
, a major character of The Wheel of Time series.
River Erinin Region (Aringill Area)
Intriguingly, the nation of Andor does not include much land on the west bank of River Erinin. Cairhien holds most of both banks to the north (except the very north where Andor controls a small portion of both banks). The southern half of Andor's eastern border is some miles inland, thus in this area the Erinin actually falls outside national boundaries. Here is located the large city Aringill on the west bank, the small and unwalled town of Maerone on the east bank, and several villages nearby.There is much speculation as to why Andor chooses not to annex Aringill. The question is all the more striking since the Andoran presence is pronounced, extending to the garrisoning of a considerable number of the Queen's Guard---apparently at the invitation of Aringill. This is where many of the Queen's Guards who were discharged by Gaebril went; Captain Charlz Guybon brought 4,762 of these back to aid daughter-heir Elayne in lifting the siege of Camelyn (Knife).
Aringill is a fairly new city, having been either unoccupied or no larger than a small town as recently as 800 NE (World, 118).
Four Kings
A town on the Caemlyn Road in between Caemlyn and Whitebridge. Many merchants stop here on their way to Caemlyn. In The Eye of the World Rand overhears a Myrdraal talking with a Darkfriend to keep watch for Rand outside an inn."Western" Manetherendrelle
The area in Andor west and south of River Manetherendrelle (also called the White River) is a long stretch of land approximately 400 miles east to west, though never more than 100 miles wide (north to south), and tapering at both ends.Though some have misrepresented this area as well inhabited, it is in fact largely taken up by the Forest of Shadows, and very sparsely populated. In the New Era, Andorans are very afraid of strange forests, and this one (which has a sinister reputation stretching back centuries) in particular.
Misty Lake Valley
Although a rather beautiful mountain lake and valley, the Misty Lake & Valley are barely acknowledged by Andor, and in fact the exact boundary is not clear and is constantly being argued. Ever since the disappearance of the ancient nation of Almoth well over four hundred years ago, only the nation of Andor has ever laid claim to any of this territory. Due to its location high in the Mountains of Mist, and it proximity to the sinister Sand Hills and Darkwood, it is largely uninhabited---with the exception of the northwestern corner of the lake valley. This small area is reached by The Katar Road from the city-state of Katar, and is nominally claimed by Katar.Mountains of the Mist
The mountains of mist are a mountain range that has a bad reputation, upheld by Two Rivers folk, of being bad luck to even stand at the foot hills. It is primarily inhabited by wolves, bears and other predators and an abundance of deer and rabbit but there are mining camps for gold, copper, and iron. Min FarshawMin Farshaw
Elmindreda "Min" Farshaw is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.- Description :She is slender, a little taller than Moiraine , and has short dark hair that becomes curly when grown long. She has large, dark eyes...
(Rand's Lover and Warder
Warder (Wheel of Time)
A Warder in the world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is a person bonded by an Aes Sedai through the use of saidar to become her bodyguard as she travels....
bond holder) lived here with her three aunts for a time.
"Southlands"
For lack of a better term, the area comprising the headwaters of the River Cory and northern foothills of Kintara is called the "Southlands" of Andor.The Two Rivers
On the western border of Andor (south of Baerlon) is the region known as The Two Rivers. The area is located between the upper reaches of the River Manetherendrelle---called the White River in the Two Rivers and nowadays considered impassable at any point---and the River Taren, a smaller tributary. To the west are the Sand Hills and the Mountains of Mist, and to the east lies the Waterwood, a dangerous swamp. These obstacles make The Two Rivers an extremely isolated region of Andor; the only reasonable way into or out of the area is by crossing the Taren at Taren Ferry. The Two Rivers region contains four villages, which from north to south are: Taren Ferry, Watch Hill, Emond's Field, and Deven Ride, though the denizens of the last three barely consider Taren Ferry part of the Two Rivers at all, and think of its people as untrustworthy. The people of Taren Ferry call the other villages the "lower villages" and consider them simple. Andoran soldiers and tax collectors have not been seen in the Two Rivers for many generations, and in fact, most inhabitants of the region do not even realize that they are part of any country at all.After Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
proclaimed himself the Dragon Reborn, however, the isolation of the Two Rivers ended. The collapse of the nations of Tarabon and Arad Doman, due mostly to his presence, brought huge numbers of refugees across the Mountains of Mist and into the Two Rivers, disturbing the local culture and quickly "modernizing" the agricultural backwater. Even worse, Padan Fain
Padan Fain
Padan Fain is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Peddler and Darkfriend:Padan Fain was a peddler, who became a Darkfriend in his twenties, for the promise of immortality...
