Westeros Notorious Rulers and Families

Jorah Mormont

Lord Jorah was also known as Ser Jorah, Lord of Bear Island (stripped), Lord Commander of the Queen's Guard (dismissed), The exile knight, Jorah the Andal, Ser Bezoar. He is the son of Jeor Mormont in 254 AC.

Lord Jorah's first wife was a Glover, his second wife was Lynesse Hightower.

Youth: Jorah was married at a young age to a girl from House Glover as desired by his father Jeor Mormont, Lord of Bear Island. While they were married for ten years, Jorah's wife was unable to carry a child to term. She eventually died following her third miscarriage. Presumably, prior to Robert's Rebellion, Jeor gave up the lordship of House Mormont by joining the Night's Watch, which made Jorah the Lord of Bear Island in his own right. During Robert's Rebellion, Jorah fought on the side of the rebels. He was present during the Battle of the Trident in 283 AC and saw the aftermath of the Sack of King's Landing.

Greyjoy's Rebellion: After the death of his first wife, Jorah received multiple marriage offers from other houses. Before he made his decision, however, Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, rose in rebellion in 289 AC. Jorah showed courage during Greyjoy's Rebellion, being one of the first men through the breach during the siege of Pyke. He received a knighthood from King Robert I Baratheon in recognition of his bravery. According to Magister Illyrio Mopatis, Jorah was anointed by the High Septon when he became a knight, though it is unknown which religion Jorah follows, nor whether the High Septon was present on Pyke.

Marriage to Lynesse: During a tourney at Lannisport to celebrate the victory over the Greyjoy rebels, Jorah met Lynesse Hightower, who was half his age and became smitten with her beauty. He asked for her favor to wear during the tournament, for which she gave her permission. Jorah unexpectedly defeated all challengers. He faced Ser Jaime Lannister last, and after they broke nine lances to no result, King Robert I Baratheon granted Jorah the victory. Jorah named Lynesse his queen of love and beauty, and asked Lynesse's father, Lord Leyton Hightower, for her hand in marriage that same night. Surprisingly, Leyton agreed. Jorah and Lynesse were married at Lannisport, after which they returned to Bear Island.

The marriage did not remain happy for long. Having spent her life as part of the wealthy House Hightower in Oldtown, Lynesse was unprepared for life on harsh and isolated Bear Island and quickly grew miserable. Jorah attempted to reproduce the lifestyle to which his wife was accustomed, but only succeeded in driving himself into financial ruin, by lavishing her with expensive gifts, hiring a cook from Oldtown, and a harper from Lannisport. Having built a fine ship, Jorah attended festivals with his wife in those two cities as well, and he borrowed from moneylenders while in Braavos. Jorah participated in various tourneys, but he never duplicated his success at Lannisport.

Exile: Desperate to pay off his debts, Jorah took part in one of the Seven Kingdoms' oldest taboos, slavery. When House Mormont's liege, Eddard Stark, learned that Jorah had sold poachers to a Tyroshi slaver, he condemned him to death. However, when the Warden of the North arrived on Bear Island to execute him in 293 AC, Jorah had already fled with Lynesse. To his credit, Jorah left behind Longclaw, the ancestral Valyrian steel sword of the Mormons. Jorah's aunt, Lady Maege Mormont, sent the blade to Jeor at Castle Black.

Rather than join his father in taking the black, Jorah took Lynesse with him into exile. While Jorah wanted to go to Braavos, Lynesse wanted a warmer home, so they fled to Lys instead, where Jorah sold his ship. Within half a year they had no money left, so Jorah sold his service as a sellsword. However, while Jorah was fighting the Braavosi on the Rhoyne, Lynesse took Tregar Ormollen as her lover and moved into the merchant prince's manse. When Jorah returned to Lys, Tregar informed him that he would be enslaved for his debts, unless he gave up Lynesse and left Lys. Heartbroken, Jorah went to Volantis, where he spent the better part of a year. He remained near the Free Cities traveling as far east as Vaes Dothrak, and, having spent time with the Dothraki, eventually came to speak their language and learn their customs. He has not traveled to the red waste, however. Jorah became familiar with Ben Plumm and the Second Sons. At some point, Jorah also became a spy for Lord Varys, Robert's master of whisperers.