Quentyn Ball
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 Art by José Daniel Cabrera Peña from The World of Ice & Fire (cropped). | ||||
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| Alias | Fireball | |||
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| Allegiances | ||||
| Culture | Reach | |||
| Born | Reach[1] | |||
| Died | In 196 AC[2], near Redgrass Field[2] | |||
| Spouse | Unknown[2] | |||
| Issue | Glendon Flowers (disputed) | |||
| Personal arms | A fireball blazing red and yellow across a night black field | |||
| Books |
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Quentyn Ball, known as Fireball, was a knight from House Ball during the reigns of kings Aegon IV and Daeron II Targaryen. His personal coat-of-arms was a fireball blazing red and yellow across a night black field.[2] He was one of the key supporters of Daemon Blackfyre during the First Blackfyre Rebellion.
Contents
Appearance and Character
Quentyn was red-haired, with a fiery temper, hence the moniker Fireball.[2] He was considered to be one of the greatest knights of his day.[3]
History
During the reign of Aegon IV
Quentyn was the master-at-arms of the Red Keep during King Aegon IV Targaryen's days. In that office, he taught the sons of Prince Daeron Targaryen (Baelor, Aerys, Rhaegel and Maekar) as well as the Great Bastards (Daemon Waters, Aegor Rivers and Brynden Rivers) how to fight.[2] At some point, Aegon promised Quentyn a place in the Kingsguard once an opening were to become apparent. In order to facilitate this Quentyn made his wife join the silent sisters. Aegon died before an opening in the Sworn Brotherhood became vacant, however.[4]
First Blackfyre Rebellion
When a place in the Kingsguard became available under King Daeron II Targaryen, son and heir of Aegon IV, Quentyn reminded him of his father's promise. Fireball was refused the white cloak for reasons unknown, and it was instead given to Ser Willem Wylde. This betrayal caused Quentyn to choose Daemon Blackfyre's side during Daemon's rebellion. It was rumored that Fireball had as much a part as Bittersteel in convincing Daemon to claim the Iron Throne.[4]
It was Fireball who rescued Daemon when King Daeron sent the Kingsguard to arrest him. During the First Blackfyre Rebellion, Quentyn killed Lord Lefford at Lannisport and sent Lord Damon Lannister back to Casterly Rock when he came out to confront him. At the crossing of the Mander he slew all the sons of Lady Penrose save for the youngest, whom he spared as a kindness to her. Quentyn was slain by a common archer on the eve of the Battle of the Redgrass Field when he stopped for a drink of water.[3][2]
A young boy named Glendon Flowers believed himself to be Quentyn's bastard son.[2]
Family
| Unknown wife | Quentyn Ball | Penny Jenny | Unknown man | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glendon Flowers | Daughter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Behind the Scenes
According to George R. R. Martin Fireball was loosely inspired by Sir Henry Percy, a late medieval English nobleman known as Hotspur.[5]
References
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Quentyn Ball.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 The Mystery Knight.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II Targaryen.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Private Meeting (Santa Fe NM) (May 4, 2004)