brought Whitecloaks and Trollocs to the region, attempting to draw al'Thor out. Instead, Perrin Aybara
Perrin Aybara
Perrin t'Bashere Aybara, or Goldeneyes, is one of the main characters of Robert Jordan's epic fantasy The Wheel of Time. Character is largely based on Slavic god Perun. In addition to the name similarity Perrin's choice of weapons include the axe, hammer, and bow...
returned, and, in light of his defense and leadership, was unanimously (and unwillingly) selected Lord of the Two Rivers, the region's first noble in hundreds of years. Because his wife, Faile ni'Bashere t'Aybara
Faile Bashere
Faile Bashere is a character in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Life as Zarine:Zarine "Faile" ni Bashere t'Aybara is the daughter of Lord Davram Bashere, the Marshal-General to Saldaea and uncle to Queen Tenobia...
, is second in line to the throne of Saldaea (currently held by her cousin, Queen Tenobia Kazadi), the Two Rivers may soon rise from obscurity to political importance. Due to the lack of reliable news from this relatively isolated location, many outside the Two Rivers think that there is a revolt in the Two Rivers, following the Trolloc invasion.
There are many, striking resemblances to The Shire
Shire (Middle-earth)
The Shire is a region of J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth, described in The Lord of the Rings and other works. The Shire refers to an area settled exclusively by Hobbits and largely removed from the goings-on in the rest of Middle-earth. It is located in the northwest of the continent, in...
(also an area located between two rivers) in The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
/The Hobbit
The Hobbit
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, better known by its abbreviated title The Hobbit, is a fantasy novel and children's book by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published on 21 September 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the New York Herald...
(notably, famous tobacco from an obscure place). Some suggest that this is Jordan's nod to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Many Aes Sedai have recently visited the Two Rivers, and have commented on how the "old blood runs strong" in the Two Rivers. This is demonstrated by the three ta'veren from Emond's Field, the large number of native girls and women who are natural born channelers and/or who can be taught to channel, and men who can be taught (40). Taren Ferry is considered a disappointment in this area, as there has been too much mixing of blood with the outside world.
The Two Rivers is home to many of the major characters of the Wheel of Time series, all from Emond's Field:
- Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
, the Dragon Reborn - Matrim "Mat" CauthonMat CauthonMatrim "Mat" Cauthon is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. He is one of the primary protagonists and has moved over the course of the series from his beginnings as a mischievous farm lad into the role of a powerful, shrewd and successful general and...
, Captain General and Patron of the Band of the Red HandBand of the Red HandIn The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction books by the late Robert Jordan, the Band of the Red Hand is a military group named after a legendary band of heroes who died in the defense of Manetheren.-History:... - Lord Perrin "Goldeneyes" t'Bashere AybaraPerrin AybaraPerrin t'Bashere Aybara, or Goldeneyes, is one of the main characters of Robert Jordan's epic fantasy The Wheel of Time. Character is largely based on Slavic god Perun. In addition to the name similarity Perrin's choice of weapons include the axe, hammer, and bow...
of the Two Rivers - Egwene al'VereEgwene al'VereEgwene al'Vere is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:She is described as beautiful, with large brown eyes and long dark hair. Like all adult women in her home village of Emond's Field, she initially wore her hair in a long braid, but as soon...
Sedai, Amyrlin SeatAmyrlin SeatThe Amyrlin Seat is a fictional title from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.The Amyrlin Seat, or Amyrlin as it is often shortened to, is the leader of the Aes Sedai in Tar Valon. The term can also refer to the actual seat upon which the Amyrlin sits... - Nynaeve al'MearaNynaeve al'MearaNynaeve al'Meara is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Personality:Nynaeve's personality often runs a gamut of emotions, meek at times before more experienced women but also able to stand up and run down others. While she will deny it, Nynaeve is...
Sedai, an Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah
Whitebridge
One well-known town towards the west of Andor is Whitebridge, so named for the large bridge which crosses the River Arinelle into the town. The bridge itself is said to look like glass and when newcomers cross it they often wonder how the bridge holds them.Artur Hawkwing's monument
All that is left of this monument are a few remains. It is at a site selected by Artur Hawkwing himself to be the place for his new capital after he had conquered all the Western lands (except Tar ValonTar Valon
Tar Valon is a fictional city in Robert Jordan's fantasy series the Wheel of Time.-The City:Tar Valon is an island city in the River Erinin, within sight of the Dragonmount. It is the home of the White Tower, which is the center of Aes Sedai power...
). The monument itself was financed and built by the common people of his empire, despite the fact he did not want such a thing.
Black Tower
The Black Tower is a partially-walled fortress less than a day's walk south from the city of Caemlyn. Established in the very recent past by Rand al'Thor, its purpose is to train men who can channel for the Final Battle. Originally, it was known only as "the farm", since it was little more than a farm house and land surrounding it. However, as time went on, students there felt it should have a name, and came up with it to balance the Aes Sedai White Tower.With the removal of the taint on saidin by Rand al'Thor and Nynaeve al'Meara, the Black Tower may gain a more permanent existence.
Tower of Ghenjei
An old tower with no apparent doors, the Tower of Ghenjei is situated within the borders of Andor, where Mat CauthonMat Cauthon
Matrim "Mat" Cauthon is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. He is one of the primary protagonists and has moved over the course of the series from his beginnings as a mischievous farm lad into the role of a powerful, shrewd and successful general and...
once saw it. Known only to a few people is its great secret: it provides a way to go to the land of the Aelfinn and Eelfinn without the need to use a special ter'angreal.
Monarchy
Andor's ruler has traditionally been a QueenMonarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
. Morgase of House Trakand was the previous Queen of Andor, and for most of her reign was widely regarded as a strong and just ruler. Unfortunately, during her last year as Queen, she was manipulated by the Forsaken Rahvin
Rahvin
Rahvin is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
(posing as one Lord Gaebril) into a series of harsh and unjust acts, which alienated her leading supporters among the nobility and many of the common people, while Rahvin conspired with her enemies to supplant her. Morgase eventually fled Caemlyn in secret, intending to raise support to restore her, but such was the ill-feeling against her that she and only a handful of followers were obliged to leave Andor entirely. Meanwhile, Rahvin ruled Andor unopposed until he was confronted by Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
and killed, and Andor descended into interregnum
Interregnum
An interregnum is a period of discontinuity or "gap" in a government, organization, or social order...
. For a time, Rand's forces were in de facto control of Caemlyn, and the nobles ruled the countryside. With Morgase missing, and presumed dead by all the key players on Andor's political scene (the Dragon Reborn
Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
,the Daughter-Heir Elayne
Elayne Trakand
Elayne Trakand is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She bears a resemblance both in name and appearance to Ilyena, the doomed wife of Lews Therin Telamon from the Age of Legends.-Description:...
, and the leaders of Andor's noble houses), Elayne's accession to the throne should have been straightforward. But Elayne's extended absence on Aes Sedai
Aes Sedai
The Aes Sedai are a special society in the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book series. Aes Sedai means "Servant to All" in the Old Tongue. They are the wielders of the One Power...
business, coupled with the ill-feeling that Rahvin had raised against House Trakand, meant that by the time she could make it to Caemlyn for her coronation, the majority of the Great Houses were against her, with some supporting her cousin, the Lady Dyelin, and various alliances of nobles putting forward their own candidates. (Dyelin herself loyally supports Elayne.) After a brief struggle, in which the principal Houses opposed to Elayne laid an unsuccessful siege to Caemlyn, Elayne was able to garner enough support to be crowned Queen.
Traditionally the accession of a new queen must be approved by a majority of the 19 Great Houses. In Knife of Dreams
Knife of Dreams
Knife of Dreams is the 11th novel in the fantasy series The Wheel of Time by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books in the U.S. and Orbit in the UK and released on October 11, 2005...
, Elayne (the Daughter-heir) finally gets the votes of a majority of the Great Houses.
Since Andor relies on a strong monarchy, it has occasionally fallen into political disorder in what are known as "Successions". These civil wars arose when it was unclear who should be the next Queen, and the various noble houses fought for their preferred candidates. Based on the tradition that support of 10 of the 19 Great Houses is sufficient, it appears that at least some Houses remain aloof during Successions (which appear to be between two candidates most of the time). A Succession with three candidates was described; it was said to involve seven years of open war before a Queen was chosen, and all three original claimants were dead by that time.
Nobility
Great Houses- 1. Anshar - Red Fox
- 2. Arawn - Triple Keys (silver)
- 3. Baryn - Winged Hammer (silver)
- 4. Caeren - Star & Sword (red and silver)
- 5. Candraed -
- 6. Carand - Golden Arrows (3 or many)
- 7. Coelan - Roses (of Coelan) (red)
- 8. Gilyard - Red Leopards
- 9. Haevin - Blue Bear
- 10. Mantear - Anvil (silver)
- 11. Marne - Silver Moons (4)
- 12. Northan - Black Eagles
- 13. Norwelyn - Silver Salmon
- 14. Pendar - Golden Stars (3)
- 15. Renshar - Golden Hounds
- 16. Sarand - black banner
- 17. Taravin - Owl & Oak
- 18. Traemane - White Stag (golden antlers)
- 19. Trakand - Keystone (silver)
Minor Houses
Branstrom, Bryne, Gilbearn, Janevor, Layden, Martan, Pensenor, Sharplyn, Traehand, etc.
Economy
Andor's strength comes from its wealthWealth
Wealth is the abundance of valuable resources or material possessions. The word wealth is derived from the old English wela, which is from an Indo-European word stem...
. Much of this is generated in the Mountains of Mist, far to the west
West
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
of central Andor. Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
, iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
, and copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
are extracted from the rich mines
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
in these mountains. Most of this metal is refined in the smelters near the mines.
The strength which must be expended to retain the valuable mines in the Mountains of Mist means that other outlying regions of Andor have been virtually forgotten. A good example of this is the Two Rivers, where few even realize they are part of a larger kingdom.
Clothing
Men wear woolen or silk trousers, shirt and coat. Coats are worn with turned-back cuffs and turned-up collars; those of the nobility are usually embroidered.Women usually wear belted dresses with high, squared necklines and fitted sleeves; many have embroidery. Commoners usually wear wool (with higher necklines and aprons); nobility wear silk, embroidered with metallic thread, and belts.
Signs and symbols
- SIGIL - White Lion (a white lion rampant)
- BANNER - a white lion rampant on a field of red
- QUEEN'S - Lion Throne and Rose Crown
- SYMBOLS - red rose & white lion
- COLORS - red (primary) and white (secondary)
- LIVERY - red, with white collars and cuffs
- UNIFORMS - red undercoat & cloak, white cuffs & long white collars
Earth equivalency
Due to the large number of similarities, Andor is thought by many to be primarily based on EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
—especially of the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. The author has confirmed that Andorans speak with a (modern) English accent. Many of the symbols of Andor mirror those of England: Tudor rose
Tudor rose
The Tudor Rose is the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England and takes its name and origins from the Tudor dynasty.-Origins:...
; Three Lions of England; Lion(s) of the United Kingdom
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom is the official coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. These arms are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch of the United Kingdom, and are officially known as her Arms of Dominion...
; and rampart lion(s) on a red field
Coat of arms of England
In heraldry, the Royal Arms of England is a coat of arms symbolising England and its monarchs. Its blazon is Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed and langued Azure, meaning three identical gold lions with blue tongues and claws, walking and facing the observer, arranged in a column...
—especially after King Richard
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
"The Lionheart."